Archive for 'May'

  

Monday, April 29, 2024
Iris

There is so much to see and do in the city of Florence that no one holiday could possibly allow you to do it all. Of course, if you book a luxury villa in Florence and you are exploring the city, trying to see as much as possible is a fair goal but we also recommend taking moments to stop, breathe, and really appreciate the beauty of this magical city.


One great way to do this is to momentarily step away from the hustle and bustle of the city and the endless things to see and do by visiting one of Florence’s stunning parks or gardens. There are, in fact, lots of gorgeous outdoor spaces to enjoy, spaces once made by the city’s nobility as pleasure gardens or set aside by the city for the peace and rest of the locals or created by great gardeners who wanted to share their passion.


The Giardino Dell’Iris, or Iris Garden, in Florence falls in to the latter two categories, in fact. Owned and run by the Società italiana dell'Iris to promote the iris, it was made possible by the help of the city of Florence in finding two acres over which this stunning space could bloom. Now, when the flowers have emerged, the garden is open to the public for free each year between the 2nd and the 20th of May. 

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Posted in: Events, Florence, Localities, May, Pretty Views, Spring, Tourist Attractions

  

Friday, October 2, 2020
Iris
Florence is home to some famously beautiful gardens attached to, and surrounding, the stunning former homes of important noble families, as well as lovely public parks and incredible outdoor spaces such as the Giardino delle Rose (Rose Garden). So, if you find a luxury villa in Florence and are a plant lover and a fan of wandering through magical gardens that have been expertly planned and arranged, you will find yourself very much in luck and with lots of extraordinary examples to visit. Another particularly lovely example among these is the Giardino dell'Iris, which is home to a vast array of different breeds of the iris flower, and is a wonderful slice of peace and tranquility in the city.

The Giardino dell'Iris is located on the corner of Viale dei Colli and Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence and is open daily without charge for a period between April and May each year when the flowers are in full bloom. Specialised in the cultivation of iris flowers, the garden is owned and run by the Società Italiana dell'Iris (the Italian Iris Society). Almost entirely devoted to the iris, there are thousands of varieties and even a pond with special aquatic varieties of the iris as well.     Read More
Posted in: April, Events, Florence, Localities, May, Must See Attractions, Parks & Gardens, Pretty Views, Tourist Attractions

  

Thursday, November 21, 2019
Pirate
Porto Ercole is a beautiful Tuscan town located on the coast, on the eastern promontory of Monte Argentario, which was once an island but was connected to the mainland by two strips of land called tombolos that were formed by waves and tides forcing sand upwards and together several thousand years ago. Known for its chic shops, excellent restaurants, and vibrant nightlife, this pretty seaside town is already an excellent choice for a vacation on the Tuscan Coast. However, if you were thinking about finding a vacation rental on the Tuscan Coast and visiting the area around May, then there is one more great reason to seek out the town: the Night of the Pirates in Porto Ercole.

Taking place each May for around three days, usually during the first week of the month, the Night of the Pirates is a fun and unusual event that is unique to the town. During the three days of the festival, the town is overrun by pirates (or visitors and locals dressed as pirates, we should say) and there are several different events that take place over the course of the few days. It is a colourful and fun festival that takes local history and brings it to life in a vibrant, raucous, and campy way. The streets and establishments of the Old Town are decorated to evoke an earlier time, when real pirates would often the target the towns of Argentario.     Read More
Posted in: Concerts & Festivals, Curiosities, Events, Localities, May, Tuscan Coast

  

Tuesday, December 5, 2017
Florence Iris Garden
Florence is full of things to see and do and, among them, there are a number of gardens and parks that are especially beautiful and worth exploring. One that we haven't mentioned before is the Giardino dell'Iris, or Iris Garden, a botanical garden that, unsurprisingly, specialises in the cultivation of iris flowers. Just find a vacation rental in Florence and come explore this lovely Tuscan garden for yourself, as a nice moment of quiet and calm amongst all the darting around busy tourist attractions.

The iris has been a symbol of Florence since 1251 and this garden, near the Piazzale Michelangelo, celebrates the city's bloom rather magically.     Read More
Posted in: April, Events, Florence, Localities, May, Must See Attractions, Parks & Gardens, Tourist Attractions

  

Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Porta Pesciatina
Altopascio is a charming small Tuscan town which is famous for its great tradition of bread making that has survived for centuries in the area.

In fact, though it may be little-known to tourists and a little off the beaten track, it is a bit of a mecca for bakers and even hosts a bread festival each year.

For this reason, it is known as the “town of bread”. In addition to delicious baked goods, however, the town has a lot more to offer and to be discovered.

If you like your holidays authentic and undiluted by tourist crowds and selfie sticks, this is a perfect destination, just find a vacation rental in Altopascio.     Read More
Posted in: Events, Food and Wine, Localities, Lucca, May, Products & Specialities