Visitors to the Province of Pistoia are greeted with an enormous array of natural and cultural gems, many of which are largely undiscovered. From the beautiful rolling Tuscan hills lined with grapes vines and olive groves, producing well known oil and wine, to the ten medieval hill town villages above Pescia, to Fucecchio with its spectacular nature reserve. From the thermal waters of the spa towns Montecatini and Monsummano Terme, to the Villa and garden of Pinocchio and Leonardo’s home town of Vinci. There are hiking trails, museums, churches, glorious vistas, wonderful food and wine, and all within easy reach of Florence and Pisa. The Fucecchio Marshes Nature Reserve, covers over 1,800 hectares and is recognised as the largest wetland in Europe. Known as the ‘Padule di Fucecchio’ there are observatories for birdwatching, walking tracks, bike trails, and a chance to explore these amazing waterways on a traditional “Barchino”, a flat bottom boat that glides ever so peacefully through the canals. This allows you the perfect opportunity to see a large variety of flora with rare aquatic plants along the banks and fauna which enjoy the humidity of this area. With over 200 different species of birds such as 1,500 pairs of herons, it’s the perfect time to visit, with migration and breeding seasons, there is lots of activity on the water. There are educations centres such as ‘Dogana’ Customs House with state of the art education facilities to explore the history of this unique area. There are exhibition centres dedicated to the flora and fauna and demonstrating the use of the rushes to weave the baskets throughout history. For a complete schedule of guided tours for 2016 call Centro R.D.P. Padule di Fucecchio Tel. 0573/84540 fucecchio@zoneumidetoscane.it/www.zoneumidetoscane.it/eventi/padeventi. My recommendation is a guided tour on a “barchino”. San Quirico is one of
Visitors to the Province of Pistoia are greeted with an enormous array of natural and cultural gems, many of which are largely undiscovered. From the beautiful rolling Tuscan hills lined with grapes vines and olive groves, producing well known oil and wine, to the ten medieval hill town villages above Pescia, to Fucecchio with its spectacular nature reserve. From the thermal waters of the spa towns Montecatini and Monsummano Terme, to the Villa and garden of Pinocchio and Leonardo’s home town of Vinci. There are hiking trails, museums, churches, glorious vistas, wonderful food and wine, and all within easy reach of Florence and Pisa.
The Fucecchio Marshes Nature Reserve, covers over 1,800 hectares and is recognised as the largest wetland in Europe. Known as the ‘Padule di Fucecchio’ there are observatories for birdwatching, walking tracks, bike trails, and a chance to explore these amazing waterways on a traditional “Barchino”, a flat bottom boat that glides ever so peacefully through the canals. This allows you the perfect opportunity to see a large variety of flora with rare aquatic plants along the banks and fauna which enjoy the humidity of this area. With over 200 different species of birds such as 1,500 pairs of herons, it’s the perfect time to visit, with migration and breeding seasons, there is lots of activity on the water.
