Archive for 'Localities'

If you have found a luxury villa in Florence and are busy planning your trip, you are probably wading through the long list of things to see and do, in and around the city. Most likely, your schedule will be full of plans to eats, drink coffee, grab ice-cream and begin wading through the unending wealth of museums, galleries, churches, palaces and other historic and cultural gems. However, it might be worth making time for something a little different and, maybe, even getting away from the city for a little while during your time in Florence. Trying something a little more active, taking a break from the sensory overload of all of those museums and the long lines and bustle of tourists, will leave you re-energised and ready to enjoy it all once more.

Luckily, Firenze Rafting exists; a Florence-based company that offers a variety of water-based activities and tours. These outings range in type, length of time and location; from an hour to several, an outing on the Arno to tours in the countryside outside the city, and from gentle kayak trips to white water rafting.     Read More

Most likely, anyone who has found a luxury villa in Florence and is planning a trip to the city has already made plans to visit the Palazzo Pitti and pencilled it into the itinerary. However, if we might, we would make a suggestion. Take a whole day for the excursion, take your time and make sure to set some aside for the Gallery of Modern Art.

The Palazzo Pitti is a vast and elaborate Renaissance palace in the city of Florence. It was originally the luxury home of a wealthy banker called Luca Pitti but was later bought by the Medici family in 1549 and became their primary residence.

Today it belongs to the state and is open to the public. The palace itself is an important and intriguing tourist attraction and the surrounding Boboli Gardens are also well worth a visit, however, that is not nearly where the cultural and historic riches of the building end: it is also home to the Palatine Gallery, Silver Museum, Gallery of Modern Art and several other gallery spaces and exhibitions.     Read More

It is probably readily apparent to anyone interested in Italy or anyone who reads this blog regularly that there is no shortage of museums in Florence and rich art collections, in particular, are abundant. However, we are keen on tracking down attractions that are a little off the beaten track, a little less obvious and devoid of the intense tourist crowds that can plague other parts of the city.

With this in mind, the Horne Foundation Museum seems like a perfect alternative to the likes of the Uffizi for those who have already been, can't stomach the crowds or who merely like going to places that are a little less commonly visited. Just find a luxury villa near Florence in Florence and drop by for yourself.

The Horne Museum was the last will and testament of Herbert Percy Horne, a London architect and educated gentleman who had far-reaching interests across a range of cultural exploits from literature to music.     Read More