Archive for 'Localities'

Cortona is a small town in the Arezzo province of Tuscany, Italy.

It was an Etruscan and Roman colony in the ancient times. It became a part of Italy after the Italian wars of independence. Legend has it that the city of Cortona was built by Crano, the son of Noah after he fell in love with the beautiful countryside and calm air of the area, about 273 years after the great flood.

The city is on top of a hill, about 600 meters above the sea level, and offer stunning views of the surrounding valley and Lake Trasimeno. It is enclosed by ancient walls, and boasts of several architectural masterpieces of the Roman and Etruscan period.     Read More

San Gimignano is a small, medieval hill town in Siena Tuscany province of north-central Italy. The town is famous for white wine and tall medieval towers, which may be seen from several miles outside the town.

It was founded in the 3rd century BC by the Etruscans. It was the stopping point for Catholic pilgrims on their way to Rome and Vatican during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance period.

The patrician families of the town built 72 towers-houses as symbols of their wealth and power. Only 14 of these towers have survived the test of time.     Read More

The beautiful city of Florence is the birth place of renaissance, and is often referred to as the Athens of the Middle Ages. This capital of the Tuscany region of Italy attracts millions of tourists each year, and was ranked as the world’s 72^nd most visited place in the year 2009. The city is also known as the fashion capital of Italy. Apart from the beautiful locales, grand history and friendly people, the city of Florence is also famous for the Firenze Gelato festival each year.

The Firenze Gelato festival will be held from May 23^rd to May 27^th, 2012 as part of the Florence International Handicrafts Trade Fair. The visitors can experience the process of ice cream making, and taste amazing craft gelato, made with authentic Italian ingredients.

You can also try fantastic cocktails with gelato. Bartenders can provide alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions of the drinks to provide a refreshing and delightful break to people of all ages. Ice cream lovers can taste and buy hundreds of varieties of 100 percent Italian products.

While there is no concrete evidence to prove it, most historians believe that the ice cream originated in Florence during the Renaissance period. Ruggeri, an amateur cook and poultry seller, won the food competition organized by the Lords of Florence in the early sixteenth century. The fame and taste of the recipe spread across the Tuscany area, and the modern ice cream desserts were born. Painter and sculptor Bernardo Buontalenti surprised his guests at the inaugural banquet of the Fortress of Belvedere with his own ice cream recipe in1559.     Read More

The beautiful coastal village of Castiglione della Pescaia is an ancient medieval town, about 20 km from Grosseto. It lies between blue sea and green hills and mountains.

The walled city developed around a medieval fortress, and is easily accessible via road and train. It is a popular tourist destination that is located on a hill around river Bruna. The city is known for picturesque beaches and clean sea. The scenic mountains and hilltops offer beautiful views of sunrise and sunset.

Renting a villa on the Tuscan coast is a great option, especially if you are looking for a relaxing and rejuvenating vacation.     Read More