Archive for 'Florence'

Italy is not short of tales of miracles. In fact, it's hard to find a town that doesn't have some site of a miraculous event. However, some tales are more extraordinary than others. Furthermore, they sometimes hide in plain sight in the most understated of places. A good example of this is the Chiesa Sant Ambrogio, or Church of Saint Ambrose, in Florence. Among the gilded Medieval, intensely classicising Renaissance and dramatic Baroque churches of the city, this little building does not particularly stand out. In many ways, it is a very underwhelming church but it doesn't hint at the unbelievable wealth of cultural and artistic treasures inside, including a miraculous chalice and works of art by some of the greatest Renaissance artists. Find a luxury villa in Florence and discover this hidden gem for yourself.

In our last post, we discussed the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata (the Basilica of the Most Holy Annunciation) in Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, one of the most beautiful piazzas in all of Florence which is home to several architectural masterpieces. This church is an exceptional building which was designed by some of the most famous architects of the Italian Renaissance, such as Alberti and Brunelleschi, and is home to artworks by some of the most famous artists of the Italian Renaissance, such as Ghirlandaio and Bronzino. However, it is most famous for one particular work of art and the legend which surrounds it. Find a villa with internet in Florence and you could visit this extraordinary building for yourself.

While there is no shortage at all of beautiful buildings and churches, in particular, to visit once you've found a luxury villa in Florence, there is one that we would definitely recommend making some time for while in the city. This is the Basilica della Satissima Annunziata (the Basilica of the Most Holy Annunciation) which is located in the Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, one of the most beautiful piazzas in all of Florence and worked on by some of the greatest architects of the Italian Renaissance. The square alone is worth the visit but the church is like a magical little jewellery box full of art, beauty and fascinating stories, just waiting to be discovered.

Cycling is certainly one of the best ways to discover a new place and it's probably the ideal mode of transport for getting to know Tuscany better. It offers the chance to find hidden gems, get well off the beaten track and to take in the breath-taking landscapes which surround without getting into an accident. You can take your time, enjoy the fresh air and truly immerse yourself in the whole experience. One company, in particular, is all about giving a true experience of Tuscany and offers one day bike tours which explore this beautiful region. This is IBikeTuscany, a small Florence-based company which organizes bike tours in Tuscany, and was founded by Marco Vignoli, a former bicycle racer who wants to share his passion for cycling and Tuscany. If you want to be involved in sharing these passions with Marco, just find a holiday rental in Florence and get exploring the Tuscan countryside.

If you're planning on finding a villa with internet in Florence so you can go continue to go about some aspects of your normal life while on holidays, you might also be worried that a Tuscan holiday could have adverse effects on your fitness levels and/or physique. It is rather hard to say no to all that delicious food, after all! In order to enjoy that great city while still fitting in time for your regular workouts, why not try something a little different instead of just hitting the nearest gym? The Florence Run tour is just the thing for this, bringing together exercise, exploration of the city with a guide and Tuscan food...what more could you ask for?