Archive for 'Tourist Attractions'

A fascinating legend to learn about on your holiday to Tuscany could be the one that originated in the hills of the Amiata in the south of the region. There is a fine selection of luxury villas with swimming pool available all across the south Tuscany area for visitors to spend a few days exploring the area and learning about the famous image of the Virgin Mary.

One version of the legend tells the story of a shepherd who herded his sheep in the Amiata hills and one day found a large fallen branch that seemed to be in the shape of a parent holding their child. He felt inspired to carve a statue of the Virgin Mary and the baby Jesus as he watched over his sheep during the long days and nights.

But as time passed, he became discontented with how it looked and eventually threw it into the fire in annoyance. You can imagine his shock when he heard a female voice crying from the fire, ‘Please don’t burn me, please!’ He hurriedly quenched the fire and ran towards the nearest village to tell them what had happened in the belief that Mary had spoken to him and wanted the carving to be preserved.

Take a day during your holiday to Tuscany and enjoy a tour around what was once one of the biggest and most majestic castles in the land! The castle of Monteriggioni is also home to one of Tuscany’s most famous legends which visitors are sure to enjoy strolling around as they imagine the scene that took place many centuries ago here. There are plenty of picturesque vacation rentals with guest reviews available for visitors to enjoy if they wish to stay in the Monteriggioni area for a few days.

Monteriggioni castle had fifteen towers built into a huge surrounding wall of twenty metres high and two metres thick.

It was built by the Republic of Siena to defend itself against its rival province of Florence during the territory wars in Italy. It resisted ferocious attacks for over three centuries and earned itself a mention in Dante Alighieri’s famous ‘Divine Comedy’.

Come to visit the castle of Fosdinovo in Tuscany to learn about the tragic tale of a wealthy daughter from a noble family and how she fell in love with a stable hand who worked there. Tourists wishing to stay here for a few days have a wealth of tuscany villas for rent available to them in and around the town of Fosdinovo on the border between Tuscany and Liguria.

The castle, where this story is based is where the noble Malaspina family had lived for centuries. A beautiful girl called Bianca Maria Aloisia, a member of the family resided here during the mid fifteenth century and fell in love with a handsome young man who worked in the stables there. They had to meet in secret and fell deeply in love after only a few brief meetings.

Visiting the Riviera Apuana region of Tuscany is like stepping into paradise! Enjoy exploring the white sandy beaches that stretch along the Tuscan coast below the tall majestic marble mountains of the Apuan Alps. The Riviera Apuana is bordered by the River Magra and the River Versilia that flow down from higher ground into the sea, and is home to several Blue Flag beaches. The most popular of these are Marinella di Sarzana, Marina di Carrara and Marina di Massa.

Tourists have a superb selection of beautiful vacation rentals on the tuscan coast to choose from; from the towns scattered on the sea to some cosy hamlets tucked into the hills behind.

Visitors will marvel at the vibrant colours that exist naturally here; from the white marble of the mountains, the lush green of the trees and vegetation in the low hills, the yellow sand beaches and the clear blue waters of the sea. There is so much to do and see in the Riviera Apuana; enjoy the many amenities available close to the twenty kilometre long stretch of beaches where you can partake in thrilling water sports like surfing, sailing, sea kayaking and snorkelling.

If you’re in the mood for learning about one of the most intriguing legends in Tuscany, you would love a visit to the Vincigliata castle near the town of Fiesole in the Florence province where you will learn of a tragic story of two lovers that may have been the inspiration for Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’! There are plenty of exquisite farmhouse rentals available in the Fiesole area where you can stay for as long as you wish in picturesque surroundings.

The legend dates back to the 13th century and tells the story of Uberto and Bianca, two young lovers torn apart by political feuds and bitter jealously. Both were from two powerful Florentine noble families who had been fierce enemies for a long time. They met and fell in love almost instantly but were forced to keep their love a secret. But Bianca’s father, Giovanni, found out about their courtship and forbade his daughter from leaving the castle to meet Uberto.