Archive for 'Florence'

Holidays often involve so much planning, chaos and running around, when you're meant to be relaxing, that it is good to slot in time for taking it easy and enjoying your surroundings.

Particularly on urban getaways, it is good to find some natural space in which to unwind and get a bit of fresh air as you wander and take a breather. So, to help you out, we've compiled a list of some of the most beautiful gardens in Tuscany.

The Boboli Gardens in Florence are located behind the Pitti Palace, which was once the seat of the Medici family.

It is one of the first formal Italian gardens and is made up of fountains, statuary from ancient Rome to the 18th century, semi-private and public spaces, nympheums, temples, plants and grottoes, the largest being a famous work by Buontalenti.

Continuing on from our last post, here are more of our vacation rentals in Tuscany that boast seriously enviable locations. If you're planning a trip to Tuscany soon, we have chosen a selection of the best places to stay for those looking to be at the centre of the action and for those looking for peace and quiet...

3. Deluxe

Deluxe is a holiday village located in Roccamare on the Tuscan Coast. It is a charming, private complex situated close to the sea and set in an area of great natural beauty. Perfect for families, in particular, the complex has a lot of excellent facilities such as a village private swimming pool (2000sqm) with three whirlpool baths, a walled in garden, a park, restaurant, bar, steam room, grocery store, security services and entertainment in the high season.

We have been counting down some of Tuscany's strangest and most extraordinary attractions in a bid to help you plan an itinerary that is a little less ordinary. Just find a luxury villa in Tuscany and then add these final sights to your list!

8. Medieval Torture Museum, San Gimignano

San Gimignano is a walled medieval hill town in the province of Siena in Tuscany. It is most well known for its many medieval tower houses and historic city centre. In this pretty centre there is a Medieval Torture Museum that is not merely a grisly and macabre tourist attraction but also an educational tool used to inform visitors about contemporary human rights abuses. Certainly a unique outing idea for any tourists in the town, it combines historic interest with modern awareness in a captivating and fascinating manner.

Continuing on from our previous post, here are some more bizarre and wonderful attractions in Tuscany that are absolute must-sees. Once you have found your perfect luxury villa in Tuscany and are looking to explore the region, be sure to look past the obvious and find the weird and fascinating that is hiding in plain sight.

4. Tuttomondo by Keith Haring, Pisa

Art and Italy are somewhat synonymous and there is no shortage of artworks to be found in Tuscany, in particular. However, most of these are housed in galleries, inside churches and palaces and in typical enclosed or public spaces. Keith Haring's “Tuttomondo” mural, meanwhile, is located out in the open, on the side of a church in Pisa.

Italy is known for her culture, her art, her good food and the good life but, like anywhere, it has its strange and bizarre sides as well. Tuscany is no exception, though it can often seem like an idyllic paradise. We have rounded up some of the strangest, silliest and most fascinating attractions that Tuscany has to offer so why not find a luxury villa in Tuscany and begin uncovering her more unique attractions?

1. Antro del Corchia Caves, Lucca

The Antro del Corchia is part of the cave system of Monte Corchia in the Apuan Alps Regional Park and is the largest cave system in Tuscany and one of the biggest in Europe. It is made up of over 60km of galleries which go down to a depth of 1200m into the earth. Exploration of the cave began in the 19th century but it was not opened to the public until 2001.