Archive for 'Pisa'

In our final post in this series, here are two more of Tuscany's best and most beautiful gardens that make for wonderful places to relax and take a breather from the intense pace and tourist crowds that some people can experience.

First up is the Horti Leonini in the town of San Quirico d'Orcia, Siena. A late 16th century park, it was created according to the direction of Diomede Leoni (for whom it is named) with funding and the donation of lands by Francesco de' Medici. Built as part of a scheme of renovation in the town after damages caused during wars between Siena and Florence, it is an oasis of beauty. Wonderfully well-preserved, the gardens have maintained their original appearance and provide a perfect example of an Italian style garden.

If Italy (and Tuscany, in particular) is known for any single thing, it is art. Of course, fashion and food quickly come to mind upon mention of the country, as well, but it is the art that seems to stick out most in the international common consciousness. As Florence was at the heart of the Renaissance, the wider region of Tuscany was blessed with many great artists and works over the years. As such, there really is an endless list of things to see and do. One particular art form that is especially bountiful is architecture. The region abounds with architectural gems so why not find a luxury villa in Tuscany and explore these delightful structures for yourself? It promises to be a trip of a lifetime.

If you visit the city of Lucca in Tuscany, you should make sure not to miss a charming attraction that is located just outside it: the Acquedotto Del Nottolini. This impressive aqueduct is often mistaken for a remainder of the Roman Empire but is actually a neoclassical gem that is modelled after those older examples and dates to the 19th century.

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.

With Valentine's Day coming up, you may have been inspired to think a little longer on your loved ones and about spending quality time together.

While cards and gifts and flowers are all well and good, nothing beats making memories that will never wilt, go out of date or break.

So, here are ten of our most romantic vacation rentals in Tuscany in which you can make those memories.

People zipping around town on Vespas, immaculately dressed, past historic buildings and pretty piazzas, on the way to meet friends for coffee. It is one of those idealised images of Italy that many of us have and there is no doubt that, no matter how accurate a picture this may or may not be, Vespa is one of the most iconic products to come out of the country. It is intrinsically Italian. If you are a bit of a Vespa fanatic, there is surely one Italian destination that will have decided itself: Pontedera in the Province of Pisa, where you'll find the Piaggio Museum. Piaggio is the fourth largest producer of scooters and motorcycles in the world but it was the world renown of the Vespa that put the company on the international map.