Archive for 'Must See Attractions'

Each year the international media plays reels at the end of Christmas news reports of the highly elaborate Nativity scenes that can be found all across Italy. What might appear to be a cute gimmick, is actually a very old tradition, indeed.

Dating back to the very origins of the Christian holiday, these physical representations of the birth of “bambino Gesù", or “presepe", were popularised in Italy and now can be found throughout the globe. Find a vacation rental in Tuscany and discover the presepe dotted all over the region!

They vary in size, the material they are built with, the number of elements, people, animals, dress, and activities that are figured but the core concept is constant: the Virgin, Joseph and baby Jesus an angel presiding over everything, an ox and a donkey.

The Zoological Gardens of Pistoia, or the Zoo of Pistoia, is a 7-hectare space that is home to more than 400 animal species and is a special place that allows visitors to get to know the animals, while teaching us about the different ways to protect the animals and how to respect the planet.

Its importance as a place of education and conservation and its impressive scale (that is continually increasing in size) mean that it is one of the most important zoos in the entire country.

Just find yourself the perfect holiday rental in Tuscany and get to exploring the town and this amazing attraction that it boasts.

Pistoia dates back to the 2nd century BC, when it was founded to rest Roman troops fighting against the Liguri, and later became a Lombard benchmark.

If you have found a luxury villa in Florence and are spending time in that beautiful city this holiday season, there is one activity that you must make time for: ice-skating, of course! What better way to take a break between shopping and days wandering galleries and museums than to have fun on the ice?

It is the perfect activity for groups of friends, couples and families and is something everyone can enjoy. Just bundle up warm, strap on your skates, fly or flounder around the rink a few times and then warm up with some delicious Italian coffee or hot chocolate afterwards.

Florence is also a perfectly picturesque setting to go skating and there are a few different options of places to choose from.

Continuing our listing of the best spas in Tuscany, we have two more examples of Tuscan spa towns with unique and scenic settings, wonderful facilities and long histories.

After long days of museum hopping, trying out all of the local cuisine and delicacies, browsing shops, and dashing around, there could be no better way to fully relax and make the absolute most of your holiday in Tuscany than by visiting one of the region's famous spas, going for a soak and maybe getting a massage or facial while you're at it.

Enjoy the Tuscan pace of life, slow things down and make some time for yourself and you are sure to return from your holiday completely revitalised and relaxed.

Siena is one of the less hyped but most beautiful of all Tuscan cities. While it may not compete with Florence in terms of scale or choice, it is an equally lovely town, blessed still by the looming presence of the Renaissance. By day, there is much to see and do – many galleries, museums, architectural gems and more to visit, restaurants to try out, customs to learn about and much more besides – but, by night, the city takes on a different and rather special charm. The best way to experience this is by checking out “Divina Bellezza – Dreaming Siena”. Taking place in the unfinished Duomo Nuovo, part of Siena’s Duomo complex, Divina Bellezza is an immersive video mapping project that sees huge 3D images projected on the Facciatone and on the other two facades of the Duomo Nuovo and is accompanied by tales of the city in times gone by and more. It is an evocative, special spectacle that is unique to the city and is a must-see for those who have found a villa with pool in Siena and are planning to spend time there.