Archive for 'Curiosities'

  

Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Calcio Storico Fiorentino, Florence
A precursor to soccer called il calcio storico fiorentino is played annually during the third week of June in Florence. Quite unlike the game that we are all familiar with, calcio storico is a brutal, violent sport intimately interconnected with the city's history, rivalries and codes of honour. It is more like a blend of soccer with rugby and boxing.

Not for the faint of heart, players often refuse to invite their families to games as they find it too difficult to watch. For the sports enthusiast however, it offers a unique experience. Why not book into a luxury villa nearby and come experience it for yourself?     Read More
Posted in: Curiosities, Events, Florence, June, Localities, Tourist Attractions

  

Thursday, January 29, 2015
uffizi gallery ceiling of niobe room
Experience the incredibly detailed beauty of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence before coming to visit it for real! A free virtual tour of Europe’s first ‘Museum of Art’ is now open for anyone to explore online.

See mesmerising three dimensional views of the Uffizi Gallery in high definition and click the arrows to head in any direction you like. You can even zoom in to see the intricate detail of the many paintings and sculptures on display here.

Choose from a delightful range of vacation rentals in Florence where you could quite happily spend a few days exploring the sheer volume of artistic treasures on display in this Renaissance city!     Read More
Posted in: Curiosities, Museums & Galleries, Tourist Attractions

  

Friday, January 16, 2015
Rocchette di Fazio
Visit the charming little village of Rocchette di Fazio in Tuscany which in the 2001 census has a miniscule population of only nineteen people! Situated on a cliff overlooking Albegna Valley, Rocchette di Fazio was named after Fazio Cacciaconti of Trequanda who lorded over a "Rocchetta" here which means ‘small castle’.

Book into a charming three bedroomed villa in Tuscany with your holiday group and enjoy exploring Tuscan gems such as Rocchette di Fazio!

There are several enchanting attractions here that still stand from the days when Rocchette di Fazio was a much more populated place.     Read More
Posted in: Castles & Palaces, Curiosities, Localities, Small Towns, Tourist Attractions

  

Monday, January 12, 2015
film poster of 'Life is Beautiful'
If you have a love for classic Italian films then why not be inspired to tour around some locations in Tuscany where some of them were set. Stay in a stunning luxury villa in Tuscany where you can enjoy the sunshine and scenery of this region after your explorations.

The famous actor Roberto Begnini both directed and starred in the Oscar winning film ‘Life is Beautiful’ which describes the horrors of World War II in Italy.

This film was set in the Tuscan towns of Castiglion Fiorentino, Arezzo and Montevarchi which offer many attractions in their own right for tourists to enjoy.     Read More
Posted in: Books and Movies, Curiosities, Day Trips

  

Thursday, December 11, 2014
mushrooms growing
Autumn is the time of year for picking mushrooms and Tuscany is no different. But because of the ideal mushroom growing conditions and the value of certain fungi like the black or white truffles, tourists are required to pay a small ‘mushroom’ tax during their vacation here if they wish to pick some to make a delicious meal with.

The cost of picking mushrooms in Tuscany is as follows:
€15 for a day
€40 for a week
€100 for a year     Read More
Posted in: Curiosities, Food and Wine, Products & Specialities, Tourist Attractions