Archive for 'Siena'

There are certain locations around the globe that people have in mind as spa destinations – the high-tech skincare clinics of the Swiss Alps, the reviving waters and elegant surroundings of Bath in England, the luxurious wellness centres of LA, the traditional hot springs of Japan – but one lesser-known spa hot spot is Tuscany. A villa in Tuscany not only means you can enjoy the delicious local food and wine for which the region is beloved by foodies the world over, incredible works of art and architecture from the part of the world in which Michelangelo and da Vinci (among many other extraordinary talents) were born, picture-perfect medieval villages perched on hilltops that have remained preserved and largely untouched by time, impossibly lovely vistas of rolling green hills that stretch throughout the countryside, charming coastal towns boasting idyllic beaches, and much more besides, it also means ready access to lots of pretty spa towns and healing thermal waters. Many towns in Tuscany, in fact, bear the word, “terme,” in their name, meaning thermal spring, and each of these boast naturally-occurring waters with healing and relaxing properties as well as modern spa facilities that have been built up around them. So, if you're looking for a holiday destination in which there will be plenty of options for a day or two (or several) at the spa to completely unwind while on vacation, then look no further than Tuscany!

Siena is one of Tuscany's most beautiful and picturesque historic towns. A Medieval gem famous for its iconic annual Palio horse race that takes place in the historical core of the the city each summer, it is a place where it appears as if time has long stood still. Come and wander her paved streets past stunning churches and incredible palaces, sample local delights, sip coffee or eat ice-cream while people-watching in bustling piazze, taste delicious wines produced in the verdant and breath-taking landscape that surrounds, visit amazing museums and galleries, and delve into the surprisingly long list of things to see and do in this astounding little city. If you want to experience a Tuscan city rich in culture, attractions, and charm but you want to avoid the somewhat bigger crowds of the likes of Florence, then you should definitely browse our villas in Siena and get booking a holiday today!

If you need more convincing as to why you should choose a vacation in Siena, here are just five of many great reasons to plan a holiday in the city...

When you plan a holiday, you can find that costs begin to add up quick and it is always good to have some excellent but inexpensive or free activities to add into your itinerary. If you are planning a vacation in Tuscany and you have found a villa with a pool in Siena, for example, then you should definitely consider planning a trip to the Natural History Museum of the Accademia dei Fisiocritici in Siena.

Looking forward to your next holiday is often the only thing that keeps us going as the year draws to a close and energies are at a low point. However, the end of the year is also a great time to start thinking ahead and planning and to have something to give you that boost you need. Booking a villa with us now will ensure that you really have the pick of the lot, with most our best luxury villas in Tuscany and villas with pools in Tuscany yet to be snatched up for the next summer season. You may, however, be wondering what kinds of villas and vacation rentals in Tuscany we offer and which one is best suited to you and your needs. Here is our guide to the kinds of rentals that you can choose from on our site.

1. Independent/Private Villas

These independent villas in Tuscany are standalone properties that are not connected to any other buildings, usually with a decent garden or grounds surrounding the property. These are ideal vacation rentals for those looking for space, privacy, and peace and quiet. Some examples of our private villas in Tuscany include: Torre del Cielo in Monterchi and Villa Vigliano near Florence.

Tuscany is home to some exceptional old palaces that were once the elegant dwellings of the wealthy and the nobility of Italy in the past but are now open to the public to explore and are also home to some important and fascinating museums, venues, and other cultural institutions. One particularly great example of this is the Palazzo Chigi-Saracini, also known as the Vestri Palace, which is located in the stunning historic centre of the city of Siena. If you have found a luxury villa in Siena and are spending some time wandering and exploring this very charming Tuscan town, then stopping into the Palazzo Chigi-Saracini to have a look around this exceptional beauty and the, not one, but two incredible cultural gems housed within it is an absolute must.

Built in the 12th century, the Palazzo Chigi-Saracini is an architectural gem that was first erected by the aristocratic Marescotti family of Siena on top of the site of a castle that they owned in Siena. So central were the Marescotti to public life in Siena that before the eventual construction of the Palazzo Pubblico, this building was even used as a seat of the Council of the Republic of Siena. Of this earlier form of the palace, only a tower that stands next to the present palace still exists. Reconstructions, alterations, and additions that came later eventually created the Gothic beauty that is the present Palazzo Chigi-Saracini on the Via di Città in the Terzo di Città, which is composed of two floors: a ground floor in stone and a first floor in brick, with two orders of trifore windows. On the façade, a reminder of the Marescotti family remains in their emblem of an eagle with outstretched wings that is visible on these windows.