Archive for 'Tourist Attractions'

Florence's Duomo and its museums are an important attraction for any culture or art-lovers visiting the city and Giotto's bell tower is one of the four principal monuments on the Piazza del Duomo.

At 84.7 metres tall and executed in the most eloquent example of 14th century Gothic architecture in Florence, it is both beautiful and offers beautiful views across the city. While the trek to the very top is a little grueling and not recommended for those with heart conditions or claustrophobia, it is well worth the effort. Once you reach the top, you'll be rewarded with sweeping views over the other landmarks of the city, its colourful rooftops and the bustling tourist crowds far below.

Just find a luxury villa in Florence and you can embark on this extraordinary adventure for yourself.

The Marino Marini Museum, is a museum located in the centre of Florence, in the old church of S. Pancrazio. Situated between via della Vigna Nuova and piazza Santa Maria Novella, this church was founded before 1000 and deconsecrated in 1809. It was used for numerous different purposes thereafter until the museum was inaugurated in 1988. The museum is dedicated to the life and work of the sculptor Marino Marini, but also houses older works of art and objects from its long past, in the historic and extraordinarily evocative and fascinating setting of this former church. It offers the unique opportunity to experience such a meeting of ancient and modern under one spectacular roof and is sure to impress art-lovers, picture-takers, history-buffs and architecture-fanatics in the group alike. Just find a luxury villa in Florence and be sure to pencil this amazing museum into your schedule!

When you arrive on the Tuscan island of exile and paradise, Elba, you will usually first find yourself in the town of Portoferraio. A cultural and natural gem, it looks a little frozen in time and is utterly charming and picturesque. The capital of the island under Napoleonic times, its name means “Iron Port” and comes from the iron mills that facilitated the city's growth into the main shipping port of iron ore towards the mainland in the 19^th century. This was further bolstered by the presence of Napoleon himself who briefly lived nearby when he was exiled to the island in 1814. During his stay, he set up infrastructure around the mills, economic reforms that modernised the island and architectural projects that heightened its beauty. His very presence drew curious types from all over and Elba suddenly became much more multi-cultural and a melting pot for ideas. This same legacy still draws many to visit this beautiful and fascinating island. Just find a vacation rental on the Tuscan Coast and you can join their number and see what all the fuss is about for yourself as well.

The Leaning Tower is one of the first sights people think of when Pisa is mentioned but if you are planning a trip to the city, there are other cultural gems that you should take the time to visit. Pisa is a Tuscan city with a rich historical heritage and was an important artistic centre for a very long time.

As a result, wonderful buildings, monuments and artworks remain from both the distant past and from recent years. Many of these are free to visit (in fact, we've written two articles focusing on things to do for free in Pisa) and some are obscure enough to be devoid of the long lines that often plague Tuscany's cultural hot-spots.

Once you have found a villa with pool in the Pisa area, be sure to stop by these highlights in the city.

Upon arriving in Pisa, you might be momentarily blinded by the iconic Leaning Tower and the many photo opportunities it provides. If you look a little further, you might venture towards the church next door, lured by the sound of beautiful singing. If you look yet a little closer still, you'll see the Camposanto (literally meaning “holy field”), or Monumental Cemetery, which is the final resting place of important and famous individuals and wonderfully combines stunning architecture and beautiful frescoes.

Constructed in 1278, using sacred dirt brought back from Golgotha during the Crusade, it was later decorated with extensive frescoes and was the burial place of the Pisan upper classes for centuries. For those who have found a holiday rental in Pisa, it might not be the most obvious tourist attraction but it is well worth a visit.