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The Cascine Park Woods

The Cascine park lies to the west of the historical centre of Florence. This map shows the exact location. For tourists the easiest way to find it is to come out the Uffizi Gallery facing the Arno river and head in the direction of the Ponte Vecchio, at the bridge don’t go over it but continue along the same road that runs following the Arno. At the end of this road is the Cascine Park (about 20 minutes walk).

The Parco delle Cascine is the largest park in Florence and takes about 40 minutes to walk end to end. On Tuesday morning around the Via Della Catena is a weekly market selling everything from clothes to fruit and veg. It’s also the location for various markets and exhibitions throughout the year.

The park is naturally divided into two big fields. During the summer months a horse and cart will take you on a short 25 minute spin around the park, this is a pleasant way to see it. The horses leave from the first big open field you come to when arriving from the Ponte Vecchio.

Trips by horse and carriage during the summer months.

In the third and final field there is an old Roman Ampitheatre. A few years ago this was a fantastic venue that had beer tents and music during the summer months. It seems that now the local council don’t want events to happen here anymore, this is a shame because used to be the most amazing way to spend an evening in the city.

Roman Amphitheatre

Finally a word of caution, the park can be enjoyed during the day but during the night you won’t find many locals heading in there unless they are going to one of the nightclubs that operate only at the start of the road that runs through it. Just as in any city, Florence also has it’s share of alternative nightlife.

During the daytime the park is a place to enjoy a walk and some peace and quiet, while taking in Florence from a distance.

The Sunset at Vada, near Livorno.

Every year the Federation for Evironmental Education honours Quality seal blue flags to the coastlines noted as hygeinic, secure, and have first-class ambient awareness strategies. The Region of Tuscany has it’s decent portion of Blue Flag shores, along the length of its pristine coastline. A coastline where, in just a few minutes, spectacular <a href=”http://www.tuscany-villas.co.uk”>Farm Accommodation</a> can be found.

Tuscan expert’s Best Beaches
In summary, with Lucca as your first point, the more down (south) the coast you navigate in the Region of Tuscany, the more stunning the coast become, and, unless you’re in the highest time of year, you’ll find less fellow tourists too. These are evidently the beaches that require the longest time to reach from Florence, but the differences are precious.

The Coast for the Fashion Conscious
Although at the beaches of Lucca (Forte dei Marmi, Camaiore, Viareggio) you’ll find all the amenities typical of any beach resort, you’d be disappointed if you sought a beach that is silent and detached. If you’re a teenager and searching for a weekend by the sea with discoteques and pubs, Viareggio is not going to dissapoint.
Summary:  from Firenze, excellent services and Late night life.

Top Beaches for Families
In contrast, if you’re a family group, the shores of Livorno (Antignano, Quercianella, Rosignano, Cecina, Bibbona, Castagneto, San Vincenzo) are a good choice as they can be easy reached from Florence (Seventy/ninetyminutes by bus) and have accommodation and services with focus on family stays.
Brief Conclusion: 70 minutes/90 minutes from Florence, family tailored.

Formidable Beaches of Beauty
For the foremost beaches, defined here as the joining of the most picturesque landscapes with the most clear waters, there is a shared admittance in the locals that Grosetto (Follonica, Castiglione della Pescaia, Monte Argentario) always deliver.
Crisp Conclusion: An hour and a half from Firenze, fewer services, more panoramas.