Villa Chiara 10 to 13

Grotta Giusti Thermal Spa Resort (10 mins drive, Monsummano Terme) is Europe's largest natural thermal grotto and the headline attraction for this area. The millennia-old cave extends over 200 meters underground, discovered in 1849 when poet Giuseppe Giusti's family was excavating their estate. Giuseppe Verdi called it the "8th wonder of the world." The grotto has three chambers - Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso - named by Giusti after Dante's Divine Comedy, with temperatures ranging from 28°C to 34°C and humidity near 100%. The therapeutic thermal waters are rich in calcium sulfate and magnesium. Day spa access is available (book ahead): you can experience the grotto itself, the thermal pools (outdoor pool reaches 35°C), and various spa treatments. The resort is now a 5-star Marriott Autograph Collection property set in a 19th-century villa with a 16-hectare park. Worth visiting even if you have your villa spa - the grotto experience is unique.

Montecatini Terme (4km) became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021 as part of the "Great Spa Towns of Europe" designation. The town has been famous for its mineral springs since Roman times, but the golden age was the Belle Époque when European nobility came here to "take the waters." The grand spa buildings - Terme Tettuccio, Terme Excelsior, Terme Leopoldine - are Art Nouveau masterpieces worth seeing even if you don't use the spas. The Tettuccio in particular has stunning frescoes, colonnades, and gardens. Montecatini Terme train station (4km from the villa) offers direct trains to Florence (45 mins) and connections across Italy.

Montecatini Alto (visible from the villa) is the fortified medieval village perched on the hilltop above Montecatini Terme. Take the historic funicular railway (one of Italy's oldest, operating since 1898) from the valley to reach the car-free medieval center. Stone streets, panoramic views across the valley, restaurants serving traditional food. It's the old town that predates the thermal spa boom in the valley below.

Florence (45 mins by car, 45 mins by train from Montecatini Terme station) needs no introduction. The Uffizi, the Duomo, the Accademia (David), the markets of San Lorenzo, Ponte Vecchio, and countless churches packed with Renaissance masterpieces. Parking in Florence is challenging - the train is often easier. From Montecatini Terme station, direct trains run frequently.

Lucca (35 mins) is one of Tuscany's most charming cities, famous for its perfectly intact Renaissance city walls that you can walk or cycle on top of (4km circuit with tree-shaded path). The medieval center is car-free: Piazza dell'Anfiteatro (built on Roman amphitheater foundations), Torre Guinigi with oak trees growing on top, San Martino cathedral, and endless tiny streets lined with shops and cafes. Less crowded than Florence, more relaxed pace.

Pisa (45 mins) has more than the Leaning Tower. The Campo dei Miracoli (Field of Miracles) includes the Duomo, Baptistery, and Camposanto cemetery - all stunning Romanesque architecture. The tower is worth climbing if you're not claustrophobic (book tickets ahead). The rest of Pisa gets far fewer tourists - the Arno riverside, the university district, the markets are all worth exploring.

Pistoia (20 mins) is an underrated Tuscan gem. Medieval center with Piazza del Duomo, striped cathedral, Ospedale del Ceppo (14th-century hospital with della Robbia friezes), and far fewer tourists than the famous towns. Wednesday and Saturday markets.

Vinci (30 mins) is Leonardo da Vinci's birthplace. The Museo Leonardiano has working models of his inventions, and you can visit his birth house in the countryside outside town.

Collodi (20 mins) is where Carlo Lorenzini (who took the pen name Collodi) wrote Pinocchio. The Parco di Pinocchio is a sculpture garden devoted to the story. The Villa Garzoni with its baroque gardens is also here.

San Gimignano (1 hour) is the "medieval Manhattan" with its famous towers. The 14 remaining towers (there were once 72) create an unmistakable skyline. UNESCO World Heritage Site. Extremely touristy but worth seeing, especially if you arrive early or late to avoid peak crowds. The Vernaccia white wine comes from here - tastings available at many enotecas.

Versilia beaches (45-50 mins) are the elegant Tuscan coast: Viareggio, Forte dei Marmi, Pietrasanta. Wide sandy beaches with stabilimenti (private beach clubs with sunbeds, umbrellas, restaurants). The Apuan Alps rise dramatically behind the coast. Pietrasanta is known for marble sculpture and bronze casting - many contemporary artists work here.

The famous wine regions of Bolgheri and of Chianti are also easily reachable.

Golf: La Pievaccia 18-hole golf course is 2km away. Sport climbing: Cava Rossa climbing area is 10 mins drive. Tennis: Tennis club 10 mins drive.