Highlights of Tuscany–Montecatini Terme

Our hotel for the week was in Montecatini Terme. This really was our base, the area we went out to eat in and where we spent free time. In reality we only stayed in a small section of the town but it was the area of the parks, funicular and railway station, plus lots of places to eat.

At one time it had been an important spar town with several spars for taking the water in the park, unfortunately most of these have fallen into disrepair, but on Sunday one was open and being used as the headquarters for a cycle race, so we took the opportunity to look round.

The bedroom of our hotel was on the third floor facing out the back, far better than overlooking a road. When I first looked out and saw the swimming pool it was a bit of a downer until I realised it was next door’s. The whole next door hotel was closed up and looking neglected. thankfully our pool was to the side.

Also looking out from our window we were able to see some lovely sunsets, the phone camera doesn’t do them justice.

The hotel had two lifts both with totally mirrored walls, I couldn’t even imagine what Harry Worth would have thought of it. (that should test your age)

Towards the station there was a large pedestrianised square with what I could only describe as a star shaped church. 

Looking up one of the streets your eye was taken straight to Montecatini Alto standing proudly, high on the hill. I don’t know if it was for the bike race but each of the flats had a cartoon figure out on the balcony

While we were here we visited Montecatini Alto a couple of times using the funicular railway, the station is to the top right hand side of the park and is quite an imposing building.The railway was originally constructed in 1898 and only takes 10 minutes to cover the 1077Mt. long track.