Archive for 'Parks & Gardens'

Florence is a city with a pretty skyline and is home to many distinctive buildings and, as a result, taking in views across all of its majesty is a must for anyone visiting Florence – especially if it is your first time! Just browse our beautiful luxury villas in Florence, find the right one for you and yours and get to planning a trip. Then, while planning said trip, be sure to carve out some time to check out some of the following spots, which are great places to take in some of the best views in Florence.

3. The Rose Garden

The Rose Garden in Florence is the perfect oasis of calm and brings together art from the Belgian artist Folon, roses and (most importantly) some truly stunning panoramic views across the city. Free to visit, it is open from morning until nightfall year round. A little-known gem, it is home to a collection of 400 different varieties of roses, 1000 botanical varieties, lemons, and other plants, a Japanese garden, and a sprinkling of sculptures by Folon.

We've been talking about Florence a bit this week and, if you think about the city, what comes to mind: particular sights or attractions, specific restaurants or bars, certain works of art or buildings? Most likely, it is some sort of combination of all of the above, within the setting of the city itself, with its incredibly rich and beautiful historic centre.

Taking in as much of the city as possible, its pretty skyline, and many distinctive buildings, is a must for anyone visiting Florence – especially if it is your first time!

Just browse our beautiful luxury villas in Florence, find the right one for you and yours and then get to planning a trip.

While you're planning, here are some of the best spots to take in the best views of Florence.

Chianti Cashmere Goat Farm is a small, private farm located halfway between Florence and Siena, just outside of a town called Radda in the Chianti region of Tuscany. It makes for the perfect place to spend a day learning about sustainable farming, petting the goats, shopping incredible quality garments and enjoying rural Tuscan living. So, whether you find a luxury villa in Florence or a villa with pool in Siena, make sure to set aside time to take a break from urban pursuits and pay a visit to this beautiful and fascinating farm for yourself.

The origins of the farm date back to 1972, when Nora Kravis left Long Island, New York and made her way to Italy, where she bought an old Tuscan farmhouse and set about building a new life. A tiny, dilapidated stone farmhouse nestled into the side of the Volpaia valley with an incredible view across endless rolling hills, vineyards, pastures, olive trees and woods.

Villa Reale di Marlia is a stunning 17th century villa and estate with extensive and impressive gardens, located a short distance from Lucca, at the foot of the Pizzorne hills. Once home to Napoleon’s sister and Duchess of Lucca Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi, it is considered one of the most important historic properties in Italy and is made up of a sixteen hectare estate that features incredible works of art, works of nature and flights of fancy. While the house is currently closed for renovations, the gardens remain open to the public for visits and make for the perfect place to spend a pleasant afternoon strolling around. Just find a luxury villa in Lucca and pay a visit to this extraordinary estate for yourself.

Pack a picnic and set aside a few hours because wandering this estate will occupy you for that long – there is so much to see and do and you'll need snacks to keep you going.

Florence is full of things to see and do and, among them, there are a number of gardens and parks that are especially beautiful and worth exploring. One that we haven't mentioned before is the Giardino dell'Iris, or Iris Garden, a botanical garden that, unsurprisingly, specialises in the cultivation of iris flowers. Just find a vacation rental in Florence and come explore this lovely Tuscan garden for yourself, as a nice moment of quiet and calm amongst all the darting around busy tourist attractions.

The iris has been a symbol of Florence since 1251 and this garden, near the Piazzale Michelangelo, celebrates the city's bloom rather magically.