Archive for 'Tourist Attractions'

If you like to learn about the history of places you holiday to then perhaps a relaxing stay at one of many vacation rentals in Tuscany would be the perfect base for your enlightening stay?

Tuscany got its name from an ancient civilisation called the Etruscans who lived and thrived in this region between 800BC AND 390 BC. Although we don’t have many written accounts of the Etruscan civilisation, we’re lucky that they left so many clues behind them in the form of murals, pottery, metal artefacts and buildings to help us piece together how they lived. Tuscany has great many museums dedicated to the ancient Etruscan people; here are a few of the most popular.

The ‘Museo dell’ Accademia Etrusca' in Cortona is home to many ornate Etruscan treasures. It has a beautiful mural called ‘Musa Polimnia’ and includes most of the discoveries found at a tomb in nearby Sodo. One of the few bronze tablets left bearing one of the longest inscriptions in the ancient Etruscan language can also be admired here. There were also three significant tombs discovered here, one of which revealed a grand alter with a sphinx themed stairway leading up to the ‘Melone II’ tumulus. They also discovered a beautiful Etruscan oil lamp chandelier here.

To gain a perfect perspective of the beauty of Italy’s coastline, a holiday along the coast of Tuscany will fill any visitor’s heart with a sense of awe and admiration for its beautifully preserved beaches and coastal towns.

Much of the land layouts, building designs and winding roads have stayed true to the times when the ancient civilisation, the Etruscans built a prosperous environment for themselves between 800BC AND 390BC.

The Etruscan coastline could be described as a heaven for the senses!

Anyone who gazes out onto the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean and breathes in the salty smell of the coast can fully appreciate the lengths that the Tuscan people go to protect their environment from pollution. As they turn to face the land, they’ll be greeted by the sight of prosperous growth of juicy green and black olives, ripening fruit and colourful fields packed with grains and vegetables bathing in the warm sunlight. The bouquet of smells wafting from the sea and land is like a tonic for the soul!

Visit the stunning natural canyon of Orrido di Botri in the Apennines in Lucca province. This breathtaking rock formation was created over thousands of year by the movement of tectonic plates under the earth’s surface. For visitors who enjoy trekking through streams and climbing rocks or even know how to engage in the challenging sport called canyoning, this is the perfect place for your to visit on your next vacation to Tuscany!

This beautiful haven of nature is nearby to the pretty town of Bagni di Lucca where there are some ideal vacation rentals with swimming pool to relax and enjoy your stay in if you wish to explore this glorious mountainous area for a few days!

Orrido di Botri is a deep limestone gorge in Val Fegana, under the towering slopes of the Tre Potenze and Rondinaio Mountains. Its unusual shape and ragged crevices and fractures were caused by water flow over thousands of years. The water here is crystal clear and lined with colourful pebbles along the ground.

During your next vacation to Tuscany why not spend a day or two in the glorious Empoli area in the lower Arno Valley of Florence? There are several charming towns and villages here that are of Roman origin which have plenty of things for tourists to see and do! If you wish to stay in the area for a few days, why not look at some superb vacation rentals with great reviews in Empoli town?

The rich fertile soil here has made Empoli into a successful agricultural area where many olive groves and vineyards thrive as well as many fields of healthy crops.

There is a huge range of nature trails and history attractions in the area as well as some fantastic towns to visit like Castelfiorentino, Montelupo, Montaione and Montespertoli.

Why not spend a few days of your next vacation to Tuscany exploring the seven islands of the Tuscan archipelago.

Nicknamed as the seven jewels of Tuscany, the islands of Elba, Giglio, Capraia, Montecristo, Gorgona, Pianosa and Giannutri are surrounded by crystal clear waters and teeming with excellent tourist attractions and wildlife.

Visitors wishing to base their stay close to this magnificent cluster of islands should book a stay a one of many holiday villas near Monte Argentario, with sea views along the coastline less than forty kilometres from Giglio Island by sea.

These entire islands make up the largest natural marine park in Europe and are highly protected nature reserves that protect the stunning landscape, animal and plant life here. Visit Elba Island and the areas of Porto Azzurro and Portoferraio here where there’s plenty to do and see.