Archive for 'Concerts & Festivals'

If you have found a luxury villa in Florence and you find yourself wandering around the beyond picturesque centre of the city, you get the feeling that you are inside a jewel box. No matter where you turn in the historic core, you will discover incredible artistic and architectural gems and within those architectural gems are even more astounding works of art and craftsmanship than one could even imagine. It would take lifetimes to see and discover it all. However, the reputations of some works are particularly well-known and precede them. Take, for example, the great Palazzo Medici Riccardi, already a lauded example of Renaissance palace architecture in Tuscany but hidden within its walls also happens to be one of the most extraordinary fresco cycles in the city – and that’s saying something in the birthplace of the Renaissance!

The verdant landscape of Tuscany, with her rolling hills and valleys blanketed in olive groves, vineyards, oaks, and farmland, is famously picturesque and is also a highly productive agricultural area. Tuscany is, furthermore, famously a foodie capital, not just because of the dishes made in the region but also due to the incredible raw ingredients grown throughout her stunning landscape. As such, while there are plenty of cakes, pasta dishes, street food favourites, cured meats, cheeses, and other delicious specialties to be tried while exploring the foodie scene of Tuscany, there are also some delectable local fruits and vegetables to be tried as well. While you shop in grocery stores and weekly markets in the region, you should try and keep an eye out for these wonderful foodie fundamentals to try and incorporate into dishes put together while enjoying the experience of cooking in the stunning kitchens of our amazing luxury villas in Tuscany. From the rich chestnuts of Caprese Michelangelo and the sweet chestnuts of Mugello, to the colourful carrots of Pastinocello, to vibrant Certaldo onions, to the famous Queen peaches of Londa, there are all sorts of delicious local produce items to get your hands on (dependent on the time of year, of course) while on vacation in Tuscany. However, if you have found a luxury villa in Florence and are exploring the foodie scene of the surrounding area, be sure to discover the incredible figs of Carmignano.

Italy is famous for her food and for her food festivals. No matter where you go in the country or when you visit, you're bound to stumble upon a food festival if you look around for a bit. These festivals can celebrate specific local produce, local dishes, harvests, feasts, saint's days, other holidays, historic events, and more. And whether any sort of festival or event is specifically about food or not, food is always central to Italian celebrations! If you're looking for excellent, authentic, inexpensive dining experience while you holiday in Tuscany, these are the places to go!

Those who have found a vacation rental in Volterra or a vacation rental in Pisa and who are using their rentals as a base from which to explore the wider region of Tuscany should definitely note that both locations are around thirty minutes from a Tuscan town that we doubt you have ever heard of before but that many, no doubt, would like to visit! This is the town of Lajatico.

Not only is Lajatico a beautiful medieval Tuscan village but it also gave rise to one of Tuscany's most beloved and famous sons in recent decades: Andrea Bocelli. As the birthplace of the famous Italian opera singer it will certainly be a place of interest to super-fans but, also, once a year in July, it becomes a major pilgrimage spot for music-lovers from all over the globe when it holds an extraordinary annual concert.

Are you mad about strawberries? If so, have you tried strawberries (or, really, any kind of fruit or vegetables) in Italy during the summer? It is a whole different experience that can completely change your mind about things and convert you to foods that you never thought you liked! If you love strawberries, then you need to try Italian strawberries that have been perfectly ripened by the sunny days and fertile soils of Italy. It is a magical experience but it is at its absolute peak in the town of Terricciola. Located in the province of Pisa, this pretty little town is most famous for her annual strawberry festival, which is a must-see for foodies who have found themselves a luxury villa in Pisa and plan on spending time in the area during May.