Archive for 'History'

Florence is the ultimate Renaissance city, the city where the Renaissance was born and where it still lives everywhere you turn in the city to this very day. From art, to architecture, to historical monuments, it is hard to forget the period that made the city truly great. If you're visiting Florence, you also probably have some Renaissance must-sees pencilled into your itinerary such as the artworks of the Uffizi, sculptures of the Piazza della Signoria and churches like the Duomo. However, in addition to these classic sights, you might want to consider something a little more off the beaten track that helps make your experience of the Renaissance fuller, that helps bring it to life and take it out of dusty history books. If so, you should consider the Renaissance Court Banquet experience. Just find a villa with internet in Florence and take a break from contemporary life to live it up like a Medici prince for an evening!     Read More

We've previously discussed the small town of Massa Marittima
in Southern Tuscany which is a bit of a hidden gem with gorgeous views due to its hilltop location and a rich cultural heritage. Its historic Etruscan centre and numerous museums, for which it has been nicknamed the “City of Museums” are two of its most distinctive features. However, once you've found a holiday rental in Massa Marittima, you might want to also venture out of the town once you've explored it a little bit. Just a few kilometres away is the beautiful Lake Accesa with its Etruscan Archaeological Park which, like the town, also offers stunning scenery and great historical value that is not to be missed!     Read More

Not far outside of Florence, you'll find the charming little town of Fiesole. This has been a favourite holiday destination to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for the likes of the Medici in the past and continues to be a location for a spot of escapism for the rich and famous. However, it has not always, and not for everyone, been a place for rest and relaxation. While tourists might now visit for the Medici villas, churches, historic buildings and archaeological wonders, a very famous visitor once came to the town with a very special purpose in mind. This visitor was none other than Leonardo da Vinci, who, long before the Wright brothers, was there to test out a flying machine. If you want to visit this charming town for yourself, just find a holiday rental in Fiesole, and be sure to stop by the site of Da Vinci's airport.     Read More

When people think of important monuments and sites coming from the time of the Roman Empire, places like Pompeii, Herculaneum and the city of Rome itself tend to come to mind. However, the Romans possessed such a vast expanse of land all across Europe and elsewhere that there is a huge amount of fascinating remnants of their life and times scattered around the world. Archaeological sites may not be the first thing you think of when someone mentions Tuscany but there are many of great interest in the region that would enhance any trip and your understanding of the history of Italy. In fact, a new site was just discovered in Volterra which is thought to have been an amphitheatre like the Colosseum. If you want to discover Tuscany's past, just find a holiday rental in Volterra and start exploring Tuscany's Roman roots!     Read More