Archive for 'Tourist Attractions'

One might associate the heavy scent of citrus on the air with holidays in the south of Italy, in particular, but if you have found a vacation rental in Tuscany and you want to take in that tangy smell, buy some incredible citrus products, and visit a unique garden then we suggest a visit to the Hesperidarium Il Giardino degli Agrumi (or Hesperidarium Citrus Garden). Just browse our luxury villas in Florence and our villas with pool in Lucca and plan a day-trip to the town of Castellare di Pescia, in the province of Pistoia to come explore this impressive and beautiful botanical garden for yourself.

If you have found a villa with pool in Lucca or a luxury villa in Florence and you are looking to plan daytrips to some of the impossibly scenic areas of the famously pretty countryside that surrounds this part of Tuscany then you will hardly be stuck for choice. There truly are endless great examples that you could pick. However, one area that has the great honour of having managed to catch the eye of the great master Leonardo da Vinci is the beautiful locality of Montalbano, in the province of Pistoia.

There are lots of things to see and do while on vacation in Tuscany from wine-tasting to hiking to visiting art galleries to snorkelling. Lots of these activities, however, will be most appealing to adults that happen to be in your party but, if you want to pencil in some outings that will be especially fun for any children (or children at heart) in the group, then you will be glad to know their are lots of suitable things for you to see and do as well. The region is home to endless excellent places to get gelato, incredible beaches offering all kinds of water sports and fun, horseback riding outings in scenic locations, amusement parks and waters parks, and zoos. One of the region's most beautiful zoos and a must-see for those who have found a villa near Prato is the Centro di Scienze Naturali, or Centre of Natural Sciences.

There are certain locations around the globe that people have in mind as spa destinations – the high-tech skincare clinics of the Swiss Alps, the reviving waters and elegant surroundings of Bath in England, the luxurious wellness centres of LA, the traditional hot springs of Japan – but one lesser-known spa hot spot is Tuscany. A villa in Tuscany not only means you can enjoy the delicious local food and wine for which the region is beloved by foodies the world over, incredible works of art and architecture from the part of the world in which Michelangelo and da Vinci (among many other extraordinary talents) were born, picture-perfect medieval villages perched on hilltops that have remained preserved and largely untouched by time, impossibly lovely vistas of rolling green hills that stretch throughout the countryside, charming coastal towns boasting idyllic beaches, and much more besides, it also means ready access to lots of pretty spa towns and healing thermal waters. Many towns in Tuscany, in fact, bear the word, “terme,” in their name, meaning thermal spring, and each of these boast naturally-occurring waters with healing and relaxing properties as well as modern spa facilities that have been built up around them. So, if you're looking for a holiday destination in which there will be plenty of options for a day or two (or several) at the spa to completely unwind while on vacation, then look no further than Tuscany!

We have previously written about the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence on many occasions and there are plenty of reasons to plan a visit to this historic gem if you have found a villa in Florence. The former town hall of Florence, this impressive fortress is an influential architectural work, steeped in the history of the city, home to incredible examples of Florentine works of art and craftsmanship from throughout the centuries, it is an excellent museum, and it is (supposedly) frequented by some intriguing ghostly figures. However, if you have found a luxury villa in Florence and you are coming to visit this highlight of the city, there is one other great reason to come: it is one of the best places to take in an incredible panorama over the stunning skyline of Florence.

Located in the Piazza della Signoria, the Palazzo Vecchio is a rusticated stone-faced castellated palazzo and a truly impressive and imposing solid mass of a building that is punctuated by two rows of two-lighted Gothic windows (and some other openings). On top of the building, a clock tower looms overhead. This clock tower is one of the most imposing of the medieval towers that still remain in Florence and it is named the Torre d'Arnolfo after the building's architect, Arnolfo di Cambio, who also designed Florence's Duomo and the Church of Santa Croce. At a height of 95 meters, it is the highest civic symbol in the entire city and boasts sweeping views over the city and the surrounding valley in which Florence is located. While you should definitely take the time to explore the rest of the building, heading up to the tower is a must. You can also decide to just visit the tower rather than go through the museum and there are separate entrance fees for both.