Archive for 'Localities'

Continuing on from our last post, here are some more architectural gems around Tuscany that are well worth a visit if you are interested in art and culture. Once you have found a luxury villa in Tuscany and are planning your trip, be sure to pencil some of these beauties into your itinerary.

Siena's Cathedral is a perfect example. It was built between 1215 and 1263 and was designed by Nicola Pisano. His son, Giovanni, continued the design when more building was undertaken from 1285. The upper half of the facade was not added until 14th century, a time of great wealth and prosperity for Siena. At the time, plans were considered to transform the church into a giant masterpiece that could even rival the mammoth St. Peter's in Rome but this never came to pass.

It is still a stunning building, Gothic in style, and elaborately embellished inside and out. Its anachronistically Romanesque black-and-white striped campanile is particularly iconic.

In our final post in this series, here are two more of Tuscany's best and most beautiful gardens that make for wonderful places to relax and take a breather from the intense pace and tourist crowds that some people can experience.

First up is the Horti Leonini in the town of San Quirico d'Orcia, Siena. A late 16th century park, it was created according to the direction of Diomede Leoni (for whom it is named) with funding and the donation of lands by Francesco de' Medici. Built as part of a scheme of renovation in the town after damages caused during wars between Siena and Florence, it is an oasis of beauty. Wonderfully well-preserved, the gardens have maintained their original appearance and provide a perfect example of an Italian style garden.

If Italy (and Tuscany, in particular) is known for any single thing, it is art. Of course, fashion and food quickly come to mind upon mention of the country, as well, but it is the art that seems to stick out most in the international common consciousness. As Florence was at the heart of the Renaissance, the wider region of Tuscany was blessed with many great artists and works over the years. As such, there really is an endless list of things to see and do. One particular art form that is especially bountiful is architecture. The region abounds with architectural gems so why not find a luxury villa in Tuscany and explore these delightful structures for yourself? It promises to be a trip of a lifetime.

If you visit the city of Lucca in Tuscany, you should make sure not to miss a charming attraction that is located just outside it: the Acquedotto Del Nottolini. This impressive aqueduct is often mistaken for a remainder of the Roman Empire but is actually a neoclassical gem that is modelled after those older examples and dates to the 19th century.

Although the built world and interior spaces of Tuscany are beautiful and important, it is good to escape the museums, galleries, libraries, palaces, villas and other architectural gems in order to get a bit of fresh air, stretch your legs and take in the beauty of the region's not-so-natural outdoor spaces. While it may not be common knowledge to many, Tuscany's gardens are as famous as her buildings and are worth exploring. They will delight, stun and surprise at every turn. So, we have chosen some of the best and most beautiful examples for you in order to pencil in some time into your itinerary on your next holiday.

If you are planning on heading to Florence, you might need somewhere to go and take a bit of a break from the bustling tourist crowds and her Rose Garden is a spot that makes for the perfect oasis of calm. It brings together art from Belgian artist Folon, roses and stunning panoramic views across the city and, best of all, it's completely free to visit and is open from morning until nightfall.

Holidays often involve so much planning, chaos and running around, when you're meant to be relaxing, that it is good to slot in time for taking it easy and enjoying your surroundings.

Particularly on urban getaways, it is good to find some natural space in which to unwind and get a bit of fresh air as you wander and take a breather. So, to help you out, we've compiled a list of some of the most beautiful gardens in Tuscany.

The Boboli Gardens in Florence are located behind the Pitti Palace, which was once the seat of the Medici family.

It is one of the first formal Italian gardens and is made up of fountains, statuary from ancient Rome to the 18th century, semi-private and public spaces, nympheums, temples, plants and grottoes, the largest being a famous work by Buontalenti.