Archive for 'Shopping'

Continuing on from the last post in this series, I am living vicariously through these articles and, potentially through you, as there were so many new brands that I discovered while in Italy. I couldn't believe that there were so many beautiful labels that were utter news to me! As a fashion fanatic who was on holidays, it was very hard to hold back but I did manage to control myself. That doesn't mean that I didn't take note, however! Here are more of the brands that I spotted, which are musts for fashion lovers to check out on their next holiday in Tuscany!

I tried to promise myself that I wouldn't buy any clothes this time around on holidays but as Italy is one of the fashion capitals of the world and I'm fashion obsessed, it was too difficult. Instead, I made a deal with myself: I could buy a maximum of two items. I stuck to this bargain but it was not easy as I discovered lots of new, amazing Italian brands that I had never heard of before. If you are another style addict, like myself, visiting Tuscany, these are the brands you should check out to bring home pieces that no one else around you will have!

Pescia is a charming, if lesser-known, city in the province of Pistoia, in Tuscany. It is thought to have had Lombard origins and the name is a Lombard word that means “river”, which makes sense as the town is located on the banks of a river by the same name.

For centuries, it was famous as a producer of fine silk and flourished under the profitable trade. However, this came to an end in the nineteenth century when commercial conflict with France, during the rule of Napoleon, destroyed the local silk trade. Thereafter, the city was in need of an alternative economic source of livelihood and the production of flowers and olive oil took over.

To finish off our series on the best Christmas market in Tuscany, we have found a few more around the region that you won't want to miss if you have found a luxury villa in Florence and are exploring the region.

The first of these is in the beautiful town of Lucca. Lucca's Piazza Napoleone will be taken over for the Christmas period and, from the 3rd of December 2016 until the 8th of January 2017, it will be occupied by a hawkers market. In addition to these stalls selling all sorts of food, drinks and bits and pieces, there will be an ice skating rink to enjoy. Surely a magical experience that the whole group will love.

Also in Lucca, you will find another Christmas market called “Christmas in the City,” taking place in the Piazza San Michele from the 3rd of December 2016 to the 8th of January 2017.

If you are a perfume lover, Florence has an annual event that you will not want to miss, the Boboli Perfume Fair.

Florence is already a destination to go for highly unique cosmetics and perfumes due to one of the world's oldest active pharmacies being located in Santa Maria Novella which is still popular and continues to produce perfumes and remedies. Still located on-site, the pharmacy now also has branches in New York, Los Angeles and Tokyo and much is still made by hand. If you have stocked up on queen-approved cosmetics in Santa Maria Novella then you should head to the Boboli Perfume Fair.

Just find a luxury villa in Florence and treat yourself, and your nose, to a magic experience this May.