Archive for 'Travel Tips'

Travelling is all about unique experiences that you won’t forget, memories that will last a lifetime, shared with people you love, new friends, or even just made on your own as you expand your horizons. Sometimes these experiences involve ticking a famous sight off your bucket list and finally seeing something with your own eyes. Sometimes it’s something big. Other times, however, it is the small things that stand out most, the little moments. These sorts of travel experiences and memories mostly can’t be planned but you can set yourself up to have one of these quietly wonderful moments by being in the right place, at the right time, with the right attitude. Come with a spirit of whimsy and joy and you’ll really make the most of it while you vacation in Tuscany...

One of the best things about a vacation in Tuscany is indulging in her foodie delights but we also recommend leaning into the foodie customs of the region as well. From visiting the endless list of seasonal food festivals celebrating local specialities, to shopping the freshest produce and most notable regional products at bustling local markets, to visiting wineries and sampling their vintages, there are all sorts of foodie experiences to enjoy but you can also simply eat in the manner of Tuscans. This means eating when the locals eat, resting after your meal in the middle of the day, having multiple courses with your meals, consuming the right coffee at the right time of the day (cappuccinos are expressly only for breakfast in Italy, or certainly not after 11am), and more. 

One of the local foodie customs that we vouch for the most as particularly delicious and indulgent for someone on vacation, is the idea of the aperitivo. This involves going out ahead of your dinner or evening on the town, visiting a bar or two, and ordering an appetite-stimulating drink to enjoy with some snacks. Or perhaps you never end up going for dinner at all – lots of Italians will enjoy an aperitivo or two (or more) while eating the snacks served with them (often for free) and either fill up on the snacks or head home for dinner afterwards. No matter what way you do it though, it’s a great way to spend an evening! 

Those who book a vacation rental in Florence will quickly discover that it is an excellent destination for those who like to get around on their own steam! The centre is smaller than one might imagine, given its incredible cultural importance and weight, with many of the most famous attractions located within close proximity of each other. In fact, right in the heart of the historic core of the city, you will discover that Florence is a patchwork of pretty piazze, ringed by architectural gems, shops, bars, eateries, and sights. So, as you move from one thing to another on your itinerary, you’ll have plenty to feast your eyes on along the way and ample opportunity to stop for a bite, a glass of famous Tuscan wine, a coffee, a gelato, or any other delights you might need to fuel your voyage. 

Autumn and winter are when the majority of our guests decide to book their villa in Tuscany for the next summer so we are currently smack in the middle of the booking season – it’s the perfect time to snap up your ideal dates and vacation rental before someone else beats you to it!

A few weeks ago, the summer 2026 calendars for our properties went live, allowing guests to plan ahead and to secure their stay now, while the most choice is still available. These calendars are gradually filling up but are still pretty wide open for many properties… though they won’t stay that way for too long!

One of the things that our customers and any visitors to Tuscany can often find surprising is that those romantically winding roads through the region can present more challenging driving conditions than sometimes expected. While we usually recommend renting a car if you are booking a villa in Tuscany in order to make the most of your time in the region, this does come with the big caveat that there are some key things to keep in mind before going ahead...