Archive for 'Curiosities'

Those who are planning a trip to Tuscany and are looking to have an adventure while they're at it, they should be sure to find a vacation rental in Lucca and spend some time in the Val di Lima. Located in the heart of the beautiful Garfagnana area, between the Apuan Alps and the Tuscan Coast, the Val di Lima is home to some wicked torrents and is the place to go for hiking, exploring, rafting, kayaking, canyoning, and riverplay, an activity that sees adults and children to explore the area on foot and by swimming in and diving into the Cocciglia canyons. If you're looking to plan your own adventure in Val di Lima, these are the activities and companies that you need to know about...

1. Garfagnana Rafting

Located in Chifenti, near Borgo a Mozzano, Garfagnana Rafting offer guided canyoning in two different parts of the Val di Lima, trekking in sections of the Apuan Alps and Apennines, various rafting excursions, kayaking, and riverplay trips. There are four different rafting experiences including the Rafting Lungo, Rafting Classico, Rafting Soft, and Rafting & Zip-line packages. The Lungo lasts three hours and goes down four different sets of rapids, the Classico lasts an hour and a half and goes through four other sets of rapids, the Soft goes down two smaller sets of rapids and lasts an hour and a half, and the Zip-line is a package executed along with a trip to the respected zip-line of the nearby Vagliapark. For more detailed information and special requests, just contact them directly.     Read More

Updated 16/6/22.

Italy has a lot of unique traditions that continue to this day; races with frogs, jousting tournaments, extreme historic soccer games, elaborate costumed parades, a witch that does Santa's job, and much more besides. This connection to the past and embracing of what makes Italy unique greatly enriches any trip to Italy and, for those interested in really getting to know a place and to understand the local culture and tradition, these types of events are key. If you are thinking about finding a vacation rental in Montepulciano and planning a trip and want to really engage with the history and legacy of this city in Tuscany, then you should aim to visit in the last couple of weeks of August. On the final Sunday of the month, you will be able to witness the curious spectacle that is the Bravio delle Botti.

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The landscape of Tuscany is always beautiful but each season boasts particular charms; the impossible technicolour of lush green lawns, sprinkled flowers, and blue skies of Summer, the golden tones and heavy vines of Autumn, the stark appeal and fogs of Winter, and, of course, the stunning fields of colourful blooms in Spring. Tuscany is especially lovely under a blanket of flowers so why not go ahead and find a vacation rental in Tuscany and explore the rolling hills and sleepy villages under a spell of blooms from the beginning of Spring right through Summer? If you are planning a trip over the coming months, these are the areas and flowers that you should keep an eye out for as you wander the region....

1. Foreste Casentinesi National Park

This national park is always a natural beauty and incredible nature reserve but it is even more amazing during Spring when the snowy white narcissus anemone, purple saxifrage, and red bilberry all start to sprout up among the maple and spruce trees like a rainbow-coloured blanket.     Read More

The exceptionally lovely Elba is an island located off the coast of Tuscany that is most famous as the place in which Napoleon lived out his exile. It is a great beauty with diverse and lush flora, plenty of interesting fauna, incredible views, and some excellent beaches. As such, it makes for a wonderful place to spend a day if you have found a vacation rental on the Tuscan Coast. If you are interested in hiking, it is an especially good day-trip location as it is home to the Grande Traversata Elbana, or Great Elba Crossing. This is a long circuit of routes and trails around the island that make it an absolute dream for hikers! To get active while you explore Tuscany, come and see it for yourself and try out some of, or the entirety of the route, and feel yourself get refreshed by the majestic beauty of the island!     Read More