Valdera
Hotels Valdera
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The Valdera is one of the lesser known areas of Tuscany yet to be discovered
by tourism. Named after its river, the Era Valley spreads from the barren walled
chasms of Volterra as far as Pontedera. The inspiring, evocative landscape
reveals a wealth of natural beauty, history, art and architecture. For here, the
main trading route from Pisa to Volterra, forged by bloody conflicts, has traced
its mark through the centuries. The hilltop towns of Peccioli and Palaia were
once defensive strongholds. Capannoli was once majestically crowned by a
fortress and in the neighbourhood of Lajatico looms the imposing silhouette of
the ruins of the Rocca di Pietracassia. The splendid, noble estates, once the
residence of aristocratic families from Pisa and Florence still retain their
architectural elegance.
These landmarks, the Romanesque churches, the bell towers, the Medieval
villages, the castles and fortresses endow the ephemeral landscape with a
timeless atmosphere. Predominately agricultural, the olive groves and vineyards
sprawl over the gently rolling hills and reign over the carefully cultivated
wheat fields and orchards. The remote hilltops are dotted with the grey and
ochre stone farmhouses often towered by a campanile that stand guarding their
clear running streams and brooks. The warm, clear blue skies invite the
traveller to explore the history and charm of a territory that nurtures a rich
cultural, historical and agricultural heritage.
At Valdera, there is tourist accommodation available in hotels, farm holiday,
farmhouse, residence self-catering accommodation, b&b, rooms for rent, holiday
homes, camp sites and tourist villages.
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Pisa and environs
