Archive for 'Localities'

We all have memories of blissful childhood holidays by the sea, right? Even if it was just the nearest coast for a couple of days, or even a few hours, it was the highlight of the summer. As such, there is still something special about seaside vacations, isn't there?

The fresh air, building sandcastles, splashing about and messing around in the water, going for a proper swim to cool down, the smell of the salty water clinging to your hair hours later, warm sand between your toes, meals quickly followed by ice-cream and eaten hungrily after playing around; there's nothing else quite like it.

Tuscany has a lovely coastline with plenty of great seaside destinations so we have chosen some of the best seaside villas on the Tuscan Coast in which to relive your childhood.

This past week, Tuscany has welcomed some rather high-profile tourists; Barack and Michelle Obama, who arrived in Tuscany last Friday for a six-day holiday at a luxury Tuscan estate. The former President of the United States of America and his wife stayed in a luxury resort called Borgo Finocchieto, a town located to the south of Siena, that was bought by a US ambassador in 2001.

The village is made up of a grand manor house with 22 suites and several villas all arranged around a central piazza, boasting facilities such as a 60ft-long oval swimming pool, a library, tennis court, wine-tasting room, cellar and basketball court. More than 800 years old, the village offers views across the surrounding hills and valleys and is located on the route of the Via Francigena, the ancient pilgrimage route that connected Canterbury to Rome.

One of the most important elements to a successful Tuscan vacation is the coffee and the cafes. There is nothing quite like stepping out of the sun or taking a beat from a day full of tourist activities, to sip on a good coffee outside a pretty cafe or grab a bite of something sweet to keep you going. Luckily, Siena is in no shortage of excellent cafes of all kinds from modern concept stores to traditional Italian eateries and bars and luxurious treats to tasty bargains. Just find a villa with pool in Siena and then check out our picks of Siena's cutest cafes during your vacation.

1. Bruscello Concept Store

Bruscello is an interesting entry on this list. It is a contemporary concept store in Siena, located on Via Paolo Frajese.

If you are planning a visit to the Uffizi Gallery, or Galleria degli Uffizi, in Piazza della Signoria, we suggest that you seek out the works of Botticelli in the gallery, in particular.

The collection is home to some of his most famous and beautiful works that he ever produced and, as such, is a particularly good place to visit for both Botticelli fans and those with a casual interest alike. Just find a wonderful holiday rental in Florence and drop by.

The Uffizi is one of the oldest and most famous art museums in Europe and was originally begun under Vasari for Cosimo I de' Medici in 1560. The name comes from the Italian word for “offices” which is what the building was intended to house when it was first constructed. More and more space was dedicated to the display of artworks over time until that became its primary function and, in 1765, it was officially opened to the public.

Siena is one of a Tuscany's prettiest cities and is well-worth exploring but, as you do, you may get tired and need a break – there's lots to see! Once you have found a villa with pool in Siena and are wandering around the medieval gem that is the city, you will probably find yourself in need of some rest and refreshments.

To help you out, we have compiled a list of some of the city's best recommended and cutest cafes. From bookshop and clothes store hybrid cafes to classic Tuscan eateries and quiet corners to popular hotspots, we have a good few options among these picks but all of them have something in common; they are all filled with good food, good reviews and, most importantly cute vibes.

Just read on and take note of the cafe that suits you best!