Archive for 'Must See Attractions'

One of the most famously beautiful parts of Tuscany is the UNESCO-awarded Val D’Orcia. This part of the region that extends from the hills south of Siena to Monte Amiata and is home to the towns of Pienza, Radicofani, and Montalcino. It is the place from which our perfect postcard pictures of Tuscany, the very first images of the region that come to mind when you think of Tuscany, come from. These are the undulating green hills broken only by roads winding throughout and the odd tree, old farmhouse, or beautiful hilltop medieval town or village that have made the countryside of Tuscany so iconic and famously stunning worldwide. If you have found a vacation rental in the Val D’Orcia, however, and are exploring the region, there is one particular spot to head to in order to take in perhaps the most famous and most beautiful panorama in all over Italy: the Podere Belvedere.

If you have found a luxury villa in Florence and are looking to delve into, and explore, some of the beautiful Tuscan countryside around the city and if you are interested in abandoned places and history, then you should probably head to Semifonte. Located in the province of Florence, within the modern day comune of Barberino Val d'Elsa, Semifonte was once a grand fortified city that was built during the 12th century. If was destroyed in 1202 in a siege during conflict with Florence and little remains today as the peace treaty brokered with Florence required surviving inhabitants to demolish their own city and prevented rebuilding on the site. In fact, the stones used to build Barberino Val d'Elsa were taken from the destroyed city and repurposed, leaving very little of the city behind today.

Considering getting away this Christmas – escaping the chaos, the in-laws, the dinner preparations, and more – but not sure where to go? Why not think about choosing Montepulciano? It is a beautiful town, famous for its wine, located in lovely Tuscany, surrounded by the most gorgeous scenery, historic and well-preserved, and very peaceful and quiet. Better yet, it is utterly transformed at Christmas and becomes a magical winter wonderland with plenty to keep everyone in the family or in a group of friends happy! If you are looking for a home away from home that is full of Christmas cheer but far removed from your daily routines and responsibilities, then just browse our incredible vacation rentals in Montepulciano and plan a Christmas getaway in Tuscany.

From the 16th of November 2019, right through to the 6th of January 2020, the lovely medieval town of Montepulciano goes crazy for Christmas. A Christmas Village pops up in the Piazza Grande and the cute little wooden huts that make up the town’s Christmas market house various stalls selling all sorts of goods from Christmas ornaments and gifts to local crafts to seasonal treats and snacks to hot drinks of all kinds. Then, at the Poliziana Fortress, Santa Claus takes over for the season and it becomes his castle and the garden plays host to an ice-skating rink.

If you have found a vacation rental in Pistoia and are spending time exploring the surrounding area and the beautiful, lush landscape of this part of Tuscany, then there is one special little spot that is perfect for those who want to get a little off the more traditional beaten tourist path for international visitors. While famous among locals and other Tuscans, the Ponte Sospeso di San Marcello Pistoiese is likely unheard of to most foreign tourists. Therefore, you can expect busy crowds on weekends but you’re going to take in something a little more unusual and that you didn’t expect to find.

About 30km south of Pisa, you will find the pretty little Tuscan village of Lari. With medieval origins, it is dominated by the mighty fortress, the Castello dei Vicari (known as Vicari Castle or Lari Castle in English), which is perched as the crowning glory of the village. However, do not be lead astray by its pretty, if somewhat unusual, appearance, as it hides a long history of horror and hauntings within its walls. If you have found a vacation rental in Pisa and are considering planning a last-minute mid-term break, half-term, or Hallowe’en getaway to the area, then pencil a trip to the Castello dei Vicari into your itinerary. Perfectly spooky and a rare spot in Italy where you can usually find Hallowe’en celebrations, it is the ideal place to head to if you are in Tuscany in or around All Hallows’ Eve.

The first written records that we have of the castle date back to 732AD, though the castle that you see today is a very different building, having been rebuilt many different times throughout the centuries. It has also changed many hands throughout the years, from family to family, and lots of different kingdoms, rulers, and organisations. In the Middle Ages, it was under the control of the Republic of Pisa and then, in 1406, it came into the possession of the Florentine Vicari family, it was a prison, then it was home to Florentine vicars until halfway through the 19th century, then it was a jail again, and, finally, it came into the ownership of the Municipality of Lari, who restored it and opened it to the public.