Archive for 'Events'

April is a wonderful time to find a luxury villa in Florence or to book one of our Tuscany Villas and plan a day-trip (or two or three) to Florence for plenty of reasons! Not only do tourist crowds remain relatively smaller compared to the height of the summer but it finally starts to get a bit warmer and, importantly, the city finally goes into bloom. And, all of these flowers and this lush greenery that can be found in the gardens and parks and dotted throughout Florence only serve to make the impossible beauty of this incredible city all the more picturesque and to add splashes of colour amongst the grand architectural gems that are found all over. In particular, Florence is home to some of the world’s most famous and extraordinary historic gardens and most of them are best experienced in the spring.

Among this selection of stunning gardens that can be found by visitors who are planning on booking a vacation rental in Florence, one that is considered a must-see each April and which is regularly photographed at this time of the year is the Giardino Bardini. This is because of one particular feature: the extraordinary, “Wisteria Lane.” 

Shopping for a present for a loved one but really out of ideas? Have no plans to celebrate New Years? Well, why not combine these two needs and book a New Years getaway in Florence in one of our Tuscany Villas? Ring in 2023 in one of the most beautiful cities in the world and in a destination where there are all sorts of events to celebrate the big event! We have a wide array of vacation rentals in Florence and luxury villas in Florence and the surrounding area to choose from at different price points and sizes and there is something to suit everyone! Do not wait a second longer, find the right property for you, surprise someone (or treat yourself) with an amazing gift, and make memories that will last for years to come – sounds pretty special to us.

But what events can you expect over New Year's in Florence this year? 

The painter Masaccio was one of the most influential and important painters of the Quattrocento period of the Italian Renaissance, a key figure in moving from the more stylised and decorative aesthetic of Gothic art to something more naturalistic. Vasari, an artist and architect in his own right who was a great writer, historian, and chronicler of the Renaissance masters, notes that Masaccio was studied by all of Florence’s most celebrated painters and sculptors in order to, "learn the precepts and rules for painting well."

So, though his name is perhaps unfamiliar to many, his influence goes far beyond his life and work and his paintings, when viewed today, remain striking and impressive things to behold. Full of dramatic tension, stunning jewel tones, and impressive lifelike figures, his paintings and frescoes are a delight to devour.

If you are browsing our Tuscany Villas and are already a fan of his work, in particular, or are simply interested in the history of art and the Italian Renaissance, then this winter is an ideal time to plan a vacation in Tuscany as the master’s great works are returning to Masaccio’s home town of San Giovanni Valdarno for a very special exhibition!

It’s already that time of year – the famous and beloved Christmas markets of Europe are being confirmed and the dates are being published, which means that it is time to plan your Christmas market getaway for all of the Holiday spirit, festive fun, and magic memories that you could hope to wish for. While the Christmas markets of Tuscany may be a little less well-known internationally, the region actually abounds with some of the best and most special in the world. Though smaller in scale at times, the scenic settings of Tuscany’s charming and picturesque historic centres as a backdrop to alpine-style market stalls, carousels, twinkling lights, ice-skating rinks, Santa’s houses, and all of the other elements of a Christmas market only adds to the experience and makes them even more special.

Florence and some of the towns in the metropolitan area of the city are home to some of the finest and most numerous examples of incredible Christmas markets and celebrations in Tuscany so find a luxury villa in Florence and you can come and explore the area’s wonderful examples of Christmas markets this Holiday Season. Enjoy hot drinks, delicious Tuscan snacks, handmade crafts and local produce, buzzing excitement, stunning settings, and much more besides at Florence’s Christmas markets in addition to everything else that makes this part of the region a wonderful place to visit, particularly over the Holidays.

But what Christmas markets take place in and around Florence? Where are they found? What do they offer? And when are they open? Well, here’s our guide to visiting Florence (and her close neighbours) and the city’s magic Christmas markets in 2022...

Weihnachtsmarkt/Mercato Natale di Firenze, Piazza Santa Croce, Florence

19th of November 2022 to the 18th of December 2022

Ghosts may not be the first thing that one associates with Tuscany but if you have been considering an October getaway in Tuscany then you will discover that, naturally, a part of the world with such a rich and complex history is full of tales of spooky encounters and terrible tragedies. History is very much alive (and undead) in Tuscany, with lots of places looking as though they have been left almost entirely untouched by the passage of time for centuries. These time capsules, these preserved historic city centres, ancient palaces, creepy yet lovely castles, and other remnants of times past make for the most atmospheric of surroundings and the most likely candidates for frightening and supernatural experiences. So, if you have always wanted to enjoy the delights, culinary treats, pretty scenery, incredible museums and tourist attractions of the region and much more besides and you are also fond of Hallowe’en adventures and creepy stories, then get browsing our Tuscany villas today! The ghosts of Tuscany’s intriguing past are just waiting to welcome you to this extraordinary part of the country.

But who exactly is it that awaits you? Well, we have compiled a handy list of some of Tuscany’s most haunted spots and famous spooky tales to act as a creepy backdrop to your vacation in Tuscany. These are the ghosts, haunted castles, witches, and devils to seek out as you explore the region...