Archive for 'Localities'

  

Soccer
One of the great, unifying commonalities in Italy, outside of food, has to be football. It is the national sport and the country has birthed some of the best players in the world. While soccer may not be the first thing one might associate with Florence, in particular, it is actually deeply embedded in the history and culture for which the city is famous. In fact, Florence has a long tradition of a rather more violent game that was a precursor to soccer called, “Il Calcio Storico Fiorentino,” which is played annually during the third week of June.

If you're more interested in the modern equivalent, however, you're in luck as Florence is also home to a Football Museum. Just find a luxury villa in Florence and head to Coverciano, which is located about twenty minutes from the city.     Read More

  

Bougainvillea on Giannutri Island
Giannutri, a crescent-moon-shaped island off the coast of Tuscany, in the Tuscan Archipelago, is a small but incredible gem that is well-preserved and protected and boasts a remarkable amount of things to see and do. If you have found a luxury villa in Tuscany, it is a great place for a day out. As we said in the last post, you can explore the ruins of a Roman Villa, discover Roman shipwrecks, go snorkelling or scuba diving, or go swimming but there are even more things to see and do so take note of the following, as well...     Read More

  

Giannutri Island
Giannutri is a very special island in the Tuscan Archipelago. Crescent-shaped and beautiful, it is the southernmost island in the archipelago and is small, at just 2.6 km2, but an incredible natural gem that has a lot to offer a visitor. If you have found a luxury villa in Tuscany and are in search of a bit of an adventure, it is an ideal spot for a day out.

Here are some great things to do on Giannutri.     Read More

  

Italy is famous for her Nativity scenes, or presepi, and Tuscany, in particular, has quite a long and rich tradition of exhibiting some very impressive examples. Many different towns have presepi, sometimes with live animals and actors, sometimes on a large scale, sometimes innovative, sometimes historic and traditional, and sometimes as part of an exhibition of multiple examples. In fact, last year, we wrote a whole guide to the different presepe traditions in Tuscany. However, one town with one of the most beloved and famous of these traditions in recent years has to be Castelfiorentino. If you have found a luxury villa in Florence and love Christmas, this magical little Tuscan festive tradition might be your cup of tea.     Read More

  

Michelangelo's David
Continuing on from our last post, we are rounding up a list of some of the Tuscan museums that participate in the monthly “Domenica al Museo”, when many State museums, in an initiative sponsored by the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism, open their doors to the public for free on the first Sunday of each month. It is the ideal time to plan a trip to those museums that you have been dreaming of visiting. While this list may not be 100% exhaustive and all facts are subject to change (check with the institutions in question before planning a visit), this list is an easy way to get an idea of which museums you can pencil in if you have found a vacation rental in Tuscany and plan to be in the region for the first Sunday of the month.     Read More