Archive for 'Florence'

When my family decided that they wanted to visit a winery the very next day, late in the afternoon, I spent a rather panicked evening researching somewhere that suited their rather demanding stipulations and would be able to take us on such short notice.

I eventually (after much hair pulling and cursing under my breath) found Agriturismo Frascole and saw they did daily tours and tastings and were about a half hour drive from our villa. I rang early the next morning and they were able to take us at 3, as I requested. Little did I know how fortuitously excellent a selection it would prove to have been.

The road up to the winery was not easy. However, Frascole is located near the charming town of Dicomano, high up in Tuscan Apennines in the middle of an unspoiled area of natural beauty. The historic buildings, surrounding fields of the vineyard and incredible views over the mountains and valleys below were truly breathtaking.

Tuscany is an incredible region that is full of things to see and do. Tourists flock to its endless museums, architectural gems, historic sites, restaurants, gelaterias and activities and all of these things have their own charms.

However, among all of the different attractions in Tuscany, seven have been designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the historic centre of Florence (initiated in 1982); the Cathedral square of Pisa (1987); the historical centre of San Gimignano (1990); the historical centre of Siena (1995); the historical centre of Pienza (1996); the Val d'Orcia (2004), and the Medici Villas and Gardens (2013).

These heavy hitters present a list of some key and iconic spots to visit in the region. If you are planning a trip to Tuscany, visits to any, or all, of these attractions would enrich your vacation.

Palazzo Davanzati is a Florentine palace that was actually built by the Davizzi family in the middle of the 14th century but carries the name of the Davanzati family, who bought the property in 1578 and lived there until 1838. Sadly, it was then broken up into apartments and allowed fall into ruin. Then, in 1904, it came into the possession of Elia Volpi, an antique dealer who restored and furnished the palace. He opened it to the public in 1910 as Museum of the Old Florentine House. The state purchased the palace in 1951 and, after some alterations, reopened it once more to the public in 1956.

Beautiful and featuring some interesting works of art, it is most important and fascinating as an insight into Renaissance life. It aims at reconstructing the setting of an old Florentine home, with furniture and household tools from the 14th to the 19th centuries: bedrooms display chests full of linen and cots, the bathroom showcases early indoor plumbing and the kitchen features a fireplace with bellows and two turnspits, a wooden bread-kneading machine, a metal butter churn and other tools from various periods.

When you're looking for anything – somewhere good to eat, a nice bar, a fun activity, a quiet beach – we tend to search for reviews nowadays. Hearing what real people have to say about something helps give us peace of mind and these reviews are even more important to consider when booking a holiday rental. Luckily, here at Tuscany Villas, we have been blessed with lots of customers who give us great feedback. Therefore, we thought that it would be a good idea to put together a list of our most-reviewed properties to show some of the excellent villas and experiences you can expect when you book with us!

1. Torre Del Cielo

Torre del Cielo is a superb 5 bedroom villa that boasts a large garden, a swimming pool and fantastic panoramic views over a valley towards lush green Tuscan hills.

The Medici were bankers, unofficial princes of Florence, then official rulers of the city and one of the greatest dynasties Italy has ever seen. Their stamp remains all over the country but it is most evident and visible in Florence, where they were incredible patrons of the arts. As they were of, ruled and designed the city, many were, of course, laid to rest there as well. One of the most important burial sites for the family are the Cappelle Medicee (or Medici Chapels), two structures at the Basilica of San Lorenzo.

Dating from the 16th and 17th centuries, and built as extensions to Brunelleschi's 15th-century church to celebrate and accommodate the Medici family, the chapels consist of the Sagrestia Nuova, (or New Sacristy) designed by Michelangelo, and the 17th century Cappella dei Principi.

The Sagrestia Nuova was commissioned by Cardinal Giulio de' Medici and Pope Leo X, his cousin, to be a mausoleum for members of the Medici family.