Pisa, Lucca, Florence, Pietrasanta

A journey through the cities of art in Tuscany

Tuscany is a region rich in culture, history and art. Casale Amati is the perfect starting point from where to visit some of the most beautiful cities of art in Tuscany, either by train or by car. From Pisa and its world-renowned leaning tower, to the aristocratic Lucca, to Florence, an open air museum at your fingertips, to the elegant and contemporary Pietrasanta, the “little Athens in Tuscany”, there is so much to visit and discover and all close at hand.

With the Arno river running through its centre and surrounded by the famous rolling hills of Tuscany with olive trees and grape vines everywhere, Firenze is without a doubt Tuscany’s most famous city, able to charm and seduce all visitors with its Renaissance magnificence. Giotto, Cimabue, Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, Botticelli … are just some of the great masters who left their mark in this city with paintings, sculptures and majestic art works such as the Duomo (cathedral) and Palazzo Vecchio. Looking for famous museums? The Uffizi art gallery, the Accademia art gallery, Cappelle Medicee, the Bargello National Museum and much more in a city always full of events.

Another place one can discover is Pisa, a university city with ancient origins, famous worldwide thanks to its emblematic monument of the Leaning Tower which is surrounded by the beautiful and elegant Piazza dei Miracoli, denominated a World Heritage site by UNESCO for its rare beauty. For those who want to visit something artistic and perhaps not what you might expect to find here, a stop by at the Sant’Antonio Abate Church is a must. Here, on the external wall of the rectory, the artist Keith Haring painted a huge mural entitled “Tuttomondo”.

Lucca is well worth a visit too. Famous for silk manufacturing during the 15th century, the city was and now it has become a cultural gathering place in Tuscany. It still preserves the ancient sixteenth-century walls which, during the day, can offer an enchanting panoramic 4 kilometres long pathway. And all around one can find villas, the botanical gardens, churches, Anfiteatro Square, Guinigi Tower and many products such as the famous buccellato, a sweet bread stuffed with raisins, great as a sweet snack.

For those passionate about classical or contemporary art, Pietrasanta is not to be missed. Thanks to its foundries and marble art studios, it has become a meeting place for some of the greatest international sculptors. In between elegant art galleries and delightful boutiques, it is a great place to taste local delicacies in wine shops and traditional restaurants, with an exquisite and elegant atmosphere.

Casale amati

Reviews

DIEGO B.

Un prezioso angolo di eleganza.
Abbiamo alloggiato nel Casale per il ponte del 1 maggio, con altre due famiglie, prendendo 2 delle 3 strutture contigue che formano il Casale. Ogni struttura è definita da uno stile proprio e molto curato nei dettagli, lasciando inalterate le suggestioni di quando era la residenza estiva dei proprietari.
Federica, la proprietara, vi conquesterà immediatamente per la sua gentilezza e la passione che trasmette nel racconto sulle origini della struttura. Un perfetto rifugio se il desiderio è quello di vivere autenticamente e senza eccessi, la zona già di per se stessa è meravigliosa.
Grazie di tutto!!

Diego B. Roma, Italia (Marchesa&Macine)

REVIEWED ON TRIPADVISOR.COM

ELISABETH N.

Simply Perfect
A perfect place to stay in with your family and/or friends. From the outside the old olive-oil mill may not look like much but inside you realize that you have stepped into a castle. It is a grand old place with parts of the mill still showing it one of the two great kitchens. There are plenty of rooms to choose from, the upper rooms with AC and down below cool enough for a hot summer. The garden is very pretty, with gold-fish in the dam, plenty of room to relax. The house is situated in the foothills of the mountains, but not far from the sea. There is plenty to do in the area and I cannot enough stress that you need to see this place and realize you will want to come back. The hostess is very pleasant and helpful, a very nice encounter.

Elisabeth Nyköping, Svezia (Marchesa&Macine).

REVIEWED ON TRIPADVISOR.COM

FEDRIGO ORLEANS

L’endroit où nous sentons chez nous.
Il Casale Amati est devenu notre lieu de référence en Italie que nous fréquentons beaucoup. Son emplacement entre mer et petite montagne, le bon goût de la restauration de cet ancien pressoir ,le calme, les ressources de la région font que nous nous sentons chez nous ! et si l’on ajoute la charmante hospitalité des propriétaires…..nous n’avons pas les mots pour continuer.

Fedrigo Orléans, France (Le Macine)

REVIEWED ON HOMEAWAY.COM

GIROT N.

Une magnifique maison.
Nous avons passé un week end de 4 jours en famille dans cette superbe maison. Nous avons tous été bluffés de la beauté de cet endroit et de la place que nous avions. Les photos sont conformes à la réalisté, c’est tout aussi atypique, original ! Ortonovo est un petit village paisible ou le calme est au rendez-vous. Très agréable pour se reposer après une journée très occupée au 5 terres par exemple ! Proche de la mer en voiture, je conseille à tout le monde de découvrir cet endroit !

Girot Thonon Les Bains, Francia (La Marchesa) 

REVIEWED ON ABRITEL.FR

KIRK S.

Very cool place- takes you back in time!
Great place, the grounds alone should make you want to stay here! Federica was a fabulous host! My kids didn’t want to leave. Easy access to Tuscan hill towns or the 5 Terre!

REVIEWD ON HOMEAWAY.COM

MARKUS AMBURGO

Just Excellent, historical and authentic.
We stayed in this wonderful old olive mill several days together with our family including 3 kids. So we had both flats on the 1st floor which are connected by a door. So it was just one big flat then with 2 bathrooms, two kitchens and 6 bedrooms in total. We used just 5 bedrooms. The whole house is nicely decorated with old furniture/antique furniture in good condition besides modern aspects, especially wifi, TV with obviously every available channel of the world, and for sure a well equipped kitchen including dishwasher. Everything was clean and the whole house and every room is very cosy. We didn’t use the very big garden behind the house due to the bad weather we had in November. But in summer it must just be wonderful to have a BBQ on the terrace. The service is also very good. The owner explained us everything regarding the old house and how the oil was produced. There are many historical parts of the old oil production system still visible. That makes this house and especially the flat “LA Macine” a very particular and authentic place. We got also many recommendations for what we can do and visit around. Thanks for the amazing stay and your support in our situation. Hope we come back one day.

Markus Amburgo, Germania (Marchesa&Macine)

REVIEWED ON TRIPADVISOR.COM

RUTH M.

Awesome, unique adventure!
Wonderful host, wonderful unique accommodations! The apartment had all the amenities we need plus some extra and it was so unique and charming. It was fun stepping back in history. We will always treasure our stay here. It was very nicely decorated and the beds were very comfortable. The grounds were also very nice. We highly recommend this rental!

Ruth M. London, Ontario (Le Macine) 

REVIEWED ON VRBO.COM

SUZANA L.

Unforgettable birthday party in La Marchesa!
We were quite a big party with 6 adults who came to celebrate my birthday in La Marchesa. Such a beautiful house with a lot of space! Large bedrooms, kitchen and not least the wonderful barbecue garden. The house has a working Wifi which for us was important. From Ortonovo it is easy and close to reach Cinque Terre, La Specia, Pisa and Via Reggio. One day we went out to Tuscany, eat lunch in the wonderful Vignamaggio (birthday house of Mona Lisa) and spend some hours in Florence. After intense excursions coming back to the quiet place and bird songs in La Marchesa, felt very luxurious. Highly recommended accommodation. We are coming back!

Suzana L.(La Marchesa)

REVIEWED ON HOMEAWAY.COM