Archive for 'Localities'

A post shared by aria_ila (@aria_ila) on Sep 25, 2015 at 9:43am PDT

Every corner of Florence, as we have relearned time and time again, is steeped in history from the old churches to ancient palaces, the important works of art to the age-old piazze. It is also, as we have noted before a wonderful place for shopping of all kinds: with flagship stores of some of the world's biggest fashion labels; cute little boutiques; specialist stores selling local products, like leather goods; historic jewellery stores in ancient buildings; and long-standing shops that still sell the same products decades, or centuries, on. One of the most iconic among these stores that has remained opened for a very long time, seemingly untouched by the passing of time, is Bizzarri.

We have noted on several occasions that Florence is a wonderful place for fashion lovers to visit. You can head to the Ferragamo or Gucci museums, sit in a cafe and people-watch to check out what locals are wearing and, of course, you can go shopping.

One of the key places to head for some of the best shopping in Florence is Via de' Tornabuoni, or Via Tornabuoni, a famous shopping street located in the historic centre of Florence, stretching from Antinori Square to Ponte Santa Trinita.

Known by different names since Roman times, the street was once the seat of the processions of Calcio Fiorentino games and horse races, was the former home of the Casoni Cafè (where the Negroni was invented), and is where the incredible Palazzo Strozzi and lots of other amazing palaces still exist.

Pici are a thick, hand-rolled kind of pasta that look a little like fatter pieces of spaghetti and originated in the Montalcino area of the province of Siena in Tuscany. Sometimes referred to as pinci, they are made from a simple dough, typically made from only flour and water, though egg is sometimes added, depending on the recipe you are following. Like with many Tuscan foods, different families have their own tricks and methods that are handed down over the years and, so, some families will use egg and others will swear against it.

Michelangelo is one of the most unchangingly and utterly famous artists in all of art history. He is known all over the globe and tales of his brilliance and eccentricity are legendary. Born in the fifteenth century, he was a true Renaissance man: a Florentine sculptor, painter, poet, architect and engineer.

Prodigiously talented and an obsessively hard worker, he has left behind some of the greatest works of art that the world has ever known. However, one of the single most famous and iconic of his works has to be his David. If you are an art lover that has found a luxury villa in Florence, a pilgrimage to this beloved work is a must!

Suvereto is a lovely medieval village that can trace its history back over a thousand years and is located in an incredibly scenic position, overlooking the Costa degli Etruschi in Tuscany. Embraced by ancient town walls, made up of charming old buildings, traversed by paved streets, not far from the sea, and surrounded by the most lush and bountiful countryside, it is the most idyllic little spot and the perfect place to well and truly get away from it all.

Located in the province of Livorno, the village is a great spot to spend a day wandering around and taking in the rich history and traditions that have been preserved in town. Just find a vacation rental in Livorno and head over for a taste of an authentic Tuscan experience.

The town is actually one of the stops on the La Strada del Vino, or the Wine Route, and is in a valley that is populated by thick cork, chestnut and oak woods, Mediterranean scrub that grows right down to the sea, grapevines, and centuries-old olive trees.