Archive for 'Localities'

Tuscany's most famous scientist is probably Galileo Galilei, the beloved astronomer, physicist, and engineer who was from Pisa and famously sentenced to live the rest of his life under house arrest after angering the Catholic Church with his theory of Copernican heliocentrism (which states that the earth rotates daily and revolves around the sun). Later pardoned and eventually honoured by the Vatican, centuries after his death, Galileo has been credited as one of the forefathers and instigators of modern science and his work still informs research and education today. For those interested in science and Galileo who are browsing our luxury villas in Florence, it is worth keeping in mind that this fascinating and culturally vibrant city is home to the Museo Galileo. Not only is it a wonderful place to learn more about the Tuscan visionary, it boasts one of the world's major collections of scientific instruments, making it a must-see for those with STEM-related interests!

The Museo Galileo (previously the Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza or Institute and Museum of the History of Science) is located in Piazza dei Giudici in Florence, just a stone's throw from the Uffizi Gallery, making it very easy to have a museum day during your vacation in Florence in which you visit both! Housed in the 11th century Palazzo Castellani, once known as the Castello d’Altafronte, the museum was renamed and re-opened to the public in 2010 after being closed for two years for renovations and restructuring of the museum. Established as the Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza in 1930 by the University of Florence, the basis of the collection comes from the estates of the Medici and the Lorraine dynasties but has since been added to and expanded.     Read More

Siena is perhaps best-known for her famous annual horse race, the Palio, and for the unbelievably picturesque and untouched nature of its stunning Medieval historic centre. A villa with pool in Siena is just the thing for those who are interested in the most typically Tuscan and undeniably scenic destinations in the region as it has charm, heritage, and attractions to spare. However, while you wander her pretty little streets that wind about town, visiting museums and tourist destinations, taking in architectural gems and history all around you, attending events and festivals, stopping for pizza and coffee and ice-cream (depending on your needs at any given moment), you might find yourself wondering about where to head for the best souvenirs and most interesting shopping experiences – it can be hard to know where to go in a new place! Well, if you are wondering about just that topic, you've come to the right place. Here is our guide to the shops that you must visit while on vacation in Siena!     Read More

If you have been considering a luxury villa in Florence and look forward to exploring the endless cultural pursuits, museums, galleries, architectural and artistic gems, boutiques, bars, coffee shops, restaurants, markets, street art, haunted spots, and more that can be found in the city but are also in search of some more peaceful days during your vacation, then you should definitely plan a day trip to the lovely area of Reggello. While a holiday in Florence means you'll never be short of things to see and do and experience, it can sometimes be a little tiring to constantly be surrounded by tourist crowds and to have to line up for various tourist attractions.

Cue a day or two or more set aside to explore the area surrounding Florence, where you'll find picturesque villages, impossibly pretty landscapes, fewer crowds, and a much slower pace of life just a stone's throw from the city. Reggello, in fact, is the quintessential example of one such nearby destination. So, book your villa with pool in Florence today, secure in the knowledge that you can have both the endless appeal of such a wonderful cultural capital full of history and heritage and cosmopolitan delights as well as easy access to sleepy little towns ideal for getting away from it all for a while, without compromising on one of the other!     Read More

While few immediately think of the coast when they think of Tuscany, it is, however, a wonderful destination for those interested in sun, sand, sea, and fun as the region boasts a long coastline and endless excellent beaches. Browse our villas on the Tuscan Coast and combine the region's famously good food, pretty towns, beautiful scenery, and incredible cultural and artistic heritage with brilliant days at the beach that will stay in your memory for a lifetime.

As noted, there are lots of beaches too choose from in Tuscany, and all kinds of variations from private beaches with luxurious amenities to rocky and dramatic beauties to picture-perfect sandy gems that one could mistake for tropical paradises. However, today, we are focused on a particularly unique and memorable example: Feniglia Beach, or Feniglia Dune.     Read More