Travel information
- Go to a spa: Tettuccio to admire the liberty architecture or Excelsior to have a treatment (mud, termal-water massages, beauty and relax).
- Take the funicular (1898 cablecar) to Montecatini Alto. The historic part of the town offers a spectacular view and a typical square full of inviting restaurants.
- Listen to a classical music concert of the "Estate Regina" festival.
Photos from Montecatini Terme, Italy
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Tuscany has many thermal spas. The largest and most famous of them is Montecatini Terme.
Montecatini Terme is a beautiful town that was built around its mineral water springs. The spring water is considered to help people with trouble with the stomach or liver. Healthy people can enjoy the old time grandeur of the town, stroll in the park or enjoy spa treatments in the various hotels.
The most famous spa in town is the Tettuccio Terme located on the main street of Montecatini Terme - Viale Verdi, next to the park. on the same street you can find the municipality building and the tourist information center.
The Tettuccio Terme was built in the late 18th century by the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Leopold of Habsburg - Lorraine, the son of the Austrian Empress Maria Theresa. The first three spas that were built were the Tettuccio, the Regina and Leopoldine. These three spas made Montecatini Terme famous all over Europe, and a favorite place for the rich and the royalty.
These days the spa treatments have advanced and they include many modern methods of massage, mud pack treatments and hydrotherapy.
Famous visitors to Montecatini Terme include, but are not limited to - Puccini who composed parts of La Boheme here, and Verdi.
Photos from Montecatini Terme, Italy
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You can arrive to Montecatini Terme by
- Car (A11 highway) Coordinates: 43°52′58″N, 10°46′16″E
- Train (a train every ½ hour stops in the 2 train stations) or
- Bus (Lazzi connects with Firenze, Lucca, Pistoia...).
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Walking is the best solution, considering that the touristic part of the town is 1,5 Km (=0,62 miles) wide.
Photos from Montecatini Terme, Italy
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- Montecatini Terme and it's shops attracts many visitors coming just to have a walk in the commercial streets of the town-centre (Corso Matteotti, Corso Roma, Viale Verdi, Viale 4 Novembre...). It's easy to stand in front of the many boutique's windows in a daze.
- Cialde in a can. A typical biscuit that preserves freshness for long time: perfect for a gift!
- Souvenirs can be found in the Grocco Market or in Montecatini Alto (upper town).
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A must is to taste the "Cialde" the Montecatini Terme bisquit made with just almonds and sugar into two thin wafers - about the size of a Chinese pancake, and reminiscent of the very best quality ice cream wafers. Available in boxes, along with other specialities such as pan forte, from impressive patisserie, Giovanini, just off main square.
Here are some typical and popular dishes of the Valdinievole area
- First courses:
Farro soup, Pappa al Pomodoro, Ribollita, Farinata, Maccheroni sull'Anatra Muta, Pasta e Fagioli, Pasta e Ceci.
- Second courses:
Trippa, Fegatelli nel Lardo, Baccalà alla Livornese, Cioncia, Tordi sott' olio. Side dish: Fagioli all'Uccelletto.
- Desserts: Castagnaccio, Necci con ricotta, Brigidini, Buccellato, Cantuccini, Befanotti Glassati
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Vin Santo: sweet wine, the one drunk by the priest during the Mass.
Enjoy a cocktail or an aperitif in a best locations with music: at the "bar storico" in the Tettuccio spa or in the Gambrinus open gallery. Refresh in the Montecatini Alto square after a walk to the "rocca" fortress or along the walls.
Photos from Montecatini Terme, Italy
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