Archive for 'Florence'

Tuscany, like any other country where Christmas is widely celebrated, has many different traditions to do with the holiday and is an important event that brings families together. Of course, if it's an Italian celebration of a holiday, food is going to be an important part of said celebrations.

For example, Arista alla Fiorentina is a pork-based dish originating from Florence that is a delicious alternative to turkey and a sure crowd-pleaser. “Arista” comes from the Greek word “aristos”, meaning "best" and, according to legend, it can be traced back to the 15th century, when Greek clergymen visiting Florence in 1430 for an Ecumenical Council were served the Tuscan-style roast pork and found it to be "aristos". It has been called this ever since then. Just find a luxury villa in Florence and try this delicious dish for yourself.

Our last article outlined the Italian tradition of Presepi, or Nativity Scenes, and their origins and cultural significance. This second installment aims to help you find some real examples if you have found a vacation rental in Tuscany and are planning on spending time in the region over the festive period.

We have put together a long, but in no way exhaustive, list of some of the better Presepi that you can find in Tuscany.

However, as we mentioned in the last article, almost every church and town will have one, though they may vary in scale, style and elaboration. Among these, you may even find some hidden gems that we haven't listed so take this as a rough guide rather than the bible.

Christmas markets are one of the best things about Christmas. They offer a single place to eat delicious foods, warm up your hands with lovely hot drinks, take in a vibrant Christmassy atmosphere, buy gifts, hear festive music and have fun with family or friends. Luckily, Tuscany has plenty of Christmas markets to choose from. In fact, most towns will have some sort of market over the holiday period but we've decided to round up some of the best so you can pencil them into your schedule if you are spending Christmas in Tuscany this year.

One of the most famous Christmas markets in Tuscany is the Weihnachtsmarkt, located in piazza Santa Croce in Florence. Named for, and based on, the style of Christmas markets you can find in Germany, it offers everything you would want from a typical festive market, all with a distinctive Tuscan twist on the model. Running from the 2nd of December until the 20th 2016, just drop by and browse the gifts and crafts or try to food, beer and mulled wine from all over Europe in the scenic setting of Florence's most beautiful piazzas.

If you are planning a visit to Florence between April and November and are looking to fill up an itinerary, you might consider looking into attractions that are a little off the beaten track and more varied. Typical itineraries of the area focus largely on culture, art and food and, while these are things that are key to any Tuscan visit, it is not all that the region has to offer.

In fact, there are many surprising adventures to be had in Tuscany. Just find a luxury villa in Florence and spend a few days of your trip trying out some of the more unexpected activities that are boasted by the city and the area around it.

One such option is a trip to Il Gigante Adventure Park.

Mummies are probably not the first thing that comes to mind or that you associate with Florence, however, there is one lying on full view in one of her churches.

Resting in a glass coffin in the Dominican Church of San Marco in Florence is the 550 year-old mummified relic of St. Antoninus, dressed in his ornate archbishop’s garb. Interestingly, the man was made an archbishop against his wishes in the last 12 years of his life and only conceded when the pope threatened him with excommunication. He accepted the title but continued to live as a monk and only owned some simple furniture and a mule.

Once you have found a luxury villa in Florence and are exploring her churches and architectural gems, make sure to find time to stop by San Marco and learn about this fascinating man and both his life and death.