Archive for 'Florence'

There are various accounts regarding the origins of the Negroni cocktail. One of the most popular suggests that it was invented in Florence in 1919 at Caffè Casoni, now known as Caffè Giacosa. Allegedly, Count Camillo Negroni asked the bartender, Forsco Scarselli, to give his favorite cocktail a stronger kick. The bartender creatively replaced the usual soda water in Negroni's regular Americano with gin. To distinguish the modified version, an orange garnish was added instead of the customary lemon garnish. The drink became quickly popular and the Negroni Family established Negroni Distillery in Treviso, producing a pre-made version of the cocktail sold as Antico Negroni 1919.

Nothing compares to the authentic experience of savouring a freshly-made Negroni while on holiday in Florence so, as you browse our luxury villas in Florence and plan your vacation, try our recipe and look forward to the real thing in the magical setting of that beautiful city...

Those who book one of our luxury villas in Florence will likely have a long list of tourist attractions to visit and things to see and do while in this magical gem of a city in Tuscany. However, we also recommend just taking the time to walk around and soak it all up. Simply wandering about the city is a delight in its own right because as you explore Florence on foot, you will be able to appreciate and closely admire its grand architecture and artistic treasures from magnificent palaces turned into museums, to its stunning churches brimming with art, to its lush gardens once privately owned by nobles and now opened to the public, to its picturesque piazzas with fountains and statues by famous artists and historic restaurants and cafés. Florence really is a feast for the eyes! And one stunning piazza that really shouldn't be missed during a vacation in Tuscany is the Piazza della Repubblica.

Villa Michelangiolo Casina is one of our current villa crushes among our Tuscany Villas listings. With an incredible location not far from the centre of Florence (the Ponte Vecchio is just fifteen minutes away on foot), plush interiors that scream typical Italian style and design, and a charming garden, this gem of a property is the perfect place for a chic holiday in Florence. 

Tuscany is well-known for her rich culinary heritage and scene and, as a result, is home to an endless list of local and famous food festivals. These festivals honour saints, celebrate local specialities, commemorate historic events, and highlight seasonal harvests and dishes and often have one dish or product that is the star of the show (though you’ll find plenty of other excellent things to taste as well). As a result of the quantity of these festivals and the long list of different specialities and products that are honoured, those with preferences for specific foods will very likely be able to find a celebration dedicated to exactly the thing they love.

So, for example, if you’re a peach fan, you’ll be well served by browsing our Tuscany Villas and booking a vacation rental in Florence come late August to mid-September, when the Queen Peach will be reigning! 

Florence is a city steeped in architectural marvels and charming delights. There are many sweeping piazze full of staggeringly large and wondrous buildings, long thoroughfares lined with neat stores in historic buildings, charming little lanes dotted with surprises, and blocks of ancient palaces preserved or put to new use. Famously the birthplace of the Renaissance, this enchanting Italian city captures the hearts of travellers from all over the globe each year with its timeless beauty and to experience the grandeur of Florence yourself, there is no better way than to reside in one of our exquisite villas in Tuscany or villas with pools in Florence.

Once you arrive, be sure to seek out the Ponte Vecchio. Yes, you’ll likely see it from its prominent position along the Arno as you explore the city, you may even need to cross it, but it is not merely just some bridge but an iconic landmark and fascinating attraction all in its own right...