General
Roughly halfway between Florence and Pisa, there is a small sleepy hilltop village called Sorana, one of the ten villages of the 'Swizerland of Pescia' that straddle precipitous valleys covered in chestnut trees and terraced with olive groves. Winding narrow alleyways, and small piazzas characterise these places and Sorana’s main Piazza San Pietro hosts events in the high summer. The village itself was featured in the Chanel 4 series The Italian Dream in 2008 and is famous throughout the region for its production of
Sorana beans.
A short walk from here is Casa Belvedere, a three-level house that overlooks a stunning valley-panorama from one of its sides, as its name suggests. Very comfortable and nicely decorated and furnished, it is a great holiday house for four or five people. However it is not suitable for young children due to the stone staircases and low windows.
Location
There are essential shops, banks and chemists and a Saturday market in Pescia 20 minutes away. Montecatini 40 minutes away has a Thursday market and its shops cater for the tourist trade and is famous as a spa resort, the Tettuccio being its grandest establishment. You can take the historical funicular up to the hill village of Montecatini Alto. Pisa, and its airport, is one hour away. Cars in Sorana are required to park in one of two car parks above and below the village, both just a short walk away. Being a peaceful relaxed place, there is a bar and excellent and not expensive restaurant “Da Sandrino” and pizzeria “Da Carla” on the valley floor, close to the bean fields. (Fagioli di Sorana are one of the most popular dishes on the menu.)