Archive for 'Florence'

There are already plenty of reasons to visit the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. Set in the heart of the historical part of the city, the natural flow of the tourists passing through the area, alone, could bring you to its doorstep, even if you hadn't actually planned to end up there! However, it is also an important building historically, culturally and administratively and a key sight in Florence because of its art, architecture and history. Adding to the permanent displays and the building itself are the temporary exhibitions which are often housed inside the Palazzo Vecchio.

Currently, there is a very special exhibition taking place entitled, “The Prince of Dreams. Joseph in the Medici tapestries by Pontormo and Bronzino”, which displays tapestries that were commissioned by Cosimo I de' Medici in the 16th century. Shown in the room they were made for and all together again for the first time in over a century, it is a special treat for art and design lovers. Just find a luxury villa in Florence and see these extraordinary works for yourself.

The Church of the Ognissanti, or Church of the All Saints, in Florence is one of the earliest Baroque examples in the city and dates to the first half of the 17th century. It is, perhaps, due to this that it is not a particularly flamboyant example of the Baroque. It is, however, a grand and beautiful building.

This great beauty and historic merit is enhanced by the presence of works inside the building by Ghirlandaio and Botticelli. Off the beaten tourist trail and very much a hidden gem, this is where you should head if you've found a luxury villa in Florence and want to take in some of her art and architecture without lining up for hours to get into a museum

Florence is a perfect holiday destination as there is an unbelievable and undeniable wealth of things to see and do. However, for the little ones that might be in your party, the endless parade of museums and churches might become a little tiresome after a while. Why not reward them by pencilling in some activities just for them? We've rounded up just three of the many things kids will love about Florence and these little things are perfect for keeping them engaged and happy. Just find a luxury villa in Florence and then explore away, knowing that everyone is going to have an absolute whale of a time!

If you have found the perfect luxury villa in Florence and are spending time in that great city, you will never want for art to see or exhibitions to check out. As the centre of the Italian Renaissance, Florence is home to countless museums, galleries and even street art from the likes of Clet. However, there is a particularly interesting exhibition happening in the Palazzo Strozzi at the moment. Typically, religion is something that one rarely connects with modern art. Yet, the exhibition at the Palazzo Strozzi, entitled, “Divine Beauty from Van Gogh to Chagall and Fontana” highlights modern sacred art from the middle of the 19th to 20th centuries.

We've already discussed the Christmas markets in Florence over the festive period but there is plenty of other stuff that you can do if you are going to be in the area during winter. One of the best of these things is a little unexpected; Florence Winter Park is a winter activities park just outside of the city. While you may normally associate that great city with museums and cultural gems and Italian winter sports with the Alps, Florence Winter Park offers the chance to skip the history, heritage and culture for the day in favour of some fun. It also means that a city break can also become a ski holiday – a two-for-one, so to speak! Don't miss out on this opportunity! Once you have found a luxury villa in Florence, be sure to drop by the Winter Park.