Archive for 'Events'

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. 

Festivals and celebrations abound in Italy and if you find one of our Tuscany villas and plan a trip, no matter when you go, you are likely to encounter some in the surrounding area. However, if you find a villa in Tuscany during the summer or autumn months, in particular, you are going to discover that there are plenty of festivals to choose from, especially those related to food and wine. Food and wine are serious fixtures of Tuscan life, in general, and certainly of all festivals and celebrations but there are many that specifically honour certain products. If you love a good vintage then September is a great time to plan a vacation in Tuscany as this is the month in which there are lots of wine festivals throughout the famous Chianti region. One of the largest and most impressive is the annual Expo of Chianti Classico Wines that takes place in the town of Greve in Chianti. Now in its 51st year, this is a storied and well-established wine festival that allows visitors to try a wide selection of some of the best wines made in Tuscany.

The town of Montepulciano is a town famous for its wine and, certainly, those interested in Tuscan wine will find incredible wineries to visit and taste wine in the vicinity, charming restaurants where delicious meals are perfectly paired with excellent vintages, chic bars to share a bottle with their travel companions, and some great shops to purchase a bottle of wine to enjoy as they relax in one of our amazing Tuscany villas if they spend any time in the area. However, if you also like somewhat unusual events and traditional festivals and celebrations on top of tasty wines then it would be best to plan your vacation in Montepulciano during the month of August, around the time of the Bravio delle Botti. This somewhat bizarre but very exciting and interesting event is a rather special annual race that takes place in town each summer and sees representatives of the different neighbourhoods of Montepulciano compete by dashing through the pretty historic centre while pushing a giant wine barrel. Though the sight of it might momentarily make you concerned that you have been indulging in the local speciality a little too liberally, we can assure you that this silly and fun event makes for the best opportunity and time of year to get to know Montepulciano.

Love rock music? Considering a last-minute stay in one our incredible Tuscany villas? Well, then you’re in luck! Combine the two, find a last-minute villa in Tuscany or browse our villas in Florence, in particular, and then head to Florence to experience the music, stunning surroundings, and excitement of Firenze Rocks!

Firenze Rocks is a key event in the Tuscan summer schedule and sees the birthplace of the Renaissance attract some of the world’s largest contemporary music artists to the same streets that once were tread by the likes of Da Vinci and Raphael and many more instantaneously recognisable great artistic masters. A particular must for those who like their music on the heavier side and rock, hard rock, and metal fans, this festival was only actually born back in 2017 but has quickly become an annual fixture of the Italian music festival circuit and is finally back after two years. Taking place over the course of four days around the middle of June each year, Firenze Rocks has previously been played by the likes of Aerosmith, Placebo, Eddie Vedder, Glen Hansard, System of a Down, Foo Fighters, The Kills, Wolf Alice, Guns N ’Roses, Iron Maiden, Helloween, Ozzy Osbourne, Avenged Sevenfold, Judas Priest, Tool, Smashing Pumpkins, Dream Theater, Snow Patrol, Ed Sheeran, The Cure, Sum 41, Editors, and many more.

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).