Family at a Christmas market
Posted in: Christmas December Events January Markets November

Tuscany is not the most famous destination in the world when it comes to Christmas markets and, if you are plan a getaway in and around the Holidays and want to specifically attend a famous Christmas market, it is not the destination that many would necessarily recommend. However, if you want to plan a festive break and include a visit to some lovely Christmas markets, then a holiday in Tuscany is definitely a great fit. Not only are there some really nice markets to visit but Tuscany is wonderful at this time of the year! Picturesque historic town centres are made prettier by the addition of lights and decorations while cities like Florence and Pisa are also more beautiful when decorated for the season but also have a diverse calendar of seasonal delights and events. There are endless delicious seasonal treats to eat and drink, cheer just permeates everything, wonderful local Tuscan crafts that are steeped in tradition and are incredibly high-quality can be purchased as extra-special gifts, and much more besides. So, if you want to enjoy all of this while attending some really charming Christmas markets, then here are the 2025-2026 dates for some of Tuscany’s most beloved examples...

La Boutique del Cardinale
Posted in: Autumn Central Italy Events Travel Tips Tuscany Villas and Farmhouses Winter

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!

Abetone
Posted in: Activities Central Italy Events Florence Localities Lucca Pisa Siena Skiing & Winter Sports Tuscany Winter

Tuscany is unlikely to spring to mind for most who are planning a ski break but if you are considering a winter break in one of Tuscany’s great cities – Florence, Pisa, Lucca, or Siena – you’ll find that one of the best ski areas in central Italy is a short distance away: Abetone. However, this is actually just one of the well-regarded ski destinations in the region. So, if you’ve been considering a ski break this winter but you’d also like to indulge in the rich cuisine, delicious wines, and particularly delightful après ski on offer in Tuscany, then it might be time to book a vacation rental in Tuscany....

Shopping at a market
Posted in: Events Food and Wine Markets October

Love both Tuscan food and global cuisine, at large? Well, why not combine both and eat really well while you enjoy a stay in one of our villas in Arezzo this autumn? Come enjoy the harvest season and local dishes alongside flavours from all over the world at the annual Mercato Internazionale!


Spread over 3km, along the pretty little streets of Arezzo’s lovely and charming historic centre, the Mercato Internazionale lines the thoroughfares of the Medieval town with stands and stalls selling street foods, products, delicacies, and handcrafted specialities from 170 international operators hailing from 35 different countries, with all five continents represented! Stalls are to be open daily for the duration of the event, from 9am to 2am, and will be accompanied by a vibrant schedule of all sorts of other events involving music, dance, children's entertainment, and more. Basically, for the three days of the market, the whole historic centre turns into one big party - a party with lots of excellent food, of course!

Drinking wine
Posted in: Central Italy Events Food and Wine Products & Specialities September Tuscany

For those who love to eat well, an off-season stay in a villa in Tuscany is an especially great idea during September as you can not only avail of the spoils of the harvest season, but you can also enjoy summer-like conditions and smaller tourist crowds – the best of both worlds! Not only will a trip at this time of the year mean that hearty autumn dishes will be served all over and all sorts of delicious things will be freshly harvested but it is also when many food festivals are held all across Italy and especially all across Tuscany. So, if you have found a villa with pool in Tuscany and you’re making the most of the almost-summer that is September, here are the food festivals that you should also check out!