Archive for 'Localities'

It may come as no surprise to some that Florence is the most visited city in Tuscany. Not only is Florence the capital of the region and the most populous city in Tuscany (with 364,073 inhabitants in the city itself and 990,527 in the metropolitan area as of 2024), but it is also very much the culture capital.

The birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is only overshadowed by Rome due to its incredible age and sheer size but in almost any other place, this would be the uncontested titan when it comes to art, culture, history, tourist attractions, and more. As it stands, Florence is still considered one of the great cities of the world and a must-see. 

For those who book one of our Tuscany Villas and who come to the region, it is an unmissable spot for at least a day-trip or two but if you want to dive in a little deeper – though any one trip will only allow you to scratch the surface of what it is on offer – then you could book one of our vacation rentals in Florence, instead. 

If you find yourself enjoying a stay in one of our villas in Florence and you are looking to bring back a little of this extraordinary city home with you as souvenirs to remind yourself of your trip or as gifts for friends and family, then you are probably considering what kinds of things you might purchase. Of course, there will be all sorts of touristy bits and bobs to buy all over the city but Florence, in particular offers some really special crafts, goods, and specialities that make for very chic souvenirs. Here is our countdown of the best things to bring back from the birthplace of the Renaissance...

Nestled right in the rich green surroundings of the lush Orcia Valley, a short distance from the little town of San Casciano dei Bagni, famous for its natural hot springs, Villa Danilo is the most adorable and picture-perfect villa in Tuscany. It is located on a little road of the kind that is so common in the area, winding through a beautiful patchwork of fields, rolling hills, and valleys, framed by proud cypresses and other trees. The house itself boasts views over the beyond picturesque scenery, a charming terracotta roof, doors all over opening out into the lush gardens, a leafy porch with an elaborate area for lounging and dining al fresco, and a beautiful private pool with surrounding loungers and parasols. Yet, despite its sweet and dollhouse-like appearance, Villa Danilo is also a spacious property with seven bedrooms (each with its own bathroom) and all of the amenities and mod-cons that one might require.

Christmas is a magical time of the year and many people have all sorts of incredible traditions to enjoy at home but if you are thinking of doing something a little different then why not consider spending the Holiday Season in Tuscany? Leave the planning and preparations and chaos of the season behind and experience a relaxing Tuscan Christmas in one of our gorgeous vacation rentals in Tuscany.