Archive for 'Localities'

The lands of Tuscany, particularly around Florence, Pisa, and Lucca, were highly contested and fought over by various rulers and factions in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. As a result, many fortified structures remain dotted throughout the already picturesque landscape of the region, making it all the more charming and magical. There are, of course, some that are prettier or better-preserved than others and one of the best and most charming examples of all has to be the lovely Fortezza di Montecarlo, or Montecarlo Fortress, built in four phases between the 12th and 16th centuries and located in a highly desirable strategic position between the valleys of Lucca and Valdinievole. If you have found a villa with pool in Lucca and you are looking to visit one of Tuscany's most magical fairytale castles, then this is an excellent option!

Monte Pisano (also known as the Monti Pisano but not to be confused with the Pisan Hills) is a small mountainous area in north-central Tuscany that separates Pisa and Lucca. A beautiful part of the country that is perfect for hiking, biking, photography enthusiasts, and those interested in different outdoor pursuits, it is the spot to head to if you have found a villa in Lucca or a luxury villa in Pisa and you are looking to get active during your holiday in the area.

Taking in stunning views over the picture-perfect landscapes of the surrounding area of Tuscany, there are many panoramic spots to enjoy and capture this gorgeous part of the world if you are exploring the area in and around Monte Pisano. However, probably the best, most exciting, and most impressive way to take in those views is from the air itself. How might one achieve this you may ask? Why, by heading out on a tandem paragliding adventure, of course!

Siena is a city in Tuscany famed for its mad-dash annual historic horse race in the main square in its core, for beautiful surroundings, and for delicious pastries. Some of the region's most enduringly famous and popular traditional treats were born or popularised in Siena. And, while there are plenty of places to buy tasty baked goods in Siena, from local supermarkets to cafes to traditional bakeries called pasticcerie, there are some must-see spots that food enthusiasts visiting the city would be wise to make note of. If you have found a villa with pool in Siena and you have worked up an appetite wandering around her picturesque medieval streets, then we highly recommend heading to the oldest pasticceria in town, the Pasticceria Nannini.

Peroni is the Italian beer that is most familiar to those outside of Italy and, while there are more Italian beers that are household names to locals, there is also a craft brewing industry that has become bigger and bigger in recent years, as is the case in many places across the world. Tuscany, in particular, is home to quite a few micro-breweries, brew-pubs, and other small producers of craft and artisanal beers that the foodie and beer enthusiast who has found a villa in Tuscany will be excited to discover. In fact, we have previously written a guide to some of the highest rated craft breweries in Tuscany that can be found here. However, today, we are focusing on one of the region's breweries, La Petrognola Brewery.

There are certain locations around the globe that people have in mind as spa destinations – the high-tech skincare clinics of the Swiss Alps, the reviving waters and elegant surroundings of Bath in England, the luxurious wellness centres of LA, the traditional hot springs of Japan – but one lesser-known spa hot spot is Tuscany. A villa in Tuscany not only means you can enjoy the delicious local food and wine for which the region is beloved by foodies the world over, incredible works of art and architecture from the part of the world in which Michelangelo and da Vinci (among many other extraordinary talents) were born, picture-perfect medieval villages perched on hilltops that have remained preserved and largely untouched by time, impossibly lovely vistas of rolling green hills that stretch throughout the countryside, charming coastal towns boasting idyllic beaches, and much more besides, it also means ready access to lots of pretty spa towns and healing thermal waters. Many towns in Tuscany, in fact, bear the word, “terme,” in their name, meaning thermal spring, and each of these boast naturally-occurring waters with healing and relaxing properties as well as modern spa facilities that have been built up around them. So, if you're looking for a holiday destination in which there will be plenty of options for a day or two (or several) at the spa to completely unwind while on vacation, then look no further than Tuscany!