Archive for 'Florence'

Any trip to Florence inevitably means a touch of insanity as you try to see everything the city has to offer and considering its status as one of the most historically, culturally and artistically rich places in the world – that's a lot to see. All of that walking from museum to museum, lining up for said museums, craning your neck to see the architectural gems all around and influx of new knowledge is bound to work up quite the appetite! Luckily, Florence is also a fantastic place to eat with more restaurants to choose from than any one article could mention. Here are just a few highlights so why not find a luxury villa in Florence, see those sights and get eating?

Florence is rife with museums and you'll never be stuck for one to visit but if you're after something a little off the beaten track, you might consider the Stibbert Museum. Less well-known to international tourists but with an astounding collection, it is hugely extensive with a wide range of objects and art works from around the world.

The museum also has a coffee shop, book store and a particularly lovely garden surrounding – you may never want to leave! If this sounds like something that might pique your interest, why not find the perfect luxury villa in Florence and spend a day admiring the collection, strolling the grounds and grabbing a coffee?

Located in Piazza dei Giudici, not far from the Uffizi, is Palazzo Castellani. The eleventh century building takes its name from its last private owners, the Castellani family and has been home to the Museo Galileo, or Institute and Museum of the History of Science, since 1930.

It displays an important collection of scientific instruments from the 13th century onwards and sheds light on the scientific tradition of Florence which is sometimes forgotten in favour of its artistic heritage.

It developed from the interests of the Medici and Lorraine families who added to scientific collections, as well as artistic ones, from the 17th into the 19th centuries.

The Boboli Gardens in Florence is a park behind the Pitti Palace which was once the seat of the Medici family. Some of the first formal Italian gardens, Boboli is made up of fountains, statuary from ancient Rome to the 18th century, semi-private and public spaces, nympheums, temples, planting and grottoes. The largest of these grottoes is by the artist, Buontalenti. Built between 1583 and 1593 for Francesco I de' Medici, it was conceived to complete gardens plans that had been devised by Vasari. Composed of three rooms organised in succession, the grotto is a masterpiece of Florentine Mannerist style. Bizarre, extravagant and somewhat surreal, it is one of the highlights of the garden and a highly memorable place quite unlike anywhere else in the world.

In 2011, iconic Italian luxury brand, Gucci opened a museum in the historic heart of the city. Located in the Piazza della Signoria, only metres from the Uffizi and Palazzo Vecchio, the Gucci Museo, or Museum, occupies three floors of the Palazzo della Mercanzia. The museum showcases products from the brand from bags to cars and also houses a café, bookshop and giftshop. For any fashion lovers visiting the city, fans of the label or people looking to do something a little different or experience a different kind of museum, it's a must-see.

Find a luxury villa in Florence and complete the whole luxury experience by dropping by!