Archive for 'Florence'

Those who are interested in finding a luxury villa in Florence and spending time in the city will quickly discover that, though there is an impossibly long list of things to see and do, it is one of those destinations where wandering around with no plan in mind can often be just as rewarding. Everywhere you turn in the historic core of the city, you will discover architectural gems, domes and church towers peeking over the skyline, works of art by great masters, impressive historic homes, renowned museums with lines stretching around the block and less famous museums tucked into old palaces, shopping streets abuzz with people and both the plush stores of well-known brands and little independent boutiques, street performers and artists earning a living with their skills, curious oddities like graffiti attributed to Michelangelo and bars where wine is delivered out to patrons through a tiny window, piazzas lined with cafes and restaurants and diners sitting out enjoying meals and coffee, and bustling markets. One spot that often combines many of these elements in one place is the Piazza del Mercato Nuovo, where you can find the Porcellino Market and the brilliant stalls selling all sorts of leather goods, a famous statue steeped in legend, regular dance parties inspired by the music played by street performers, and a gorgeous setting. So, if you have browsed our Tuscany villas and have found the perfect villa in Florence for you, then be sure to wander this direction between Tuesday and Sunday, as you explore the city. 

Love rock music? Considering a last-minute stay in one our incredible Tuscany villas? Well, then you’re in luck! Combine the two, find a last-minute villa in Tuscany or browse our villas in Florence, in particular, and then head to Florence to experience the music, stunning surroundings, and excitement of Firenze Rocks!

Firenze Rocks is a key event in the Tuscan summer schedule and sees the birthplace of the Renaissance attract some of the world’s largest contemporary music artists to the same streets that once were tread by the likes of Da Vinci and Raphael and many more instantaneously recognisable great artistic masters. A particular must for those who like their music on the heavier side and rock, hard rock, and metal fans, this festival was only actually born back in 2017 but has quickly become an annual fixture of the Italian music festival circuit and is finally back after two years. Taking place over the course of four days around the middle of June each year, Firenze Rocks has previously been played by the likes of Aerosmith, Placebo, Eddie Vedder, Glen Hansard, System of a Down, Foo Fighters, The Kills, Wolf Alice, Guns N ’Roses, Iron Maiden, Helloween, Ozzy Osbourne, Avenged Sevenfold, Judas Priest, Tool, Smashing Pumpkins, Dream Theater, Snow Patrol, Ed Sheeran, The Cure, Sum 41, Editors, and many more.

Florence is a city of remarkable art and galleries, with wondrous examples to be found at every turn, but those who find a luxury villa in Florence will quickly discover that it is also a city of rather spectacular gardens. We have mentioned many of them previously – from the breathtaking sculptural marvels of the Boboli Gardens to the heavenly aromas and wide spectrum of shades of the Rose Garden – but if you are planning to find a Tuscany villa or a villa in Florence itself in May and you have an interest in gardens and blooms then one of the gardens that should top your list of things to see and do in the region has to be the Giardino Dell’Iris, or Iris Garden.

Poised in a panoramic position, east of the Piazzale Michelangelo, boasting truly incredible views over the lovely and iconic skyline of Florence, this unique gem of a garden is only actually open to the general public during the month of May (though visits can be arranged outside this month by appointment or on a guided tour), during the international iris show and competition organized by the Società italiana dell'iris, or Iris Society of Italy. 

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...

Florence is a city famous for its museums, galleries, churches, and palaces that are beyond gorgeous and stuffed full of incredible works of art but it is not merely the interiors of this incredible place that are utterly beautiful. The piazzas, the streets, the Arno with all of the bridges crossing over it, and the views over the skyline dotted with its landmarks that can be taken in from various rooftops and panoramic spots are all examples of the great appeal of the outdoor spaces of Florence.

Then, of course, there are also the gardens and parks. Like many of the great cities of Europe, Florence has endless wonderful parks to explore. Many of these parks are not large expanses in which one can walk their dog or play sports or bring children to a playground but, rather, exquisitely manicured gems full of rare blooms, perfectly tamed lawns, arches grown over with fragrant flowers, sculptures by some of the most famous artists in history, amazing fountains, and all sorts of whimsical follies and surprises. These parks or public gardens or gardens attached to museums may now be available to all but they were once the private gardens of the city’s richest and most privileged residents. Thankfully, most can now be enjoyed by everyone! So, whether you want to take in the extraordinary sculptural details of the Boboli Gardens, see the impressive collection of different varieties of roses in the Rose Garden, or the lush and rare plants from all around the world at the garden of the Stibbert Museum then be sure to plan a garden crawl once you have found a luxury villa in Florence.