Archive for 'Activities'

There are about 50 dive centers in Tuscany, located along the 270 kilometers of coastline between Livorno and Argentario, with 15 on the Island of Elba and 10 in Argentario and on the Island of Giglio. This stunning coastline and the seven islands of the Tuscan Archipelago are both beautiful and well-preserved and are perfect for diving. Discover the many different species of fish and other underwater creatures that inhabit the area, as well as the beauty, shape and oddities of the reefs, beaches and bays, all clearly visible through the crystal clear waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea and largely protected Tuscan Coast. Just find a vacation rental on the Tuscan Coast and start exploring it for yourself.

Pescia is a charming, if lesser-known, city in the province of Pistoia, in Tuscany. It is thought to have had Lombard origins and the name is a Lombard word that means “river”, which makes sense as the town is located on the banks of a river by the same name.

For centuries, it was famous as a producer of fine silk and flourished under the profitable trade. However, this came to an end in the nineteenth century when commercial conflict with France, during the rule of Napoleon, destroyed the local silk trade. Thereafter, the city was in need of an alternative economic source of livelihood and the production of flowers and olive oil took over.

This past week, Tuscany has welcomed some rather high-profile tourists; Barack and Michelle Obama, who arrived in Tuscany last Friday for a six-day holiday at a luxury Tuscan estate. The former President of the United States of America and his wife stayed in a luxury resort called Borgo Finocchieto, a town located to the south of Siena, that was bought by a US ambassador in 2001.

The village is made up of a grand manor house with 22 suites and several villas all arranged around a central piazza, boasting facilities such as a 60ft-long oval swimming pool, a library, tennis court, wine-tasting room, cellar and basketball court. More than 800 years old, the village offers views across the surrounding hills and valleys and is located on the route of the Via Francigena, the ancient pilgrimage route that connected Canterbury to Rome.

If you have found a luxury villa in Florence and are busy planning your trip, you are probably wading through the long list of things to see and do, in and around the city. Most likely, your schedule will be full of plans to eats, drink coffee, grab ice-cream and begin wading through the unending wealth of museums, galleries, churches, palaces and other historic and cultural gems. However, it might be worth making time for something a little different and, maybe, even getting away from the city for a little while during your time in Florence. Trying something a little more active, taking a break from the sensory overload of all of those museums and the long lines and bustle of tourists, will leave you re-energised and ready to enjoy it all once more.

Luckily, Firenze Rafting exists; a Florence-based company that offers a variety of water-based activities and tours. These outings range in type, length of time and location; from an hour to several, an outing on the Arno to tours in the countryside outside the city, and from gentle kayak trips to white water rafting.

The Maremma is one of the most truly beautiful parts of Tuscany and Italy with its rolling countryside, dotted by historic towns and villages, incredibly views and seaside location.

The Tyrrhenian Sea, which lazily laps her lovely shores, it the sea that travellers dream of and the sea that visitors to Italy expect: crystal clear, rich blue and teeming with life and excitement.

Just browse our stunning villas by the coast and find the perfect option to suit you and yours and you can begin exploring this fascinating place.