Archive for 'Tourist Attractions'

The island of Elba is famously the paradise to which Napoleon was exiled in his latter years and while we can’t expect to be sent there forever more, we can book a villa on the Tuscan Coast or a vacation rental in Portoferraio and get a taste of life in this stunning part of Tuscany. Browse our Tuscany villas and then plan a trip to Elba so you can discover all of its charms for yourself and, in particular, the incredible beaches that abound on the island! One especially gorgeous beach is Forno Beach, a picture-perfect little beauty that is made up of golden sand, rich blue waters, lush green pines on the hillsides all around, charming pastel houses directly overlooking the stretch of sand, fishing boats in a variety of shades bobbing in the water, and romantic craggy grey rocks framing the strand. Peaceful and picturesque, it is one of the most relaxing spots to enjoy a day at the beach while on Elba. 

The charming image above may look to you like any other pretty public pool at first glance but it is actually something a little more special than that and is, furthermore, something for which many of the more discerning tourists know Tuscany: it is a thermal bath. Though many rate the region of Tuscany as a top tourist destination because of the rich cultural heritage, the incredible foodie culture, and the beyond belief, picture-perfect scenery, spa-lovers and those looking for therapeutic and relaxing treatments have been coming on holiday to this part of Italy for literal centuries. Long before the modern tourism industry even existed, travellers were seeking out Tuscany and its abundant hot springs and thermal spa towns. Today, it still remains one of many really great reasons to browse our Tuscany villas and to get planning a vacation in this part of the country ASAP. The large and impressive thermal pool pictured above, meanwhile, is the one that visitors will find if they decide to explore this strand of Tuscan tourism and plan a trip to the spa town of Venturina Terme while staying in a villa on the Tuscan Coast. 

Many, when browsing among our Tuscany villas, end up deciding to book one of our villas in Pisa, which is completely and utterly understandable. Pisa, as a holiday destination, has so much to offer a visitor: visits to the impossibly famous and iconic landmark of the city that is the Leaning Tower of Pisa, trips into the stunning rolling hills and lush plains of the surrounding typical and picture-perfect Tuscan landscape, days tasting wine at any of the large number of nearby vineyards, strolls through the pretty and historic centre of the city, time playing in the water at the nearby beaches of the Tuscan Coast or hiking in the nature parks and reserves that are close by, attending the local festivals and celebrations that take place throughout the year, exploring the endless architectural gems of the city, and trips to the range of incredible museums that can be found in Pisa. Among these museums, many of which we have mentioned before, there is the National Museum of San Matteo, a must-see treasure trove of gorgeous objects and works of art for those who snag one of our amazing holiday rentals in Pisa.

The Palazzo delle Papesse is a beautiful historic palace and architectural gem located in the centre of Siena that has a rich and fascinating history and is currently playing host to an equally fascinating exhibition that brings together the art of famous surrealist Salvador Dalí and the thoughts, theories, and discoveries of some of the ground-breaking and world-leading scientists who intrigued him, including Galileo, who once lived for a time in the building after his abjuration. A lesser-known but truly incredible tourist attraction in the historic core of this beautiful city, it is a must-see for those who browse our Tuscany villas and then find a vacation rental in Siena.

When one thinks of lavender, Provence is likely the European destination that first comes to mind and while it is a brilliant place for lovers of this sweet-scented bloom to experience purple flowers unfolding endlessly in front of you across a landscape and the aroma permeating the air all around, there are other options, including in Tuscany. In Tuscany, there is one main spot to go to experience impressive lavender fields, in the hills around Pisa. Therefore, if you want to breathe in lavender fields, capture some stunning photographs of the landscape and use it as a backdrop for lovely commemorative photos of you and your fellow travellers, and to stock up on some lavender-infused products then you should browse our last-minute villas in Tuscany and head there in the next couple of weeks. The lavender fields of Tuscany begin to bloom fully around the middle of June and last until they are harvested at the end of July, leaving you just enough time to still catch them this summer. Or, if you’re looking ahead to next summer and you want to inject some lavender into your vacation in Tuscany then you can browse our vacation rentals in Pisa, in general.