Archive for 'Day Trips'

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. 

One of the best things about a vacation in Tuscany and a Tuscany villa is that the pace of life is ideal for those looking to slow down, relax, and properly recuperate on their getaway. Of course, many cities are busy hubs and, in particular, tourist hotspots can be full of crowds piling off tour buses, queues, and hustle and bustle but if you don’t want to deal with any of that stuff then it is easy enough to do so. All one needs to do is spend their time enjoying the scenic rural areas and natural gems, visiting fascinating but lesser-known tourist attractions, and exploring the endless array of sleepy and utterly picturesque little towns throughout Tuscany. Skip the busy spots entirely, keep your eyes open, and you never know what kind of incredible gems you might discover! From family-run restaurants serving delicious local delights, to stunning churches in little villages that boast works by famous artists, to views so perfectly scenic it is hard to believe they are real and beyond, there is so much to uncover and at your own pace, without the chaos that sometimes can accompany a vacation.

But, most importantly, before anything else, you need to find the perfect base from which to explore and enjoy Tuscany’s quieter, more peaceful charms. While there are plenty of options for different areas to take in the beauty and relaxation of Tuscany, we highly recommend browsing our villas with pools in Siena, in particular. Our villas in this part of the region often take in stunning and classic Tuscan scenes, are close to all sorts of different attractions, are spacious and pretty, and are regularly located in peaceful and remote spots, far from the stresses and concerns of daily life.

While culture and food are the two types attractions most raved about when it comes to a vacation in Tuscany, most planning a trip to the region are also looking forward to enjoying the incredibly beautiful landscape of the rolling green hills for which it is so famous. However, these pastoral landscapes shown in postcards and advertisements are not the only landscapes in Tuscany. Tuscany is a far more varied place than that: with towering peaks, perfect beaches, rocky gorges, dense forests, marshlands thrumming with life, and much more besides. As a result, there are a long list of incredible outdoor pursuits and activities that can be enjoyed while on holiday in Tuscany and, in particular, there are lots of great trekking, hiking, and walking routes to choose from all across the region. One of the best and most popular spots to go hiking for those who are pretty serious about the activity and are after a bit of a challenge - especially if you want to take in some truly gorgeous views along the way and if you have found a villa on the Tuscan Coast - is Pania della Croce in the Alpi Apuane, or Apuan Alps. 

Tuscany is an excellent destination for those who enjoy holidays full of excitement and activities with endless villas, churches, museums, galleries, vineyards, hiking routes, beaches, parks, gardens, restaurants, cooking schools, boutique shops, pretty town squares, ancient ruins, and much, much more besides to explore and enjoy. However, it is, equally, a perfect place to get away from it all, relax, and unwind. There is, of course, a different pace of life in Tuscany than what many find to be their norm, particularly in sleepy little towns with historic centres that seem almost untouched by the passage of time. Businesses still close for hours in the middle of the day while the owners take a break, few bother opening on Sundays at all unless you are in bigger towns, and meals regularly stretch over hours and are savoured. The picturesque scenery of the countryside and peace and space afforded by our villas in Tuscany, many of which are located in remote and quiet parts of the region, allow those travelling in the region to unplug and leave the stresses and concerns of daily life behind. Wholesome and hearty, the cuisine also further adds to one’s relaxation while on holiday in Tuscany as it is comforting and incredibly satisfying.