Archive for 'Curiosities'

Our last article outlined the Italian tradition of Presepi, or Nativity Scenes, and their origins and cultural significance. This second installment aims to help you find some real examples if you have found a vacation rental in Tuscany and are planning on spending time in the region over the festive period.

We have put together a long, but in no way exhaustive, list of some of the better Presepi that you can find in Tuscany.

However, as we mentioned in the last article, almost every church and town will have one, though they may vary in scale, style and elaboration. Among these, you may even find some hidden gems that we haven't listed so take this as a rough guide rather than the bible.     Read More

Each year the international media plays reels at the end of Christmas news reports of the highly elaborate Nativity scenes that can be found all across Italy. What might appear to be a cute gimmick, is actually a very old tradition, indeed.

Dating back to the very origins of the Christian holiday, these physical representations of the birth of “bambino Gesù", or “presepe", were popularised in Italy and now can be found throughout the globe. Find a vacation rental in Tuscany and discover the presepe dotted all over the region!

They vary in size, the material they are built with, the number of elements, people, animals, dress, and activities that are figured but the core concept is constant: the Virgin, Joseph and baby Jesus an angel presiding over everything, an ox and a donkey.     Read More

The Zoological Gardens of Pistoia, or the Zoo of Pistoia, is a 7-hectare space that is home to more than 400 animal species and is a special place that allows visitors to get to know the animals, while teaching us about the different ways to protect the animals and how to respect the planet.

Its importance as a place of education and conservation and its impressive scale (that is continually increasing in size) mean that it is one of the most important zoos in the entire country.

Just find yourself the perfect holiday rental in Tuscany and get to exploring the town and this amazing attraction that it boasts.

Pistoia dates back to the 2nd century BC, when it was founded to rest Roman troops fighting against the Liguri, and later became a Lombard benchmark.     Read More

Mummies are probably not the first thing that comes to mind or that you associate with Florence, however, there is one lying on full view in one of her churches.

Resting in a glass coffin in the Dominican Church of San Marco in Florence is the 550 year-old mummified relic of St. Antoninus, dressed in his ornate archbishop’s garb. Interestingly, the man was made an archbishop against his wishes in the last 12 years of his life and only conceded when the pope threatened him with excommunication. He accepted the title but continued to live as a monk and only owned some simple furniture and a mule.

Once you have found a luxury villa in Florence and are exploring her churches and architectural gems, make sure to find time to stop by San Marco and learn about this fascinating man and both his life and death.     Read More