What to see in Valdera, a charming town in Italian Tuscany

Apart from its best-known cities and towns, the charming Tuscany region en Italy It contains other corners where it is worth stopping.

Thus, on your car route between Pisa a Florence, just 20 minutes from the first, and south of Lucca, you find the Valdera region,

Its main population is Pontedera, which can serve as a base when touring the area.

This is what we did in our most recent trip to Tuscany, since in just over 50 kilometers around Pontedera You come across several interesting visits, including Renaissance corners.

What to see in Valdera

Pontedera It is a town of great importance since, being in the heart of Tuscany, large Italian product companies have their headquarters there due to the ease that their location gives them for supplying the large Tuscan cities.

It also has the advantage of being linked by high-speed train to the aforementioned large cities of Pisa and Florence.

Pontedera

In line with that industrial character, without a doubt one of the great attractions you find in Pontedera It is the museum of the Italian motor brand Piaggio with its collection of historical and curious Scooters.

But also on the artistic level, the Palp Palazzo Pretorio museum.

And, of course, you can't miss a walk through the streets of its old town, including a visit to the church of Misericordia Pontedera , as well as a walk along the river bank.

Vespa Museum

Until reaching Pontedera I didn't know that this town is the headquarters of the historic Italian scooter manufacturer Piaggio, which has set up a space within its factory to use as a museum, mainly of its famous Scooters.

Regardless of whether you are passionate about the world of motors, you already know that the Vespa It is a special motorcycle, so it will not surprise you that when you visit the museum you find yourself in front of a fun and unique display.

Impossible motorcycles with colorful and special drawings, as well as motorcycle cars that leave no one indifferent.

At Pontedera Vespa Museum You can find everything from the first model that was produced to some motorcycles with five wheels that are unique in the world.

It also has a large historical archive and an area where you can learn about the origins of the brand and its evolution.

Here you can consult the Vespa museum opening hours, whose Admission is free.

Praetorian Palace Museum

Italy is undoubtedly a country that has always stood out for how closely it has been linked to the world of art. Only in this way can it be understood that a relatively small town like Pontedera have some art exhibitions of that level.

El Palazzo Pretorio museum It is located in a former courthouse that was rebuilt and currently houses temporary exhibitions.

This art museum has exhibitions that change every six months, and on our recent visit we coincided with an exhibition whose theme is movement.

The Palazzo Pretorio museum opening hours They are, every day, from 10,30:18,30 a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m., except on non-holiday Tuesdays.

Find and taste truffles

Another feature of this region of Tuscany Thanks to its mid-mountain forest landscapes, it offers the perfect environment for the proliferation of truffles, mushrooms that cannot be missing from your gastronomic offer.

If you are interested in the world of truffles, I will tell you that you can sign up for a activity in Savini Truffles, a company that carries out excursions to learn how truffles are harvested and, later, taste them in a tasting of different dishes.

They will also tell you many of the curiosities that surround the world of truffles in an environment where its smell will completely permeate you.

Limoncello and other liqueurs

And the famous Limoncello and its numerous liqueurs of a multitude of flavors are the emblem of one of the most famous brands in Italy that, run by three brothers, has its factory in Palaia.

Morelli It dates back to 1911 and has some of its award-winning liqueurs, such as meloncello, which is a melon liqueur. The factory can be visited and thus learn about the manufacturing process of these liquors.

What to see in Palaia

As I have already mentioned, since PontederaAs the heart of Valdera, you can make other interesting visits, of which I highlight the following, based on the experience of my trip.

Palaia he is a charmer medieval village located on top of a hill, which offers beautiful views of the Valdera region.

In its town hall and its churches you can find a large number of Renaissance remains that remain over time, since this town gives you a feeling of being stuck in time.

And if we talk about the Toscana, obviously we couldn't stop talking about their wines.

In this regard I will tell you that in Palaia you find the Usiglian del Vescovo Winery, which deserves a significant mention for the surprise you will find in it.

Its vineyards have a particularity that distinguishes it from the rest of the world: while you walk through its vineyards, if you look at the soil you will see that it is full of fossil remains from the sea.

A multitude of shells and snails are found at the foot of the vineyards, which is surprising since they are located several kilometers from the sea.

But precisely the fact that these mountainous lands were under the sea thousands of years ago gives their wines a special character.

What to see in Buti

Buti is a medieval village marked by the influence of Medici family, one of the great enhancers of Renacimiento in Tuscany.

A reflection of this is that in Buti you can visit one medicean villa, which is now used for events, as well as one of the most beautiful and welcoming theaters in all of Tuscany.

Theater of Silence in Lajatico

Singer Andrea Bocceli organizes a concert once a year in a spectacular natural space known as the Theater of Silence.

In reality, it is neither a theater nor a performance hall, but rather a space in a valley where the music from the annual concert fills the surrounding mountains with music.

This natural amphitheater is located in lajatico, the birthplace of the famous Italian singer, located south of Pontedera.

Where to sleep and eat in Valdera

If on your trip you plan to stay somewhere in the region of Valdera, I will tell you that in it you will find several rural houses and hotels with a lot of charm where you perceive the authenticity of Tuscany.

In our case we stayed in the Fattoria Santa Lucia, establishment of agrotourism which has its own winery, vineyards and, without a doubt, the most beautiful restaurant we visited on our getaway to this area of ​​Tuscany.

It is a unique accommodation with modernist decorations in every corner, which never ceases to surprise you with every step you take.

At restaurant you find a table buffet lines of antipasti, followed by a huge variety of artisanal pastas, many of them with the typical truffles of the area.

Of course you also have second courses, if you are able to continue eating, which we couldn't do. Several desserts and own wines put the icing on the cake of a special restaurant.

Regarding gastronomy, I am going to give you another suggestion.

Right next to the train station Pontedera It is worth mentioning for its quality and attention of the staff. Wine cellar, a little family restaurant where you can eat a menu of typical Italian food.

How to get to Valdera in Tuscany