Archive for 'Tourist Attractions'

Tuscany is home to lots of extraordinarily beautiful buildings, towns, and landscapes. The lovely medieval walled town of Monteriggioni is a supreme example of all three of these things coming together. Set amongst the rolling hills and lush plains of the countryside of the province of Siena, with the most incredible ringed town that looks like a village pulled right from the pages of a storybook or scene from history, and filled with lots of stunning historic buildings, it is a prime example of a Tuscan town that is preserved and idyllic and what any tourist would like to experience for themselves while exploring the region. The area is also home to a rather special castle that also looks like a fairytale come to life, the exceptionally pretty Castello della Chiocciola.

As we mentioned in a recent article, Tuscany is a region of the world that is known for her long history and rich heritage of fashion design. However, the region is also famous for its cultural contributions to the world, with theatrical and musical genres, styles, and performances being very important contributions, in particular, in the past. Opera was born in Florence and travelling theatrical troupes litter the pages of the history of the region, for example.

It makes sense then, that the world of stage and clothing were closely intertwined and lots of costumes were born in Tuscany, in order to adorn performances and complete productions. One of the most famous costumiers of all time was Arturo Cerratelli and, luckily, the work of both this man and his industrious company remains housed in an incredible museum that remains to help tell the fascinating story of theatrical dress in Tuscany. One of the more unique and (understandably) theatrical clothing museums, this amazing institution is a must-see for anyone who has found a luxury villa in San Giuliano Terme.

The seaside city of Viareggio has lots to offer visitors from delicious seafood to beautiful beaches, architectural gems to surfing spots, Carnevale celebrations to fascinating museums. Among these museums there is the Centro Matteucci per l’Arte Moderna, which regularly hosts excellent curations of works of art and is currently showcasing a particularly interesting exhibition called, “L’Eterna Musa.” If you have an interest in a seaside getaway in Tuscany with an artistic and cultural twist, then just find a luxury villa in Viareggio and come discover for yourself all that it has to offer!

“L’Eterna Musa” (“The Eternal Muse”), is an exhibition of 40 works of art from the 19th and 20th centuries, each of which depicts a different woman. These women come from a variety of backgrounds and places, from nobles to peasants, mothers to girls, housewives to workers. In showcasing these female figures, the exhibition explores the transformation of female roles in society and the ways in which the depiction of women has changed throughout the centuries.

Tuscany is a famous fashion destination and has produced some of the world’s most famous and beloved clothing brands, including Gucci and Ferragamo. This heritage and tradition stretches far back into history and, as a result, the region is also home to lots of different fashion museums. You can visit the museums of those aforementioned big fashion houses in Florence, the grand Costume Gallery (a fashion museum that is part of the impressive Palazzo Pitti complex), the Textile Museum in Prato, and more. However, one of the lesser-known, but nonetheless exceptional, examples of a fashion museum in Tuscany is located in the town of Stia, in the lovely Casentino Valley. If you have found a vacation rental in Casentino and are exploring the area, be sure to come to Stia to see the pretty town, visit her unique Wool Museum, and learn all about the heritage of wool production in the area.

One of the most photogenic and photographed attractions in the Tuscan countryside is probably the distinctive and memorable steaming cascades of the naturally-occurring thermal pools and waterfalls in the town of Saturnia and for good reason. One of the most charming and beautiful spa towns in Italy, it is an excellent destination for those who want to enjoy the culture, cuisine, and natural beauty of Tuscany, all while battling those daily aches and pains, relaxing, unwinding, and recuperating during your vacation. Just browse our vacation rentals in Saturnia and come have a spa getaway in this lovely Tuscan town!

Located in the Maremma area of Tuscany, atop a hill, the town of Saturnia has ancient origins and is noted by a Greek historian from 60BC as being inhabited by pre-classical populations of Greece. The name of the town is also rather old and, according to medieval legend, was so named as it was formed by lightning bolts, thrown by Jupiter during a fight with the mythological deity Saturn. These lightning bolts left scars in the earth that were portals to hell and from which steamy waters gushed out, creating the distinct and magical landscape, filled with incredible thermal pools, for which Saturnia is now so famous, according to these tales.