Archive for 'Skiing & Winter Sports'

Tuscany is unlikely to spring to mind for most who are planning a ski break but if you are considering a winter break in one of Tuscany’s great cities – Florence, Pisa, Lucca, or Siena – you’ll find that one of the best ski areas in central Italy is a short distance away: Abetone. However, this is actually just one of the well-regarded ski destinations in the region. So, if you’ve been considering a ski break this winter but you’d also like to indulge in the rich cuisine, delicious wines, and particularly delightful après ski on offer in Tuscany, then it might be time to book a vacation rental in Tuscany....

There are many destinations that have become famous as Christmas hot-spots due to their pretty markets, ice-skating rinks in gorgeous locations, impressive lights displays, festive events, and unique traditions. Tuscany is a place that might not immediately come to mind when one thinks of the Holidays but there are plenty of great reasons to visit at this time of the year; from the food and wine, to the picturesque towns made lovelier, to the Christmas markets. In particular, if you find a vacation rental in Arezzo, you will discover that this picture-perfect medieval city is transformed into the, “Arezzo City of Christmas.”

The Arezzo City of Christmas event sees the already charming historic centre get a very special Christmas makeover with light shows projected onto the ancient stone walls of the buildings framing the Piazza Grande, a traditional-style Tyrolean Christmas market with typical Alpine huts set up in the same square, a pretty Ferris Wheel towering in the Il Prato Park, Santa Claus moving into the Medici Fortress and transforming it into a Christmas village, and more. 

A few weeks ago, we discussed how Tuscany is an unexpected ski destination and the ski resort in Abetone. The Apennine Mountains, where they come through Tuscany mean that, though many tourists do not realise it, Tuscany boasts some great ski resorts that can be enjoyed in tandem with exploration of the food, culture, and art of the region. For those looking to book a ski break in Italy this winter, it’s an ideal option! But Abetone is not the only ski resort that you can choose from if you book a vacation rental in Tuscany: the Dognaccia 2000 ski resort in Cutigliano is also a great choice!

If you were thinking about planning a trip to a Christmas market but you also were considering booking a villa in Florence this festive season, then why not combine the two by visiting the city’s annual Christmas markets and many other wonderful festive attractions? With the various markets opening in mid to late November and continuing through Christmas and some right into the new year, there should be plenty of opportunity to experience this beloved annual tradition for yourself, plus the city boasts a wide array of other types of fun adventures at this time of the year...