Archive for 'Pretty Views'

Fields and fields...endless fields of sunflowers, there are few sights quite so lovely, right?

While sunflowers are native to Central America, they became popular in Europe in the 18th century and were planted all over. In Italy, they truly took root and their popularity grew from the ground up so that they are now actually one of the symbols of Tuscany.

Barga is one of the many exceptional hilltop towns in Tuscany and, certainly, the most amazing in in Garfagnana, in the province of Lucca. It has won numerous prestigious awards for the quality of its tourist services over the years, such as the Italian Touring Club Orange Flag and the Città Slow award, and is officially listed as of One of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy.

If you have found a luxury villa in Lucca, it makes for an easy day trip and a lovely place to spend time wandering and taking in the true Tuscan pace, and way, of life.

The town's Cathedral, the Collegiata di San Cristoforo, is considered one of the most important Romanesque examples in Tuscany. One of the oldest buildings in the town, it is filled with frescoes and sculptures and it is well worth popping inside for a look. Barga is also home to a beautifully restored castle that is perched above the town.

A post shared by Alessandro Collecchia (@alessandro_collecchia) on Apr 9, 2018 at 1:02am PDT

The village of Fosdinovo is a historic and charming medieval hilltop town located in the Tuscan region of Lunigiana. While the area has been inhabited since prehistory, Fosdinovo experienced its golden age between the 14th and 18th centuries and its appearance largely reflects Medieval and Renaissance architectural styles and town-planning, as a result. The centre has changed little since the 16th century.

If you have been planning a trip to Tuscany, why not consider the lovely medieval walled town of Monteriggioni? Located near Siena, this already historic and beautiful town is transformed into a festive gem each summer with its famous Monteriggioni Di Torri Si Corona festival. Just find a vacation rental in Monteriggioni and you can take part in the celebrations and get a real taste of the authentic Tuscan experience this summer!

The festival takes place over two weekend in July each year and is one of the oldest medieval festivals in Italy, which evokes Dante’s famous quote about the town that praises its round surrounding wall, crowned by towers: “Monteriggioni che di torri si corona“.

Palazzo Casali is a palace located in the Tuscan town of Cortona that was built by the Casali family, who ruled over the town in the 13th century. It was only a family residence until 1409 and, thereafter, became the Palazzo Pretorio, which was occupied by the city’s Florentine captains. Today, it houses the City Museum and, on the first and top floors, the library and museum of the Accademia Etrusca. A beautiful building and an excellent and historic museum, it is a worthwhile little visit to pop into your itinerary if you are a culture vulture that has found a vacation rental in Cortona.

The façade that is visible today can probably be attributed to Filippo Berettini and was executed at the beginning of the 17th century and the rear façade, looking onto Via delle Carceri, is particularly lovely. From the main Palazzo Casali entrance, you pass through a 17th century carved doorway, into a large atrium that is decorated with coats of arms and opens into a courtyard. Particular architectural elements to take note of are the two staircases and the 16th century sandstone fountain commissioned by Bettino Ricasoli.