Archive for 'Day Trips'

Picture your ideal way to explore the perfect and utterly picturesque countryside of Tuscany? Does it involve a Vespa? It should! What better way to see the pretty hilltop towns, rolling green hills and pastures, and vineyards and avenues of cypresses than from a Vespa as you zip around? You can feel the wind in your hair, take perfect commemorative photos on it, easily hop on and off to get a closer look at things, and you can get a real slice of the Italian experience. Sounds idyllic, right? Well, if you have found a vacation rental in Siena and want to explore the typically Tuscan and beautiful landscape of Chianti, then this package tour is just the thing!

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We would all like a taste of the dolce vita while on holidays in Italy but once you have found a luxury villa in Florence and are planning a trip, it may become apparent that the high life isn't easy to achieve. Luckily, we have lots of great bargains to snatch up but, in addition to this, there are also plenty of ways to stretch your budget further. If you've always wanted to pick up a piece from an iconic Italian fashion label while on vacation, then heading to an outlet is a way to do it on a budget. The Space Outlet in Montevarchi, for example, is one such place and a great destination for fashion lovers heading to Florence to pencil in to their trip. Just take half a day during your time in the city and drive out or take one of the public transport options and then indulge in a little retail therapy.

Located between Florence and Siena, in the Chianti region of Tuscany is Montefioralle, one of the oldest towns in the area and one of the most incredibly beautiful villages in Italy.

Still enclosed by its medieval defensive walls, the first records of the city go back to 1085. It flourished throughout the Middle Ages as an administrative centre and fortified outpost and, as a result, still largely reflects this period in its appearance. The houses are made of stone and little streets wind throughout the town to a charming effect. It is an exceptionally pretty and characteristic place that is the perfect spot to escape from your own daily realities and get a slice of rural Tuscan life.

Just before you reach the town of Greve in Chianti in Florence, take the first road on the right that heads up a hill, which boasts views across the beautiful landscape below.

When my family decided that they wanted to visit a winery the very next day, late in the afternoon, I spent a rather panicked evening researching somewhere that suited their rather demanding stipulations and would be able to take us on such short notice.

I eventually (after much hair pulling and cursing under my breath) found Agriturismo Frascole and saw they did daily tours and tastings and were about a half hour drive from our villa. I rang early the next morning and they were able to take us at 3, as I requested. Little did I know how fortuitously excellent a selection it would prove to have been.

The road up to the winery was not easy. However, Frascole is located near the charming town of Dicomano, high up in Tuscan Apennines in the middle of an unspoiled area of natural beauty. The historic buildings, surrounding fields of the vineyard and incredible views over the mountains and valleys below were truly breathtaking.

In the previous article we discussed the importance of kicking back and relaxing on holidays. No matter how many museums you want to see, shops you want to visit or dishes you want to try, it's best to take it easy for at least a little bit of your holiday.

Tuscany, though the pace of life is calmer than most of us are used to, can encourage running around like a headless chicken as there is just so much to see and do and you're sure to want to do it all.

Luckily, however, it is also the perfect region in which to balance it out with some days of pure and utter relaxation as there are many wonderful and historic spa towns with natural hot springs and top-notch facilities dotted all over.