The idyllic beginnings of the heart-rending classic film La vita è bella (Life is Beautiful) by Roberto Benigni is purposefully fairytale-like. It is a dreamy love story set in beautiful surroundings, a wonderful and glimmering thing to hold onto when things start to go terribly wrong in the plot. A big part of making this introduction as magical as possible is the setting, Arezzo, and few other places could match the storybook quality as perfectly as this gem of a town. Those who are looking for a villa in Tuscany and a holiday spent in surroundings that seem almost too utterly idyllic to be real will find that a vacation rental in Arezzo is just the thing. If you are looking to really fall in love with Tuscany then, as with being a perfect introduction to the film, this gem of a medieval town is an ideal introduction to this most charming region of Italy.
Here’s what you can expect upon arriving in Arezzo: First you will encounter the imposing ancient city walls that look like something from a fairytale of kings and queens and dragons and magic. Then, once you get inside those walls, you will find pretty paved and cobbled streets winding through a well-preserved historic centre. There are crenellated towers and buildings that peek out from the town’s skyline here and there, adding further to the fairytale atmosphere. Sprinkled all throughout the town are ornate architectural gems, from Gothic churches to Renaissance palaces, as well as much more ancient Roman ruins. Of course, it’s not all just rooted in the past! This is a town that is very much alive and visitors can indulge in the bustling piazze with pretty brick buildings and cafés with guests sitting out at tables under parasols or exciting events like the annual Giostra del Saracino festival that sees locals dress up like medieval figures and knights compete in jousting matches each June and September and the regular antiques fair that takes over much of the town.
While the actual attractions of this town can probably be all seen within a few days, there is still plenty to see and do if you find a vacation rental in Arezzo. Those attractions include a Roman amphitheatre and museum, a long list of remarkable churches that house stunning works of art, several gorgeous palaces (including the Palazzo Bruni-Ciocchi, which is home to the State Museum of Medieval and Modern Art), the Medici Fortress, beloved Renaissance poet Petrarch’s house, the incredible frescoed wonder that is Vasari’s house, the Ivan Bruschi House and Museum, the Gaio Cilnio Mecenate Archeological Museum, the Civic Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, the UnoAErre Jewelry Museum, and the brilliant homeware, clothes, antiques, and jewellery stores along the Corso Italia and tucked into side streets. For those who want a casual look and experience of the city, you could see the highlights in one day but those who want to take their time and see it all will find lots of hidden gems and delights to uncover.
In addition, if you have found a holiday rental in Arezzo, then Florence is just an hour away and you can easily visit plenty of other famous towns in the region from a base in the town. The surrounding countryside is stunning and well worth exploring in its own right. Nearby wineries can be visited for lazy days of sampling excellent local vintages. And those same fertile lands all around produce a delicious local cuisine that should be thoroughly delved into and enjoyed.
Of course, doing and seeing things is all well and good but if you’re going to vacation in Arezzo then we recommend slowing down, taking your time, enjoying those gorgeous surroundings, and just taking in the atmosphere of this especially lovely part of Tuscany. There’s no need to rush, just take a deep breath and admire this stunning place.