If you want to spent your winter holidays in the heart of Tuscany, discovering its treasures, the Empolese Valdesa and Montalbano region offers a wide choice of attractions and activities, such as: the skill of master craftsmen of the Via dei presepi, Christmas in Empoli, a warm and relaxing thermal bath in Gambassi Terme and tastings of wine and new oil.
THE MAGIC OF HOLIDAYS: THE MARKETS ANS THE VIA DEI PRESEPI
Christmas Eve in the Empolese Valdelsa and Montalbano takes on a special atmosphere, the Heart of Tuscany’s Municipalities organize a series of initiatives to make the magic true. One of the oldest one is the Via dei Presepi, from Cerreto Guidi to Certaldo and Castelfiorentino: all the 11 municipalities of the district are competing for the creation and setting up of cribs, made with different techniques and materials. Finally, Empoli is the City of Christmas; the city changes completely its aspect becoming as the real land of Santa Claus. Don’t miss the chance to visit the many Christmas markets set up in each village of the region.
NATURE, HOT SPRINGS AND RELAX
Winter is known as the season in which you have a rest to regenerate and what better place to do it than in a hot spring? Hot springs of Gambassi Terme, along the Via Francigena, are small but perfect to enjoy and relax thanks to the famous salsa water of Pillo. If instead you are a nature lover and you want to be surrounded by it, don’t miss to visit the Padule di Fucecchio, the largest inland wetland in Italy; there many species of birds stop during migrations.
VILLAGES, MUSEUMS, VILLAS AND CASTLES: DISCOVERING THE ART
Villages, museums, villas and castles of the Empolese Valdelsa and Montalbano region are the perfect places to visit if you are looking for peace and silence during the winter season. During this period of the year museums of the area offer many initiatives, such as the Museo Leonardiano, the Museo Bego, or the Ceramics Museum of Montelupo. If you love villas and castles and you would like to visit and discover them, you will be spoilt for choice: from the Medici Villa in Cerreto Guidi all’Ambrogiana in Montelupo Fiorentino to Villa Tinti in Castelfiorentino.
Please notice: a unique ticket of the MUDEV circuit allows you to visit all museums of the Empolese Valdelsa area.
YOUNG WINE AND NEW OIL ON THE WINE AND OIL ROADS
Young wine and the famous extra virgin olive oil are the best and main products of this season: along the Montalbano and Montespertoli oil and wine roads it is easy to find farmhouses and wine cellars waiting for you, offering tastings with typical products. This is the best season to taste the Castelfiorentino tripe and Valdelsa truffle dishes. During the days of Carnival the Zuccherini di Fucecchio are a typical dessert of the area with an aftertaste of aniseed and citrus fruit.
Come and live your winter holidays in Tuscany in the Empolese Valdelsa and Montalbano region.