Archive for 'Localities'

  

Thursday, July 6, 2017
David, Donatello
The Uffizi, the Accademia and the Duomo are probably the biggest artistic centers that most people head for right away upon finding a luxury villa in Florence. However, the Bargello is one of the best and most important art museums in Florence and should not be missed! Dating back to 1255, it was originally the headquarters of the Capitano del Popolo and later of the Podestà. In the sixteenth century, it became the residence of the Bargello (head of the police) and was used as prison during the whole 18th century. The building became a National Museum as of the mid-19th century and today it is an excellent sculpture museum, especially for early works by great masters of the Renaissance such as Donatello and Michelangelo.

1. Donatello's David

Donatello's name is one of the most enduringly famous of all Italian Renaissance artists.     Read More
Posted in: Florence, Localities, Museums & Galleries, Tourist Attractions

  

Thursday, July 6, 2017
zuccotto
Zuccotto is a delicious semi-frozen, chilled dessert made with brandy, cake and ice cream, said to have originated in Florence, though many Italians have not heard of it before. The name means "little pumpkin" in Italian and is so-called because of the shape of the mould used for making it. Thought to have been inspired by the “Duomo di Firenze”, Florence's main cathedral, topped by a distinctive dome. Another theory says that it was inspired by a cardinal's semi-spherical skullcap or zucchetto.

Originally a “semifreddo” dessert that contained ice-cream, this is now often replaced with fresh cream. Typically, however, you can expect to find semifreddo surrounded by sponge cake. The inside is usually of two colors, a white half, which sometimes has candied fruit or bits of chocolate, and a dark half, to which cocoa is added. Finally, ricotta, sugar and cream are added. It is served cold and can be served with the same liquor used inside the dessert or with a coffee liqueur.     Read More
Posted in: Florence, Food and Wine, Localities, Recipes

  

Monday, June 26, 2017
Abbazia di Sant'Antimo
The Abbey of Sant’Antimo, located 9km from Montalcino in Tuscany, is one of the most beautiful of all Romanesque churches in Italy. Local legend attributes its foundation to Charlemagne in the 8th century AD, a miracle that helped cure his army of a plague and a promise to build an abbey on the land where they were saved. Recorded history, however, has a different tale to tell and puts the foundation further back, to the Longobards and the Monastery of St. Savior. The site also is thought to have originally been the location of an ancient Roman villa. The existence of Sant'Antimo, itself, is recorded since at least the 9th century.     Read More
Posted in: Architectural Gems, Churches & Religious Buildings, Legends, Localities, Siena, Tourist Attractions

  

Monday, June 26, 2017
As we discussed in the last post, Follonica, or the “Miami” of Tuscany, is a beautiful, vibrant coastal city with plenty to offer visitors. However, one thing that it is particularly abundant in is wonderful beaches. With this in mind, we have rounded up a list of some of the best beaches in the city in a handy guide so that you can visit once you have found yourself the perfect villa with pool in Follonica.

3. Cala Violina

Cala Violina is a nearby beach that is considered one of the best beaches in the entire country and endlessly tops lists that back this claim up. A stunning soft white sand half-moon cove, it is located in the Golfo di Follonica right in the heart of the Riserva Naturale delle Bandite di Scarlino and the Le Costiere di Scarlino Area Naturale Protetta di Interesse Locale.     Read More
Posted in: Beaches, Localities, Tourist Attractions, Tuscan Coast

  

Monday, June 26, 2017
Florence
In our final post in this series, we have some final, more practical, tips on staying cool and enjoying yourself despite the heat in Florence this summer. Once you have found a luxury villa in Florence, you want to be able to enjoy your holiday despite the potential heat waves and tourist crowds. So, in order to avoid having a wonderful trip ruined by discomfort, take note of our tips for making the most of summer in Florence.

5. Take precautions before leaving the house!

Make sure to close all curtains, shutters and windows before you leave your rental property. This stops the place from turning into a greenhouse during the day and will ensure that you have a lovely cool place to return to at the end of a long day of exploring.     Read More
Posted in: Florence, Localities, Tourist Attractions, Travel Tips