Archive for 'Localities'

The rolling hills, fertile valleys, vineyards, old estates, palaces, ancient villages and incredible cuisine of Chianti all make for a perfect holiday destination. It is a scenic place where you can potentially do it all – make day trips to famous cities like Florence and Pisa, explore endless villas and churches, visit famous wineries, go hiking, cycling, horseback riding and more – or do nothing at all and simply relax. Whether you like to unwind by a pool with a good book or through cultural pursuits or on adrenaline-pumping adventures, you'll find it all.

But what is the most important part of planning a trip to Chianti? Finding the perfect villa in which to rest and from which to enjoy your holiday, of course! So, to help you out, we rounded up some of our most idyllic, typically Tuscan, charming and perfect vacation rentals in Chianti.

Here's something that you might not be aware of: those who have found a vacation rental in Florence and love perfumes, rejoice, as the city is the scent capital of Italy.

The city's Renaissance courts were a place where some of the greatest patrons funded the creation of some of the world's best masterpieces by famous hands but it was also a fertile breeding ground for the art of perfumery and Catherine de' Medici's passion for scents only furthered the interest in the topic. Still a place where crafts and traditions in craftsmanship of all kinds is alive and well, Florence is home to many traditional and historic perfumeries, pharmacies, drugstores and herbalists. It has long since established itself as a leader in the sphere and there is constantly more specialised in research and experimentation happening in the city.

f you think of a Tuscan getaway, you probably imagine summers spent eating gelato and drinking coffee between dashing from museums and stunning churches to famous stores and delicious eateries or relaxed holidays just either side of the busy summer season. However, Christmas in Tuscany has its own unique charms that are well worth exploring. There are lots of reasons to plan a Winter break in Tuscany and here are more of the most compelling selling-points of a holiday season in this stunning region of Italy...

3. The Magical Atmosphere

There is something special about the twinkling lights and festive atmosphere of Tuscany.

Tuscany is especially beautiful over the Christmas period and has a lot to offer tourists looking to get away over winter and spend the holidays abroad. Whether you are a foodie looking for a culinary adventure or you want to hit some slopes, you want to wander a Christmas market or take in sparkling lights, or if you simply want to experience a Tuscan Christmas, it is an ideal getaway location for a magical holiday season.

Here are the reasons why you should make Tuscany your getaway destination this Christmas...

In the last post in this series, we are rounding up some of the most extraordinary vacation rentals on our website: the historic villas, palaces and castles of Tuscany. These magnificent and historic architectural gems are steeped in history, pretty to look at and full of charm and the perfect place to have a holiday that's like something from a fairytale. Here are the last of our picks...

9. Castello Leopoldo (Available from €1428 per night)

This is, quite possibly, the most stunning of all the properties on our website. Castello Leopoldo is a wonderful castle dating back to the 16th century, that is situated in panoramic location on the hills surrounding Campiglia Marittima and is a romantic-style building, which has preserved its ancient charm and original architectural features. With enchanting views over the valley below that stretch out as far as to the island of Elba, in the distance, on clear days, it is a perfect getaway destination.