Archive for 'History'

Siena's Cathedral was built between 1215 and 1263 and was designed by Nicola Pisano and his son, Giovanni continued the design when more building was undertaken from 1285. The upper half of the facade was not added until 14th century, a time of great wealth and prosperity for Siena. At the time, plans were considered to transform the church into a giant masterpiece that could even rival the mammoth St. Peter's in Rome, with the existing building forming transept of this huge imagined cathedral. However, this ambitious project sadly never came to pass as work was halted by the arrival of the Black Death in the city in 1348, which decimated the population of the town. Walls of the new cathedral still remain but are only a shell of the intended finished product.

Despite this, the rich and beautiful Tuscan church is still a gem and an important tourist attraction for those who have found a villa with pool in Siena and are planning a visit to the city.     Read More

For our final post on the top spas in Tuscany, we have chosen two more of the most particularly beautiful spa towns in the region.

It was a difficult thing to narrow down as a little known fact about Tuscany is that it is home to a multitude of freely accessible natural hot springs, which prompted the establishment of world-renowned and world-class spa destinations.

These towns combine all the typical charms of Tuscany – the historic and scenic settings, the culture, the slower pace of life and the delicious food and wine – with the perfect relaxation offered only by spa destinations. If you are in need of an opportunity to truly kick back and unwind, there really is nowhere better as a holiday destination.     Read More

Castello di Brolio is a famous and beautiful Tuscan castle in the southern Chianti countryside, located on top of an isolated hill a few kilometers from Gaiole. It is famous for its stunning architecture, grounds and views but is also supposedly home to several ghosts and is where one of the most famous wines in the region was born.

A visit to the castle provides a whole day out as there is plenty of cultural and artistic gems and historic insights to be discovered but there is also still a functioning vineyard on the property where you can take tours and even sample a little of the lauded local tipple.

Once you have found a villa with a pool in Chianti and are exploring the region, you can rest assured knowing that you have one day trip planned already.     Read More

Continuing our listing of the best spas in Tuscany, we have two more examples of Tuscan spa towns with unique and scenic settings, wonderful facilities and long histories.

After long days of museum hopping, trying out all of the local cuisine and delicacies, browsing shops, and dashing around, there could be no better way to fully relax and make the absolute most of your holiday in Tuscany than by visiting one of the region's famous spas, going for a soak and maybe getting a massage or facial while you're at it.

Enjoy the Tuscan pace of life, slow things down and make some time for yourself and you are sure to return from your holiday completely revitalised and relaxed.     Read More