Archive for 'Localities'

Planning on exploring the gorgeous and historic city of Cortona in Tuscany with its charming medieval core? Or maybe you’re dreaming of a getaway in Tuscany generally and you’re not sure where to go but you’d like to be able to walk to shops and restaurants and tourist attractions easily? Or maybe you have a fantasy of escaping to a place far from the stresses of your daily life, completely immersing yourself in an evocative and charming destination? Well, if so, our luxury apartment rental, Appartamento Reale, delivers on all of the above and then some and is a perfect holiday rental in Cortona!

The grand cathedrals of Tuscany’s cities are generally an extraordinary collection of buildings, often with ancient origins, additions throughout various periods and architectural styles, contributions by named and famous architects, gilded interiors full of stunning objects, and artworks by the likes of Michelangelo, Giotto, and more. Those, therefore, who find a villa in Tuscany and visit any given town or city should always make time to pop into the local cathedral but, in particular, if you book a vacation rental in Siena, we really recommend a visit. This absolutely gorgeous church has lots of remarkable details touched by famous and beyond talented hands. Here are just five of its highlights that make it a must-see for those on holiday in Siena.

Those who come to stay in one of our Tuscany villas – whether in one of our vacation rentals in Florence, holiday rentals in Pisa, villas in San Gimignano, or any of our other incredible properties and destinations – and are thinking about using public transport for at least some, or all, of their trip will be glad to hear that a new contactless payment system. Put into place to make getting about easier and more convenient, it was introduced to all buses and trams in Tuscany as of the 28th of March 2024 and allows you to hop on a bus or tram and pay with a single tap as well as giving you multiple options for how to pay.

You might be wondering: how does it all work? Well, never fear, we have a handy guide to answer all of your questions and leave you ready to jump right on the tram or bus as you explore the region during your vacation in Tuscany!

If you book a villa in Tuscany and decide on one destination – a vacation rental on the Tuscan Coast, for example, or a holiday rental in Florence – but you also want to see the famous city of Pisa on a day trip, then that is pretty easily arranged. Tuscany is a diverse, fascinating, and large enough region but not so big that day trips between different cities or areas is overly challenging. What can be more difficult, however, is if you want to see as much of the region as is possible and you only have a day to spend in any one destination. In this case, what do you prioritise? Well, we’re here to help with our handy guide of what to do if you only have a day (12 hours) in Pisa!

Although wine is what is far more closely associated with a dream getaway in Tuscany, there are also some great Italian beers to try while you are on holiday in this stunning part of the world and, especially if you’re exploring on a hot summer day, a cold beer while sitting in a pretty piazza is just the thing! So, where do you get great beers in Tuscany? Well, if you book a holiday rental in Lucca and have been wandering around this charming and utterly picturesque historic town then we recommend a visit to De Cervesia Beer & Shop.

Located in the historic core of the city, among retail stores that you might be wandering past and into but not quite in the more touristy part of town, on Via Fillungo, you will find De Cervesia Beer & Shop. With a couple of benches outside (but plenty of spots nearby where locals gather to sit on steps or footpath edges or to lean against buildings in groups to chat over a beer), a few seats inside, and just 7 taps (all from the Brùton brewery in Lucca), it doesn’t immediately look like much but this is an absolutely amazing spot to try Italian beers!