Archive for 'Localities'

There are many reasons to visit the small town of Barberino Val d'Elsa, which is located in the vicinity of the larger city of Florence in Tuscany.

Not only is it a prime example of medieval architecture that retains its original walled fortifications, but it also is home to many important works of art, exquisite chapels, and other sights to visit.

You can learn more about the history of the famous Barberini family, who have their origins here in this exciting municipality. The town is named after the valley of the Elsa, which surrounds it in lush splendor.

Within town, you'll find many things to see in Barberino Val d'Elsa. This includes the Church of San Bartolomeo, for example, which has fragments of a painting by the famous Giotto, as well as a bronze bust crafted by the artist Pietro Tacca. By following the Via Francesco da Barberino, you will work your way through the well-manicured streets up to the Sienese Gate, or Porta Senese, which dates back to 1365. Those interested in learning more about the area's ancient past can visit the Antiquarium Museum, which holds Etruscan artifacts found in the different necropolises scattered throughout the area. If you have seen the famous Cupola in Florence, you may want to take a look at the Chapel of San Michele Arcangelo, which has a perfect reproduction.

Loro Ciuffenna is located in the Arno Valley in Tuscany, Italy. When you visit Loro Ciuffenna you'll feel like you stepped back in time with it's narrow streets and alleys which date back to the Etruscan era. In the center of town there is an old Roman bridge that spans the raging currents below. An old mill, which recently closed, was powered by a water wheel for over 100 years and is still visible from the bridge today. Wandering through the streets is an amazing experience, if you're in the area be sure to stop and visit.

Loro Ciuffenna is located about halfway between Florence and Arezzo making it a great location for renting a villa. For such a small village there are a surprising number of good restaurants in town, as well as, nearby in Terranuova Bracciolini. If you're looking for a good Florentine steak be sure to visit Restaurante Il Cipresso in Loro. If you're in the mood for ice cream one of the best gelato shops in the area is located just before the bridge in the center of town.

Villas in Loro Ciuffenna, Italy are available for your next vacation or holiday, either by the week or daily. If you prefer to stay closer to large city, browse our villas near Florence, Italy. Otherwise, click here to check our complete selection of home vacation rentals in Tuscany.

Cortona is a small town in the Arezzo province of Tuscany, Italy.

It was an Etruscan and Roman colony in the ancient times. It became a part of Italy after the Italian wars of independence. Legend has it that the city of Cortona was built by Crano, the son of Noah after he fell in love with the beautiful countryside and calm air of the area, about 273 years after the great flood.

The city is on top of a hill, about 600 meters above the sea level, and offer stunning views of the surrounding valley and Lake Trasimeno. It is enclosed by ancient walls, and boasts of several architectural masterpieces of the Roman and Etruscan period.

San Gimignano is a small, medieval hill town in Siena Tuscany province of north-central Italy. The town is famous for white wine and tall medieval towers, which may be seen from several miles outside the town.

It was founded in the 3rd century BC by the Etruscans. It was the stopping point for Catholic pilgrims on their way to Rome and Vatican during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance period.

The patrician families of the town built 72 towers-houses as symbols of their wealth and power. Only 14 of these towers have survived the test of time.

The beautiful city of Florence is the birth place of renaissance, and is often referred to as the Athens of the Middle Ages. This capital of the Tuscany region of Italy attracts millions of tourists each year, and was ranked as the world’s 72^nd most visited place in the year 2009. The city is also known as the fashion capital of Italy. Apart from the beautiful locales, grand history and friendly people, the city of Florence is also famous for the Firenze Gelato festival each year.

The Firenze Gelato festival will be held from May 23^rd to May 27^th, 2012 as part of the Florence International Handicrafts Trade Fair. The visitors can experience the process of ice cream making, and taste amazing craft gelato, made with authentic Italian ingredients.

You can also try fantastic cocktails with gelato. Bartenders can provide alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions of the drinks to provide a refreshing and delightful break to people of all ages. Ice cream lovers can taste and buy hundreds of varieties of 100 percent Italian products.

While there is no concrete evidence to prove it, most historians believe that the ice cream originated in Florence during the Renaissance period. Ruggeri, an amateur cook and poultry seller, won the food competition organized by the Lords of Florence in the early sixteenth century. The fame and taste of the recipe spread across the Tuscany area, and the modern ice cream desserts were born. Painter and sculptor Bernardo Buontalenti surprised his guests at the inaugural banquet of the Fortress of Belvedere with his own ice cream recipe in1559.