Archive for 'Localities'

As the landscape of Tuscany is so pastoral and lovely in its beauty – all rolling hills, picturesque historic villages, vineyards, oak woods, and golden light – it is easy to forget that great sections of the region are far more dramatic. For those interested in geology or striking views, you need only look a little closer and you'll quickly discover a whole other side of Tuscany that, though less celebrated, is no less stunning. Particularly, if you find a villa with pool in Lucca and head into the Apuan Alps, you will find craggy peaks, fascinating rock formations, and deep caves. Among these caves is the incredible Grotta del Vento, or the Windy Cave.

Named for the strong air currents that flow through the cave system from the entrance that tourists use at 627m to the other, impassable entrance 800m higher up at 1400m, the Grotta del Vento remains at a constant temperature of 10.7 °C and has been known to people in the area since at least the 17th century. Records from the time show that a sharp gust was noted emanating from a fissure in the rock. The cave was then subsequently used by locals in order to store food and keep it cool. Located in Fornovolasco, near Vergemoli, right in the middle of the Apuan Alps Nature Reserve and directly underneath the Pania Secca, this is a rather unique and extraordinary system of caves and grottoes that is noted as one of the most interesting in Europe and is home to some fascinating natural phenomena. With several tour routes to take through the cave, it is a wonderful, beautiful, educational adventure to undertake and a rather different perspective on Tuscany for those who have found a villa in Lucca and are spending time in the area...     Read More

The rolling green hills and pretty medieval towns of Tuscany get mentioned a lot around here and for good reason; these iconic images of the region, as presented in books and on screens are often the motivating factor for people to first have an interest in visiting Tuscany in order to see it for themselves and they are, indeed, truly stunning. While a villa in Tuscany and a drive in almost any direction on almost any road is likely to produce incredible scenery sooner rather than later, there are, of course, some areas that are among the most visited, photographed, and written about for their particular aesthetic merit. One such area is the impossibly picturesque Lucciola Bella Nature Reserve in Pienza, at the heart of the Arcadian Val d'Orcia.     Read More

The wine from the area of Montepulciano is steeped in history and tradition and is some of the best-loved and most well-regarded wine in all of Tuscany and Italy. As such, there are countless well-established and lauded wineries located all across the surrounding area. If you are a serious wine-lover considering a vacation in Tuscany, therefore, then you should definitely start browsing our villas in Montepulciano and making up a shortlist of some of the best of the best among them to visit during your holiday! One of the most famous and best-rated among them all, that will make it onto many lists, is Contucci...

Contucci is the oldest wine producer in the entire region, predating the next oldest by a whopping 900 years. With more than 1000 years of history and tradition in each glass and one of the most remarkable settings of a winery in all of Italy, this incredible gem is definitely a must-see for those interested in learning all about the wine of the region.     Read More

Many people prefer to avoid travelling during the height of the summer season. There are plenty of reasons for this: those who cannot deal with higher temperatures and are looking for cooler weather will want to avoid the hottest months of the year; those who dislike crowds or lining up for things will be glad to miss the highest concentration of tourists; and those who love bargains will be happy to often find lower prices for villa rentals and flights. However, even if you are travelling out of season in order to reap these benefits, you don't have to compromise on the quality of your getaway. There are plenty of destinations that are still wonderful during the spring and autumn and make for perfect holiday locations if you want to plan an off-season vacation. Take, for example, a villa on the Tuscan Coast, which makes for an excellent spot to enjoy a holiday even as we head into autumn or as a brilliant vacation destination for early next year as a post-winter treat. Importantly, though, you may be wondering about the kind of weather that you might expect if you are considering an off-season getaway on the Tuscan Coast. To help you out and give you the information necessary to plan the right holiday for you, we have put together a handy little guide to the typical weather that you can likely expect during a vacation in the area during the months of September, October, April, and May.     Read More