Archive for 'Must See Attractions'

Florence is home to some famously beautiful gardens attached to, and surrounding, the stunning former homes of important noble families, as well as lovely public parks and incredible outdoor spaces such as the Giardino delle Rose (Rose Garden). So, if you find a luxury villa in Florence and are a plant lover and a fan of wandering through magical gardens that have been expertly planned and arranged, you will find yourself very much in luck and with lots of extraordinary examples to visit. Another particularly lovely example among these is the Giardino dell'Iris, which is home to a vast array of different breeds of the iris flower, and is a wonderful slice of peace and tranquility in the city.

The Giardino dell'Iris is located on the corner of Viale dei Colli and Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence and is open daily without charge for a period between April and May each year when the flowers are in full bloom. Specialised in the cultivation of iris flowers, the garden is owned and run by the Società Italiana dell'Iris (the Italian Iris Society). Almost entirely devoted to the iris, there are thousands of varieties and even a pond with special aquatic varieties of the iris as well.

San Gimignano is famous as the Tuscan city of Medieval skyscrapers, a place where nobles competed in building the highest towers. While the town was once full of these extraordinary architectural gems, only a few examples exist today and they are the attraction that most immediately go to see when visiting the city. However, if you have found a luxury villa in San Gimignano and are taking a closer look at all this picturesque and historic gem has to offer then we suggest you also look past the ancient and iconic and see what is happening in the contemporary world of art and design and the here and now because, among those winding Medieval streets, you will find one of the world’s most respected contemporary art galleries.

The Galleria Continua is very much the definition of a hidden gem, something one would never expect in an old cinema in the historic core of San Gimignano but is definitely a gem nonetheless. Founded in 1990 by three friends, Mario Cristiani, Lorenzo Fiaschi, and Maurizio Rigillo, the gallery has grown in scale and reputation in the thirty years since its inauguration and now also has locations in Les Moulins (just outside Paris), Havana (Cuba), Beijing (China), and Rome. Having showcased works by globally-renowned talents like Ai Weiwei, Ethel Adnan, The Kabakovs, and Michelangelo Pistoletto, it truly is an extraordinary gallery to stumble across in a small town!

Tuscany's beautiful landscape goes far beyond her famous softly rolling green hills and is more diverse than many may be aware of: varying from snow-capped peaks to dense forests and glassy lakes to perfect beaches. If you have found a luxury villa in Tuscany and are spending some time exploring the region and all that she has to offer, then you will likely encounter this often undersold and under-represented wealth of natural phenomena and beauties and, if you are interested in different outdoor activities, you will find that Tuscany is an excellent destination for those interested all sorts of adventures and outdoor experiences. In particular, if you have found a luxury villa in Lucca and are looking to stretch your legs and hike in the area then you'll be glad to note the presence of the incredibly lovely Parco dell'Orecchiella.

Tuscany is a region that can be enjoyed to an extent if one is dependent on public transport but is, without a doubt, best explored if you have a car at your disposal because then you can both find the impossibly famous attractions on most people's bucket lists with ease, as well as stumble upon all sorts of other unexpected gems along the way. From tiny towns that most people have never heard of to pretty views that appear around a bend to incredible family-run eateries to wonderful local artistic and architectural feats, there are all sorts of things to be uncovered as you explore the Tuscan landscape. If you have found a luxury villa in Lucca, for example, and have rented a car to ramble around this beautiful province, you might find yourself stumbling across the impressive Fortezza delle Verrucole, or Verrucole Castle.

While the Mercato Centrale is Florence's biggest and most famous market, the Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio is a close second in both scale and reputation and is actually preferred by many locals. Local chefs, foodies, food writers, and savvy shoppers, in particular, favour the Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio and if you have found a luxury villa in Florence or a luxury villa in Tuscany and are planning on spending time in the city then it is definitely an excellent place to shop, wander, people-watch, and soak up the unique atmosphere of Florence.