Archive for 'Must See Attractions'

There are plenty of wonderful and fascinating gardens and, in particular, botanic gardens located all over Italy and Tuscany. However, one of the most unique and interesting of all has to be the Orto Botanico delle Alpi Apuane"Pietro Pellegrini", also known as the Orto Botanico di Pellegini-Ansali, or the Orto Botanico di Pian della Fioba, or the Botanic Garden of the Apuan Alps in Massa.

This incredible green oasis is home to native plants of the Apuan Alps and is found in Pian della Fioba, at an altitude of around 900 metres. It was established as a nature preserve and very special, naturally-occurring botanic garden in 1966 in order to study these indigenous plants. Named for the botanist Pietro Pellegrini (1867-1957) who was from the area, it is operated by the town in conjunction with the Università della Toscana.

Many will have seen this image of the Tuscan countryside before. This striking and beautiful image of a sharply winding road, lined by cypresses and cutting through vivid lush fields and old stone buildings is the kind of almost unreal postcard-perfect corners of Tuscany that need to be seen with one's own eyes to be believed. If you are a fan of scenic settings and pretty views and want to see it for yourself, just find a vacation rental in the Val d'Orcia and come and take it in.

Bottega Pecchioli is a highly-regarded family-run winery and vineyard in Carmignano, Tuscany, not far from Florence. If you have found a vacation rental in Florence and are thinking about setting aside a day to go wine-tasting and to learn some more about wine and Tuscan culture, then it is an ideal option.

The history of the winery is long and goes back to when the surrounding area of Poggio alla Malva was a small farming village. The first note of the family institution records the Bottega Pecchioli and its “storage area of salt, oil and wine, corn, candles and coal.” In the second half of the 18th century, it became a precursor to what we know a food store to be today and over the years it has been various kinds of business including a tavern, bakery, milk and butter shop, a post office, and wine bar.

Florence is home to some wonderful eateries, a rich dining and culinary tradition, and some of the most unique and interesting businesses that manage to combine worlds such as the likes of the Gucci restaurant. However, if you want to see two worlds that truly seem incompatible and diametrically opposed and boast tasty treats and perfect beverage, then it's hard to imagine anywhere else that somehow works so unexpectedly well as the Libreria Café La Cité. A bookshop and café that becomes a trendy bar and venue by night it offers very different charms and types of appeal, depending on at what time of day you visit! A really cool spot in the city, it is a must for those who like relaxed vibes and unique venues and bars and who have found a vacation rental in Florence.

Da Vinci's artistic works are featured in museums around the world and Italy, in particular. However, if you are either more or also interested in the archetypal Renaissance man's other fields of interest and practice, then you might want to head to the Museum of Leonardo da Vinci in Florence. Exploring his genius and inventions and gadgets, it is a fascinating space that many will enjoy. Just find a vacation rental in Florence and come pay a visit!