Archive for 'Localities'

One of the most internationally famous and beloved of all Italian characters ever created has to be Pinocchio. Created by author Carlo Collodi and featured in the 1883 book, “The Adventures of Pinocchio”, he was propelled into the spotlight on a global scale when his tale was adapted for the big screen by Disney in 1940. However, Carlo Collodi wasn’t the author’s real name but rather a nom de plume taken from his home village of Collodi in the Tuscan hills, not far from Florence.

Today, the town has been clever enough to embrace this beloved character and is dedicated to all things Pinocchio. A giant statue of the puppet-boy is visible throughout the town, little Pinocchio toys are available all over so you can bring him home with you and there is even a theme park, Pinocchio Park, dedicated to him.

If you are travelling Tuscany with kids or have nostalgic fondness for the story, just find a luxury villa in Collodi and spend a day exploring the park and town.     Read More

If you have found the perfect luxury villa in Pisa for you and yours and are flying into the city in the next few months, there will be quite the warm welcome waiting for you.

Sculptural works by the Italian-based South Korean artist Park Eun Sun have been specially installed and are located on the grounds of the Galileo Galilei airport and will be the first works of art to greet you upon reaching one of Tuscany's most important art centres as part of the VolareArte initiative.

You might spend your trip visiting museums and galleries, wandering churches, palaces, leaning towers and other architectural gems, and paying entrance fees and lining up but these pieces will await you without requiring any effort on your part.     Read More

The Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona and Campigna is a national park in in the Apennine region of Tuscany and Romagna that was established in 1993 and preserves over 365 square kilometers of Italian flora and fauna.

Divided between the provinces of Florence, Arezzo and Forli-Cesena, it is made up of the best preserved and largest forest in Italy and takes in mountains, valleys, springs and over ten villages. It is an area of uncompromising natural beauty and tranquility and is the perfect place for a whole host of outdoor pursuits including biking, horse-riding, hiking, bird-watching and orienteering.

Just find a luxury villa in Florence or a luxury villa in Arezzo and you can head out on daytrips to the park, reconnect with nature, relax, breathe in some fresh air, take in the beautiful views and get away from it all.     Read More

Tuscany has plenty of activities that adults are sure to enjoy but sometimes children in the group might become tired of waiting in lines or having to stay quiet and calm as they are marched through a parade of museums. An activity that is educational but will keep all ages and groups happy, whether you are holidaying as a family, couple, adult friends, or even on your own, is visiting an aquarium. This gives an opportunity to ooh and aah over the beauty, oddities, dramatics and humour of nature and see creatures that aren't readily visible out in the wild.

The aquarium of Livorno is an especially beautiful and interesting place, filled with many, many different species of aquatic life and located perfectly and centrally at the seafront promenade, just where the famous Mascagni Terrace begins. Once you have found a vacation rental in Livorno, this is just the place to spend a fun afternoon or to stroll through on a quiet morning.     Read More