Archive for 'Localities'

There is so much to see and do in the city of Florence that no one holiday could possibly allow you to do it all. Of course, if you book a luxury villa in Florence and you are exploring the city, trying to see as much as possible is a fair goal but we also recommend taking moments to stop, breathe, and really appreciate the beauty of this magical city.

One great way to do this is to momentarily step away from the hustle and bustle of the city and the endless things to see and do by visiting one of Florence’s stunning parks or gardens. There are, in fact, lots of gorgeous outdoor spaces to enjoy, spaces once made by the city’s nobility as pleasure gardens or set aside by the city for the peace and rest of the locals or created by great gardeners who wanted to share their passion.

The Giardino Dell’Iris, or Iris Garden, in Florence falls in to the latter two categories, in fact. Owned and run by the Società italiana dell'Iris to promote the iris, it was made possible by the help of the city of Florence in finding two acres over which this stunning space could bloom. Now, when the flowers have emerged, the garden is open to the public for free each year between the 2nd and the 20th of May. 

Planning on exploring the gorgeous and historic city of Cortona in Tuscany with its charming medieval core? Or maybe you’re dreaming of a getaway in Tuscany generally and you’re not sure where to go but you’d like to be able to walk to shops and restaurants and tourist attractions easily? Or maybe you have a fantasy of escaping to a place far from the stresses of your daily life, completely immersing yourself in an evocative and charming destination? Well, if so, our luxury apartment rental, Appartamento Reale, delivers on all of the above and then some and is a perfect holiday rental in Cortona!

The grand cathedrals of Tuscany’s cities are generally an extraordinary collection of buildings, often with ancient origins, additions throughout various periods and architectural styles, contributions by named and famous architects, gilded interiors full of stunning objects, and artworks by the likes of Michelangelo, Giotto, and more. Those, therefore, who find a villa in Tuscany and visit any given town or city should always make time to pop into the local cathedral but, in particular, if you book a vacation rental in Siena, we really recommend a visit. This absolutely gorgeous church has lots of remarkable details touched by famous and beyond talented hands. Here are just five of its highlights that make it a must-see for those on holiday in Siena.

Those who come to stay in one of our Tuscany villas – whether in one of our vacation rentals in Florence, holiday rentals in Pisa, villas in San Gimignano, or any of our other incredible properties and destinations – and are thinking about using public transport for at least some, or all, of their trip will be glad to hear that a new contactless payment system. Put into place to make getting about easier and more convenient, it was introduced to all buses and trams in Tuscany as of the 28th of March 2024 and allows you to hop on a bus or tram and pay with a single tap as well as giving you multiple options for how to pay.

You might be wondering: how does it all work? Well, never fear, we have a handy guide to answer all of your questions and leave you ready to jump right on the tram or bus as you explore the region during your vacation in Tuscany!