Archive for 'Activities'

The Antro del Corchia is part of the cave system of Monte Corchia in the Apuan Alps Regional Park and is the largest cave system in Tuscany and one of the biggest in Europe. It is made up of over 60km of galleries which go down to a depth of 1200m into the earth. Exploration of the cave began in the 19th century but it was not opened to the public until 2001. Since then, it has become a popular tourist destination, attracting crowds who want to descend into the otherworldly magic of the caves and you can now even take tours in multiple languages. This is a particularly good family activity as it is informative and interesting with stunning visuals that are sure to keep even the strongest nay-sayers in the group happy. Just find a vacation rental in Lucca and spend a day underground in these astounding natural wonders!

One of the things that define holidays for most people, along with having a bit of a lie-in in the mornings, tasting the local cuisine and seeing the sights, is doing some shopping and picking up souvenirs to remind you of your trip and to bring back as gifts for those who didn't go with you. Of course, it's always nice when there are bigger and better versions of the shops you like or impressive urban shopping districts but it's preferable to purchase things that you can't get anywhere else; crafts, locally-produced goods and other one-off items. This is one of the many things that makes the town of Greve in Chianti so desirable around Easter.

There are many, many different tours of the historic city of Florence and, with so much to see and do from food and wine-tasting to viewing art to visiting haunted hotspots, there is no shortage of different ways to experience the city. Depending on what you're interested in, what age you are, how fit you are, what language you speak, who you're with etc there are a range of different kinds of tours to choose from and a variety of modes of transport to get around. You can walk, run, take a bus, cycle, go on a segway or, even, take to the Arno River. Tours of an Italian city by water might bring Venice to mind but it is also a viable way to see Florence by cycling along the Arno. How can one cycle the Arno, you might ask? Well, by taking a water bike, of course! Just find a luxury villa in Florence and take this unique tour for yourself – it will be an unforgettable experience.

Cycling is certainly one of the best ways to discover a new place and it's probably the ideal mode of transport for getting to know Tuscany better. It offers the chance to find hidden gems, get well off the beaten track and to take in the breath-taking landscapes which surround without getting into an accident. You can take your time, enjoy the fresh air and truly immerse yourself in the whole experience. One company, in particular, is all about giving a true experience of Tuscany and offers one day bike tours which explore this beautiful region. This is IBikeTuscany, a small Florence-based company which organizes bike tours in Tuscany, and was founded by Marco Vignoli, a former bicycle racer who wants to share his passion for cycling and Tuscany. If you want to be involved in sharing these passions with Marco, just find a holiday rental in Florence and get exploring the Tuscan countryside.

If you're planning on finding a villa with internet in Florence so you can go continue to go about some aspects of your normal life while on holidays, you might also be worried that a Tuscan holiday could have adverse effects on your fitness levels and/or physique. It is rather hard to say no to all that delicious food, after all! In order to enjoy that great city while still fitting in time for your regular workouts, why not try something a little different instead of just hitting the nearest gym? The Florence Run tour is just the thing for this, bringing together exercise, exploration of the city with a guide and Tuscan food...what more could you ask for?