The province of Pistoia is located in northern Tuscany and is a quite large area whose morphology includes both flat valleys as well as hilly and mountainous sections, including the Valley of the Ombrone River, the Valdinievole and the Pistoia Mountains where ski lovers exercise their favorite sport. The city of Pistoia is located halfway between Florence and Lucca, about 40 km away from each.
Pistoia is inherent to the production of chocolate, located in the so-called "Tuscan chocolate valley", an area extending between Pisa, Pistoia, and Prato in which some of the most renowned Italian artisan chocolate makers are established, their fame spreading to the whole Italy and beyond.
The area of Pistoia and Pescia is also very well known for the cultivation of plants and flowers exported all over the world, which is still a very alive engagement of the inhabitants. The small town of Quarrata, approximately 30 kilometers from Florence, is renowned for the production of premium quality wood furniture.
The area of Pistoia attracts a lot of tourists due to its famous thermal baths which are another important resource for the province. The thermal baths of Montecatini and Monsummano include waters with beneficial health effects, ideal for a healing experience along with spa therapies. In the past, these thermal baths hosted nobility and royalty, as well as more recent movie stars.
Pistoia Mountains are ideal for sports and hiking lovers, both in the summer and in the winter, when the ski slopes and lifts are open. The ski resorts of Abetone and Val di Luce are among the most popular.
Children will love the Zoo of Pistoia, located about 10 km outside of the city, and the Pinocchio Park in Collodi, with its adjacent to stunning Garzoni Garden.
Since Tuscany is famous for its gardens, here you will find one more much-visited gem, The Fattoria di Celle, a beautiful outdoor sculpture garden with contemporary works of art.
Tuscany is a place like nowhere else in the world; this is the reason why this region is at the tops bucket lists all over the globe. Amazing landscapes, beautiful hilltop towns and the fantastic capital city of Florence charm everyone who decides to visit it. It is a majestic region with almost half of the artistic heritage of Italy and fantastic landscapes. Due to its mild weather, you could visit Tuscany all year round. It’s a region with exceptional art towns and hilltop villages and with a heritage of a glorious past with unspoiled nature, spectacular sea coast, and beautiful islands. Here you will taste some of the best wine varieties and then you can relax to one of its thermal spas.
The birthplace of the Roman Empire and Renaissance, Italy, showcases many of the world’s greatest artworks, architectural buildings and over the top gastronomical proposals. This is the country where the word “style” expresses the whole nation. Italy has more Unesco World Heritage cultural sites than any other country; among them are Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Primavera, Michelangelo’s David and Sistine Chapel and da Vinci’s The Last Supper.
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