Archive for 'Activities'

Here's something that you might not be aware of: those who have found a vacation rental in Florence and love perfumes, rejoice, as the city is the scent capital of Italy.

The city's Renaissance courts were a place where some of the greatest patrons funded the creation of some of the world's best masterpieces by famous hands but it was also a fertile breeding ground for the art of perfumery and Catherine de' Medici's passion for scents only furthered the interest in the topic. Still a place where crafts and traditions in craftsmanship of all kinds is alive and well, Florence is home to many traditional and historic perfumeries, pharmacies, drugstores and herbalists. It has long since established itself as a leader in the sphere and there is constantly more specialised in research and experimentation happening in the city.

f you think of a Tuscan getaway, you probably imagine summers spent eating gelato and drinking coffee between dashing from museums and stunning churches to famous stores and delicious eateries or relaxed holidays just either side of the busy summer season. However, Christmas in Tuscany has its own unique charms that are well worth exploring. There are lots of reasons to plan a Winter break in Tuscany and here are more of the most compelling selling-points of a holiday season in this stunning region of Italy...

3. The Magical Atmosphere

There is something special about the twinkling lights and festive atmosphere of Tuscany.

Fashionable Florence is a great city to spend a chic day out. From stylish museums to elegant eateries, we have been outlining just some of the ways to spend your day in the last post but now, post lunch, here's what you should do to finish off the chicest possible day out in Florence. Just find your luxury villa in Florence and come experience it for yourself...

3PM, Time to shop!: Now that you've filled your stomach and learned more about the history of fashion in Florence, it's time to buy a little slice of it to bring home with you and where better to shop than Via De' Tornabuoni?

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Every corner of Florence, as we have relearned time and time again, is steeped in history from the old churches to ancient palaces, the important works of art to the age-old piazze. It is also, as we have noted before a wonderful place for shopping of all kinds: with flagship stores of some of the world's biggest fashion labels; cute little boutiques; specialist stores selling local products, like leather goods; historic jewellery stores in ancient buildings; and long-standing shops that still sell the same products decades, or centuries, on. One of the most iconic among these stores that has remained opened for a very long time, seemingly untouched by the passing of time, is Bizzarri.

We have noted on several occasions that Florence is a wonderful place for fashion lovers to visit. You can head to the Ferragamo or Gucci museums, sit in a cafe and people-watch to check out what locals are wearing and, of course, you can go shopping.

One of the key places to head for some of the best shopping in Florence is Via de' Tornabuoni, or Via Tornabuoni, a famous shopping street located in the historic centre of Florence, stretching from Antinori Square to Ponte Santa Trinita.

Known by different names since Roman times, the street was once the seat of the processions of Calcio Fiorentino games and horse races, was the former home of the Casoni Cafè (where the Negroni was invented), and is where the incredible Palazzo Strozzi and lots of other amazing palaces still exist.