Riparbella

Riparbella is a small town near Pisa that reaches along the ridge instead of encircling the hill. It is west of Florence and just minutes minutes to the Mediterranean Sea. Its location near Pisa, Lucca, Siena, Florence, and the coast put it in a nice position for sightseeing. The pretty travertine town of Massa Marittima is just a few minutes away, and the Etruscan zone of Tuscany is nearby with its interesting ancient sites.

Riparbella is in the Maremma, a part of Tuscany that is known for its undisturbed natural beauty, open space and clean beaches left in their natural state. There are orchards, pastures, olive groves and vineyards throughout the region. There are also several nature preserves with trails, wildlife and tranquility.

The town's center is a well-preserved warren of medieval lanes and pretty palaces. At its heart is the castle that was built in about 1000 AD. Riparbella was caught in the crossfire between the Republic of Florence of the Kingdom of Naples and destroyed in the 1400s. It was taken over and rebuilt by the powerful Medici family who turned into one of their feudal possessions and the architecture reflects their taste and times.

Despite its small size, Riparbella offers some good restaurants, a handful of coffee bars and shops for daily life. There are good family-run restaurants scattered around the countryside, and shopping and ambiance are found in nearby Massa Marittima, as well. Pisa, elegant Lucca and glorious Siena are easy to reach.