Archive for 'Must See Attractions'

When you plan a holiday, you can find that costs begin to add up quick and it is always good to have some excellent but inexpensive or free activities to add into your itinerary. If you are planning a vacation in Tuscany and you have found a villa with a pool in Siena, for example, then you should definitely consider planning a trip to the Natural History Museum of the Accademia dei Fisiocritici in Siena.

If you have found a luxury villa in Florence or a villa with pool in Florence then we recommend spending plenty of time to both thoroughly explore all that interests you in that beautiful city and to also go beyond it to other attractions in the surrounding area. Florence is a great, pretty central base from which to explore the wider region of Tuscany. Whether you are renting a car or you want to rely on public transport, this is the best and easiest place from which to do both when planning day-trips to other parts of Tuscany such as the comune of Poggio a Caiano in the province of Prato, which is home to a stunning Medici Villa, gorgeous gardens, an excellent museum, and a pretty town.

The villa at Poggio a Caiano is set on the slopes of Mount Albano and was a summer residence for the Medici that was built for Lorenzo the Magnificent, according to plans by Giuliano da Sangallo. It is located right between Florence, Prato and Pistoia, areas over which the Medici and Florence worked to control. Begun at the end of the fifteenth century, but not completed until halfway through the sixteenth century, as work was interrupted by Lorenzo's death in 1492, the villa was continued under Pope Leo X, Lorenzo's son. This pause in the building process, however, would inadvertently give it the time to become one of the greatest architectural gems of the period as increasing refinements in implementing classical motifs and ideals into Renaissance architecture came about in the interim period. Furthermore, subsequent occupants made minimal changes to it over the following centuries, leaving it to remain a testament to Renaissance taste and ideals.

For those interested in opera, a vacation in Italy at some point in your life is an absolute must. As both the birthplace of the genre and one of the major world capitals of opera, if you are interested in seeing the most incredible productions in the most spectacular historic venues, it is the destination for you. However, if you are a super fan of Puccini, in particular, and you were thinking of a vacation in Tuscany, then you should browse our villas with a pool in Lucca. Lucca has many claims to fame but one of its most lauded and famous sons was Puccini and for those who love him and his work, it is a special experience to walk streets that once inspired the artist. And, of course, you can't miss out on a visit to the Villa Museo Puccini, or Puccini House Museum.

Located at Torre del Lago, with an incredible view over Lake Massaciuccoli, the Puccini House Museum was Puccini's home and is now run as a museum dedicated to the great composer by his descendants. Not only is it a fascinating spot for those looking to learn more about the famous maestro and his life and work, it is also, in of itself, a beautiful and incredibly interesting architectural gem. Designed by the architect Giuseppe Puccinelli, this Art Nouveau looker was created in collaboration with Puccini himself and a host of great artisans such as Galileo Chini, the maker of the gorgeous fireplace in the main living space, and Nomellini, who painted the pictorial decorations on the walls.

Serious foodies know that one of the world's must-see holiday destinations for those who like to eat well is Tuscany. Home to a rich food culture that has produced globally-recognised dishes served up in millions of households all over the world every day, hearty favourites inspired by peasant food traditions, superstar ingredients that are acknowledged for their excellence by the European Union, incredible wineries turning out endless delicious wines, ice-cream shops from children's dreams, bakeries stuffed full of traditional treats and cakes, and much more besides, there are lots of impossibly tasty things to eat and drink if you have found a villa in Tuscany and are spending time in the region. However, one particular product that might not immediately come to mind when thinking of the culinary tradition of Tuscany is chocolate. Despite this, Tuscany is home to the, “Chocolate Valley,” where most of the best chocolate in Italy and some of the best chocolate in Europe is produced each year. If you were thinking about a vacation in Tuscany and you're a chocolate-lover, then this is one more reason to bite the bullet and book your villa with pool in Tuscany today!

If you are looking to plan a vacation in Tuscany, you may be finding it hard to choose a destination as the region is just bursting with picturesque villages, culture-packed cities, pretty seaside towns, rural areas surrounded by lush rolling hills, foodie hotspots, and much more besides. Depending on what you are looking for in a holiday, what aspects you prioritise, whether or not you want to rent a car, your budget, and more, different locations will be more or less suitable to you and your needs. So, in order to help you choose we have put together a handy little guide to some of our most popular holiday destinations in Tuscany!