Archive for 'July'

Vinci, the birthplace of beloved the Renaissance Master, Leonardo da Vinci, is an exceptionally beautiful and picturesque part of Tuscany. Surrounded by lush forests, vineyards, olive groves, and rolling hills that are often swathed in atmospheric fog early in the morning, the town is made up of charming old stone buildings topped by terracotta tiled roofs and overlooked by a fairytale castle (which plays host to a Leonardo Museum) and the church of Santa Croce, with its pretty campanile.

Those who browse our Tuscany Villas and find a villa in Vinci, however, who really want to lean into the fantasy and fairytale vibes of the city should plan their visit for the end of July, when the Festa dell'Unicorno will be taking place. Dedicated to fantasy culture, this annual event sees those picturesque streets become even more unreal with the addition of elves, angels, demons, orcs, dragons, dinosaurs, pirates, and famous characters from popular shows and movies and books wandering about. 

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The Medici family have left an indelible mark on Tuscany that is still felt today, centuries after they were at the peak of their powers. Works of art, buildings, and even towns remain as a mark of their incredible legacy but so, too, do stories. One of the most compelling is the story of the mysterious death of Isabella de' Medici, the beloved daughter of Cosimo I de’ Medici, the Grand Duke of Tuscany. Famously beautiful and free-spirited, she was a well-known Florentine figure who died suddenly and unexpectedly at the Medici villa in Cerreto Guidi in 1576 during a hunting holiday.

According to her brother, "while she was washing her hair in the morning ... She was found by Signor Paolo Giordano on her knees, having immediately fallen dead.” This unlikely and dubious version of events was doubted and, according to information obtained by the Ferrarese ambassador, Ercole Cortile, she was actually "strangled at midday" by her husband in the presence of several named servants. It is thought that her husband, Paolo Giordano, killed Isabella because of an affair that she had had with Troilo Orsini or that her brother, the Grand Duke Francesco de’ Medici actually had ordered her death.     Read More

A post shared by Cartasia Biennale della Carta (@cartasia_official) on Mar 8, 2018 at 1:39am PST

Cartasia is a rather special art show that is dedicated entirely to one medium: paper. Established in 2004, the International Paper Biennial Show aims to promote “tradition, culture, sustainability and innovation through art and design”. This year's edition will be its ninth and will take place in the city of Lucca between July and September 2018. So, if you have found a luxury villa in Lucca and are planning a visit any time over the summer, be sure to check it out! Art lovers, in particular will enjoy the exhibitions, talks and other fun events.     Read More

The Puccini Festival is an annual summer opera festival that is held in the town of Torre del Lago in July and August. Celebrating, commemorating and presenting the work of the famous Italian composer Giacomo Puccini, the festival showcases four or five performances of up to four operatic productions each season. Attracting around forty thousand spectators to the town's open-air theatre, it is one of the most popular opera festivals in the country and is the ideal place to experience opera in Tuscany. If you have found a vacation rental on the Tuscan Coast, or a vacation rental in Viareggio (which is located just 4km away from Torre del Lago), make sure to check it out!     Read More