Archive for 'Pretty Views'

If you have been looking for a lesser-known corner of Tuscany to explore on your next getaway then we highly recommend a trip to San Miniato. San Miniato is most famous for its world-renowned truffle market each year and the surrounding area produces some of the finest white truffles in the globe. It is, therefore, a destination that some foodies may well have heard of before. However, there is more to this charming little town and plenty of other reasons to visit, though if you're a truffle fan then an autumnal getaway in the area is definitely a good idea as it is awash with delicious local products and produce to try during the harvest season. In addition to the good eating, San Miniato also boasts a charming and historic centre that has been largely untouched by time and is perfect for wandering, handmade leather goods made locally, a kite festival each Easter, wonderful panoramic views over the stunning surrounding Tuscan landscape, a small art museum that boasts famous names like Filippo Lippi, Fra Bartolomeo, and Verrocchio, and some stunning architectural gems. One such architectural gem is the town's beautiful cathedral.

The skyline of Florence is one of the most beautiful in the world as it has remained relatively untouched by time and is dominated by distinctive and stunning buildings such as the Duomo. Thankfully, if you have found a luxury villa in Florence, you will quickly discover that there are lots of buildings, outdoor spaces, and viewing points from which to enjoy incredible sweeping views over the city and the skyline. There are several gardens, most of which were once the private outdoor spaces of the nobility of Florence, in particular, that boast exceptional panoramas over the city from the Rose Garden of Florence to the Boboli Gardens. However, one of the best views of all over Florence, and one of the most scenic settings from which to take it all in, is boasted by the Giardino Bardini, or Bardini Garden.

Only opened to the public in recent years, the gardens of the Villa Bardini are located atop the hilly part of Oltrarno and look down over Florence, affording incredible views over most of the city. However, in addition to offering great panoramas of the city and framing them beautiful with trees and flowers, the garden itself is quite the looker. One of the loveliest gardens in all of Italy, it is well worth a wander.

If you are a nature-lover and have always wanted to visit Tuscany then we recommend a luxury villa in Florence or a luxury villa in Pistoia, as both are urban destinations where you have amazing museums, churches, architectural gems, restaurants, bars, and shops nearby but are also on the doorstep of one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. Tuscany's countryside is famously lovely but it is also more varied and interesting than one might imagine, as well. In fact, stretching through the provinces of Pistoia and Florence, from the Valdinievole to Montalbano, you will find Italy’s largest wetland, the Padule di Fucecchio. This marsh is vast, home to a wide range of flora and fauna, made up of impossibly stunning vistas, and a must-see for anyone who is a fan of the great outdoors and who is spending time in Tuscany.

Florence is home to some famously beautiful gardens attached to, and surrounding, the stunning former homes of important noble families, as well as lovely public parks and incredible outdoor spaces such as the Giardino delle Rose (Rose Garden). So, if you find a luxury villa in Florence and are a plant lover and a fan of wandering through magical gardens that have been expertly planned and arranged, you will find yourself very much in luck and with lots of extraordinary examples to visit. Another particularly lovely example among these is the Giardino dell'Iris, which is home to a vast array of different breeds of the iris flower, and is a wonderful slice of peace and tranquility in the city.

The Giardino dell'Iris is located on the corner of Viale dei Colli and Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence and is open daily without charge for a period between April and May each year when the flowers are in full bloom. Specialised in the cultivation of iris flowers, the garden is owned and run by the Società Italiana dell'Iris (the Italian Iris Society). Almost entirely devoted to the iris, there are thousands of varieties and even a pond with special aquatic varieties of the iris as well.

Look, it's not like there is any shortage of beautiful towns in Tuscany. The region is famously picturesque and it is not just because of the naturally verdant and lovely landscape, it is also largely because of the charming, historic, and well-preserved towns that are dotted throughout Tuscany. Of course, when one thinks of Tuscany, the likes of Florence, Siena, Pisa, and Lucca all come to mind first but, for many, a visit to the region is all about getting off the beaten path and stumbling upon lesser-known little towns and villages that have lots to offer in their own right; rich histories, incredible little museums with collections of wonderful local artworks or specialised collections of fascinating objects, Mom and Pop eateries where you can eat like a king for a steal, family-run wineries making the best wine and olive oil that you've ever tasted, shops selling authentic locally-made goods and traditional crafts, astounding churches, palaces, and architectural gems, amazing views over the region, and much more besides.

One such town, which is often described as potentially the prettiest town in all of Tuscany, is Montaione. Browse our vacation rentals in Montaione if you're looking to avoid tourist crowds and enjoy a peaceful and authentic getaway in Tuscany or, if you just want to visit this gorgeous gem of a town for the day but stay somewhere with a bit more to offer, then browse our luxury villas in Florence, which is just a stone's throw away.