Archive for 'Florence'

The Palazzo Pitti is a historic palace in Florence that is home to several museums, including the Costume Museum, Silver Museum, the Uffizi Galleries and more. Located on the grounds of the palace are the famous Boboli Gardens and, within those beautiful gardens, there is yet another museum. The Porcelain Museum is located in the Casino del Cavaliere, at the top of the Boboli gardens' slopes. A little retreat built as an escape for the Grand Duke in the 18th century, it is a charming and pretty pastel building that offers incredible views across the city and displays some equally pretty porcelain works.

It is a lovely little addition to a visit to the complex and something a little of the beaten track of regular visitors. If you have found a luxury villa in Florence and are planning to visit the Palace or Gardens, keep this gem in mind, as well, while you're at it!

A post shared by aria_ila (@aria_ila) on Sep 25, 2015 at 9:43am PDT

Every corner of Florence, as we have relearned time and time again, is steeped in history from the old churches to ancient palaces, the important works of art to the age-old piazze. It is also, as we have noted before a wonderful place for shopping of all kinds: with flagship stores of some of the world's biggest fashion labels; cute little boutiques; specialist stores selling local products, like leather goods; historic jewellery stores in ancient buildings; and long-standing shops that still sell the same products decades, or centuries, on. One of the most iconic among these stores that has remained opened for a very long time, seemingly untouched by the passing of time, is Bizzarri.

We have noted on several occasions that Florence is a wonderful place for fashion lovers to visit. You can head to the Ferragamo or Gucci museums, sit in a cafe and people-watch to check out what locals are wearing and, of course, you can go shopping.

One of the key places to head for some of the best shopping in Florence is Via de' Tornabuoni, or Via Tornabuoni, a famous shopping street located in the historic centre of Florence, stretching from Antinori Square to Ponte Santa Trinita.

Known by different names since Roman times, the street was once the seat of the processions of Calcio Fiorentino games and horse races, was the former home of the Casoni Cafè (where the Negroni was invented), and is where the incredible Palazzo Strozzi and lots of other amazing palaces still exist.

Michelangelo is one of the most unchangingly and utterly famous artists in all of art history. He is known all over the globe and tales of his brilliance and eccentricity are legendary. Born in the fifteenth century, he was a true Renaissance man: a Florentine sculptor, painter, poet, architect and engineer.

Prodigiously talented and an obsessively hard worker, he has left behind some of the greatest works of art that the world has ever known. However, one of the single most famous and iconic of his works has to be his David. If you are an art lover that has found a luxury villa in Florence, a pilgrimage to this beloved work is a must!

Villa Poggio Torselli is a stunning hilltop residence located just outside Florence that has been home to several influential Florentine families and citizens throughout history (including Niccolò Machiavelli) and is listed among the Great Italian Gardens. Even locals are often unaware of this hidden gem and it is very much off the beaten tourist track but, if you have found a vacation rental in Florence, it is well worth taking the time to come and explore the incredible building and its surroundings!