Archive for 'Activities'

One of the things that Florence has long been famous for is her leather goods and those serious fashionistas who book a luxury villa in Florence and are looking to perfectly complete an outfit with the ideal finishing touch should make sure to swing by Madova.

Located on Via de' Guicciardini, Madova is over a century old, dating all the way back to 1919 and is entirely dedicated to gloves made from artisanal leather. In fact, it is the only shop in Europe that still exclusively produces and sells leather gloves.

Any cycling enthusiasts who have been considering a villa in Florence at the end of June 2024 should stop wondering and book their vacation immediately because, for the first time in 121 years, the race is kicking off in Italy and specifically from Florence before passing through the Apuan Alps and into Emilia Romagna.

The oldest and most celebrated by far of the three big Grand Tour events in cycling, this men’s multiple-stage race causes a true fever of excitement each summer in Europe, especially in the towns through which the speeding competitors pass.

Florence, as a city, seems especially fitting as a spot for this grand cycling event to begin as it is a place with a great passion for the activity and Emilia-Romagna, too, has long and impressive affiliations with the history of cycling as a sport. 

Those who love antiques and markets and shopping for unique items while on vacation will, no doubt, always be in search of the best markets and stores that they can visit while they explore a destination. Tuscany has quite a few incredible and well-known markets, fairs, and antique stores and you will have no shortage of places to potter around and pick up some amazing Italian antiques to bring a little bit of the country and her impossibly rich artistic and cultural heritage home with you. However, if you book a villa with pool in Cortona towards the end of this summer, then you should definitely prioritise checking out Cortonantiquaria, one of the key events in the calendar for any antiques-lovers in Tuscany!

Cheese-lovers will quickly discover that the options at hand for different cheeses to try for the first time and classics to stock up on while on vacation in Tuscany are endless. From regional specialities to pantry staples, if you want to find the best cheeses during your stay in one of our villas in Tuscany then these are the must-see shops to seek out. Of course, we also recommend visiting local markets and even farms where they make the cheeses in question if you can but to get the most Tuscan cheeses on offer in one place, these are the best options:

A few weeks ago, we discussed how Tuscany is an unexpected ski destination and the ski resort in Abetone. The Apennine Mountains, where they come through Tuscany mean that, though many tourists do not realise it, Tuscany boasts some great ski resorts that can be enjoyed in tandem with exploration of the food, culture, and art of the region. For those looking to book a ski break in Italy this winter, it’s an ideal option! But Abetone is not the only ski resort that you can choose from if you book a vacation rental in Tuscany: the Dognaccia 2000 ski resort in Cutigliano is also a great choice!