Archive for 'Localities'

  

Lucca is exactly the type of city that one can spend their entire time just wandering around and allowing oneself to stumble upon her various surprises and secrets. From crowds of locals standing around enjoying morning espresso and pastries at little family-run bakeries, to tiny pizza shops serving up piping hot and delicious pizza by the slice, to souvenir shops and perfectly curated clothing boutiques, to artisan’s workshops where beautiful things are handcrafted, to charming old churches, to museums full of fascinating objects, to architectural gems, to picturesque alleys with cats perched on walls...all this and much more besides can be found as you wander Lucca’s lovely historic streets. And then, if you’ve found your villa with pool in Lucca or your Tuscany villa, and you’re spending some time exploring all that she has to offer, you may find yourself on Via Chiasso Barletti, right in the heart of the Old Town. There, on this cobbled, narrow, shop-lined street, you’ll find Etta’s Bookshop.


Etta’s Bookshop is a real treasure and a must-see spot for bookworms who are on vacation in Lucca. An English-language bookshop that was opened in 2019, just shortly before everything was closed down, it has managed to survive the pandemic and we’re so glad. Stocking a wonderful curation of books, owner Giulia Rontani was able to keep going in those first few months due to her loyal customers who ordered books that she would drive around delivering to their homes (according to her interview here). Now, with her doors open once more, she is able to welcome in both those loyal customers and new visitors alike to wander around and browse the brilliant array of books on offer.

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One of the best things about a vacation in Tuscany and a Tuscany villa is that the pace of life is ideal for those looking to slow down, relax, and properly recuperate on their getaway. Of course, many cities are busy hubs and, in particular, tourist hotspots can be full of crowds piling off tour buses, queues, and hustle and bustle but if you don’t want to deal with any of that stuff then it is easy enough to do so. All one needs to do is spend their time enjoying the scenic rural areas and natural gems, visiting fascinating but lesser-known tourist attractions, and exploring the endless array of sleepy and utterly picturesque little towns throughout Tuscany. Skip the busy spots entirely, keep your eyes open, and you never know what kind of incredible gems you might discover! From family-run restaurants serving delicious local delights, to stunning churches in little villages that boast works by famous artists, to views so perfectly scenic it is hard to believe they are real and beyond, there is so much to uncover and at your own pace, without the chaos that sometimes can accompany a vacation.


But, most importantly, before anything else, you need to find the perfect base from which to explore and enjoy Tuscany’s quieter, more peaceful charms. While there are plenty of options for different areas to take in the beauty and relaxation of Tuscany, we highly recommend browsing our villas with pools in Siena, in particular. Our villas in this part of the region often take in stunning and classic Tuscan scenes, are close to all sorts of different attractions, are spacious and pretty, and are regularly located in peaceful and remote spots, far from the stresses and concerns of daily life.

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There is a vast wealth of attractions to draw visitors to the lovely historic city of Pisa but there is also plenty to be seen across the wider region by those who find a villa with a swimming pool in Pisa and are looking ahead for things to see and do during their holiday in Tuscany and while enjoying a Tuscany villa. Boasting a landscape that features those famous rolling hills and pastoral views for which Tuscany is so well-known, a whole host of wineries to be visited, great hiking routes to choose from, pretty little villages waiting to be explored, some exceptionally lovely gardens to wander, and much more besides, this is a particularly scenic part of the world that utterly abounds in natural bounty and beauty.


However, while the whole region features charming scenery and great swathes of unblemished natural splendour, there are several protected areas where nature remains largely completely untouched and these make for the perfect spots to get out and get active and leave the stresses of the modern world behind for a time. One such area is the Natural Park of Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli, or Parco Regionale Migliarino, San Rossore, Massaciuccoli, a truly extraordinary nature park that is located just a few kilometres from the city of Pisa and extends along the coast, taking in parts of the municipalities of Pisa, Viareggio, San Giuliano Terme, Vecchiano, Massarosa, and Livorno. With much to see and do and plenty to keep kids and kids at heart alike happy, it is the perfect place to enjoy outdoor pursuits and to immerse oneself in the calming surroundings of Mother Nature.

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Florence

Famous French perfumer Francis Kurkdjian once said that, “Perfume is the art that makes memory speak,” and it is certainly true that a fragrance can instantaneously conjure the most incredibly vivid memories. Here at Tuscany Villas, we’re all about memories or, rather, helping you find your dream Tuscany villa so that you can plan a perfect holiday and make wonderful memories of quality time spent enjoying a new place with the ones you love. We want these memories to last a lifetime and to be something brought up fondly over meals and at gatherings for years and years to come. One way to help preserve these precious moments of excitement, leisure, and relaxation and to be able to tap into them whenever you want is to connect them to a particular scent so, for those of our customers who are looking for a luxury villa in Florence and are planning on spending time in the famous artistic capital, we highly recommend a visit to the fragrant Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella and the equally wonderful olfactory experience that is the Museo Villoresi. Discover the perfect holiday in Florence and the perfect scent for you while you’re there to remember your trip by forever more...

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When one thinks of the city of Pisa or considers a villa in Pisa and holiday in this famous destination, it is hard not to immediately first think of the city’s iconic Leaning Tower. However, as it is an ancient and storied city in Tuscany, there is a rich and vibrant artistic and cultural history that goes far beyond just one building. Those who have found a villa with pool in Pisa and are taking the time to see all that she has to offer will quickly discover many more wonderful architectural gems, fascinating churches with incredible frescoes and art objects, museums, and, even, a famous mural by the beloved artist Keith Haring.


This work, “Tuttomondo,” was painted in 1989, shortly before the artist died prematurely in 1990 due to complications related to HIV, the work was made in collaboration with the students of Caparol Center, the suppliers of an acrylic tempera paint. Based on themes of peace and harmony in the world, it is painted on the wall of the former convent of S. Antonio and makes for a striking message of hope and possibility as this bright and colourful and unmissable thing of sheer beauty created by a gay HIV positive artist on the side of a Catholic building. Free to visit whenever you wish and located across from the Keith Café, admirers can sit for a spell with a bite to eat or a coffee or both and examine the work more closely. It is a true must-see for art-lovers and Haring fans on vacation in Pisa!

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