Archive for 'Lucca'

As populations of young people have continued to leave their hometowns for bigger cities and other countries in search of better job prospects in the past half century, Italy has become home to an increasing number of ghost towns. These fascinating places are intriguing to visit but some are more appealing than others with the more historic and older examples often being incredibly picturesque and hauntingly beautiful. Those interested in history, architecture, and ghost towns, in particular, will have their pick if they plan a holiday in Italy looking for such gems but one of the most famous examples that tops most lists of the most interesting and lovely ghost towns in Italy has to be Isola Santa. This stunning abandoned town in Tuscany is located in the Apuan Alps and, while it remains largely uninhabited, it has been renovated in recent years in an effort to preserve its great architectural and historical value and its incredible beauty.

Located in the heart of the Apuan Alps, on the road leading to the Tuscan Coastline and the town of Versilia, in the commune of Careggine, in the province of Lucca, you will stumble across a little town that looks like something plucked right from the pages of a storybook and a fairy-tale. Built to be perched on the banks of the Turrite Secca river, this medieval town is made up of picturesque stone buildings with climbing vines along walls, lush greenery and trees all around, and the jewel-toned blue man-made lake next to which it now lies. On sunny days, when all of these colours are at their most heightened, it really does look like some unreal scene painted by a rather romantic artist. If you have found a vacation rental in Lucca, you should definitely drop by!     Read More

Tuscany is home to imposing forts, impossibly pretty medieval hilltop towns, dreamy country villas, staggering cathedrals, architectural curiosities, and much more besides. It is a place where centuries of wealth and artistic innovation resulted in a architectural language, landscape, and heritage that is matched by few other places in the world. If you're an enthusiast or if you're simply just a casual observer, then you're likely to find yourself impressed and often lost for words at the incredible buildings that you will encounter while travelling in Tuscany. While travel is yet a good way off for most of us, we can dream and look ahead to a time in which it is possible once more. And, in the meantime, we can take a look at just five of the most unique architectural gems in Tuscany and start adding the ones that most take our fancy to bucket lists that are, no doubt, growing by the day in this time of social-distancing. Here are our picks of just five of the most incredible architectural feats that you can find in Tuscany, as we see it:

1. Cappella Della Madonna Vitaleta

Nestled among the iconic winding roads and perfect rolling hills of the Val D’Orcia the Chapel of the Madonna di Vitaleta, or La Cappella della Madonna Vitaleta, emerges like an image too picturesque, too symmetrical, too perfect for real life. This evocative scene has been the subject of endless photographs and postcards and for good reason, it is like an image plucked from the pages of a story book and is an example of a building and setting coexisting in perfect harmony.     Read More

We are obsessed with all things Tuscan here and, while we can't plan holidays in the region at the moment, we can read all about her unique traits and think ahead to better days in which a vacation doesn't seem so far away.

Tuscany has an incredibly rich historical and cultural heritage, shaped by shifting rulers, endless battles and wars over land throughout the centuries, influential art movements and artists, and a stunning landscape that both inspires and produces bountiful culinary delights. As such, the region also boasts more intriguing myths and legends and spooky tales than one might be aware of or expect.

If you have an interest in history, folklore, or the macabre, Tuscany is actually a surprisingly excellent holiday destination as it is awash with haunted castles and sites supposedly frequented by witches and much more besides. Today, we have rounded up some of our favourite tales of mystery and the supernatural and intrigue from Tuscany as we find ourselves with the additional time on our hands necessary to ponder the strange and unusual aspects of the world...     Read More

You’ve finally decided to do it and plan that trip to Tuscany that you have always dreamed about but now that you’re looking into it, you’re not quite sure when is the best time to go. Will the summer be too hot for you? Will the spring not be warm enough? Is it too busy or too quiet at certain times of the year? When is it most expensive? These are all questions to keep in mind. So, if you’re wondering when is the best time to visit one of the world's most beloved travel destinations, then read on to our travel guide and travel tips and decide what time of the year sounds like it would best suit you. Then, find a luxury villa in Tuscany and count down the days until your trip to Italy!

Is Spring a good time of year to go to Tuscany?

Spring (March to May) is an excellent time of year to visit for those interested in fewer crowds, smaller queues for things, milder weather, abundant greenery, and lower prices. From March onwards, the weather gets more reliable and temperatures increase. There is some chance of snow, but not that much of a chance, and rain is to be expected some days but you can also expect up to 12 hours of sunlight by the end of the month and average maximum temperatures of 15°C. By April, the countryside is lush and filled with flowers and fruit trees in bloom. The average maximum temperature rises to 19°C, though cooler days are common and evenings are brisk with a low of around 9°C to be expected. Come May, things are getting busier and this is one of the most popular months to visit Tuscany. Temperatures can reach 24°C or more in some parts of the region, rain is uncommon, and there are over 15 hours of daylight.     Read More