Archive for 'Parks & Gardens'

Diaccia Botrona is a nature reserve composed of 1000 hectares of wetlands in Maremma which is located between Castiglione della Pescaia and Grosseto. Especially beautiful, it is also important due to its unique characteristics and is, thus, internationally recognised. Many species of flora and fauna can be found in the area and with free entry, it's the perfect place to see animals and nature and take kids along. You can take boat tours of the area or wander around but be sure to come prepared as it is called a “wetland” for a reason!

Find a villa with pool in Grosseto and visit this astounding natural wonder for yourself!

In 1972 Dr. Roberto Mattoni, a veterinary surgeon, created the first Zoo Park of European Fauna in the town of Poppi in Arezzo. A natural park occupying 50 hectares of land covered in pines, oaks and chestnut trees, it is the only park of its kind and specialises in European Fauna. At the centre of the park there is also a Church dedicated to St. Francesco with beautiful views of Casentino, a lake with waterfowl, the Castle of Poppi, a botanical garden, playground, restaurant and the sacred mount of Verna. The park is open all year and is the perfect place to bring children or to have family days with lots to do and see and long opening hours.

Palazzo Pfanner stands out in a Lucca, a largely medieval city, as a beautiful baroque palace and gardens. It was begun in 1660 for the Moriconi family, silk merchants and nobility from the town. However, they were then forced to sell the building in 1680 due to a sudden change in fortune and financial situation. The Controni family then moved in. Having recently acquired a noble title, they marked their own change of fortune by renovating and enlarging the building.

If you want to admire the extraordinary job that they did in transforming and perfecting the palace, why not find a luxury villa in Lucca and drop by?

The Horti Leonini in the town of San Quirico d'Orcia, Siena, is a late 16th century park. It was created according to the direction of Diomede Leoni (for whom it is named) with funding and the donation of lands by Francesco de' Medici. Built as part of a scheme of renovation in the town after damages caused during wars between Siena and Florence, it is an oasis of beauty. Wonderfully well-preserved, the gardens have maintained their original appearance and provide a perfect example of an Italian style garden. If you are interested in landscape architecture, Italian history or gardens, this is sure to prove both stunning and fascinating. Why not find a luxury villa in Siena and spend some time wandering the grounds?

When one thinks of Pisa, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is the very first attraction that springs to mind but the city has much much more to offer visitors. The Botanical Gardens, the Orto Botanico di Pisa, is one of the city's less well-known sights to tourists but is very much worth a visit.

With an enormous collection and as an oasis of calm at the centre of the city, it's somewhere to get lost in your thoughts and the surrounding beauty for hours on end.

Find a luxury villa in Pisa and spend a day or an afternoon amongst the plants and quiet.