Archive for 'Activities'

A few years ago, we wrote about a particular hill, located in a charming little town called Fiesole, just outside Florence. A long-time favourite holiday destination of noble families looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, including the Medici family, the town of Fiesole has continued to be a destination that attracts the rich and famous and normal folk alike who are looking to pop out of Florence and into the peaceful natural surroundings of this area for a while. The hill in Fiesole with which we were concerned, however, drew an incredibly famous visitor not for leisure but, instead, for experiments. Said visitor being Da Vinci, who, long before the Wright brothers, came to test out a flying machine on the hill of Monte Ceceri. This momentous and fascinating event in history is reason enough to draw Da Vinci fans and history buffs alike but there is actually plenty of reason for anyone to stop by if they have found a holiday rental in Fiesole.

As well as being the site of Da Vinci's would-be airport, Monte Ceceri is popular among hikers and those who like to admire scenery as it offers great panoramic views of the surrounding landscape of Tuscany and right over the city of Florence in the distance. In fact, it’s a perfect spot to spend some time out in nature and stretching your legs if you have found a vacation rental in Florence and are looking for some day trip ideas to explore some parts of Tuscany around the city.     Read More

Tuscany isn’t short on beautiful scenery or incredible views and ways to take them in. So many of her towns are built on hilltops, affording the most amazing sweeping vistas over the surrounding landscapes. There are also plenty of buildings all over that you can visit to admire the view from up on top of them. However, if you really want to admire a good view, the best combo is a nice hike to work up a little bit of a sweat, some fresh air and natural surroundings to admire along the way, and then a great view from the top of the trail as a reward for all of your efforts. Like hilltop towns and pretty vantage points, there is not a shortage of great hiking trails to choose from in Tuscany, however, if we were to recommend one today, it would be the Passo di Dante on Monte Pisano. If you have found a vacation rental in Pisa and you’re looking for somewhere to go for a pleasant and not overly challenging hike that boasts history and truly excellent views, then this is just the spot for you!

Monte Pisano has quite a few different routes to choose from and these routes are of various levels of difficulty, meaning that there is probably something to suit everyone, no matter their kind of previous experience with hiking or fitness level. All boast excellent views – with panoramas over the Tuscan Coast to one side of the mountain and across to the Lucca and Apuan Alps on the other side – and traverse through a stunning landscape made up of forestry dotted by ruins of ancient monasteries, pretty little churches, and old farmhouses.     Read More

One of the most important things that we want when we go on holidays is to really relax and unwind. If you have found a vacation rental in Tuscany and are planning to get away from it all then why not plan to set aside a morning or two for a good yoga session to loosen up, get rid of all of your tension, and start a day of fun and sightseeing right? Breathe, relax your jaw, roll your shoulders, and get ready to enjoy a wonderful holiday in beautiful Tuscany…

Whether you are based in a city or in the country, there are plenty of different options to choose from all around the region. Tuscany is actually quite an up-and-coming yoga destination and there are new schools opening all over. Plus, as a famously relaxed place, Tuscany has a perfect atmosphere for practicing yoga and what better backdrop or setting than the rolling pastures and pretty hilltop towns of Tuscan landscapes and the historic grandeur and architectural gems of Tuscan city views? It couldn’t really get much more idyllic than that!

Here are some of the best places to attend some yoga classes and take a moment’s pause while you are exploring Tuscany.     Read More

L'Eroica is the single must-attend event for cycling enthusiasts who were thinking about planning a holiday in Tuscany. Held on the first Sunday of October each year in the province of Siena, this is an annual non-competitive cycling event based around a theme of vintage cycling. As such, participants use vintage (i.e. pre-1987) bicycles, accessories and clothing. Combining a beloved sport with a vintage theme and beautiful Tuscan landscapes, it is a unique and fascinating annual event that can be enjoyed by those who have found a vacation rental in Siena and who are making the most out of the rich gamut of different activities and attractions that this stunning part of the world has to offer.     Read More