Archive for 'Curiosities'

  

Monday, March 2, 2020
Tuscany is a place full of sleepy and pretty little towns that one could easily pass by without a second glance but which contain rich histories and unexpected surprises. Look more closely and you will be astounded by what you might see if you have found a vacation rental in Tuscany and are exploring the region. One such town, that you could easily miss and think nothing more of, is Pieve Santo Stefano, which is located between Florence and Arezzo and has a population of just over 3,000 people. Pretty and very typically Tuscan in appearance, you would think nothing unusual of it at first glance. However, there is much more to this fascinating town than first meets the eye. Back on August 5th, 1944, a year after Mussolini fell from power and the Nazis took control of Italy, the townspeople of Pieve Santo Stefano were abruptly awoken and marched north on pains of death with whatever they could bring with them while the town was completely destroyed. Bar a church in the centre of town, the rest was rubble. It was rebuilt but, if you look closely, you will see concrete in place of cobblestones and Renaissance gems replaced by modern facades.

Then came Saverio Tutino, a former member of the Italian Resistance and journalist who had explored the globe and found himself in town for an art exhibition in 1984. He had had the idea of instituting a place to house and elevate the stories of normal Italians, something he felt was lacking in the country’s rich story-telling heritage, and thought Pieve Santo Stefano, this town haunted so heavily by the past, a perfect place for a, “House of Memory.” And, so, the town became famous for a different reason as home to the Archivio Diaristico Nazionale, the National Diary Archive, and came to be known as the Città del Diario, the City of Diaries.     Read More
Posted in: Curiosities, Museums & Galleries, Must See Attractions, Tourist Attractions

  

Friday, February 28, 2020
The concept of paid beaches is something that is foreign to a lot of people around the world but they are actually quite a common thing in Italy. They are just cordoned-off and privately-owned sections of a beach but there are also usually free sections that you can choose to use instead if you would prefer to save a little bit of money. However, if you want better facilities, such as sun loungers and umbrellas, cleaner bathrooms, beachside bars, etcetera, you often have to pay for them. Depending on your needs and interests and personality, you may choose to splash out on a paid beach or you may just opt to find a free beach elsewhere. However, if you have found a luxury villa in Tuscany and you’re going for a more luxurious experience of the region and don’t want to have to worry about anything, then the paid beaches are a stylish and carefree way to have a beach day in the region. Those who have found a vacation rental in Versilia, one of the most famous stretches of the Tuscan Coast, and are looking for a paid beach to go to and enjoy a relaxing day by the sea with all of the best amenities and highest quality services, should plan to spend at least a day at Versiliana Beach.     Read More
Posted in: Beaches, Curiosities, Localities, Tourist Attractions, Tuscan Coast

  

Thursday, February 27, 2020
Massaciuccoli Romana
The walled city of Lucca is a stunning medieval gem that is full of incredible buildings, palaces, churches, pretty, little side streets and winding alleys, works of art, cultural hotspots, and historic beauties. If you find a vacation rental in the Province of Lucca or a holiday rental in Lucca, you will quickly realise that just wandering the streets of this charming city, so steeped in history, is a delight in its own right and utterly transports you back in time. However, it is not just the city that is rich in history and culture, the wider province around Lucca is full of little gems and fascinating surprises. One such gem is Massaciuccoli Romana, an archaeological complex that is home to a wide variety of ruins and remains from the time of the Romans including villas, baths, and more.

Located in the municipality of Massarosa, on the banks of Lake Massaciuccoli, the first indications of the Massaciuccoli Romana complex were first discovered back in 1756 though there wasn’t much public interest or involvement from the larger academic world until the 19th, and then the 20th, century. A Roman lead pipe inscription (a Latin inscription that is found on leaden Roman water pipes and which provides information on its manufacturer, owner, and often the reigning emperor) was found in 1770 and then the western sector of another group of structures was discovered in the 1930s, which included a balneum (a thermal plant built for private, rather than public, use) and mosaics, that were deemed to be part of a villa. In the 2000s the work at Massaciuccoli Romana was officially taken up and continued under the authority of the Municipality of Massarosa. The Municipality also opened the site as a tourist attraction and museum in this time period and continue to promote education, research, and excavation on the site to this day.     Read More
Posted in: Architectural Gems, Curiosities, History, Museums & Galleries, Roman Empire, Tourist Attractions

  

Monday, January 27, 2020
Florence is famously the birthplace of the Renaissance and one of the most important hubs of art and culture in Europe to this day. As such, it is an ideal holiday destination for those who are interested in architecture, sculpture, painting, music, theatrical productions, garden design, fashion, and much more besides. If you want to fill a vacation with beautiful treats for all of the senses and some of the greatest artistic works that man has ever produced, then a luxury villa in Florence and a city break in the artistic capital is a must.

Upon arrival, you will quickly find that there is no shortage of incredible museums, galleries, villas, churches, and more stuffed with wonderful works of art to be admired. However, among the more famous names of the likes of the Uffizi and the Duomo, we also recommend a visit to the equally wonderful Museo Nazionale del Bargello, or the Bargello Museum.     Read More
Posted in: Architectural Gems, Curiosities, Florence, Localities, Museums & Galleries, Must See Attractions, Tourist Attractions

  

Friday, January 24, 2020
Oak delle Checche
The incredible natural beauty of the area is reason enough for anyone interested in a holiday in Tuscany to immediately go browse our listings and find a vacation rental in the Val D’Orcia. This is the picture-perfect Tuscany of your dreams; the lush rolling hills punctuated by medieval hilltop towns, winding roads, lines of cypresses, olive groves, vineyards, and pretty stone farmhouses. It is a place where every vista is picturesque and worth framing, though some particular spots have become especially famous and sought out to be photographed among savvy travellers who are after the perfect shot. One such spot is the Oak delle Checche, a very famous and protect oak tree.     Read More
Posted in: Curiosities, Localities, Must See Attractions, Orcia Valley, Pretty Views, Tourist Attractions