Archive for 'Localities'

Alpacas are fluffy, adorable, somewhat strange-looking South American mammals that look not unlike Llamas and are often confused for them. They are, however, noticeably smaller. Herd animals, they are bred for their wool and are often aloof but become more friendly when raised in places such as petting zoos or farms where they interact regularly with humans. Many people the world over have fallen for their charms and Alpaca farms are increasingly common across the globe. In fact, if you have found a luxury villa in Florence and you have a fondness for the lovely animals or kids you want to treat to an outing that they'll surely enjoy, then you'll be glad to find out that there is a wonderful Alpaca farm located nearby that makes for a perfect family day out! Escape the museums and the hustle and bustle of the city for a day to visit the Valle degli Alpaca (Valley of the Alpacas) in Barberino Val d'Elsa, a lovely town in the metropolitan area of Florence, and enjoy some fresh air, lunch, and hanging out with these cute creatures. Children (or those who are young at heart) in the group will thank you for it!

There are certain things and images that one just immediately associates with Italy such as pasta, pizza, wine, Renaissance art, Medieval towns, soaring churches, craggy and picturesque coastlines with villages clustered along them, rolling green landscapes, fashionable citizens, relaxed lifestyles, Venetian canals, moments from long ago frozen by a volcanic eruption, Roman ruins and temples, Vespas, sports cars, and classic cars like the Fiat 500, to name only some of them. Whether you make these connections merely from movies or representations in the media or from previous visits of your own to Italy, or some combination of all of the above and more, it is what people expect of their vacation in Italy.

Many of these things will naturally just be found as you wander around and enjoy your holiday but other things might have to be sought out if you want to include them on your Italian bucket list. So, for example, if you're looking to inject a bit of an, “Italian Job,” experience (without the chaos, most likely) into your vacation in Tuscany then something like the Fiat 500 Tour from Siena offered by My Tour in Italy, is just the thing. Experience the beauty of the famously lovely Tuscan countryside in style in one of the country's most beloved classic cars while visiting a wonderful winery and enjoying a delicious Tuscan lunch – sounds like a perfect day out to us! So, get browsing our villas with pools in Siena and then set aside a day during your trip to enjoy this magically Italian experience and to tick lots of items off your Tuscan bingo card...

Tuscany, as a region with an unbelievably rich cultural and artistic heritage is, unsurprisingly, home to many palaces, art museums, civic museums, churches, and religious collections that stuffed full of extraordinary works of art from throughout history. However, in addition to the old, the region also celebrates the new in contemporary art galleries and various other kinds of art spaces and the art scene is still very much alive and well. So, if you have found a luxury villa in Tuscany and you are interested in art, then be sure to seek out these newer institutions as well to dive into the current art scene and to experience it in real time for yourself! If you were considering a villa with pool in Lucca, in particular, and you are interested in more recent artistic innovations and practices, then you should definitely head to the ARKAD Foundation.

Located in the town of Seravezza, in an old marble sawmill across from the Medici Palace in town, the ARKAD Fondazione, or ARKAD Foundation, is a wonderful intercultural centre that promotes the creation of art and the spread of culture. Nestled between the Apuan Alps and the Versilia plain, this little town is an impossibly scenic part of the world – think lush hillsides covered in trees, towering peaks, verdant valleys swathed in morning fog, a silver river slicing through the town, and pretty streets lined with stone buildings and palm trees - and it seems fitting, therefore, that it is home to a space producing beautiful and fascinating works of art.

While there is no shortage of beautiful churches in Tuscany to be explored there are some that are especially wonderful architectural gems and full of exceptional works of art. One of the most particularly noteworthy examples among these is the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta in San Gimignano, which is a truly magical gem. Just find a vacation rental in San Gimignano and then come and discover the lush interiors and amazing works of art hidden within the city's spectacular Duomo.

Home to fresco cycles by notable Italian masters including Domenico Ghirlandaio, Benozzo Gozzoli, Taddeo di Bartolo, Lippo Memmi and Bartolo di Fredi, this incredible church is nestled in the very pretty UNESCO-awarded historic centre of San Gimignano and the frescoes themselves are also on the UNESCO World Heritage List and noted as, "works of outstanding beauty".

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.