Archive for 'Activities'

Those who are interested in finding a luxury villa in Florence and spending time in the city will quickly discover that, though there is an impossibly long list of things to see and do, it is one of those destinations where wandering around with no plan in mind can often be just as rewarding. Everywhere you turn in the historic core of the city, you will discover architectural gems, domes and church towers peeking over the skyline, works of art by great masters, impressive historic homes, renowned museums with lines stretching around the block and less famous museums tucked into old palaces, shopping streets abuzz with people and both the plush stores of well-known brands and little independent boutiques, street performers and artists earning a living with their skills, curious oddities like graffiti attributed to Michelangelo and bars where wine is delivered out to patrons through a tiny window, piazzas lined with cafes and restaurants and diners sitting out enjoying meals and coffee, and bustling markets. One spot that often combines many of these elements in one place is the Piazza del Mercato Nuovo, where you can find the Porcellino Market and the brilliant stalls selling all sorts of leather goods, a famous statue steeped in legend, regular dance parties inspired by the music played by street performers, and a gorgeous setting. So, if you have browsed our Tuscany villas and have found the perfect villa in Florence for you, then be sure to wander this direction between Tuesday and Sunday, as you explore the city. 

For many people, shopping is an integral part of travel and getting to know a new place when you are on holidays. In particular, the unique finds, characters, excitement, and atmosphere of local fairs and markets are a brilliant part of getting to grips with a holiday destination and a perfect place to find the best mementos, souvenirs, and gifts. If you are one of these individuals and you have been considering our Tuscany villas while planning your next vacation, then this is your sign to book your villa in Tuscany today because few other places anywhere else can compete when it comes to volume, quality, and uniqueness of fairs and markets. Tuscany abounds with incredible markets that sell everything from local wine, to sun-ripened fresh fruit, to handmade crafts, to baked goods that smell utterly divine, to chic vintage finds, to works of art, to some of the best antiques in the globe. For the bargain-hunter or gem-finder who loves nothing more than to potter about, browsing bits, snacking, enjoying your surroundings, people-watching, and generally taking things slow and easy, then the endless list of local fairs and markets throughout Tuscany’s picturesque little towns and villages and famously lovely cities is sure to delight. One particularly note-worthy example if you are planning a vacation in Tuscany this summer and especially if you find a villa with swimming pool in Arezzo is the annual Fiera Antiquaria taking place on the 2nd and the 3rd of July and the 6th and the 7th of August 2022 (as well as on dates in September, October, November, and December – check out the website for more details). 

Walks on warm late spring or summer days, when the air is heavy with the scent of blooms and your surroundings are abuzz with the movement of bugs and bees busy going about their day, are often when one might be lucky enough to spy a butterfly floating past. These beautiful creatures are a wonder to behold and if you’re particularly interested in them and how they add to the ambiance and loveliness of a place then you should probably head to an area known to be rich in them or to an actual butterfly sanctuary. These are the best places to be sure to spot colourful and impossibly delicate little wings gliding and bobbing past. So, if you’re out to go for a stroll with some butterflies likely included in the process and you are looking for a villa on the Tuscan Coast this summer, then we highly recommend a visit to the Santuario delle Farfalle "Ornella Casnati", or Ornella Casnati Butterfly Sanctuary on Elba Island. There are plenty of reasons to plan a day trip to Elba while enjoying a vacation rental on the Tuscan Coast or a Tuscany villa as it is but an idyllic wander through this especially charming and scenic part of the island is another great attraction.

Lucca is exactly the type of city that one can spend their entire time just wandering around and allowing oneself to stumble upon her various surprises and secrets. From crowds of locals standing around enjoying morning espresso and pastries at little family-run bakeries, to tiny pizza shops serving up piping hot and delicious pizza by the slice, to souvenir shops and perfectly curated clothing boutiques, to artisan’s workshops where beautiful things are handcrafted, to charming old churches, to museums full of fascinating objects, to architectural gems, to picturesque alleys with cats perched on walls...all this and much more besides can be found as you wander Lucca’s lovely historic streets. And then, if you’ve found your villa with pool in Lucca or your Tuscany villa, and you’re spending some time exploring all that she has to offer, you may find yourself on Via Chiasso Barletti, right in the heart of the Old Town. There, on this cobbled, narrow, shop-lined street, you’ll find Etta’s Bookshop.

Etta’s Bookshop is a real treasure and a must-see spot for bookworms who are on vacation in Lucca. An English-language bookshop that was opened in 2019, just shortly before everything was closed down, it has managed to survive the pandemic and we’re so glad. Stocking a wonderful curation of books, owner Giulia Rontani was able to keep going in those first few months due to her loyal customers who ordered books that she would drive around delivering to their homes (according to her interview here). Now, with her doors open once more, she is able to welcome in both those loyal customers and new visitors alike to wander around and browse the brilliant array of books on offer.

Tuscany is synonymous with art and incredible museums full of some of the most famous pieces of art ever created by human hands. Once you have found a villa with pool in Tuscany or Tuscany villa and you begin exploring the region, you will quickly realise that this is no exaggeration and that everywhere you turn there are astounding works of art to be found. From famous museums exhibiting paintings and sculptures by some of the biggest names in history to contemporary galleries showcasing works by leading artists of today, from street corners painted with murals by artists both celebrated and unknown to church walls and palace ceilings swathed in massive frescoes, from gardens dotted with statuary to little boutiques selling items by artisans still producing beautiful handmade objects: there is a wide array of types and styles of works of art to be found all over Tuscany. Observing these wonderful pieces with your own eyes, absorbing the culture and the history, learning more about it all, and maybe buying a reproduction or work of a local artist to bring a little piece of it all home with you are all great ideas and well and good. However, if you want to actually roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty, get involved, and make something yourself then we have just the thing for those considering a vacation in Arezzo: a workshop to paint your very own fresco!

A must for the most serious art-lovers and creative types looking for unique activities and attractions to enjoy while on holiday in Arezzo, this workshop presents a unique and exciting chance to channel your inner Michelangelo and maybe even figure out just why Da Vinci had to go and invent his own disastrous alternative to the fresco process. Run by the company Tip Top Tour who host various experiences, tours, and workshops in Tuscany, the fresco workshop starts at €87.00 per person and can cater for up to six people at a time. Taking place in a workshop in a real restoration lab where great works of art are cleaned, protected, and reinvigorated and with current projects on pieces from throughout history underway in the surrounding space, this is probably the closest one can get to experiencing a Renaissance workshop for themselves today.