Exterior of the Duomo, Siena
Posted in: Architectural Gems Churches & Religious Buildings Localities Museums & Galleries Siena Tourist Attractions

The benefit of exploring churches throughout the region if you have found a Tuscany villa, no matter your religious affiliation or lack thereof, is that an incredible number of them house spectacular artworks by some of the most famous artists from the region throughout history. This is true of both tiny little churches that might not seem like anything from the outside and, more often of course, of the various town cathedrals throughout Tuscany. If you find a villa with pool in Siena, for example, and are spending time discovering all that beautiful and historic city has to offer, then you will likely see the ornate Gothic façade, rising tower, and central dome of the Duomo (or cathedral) from various points around the city. This might give you pause to consider the building and we highly recommend going one step further and actually planning a visit to this gem while staying in your villa in Siena. With a richly ornamented exterior and a stunning interior that boasts artworks by the likes of Pisano, Donatello, and Michelangelo, it is a wonderful reflection of the artistic heritage of Tuscany and is full of gorgeous objects and pieces of art to admire...

Posted in: Day Trips Localities Siena Spa Tourist Attractions

One of the best things about a vacation in Tuscany and a Tuscany villa is that the pace of life is ideal for those looking to slow down, relax, and properly recuperate on their getaway. Of course, many cities are busy hubs and, in particular, tourist hotspots can be full of crowds piling off tour buses, queues, and hustle and bustle but if you don’t want to deal with any of that stuff then it is easy enough to do so. All one needs to do is spend their time enjoying the scenic rural areas and natural gems, visiting fascinating but lesser-known tourist attractions, and exploring the endless array of sleepy and utterly picturesque little towns throughout Tuscany. Skip the busy spots entirely, keep your eyes open, and you never know what kind of incredible gems you might discover! From family-run restaurants serving delicious local delights, to stunning churches in little villages that boast works by famous artists, to views so perfectly scenic it is hard to believe they are real and beyond, there is so much to uncover and at your own pace, without the chaos that sometimes can accompany a vacation.


But, most importantly, before anything else, you need to find the perfect base from which to explore and enjoy Tuscany’s quieter, more peaceful charms. While there are plenty of options for different areas to take in the beauty and relaxation of Tuscany, we highly recommend browsing our villas with pools in Siena, in particular. Our villas in this part of the region often take in stunning and classic Tuscan scenes, are close to all sorts of different attractions, are spacious and pretty, and are regularly located in peaceful and remote spots, far from the stresses and concerns of daily life.

Posted in: Christmas Concerts & Festivals Events Localities Siena
As with any country where Christmas or any other holiday or religious festival is celebrated, Italy has many unique traditions when it comes to the festive season. From specific foods served and eaten for different meals and on different days to their own legends about who brings gifts (traditionally, it is a kindly witch and not a man in a red suit who does the honours in Italy) to Christmas markets to impeccable live nativity scenes and much more besides, there are all sorts of wonderful Italian Christmas traditions to engage with and experience if you have decided to try out a Christmas getaway in Italy. But if you plan on spending Christmas in Tuscany or Christmas in a villa in Siena, in particular, and you are after an ancient, dramatic, and exciting tradition to keep you busy on Christmas Eve then you should head to Abbadia San Salvatore in the province of Siena.
Posted in: Localities Must See Attractions Pretty Views Siena Tourist Attractions
The rolling green hills and pretty medieval towns of Tuscany get mentioned a lot around here and for good reason; these iconic images of the region, as presented in books and on screens are often the motivating factor for people to first have an interest in visiting Tuscany in order to see it for themselves and they are, indeed, truly stunning. While a villa in Tuscany and a drive in almost any direction on almost any road is likely to produce incredible scenery sooner rather than later, there are, of course, some areas that are among the most visited, photographed, and written about for their particular aesthetic merit. One such area is the impossibly picturesque Lucciola Bella Nature Reserve in Pienza, at the heart of the Arcadian Val d'Orcia.
Posted in: Food and Wine Localities Siena Wineries & Breweries
The wine from the area of Montepulciano is steeped in history and tradition and is some of the best-loved and most well-regarded wine in all of Tuscany and Italy. As such, there are countless well-established and lauded wineries located all across the surrounding area. If you are a serious wine-lover considering a vacation in Tuscany, therefore, then you should definitely start browsing our villas in Montepulciano and making up a shortlist of some of the best of the best among them to visit during your holiday! One of the most famous and best-rated among them all, that will make it onto many lists, is Contucci...

Contucci is the oldest wine producer in the entire region, predating the next oldest by a whopping 900 years. With more than 1000 years of history and tradition in each glass and one of the most remarkable settings of a winery in all of Italy, this incredible gem is definitely a must-see for those interested in learning all about the wine of the region.