Archive for 'Florence'

Florence's Duomo and its museums are an important attraction for any culture or art-lovers visiting the city and Giotto's bell tower is one of the four principal monuments on the Piazza del Duomo.

At 84.7 metres tall and executed in the most eloquent example of 14th century Gothic architecture in Florence, it is both beautiful and offers beautiful views across the city. While the trek to the very top is a little grueling and not recommended for those with heart conditions or claustrophobia, it is well worth the effort. Once you reach the top, you'll be rewarded with sweeping views over the other landmarks of the city, its colourful rooftops and the bustling tourist crowds far below.

Just find a luxury villa in Florence and you can embark on this extraordinary adventure for yourself.

The Marino Marini Museum, is a museum located in the centre of Florence, in the old church of S. Pancrazio. Situated between via della Vigna Nuova and piazza Santa Maria Novella, this church was founded before 1000 and deconsecrated in 1809. It was used for numerous different purposes thereafter until the museum was inaugurated in 1988. The museum is dedicated to the life and work of the sculptor Marino Marini, but also houses older works of art and objects from its long past, in the historic and extraordinarily evocative and fascinating setting of this former church. It offers the unique opportunity to experience such a meeting of ancient and modern under one spectacular roof and is sure to impress art-lovers, picture-takers, history-buffs and architecture-fanatics in the group alike. Just find a luxury villa in Florence and be sure to pencil this amazing museum into your schedule!

If you are planning on heading to Florence and want to take in the big sights, you might need somewhere to go and take a bit of a break from the large and bustling tourist crowds, queues and warm rooms.

The Rose Garden in Florence is the perfect oasis of calm, quiet and relaxation. It brings together art from Belgian artist Folon, roses and stunning panoramic views across the city and, best of all, it's completely free to visit and is open from morning until nightfall.

Only open to the public year round for a few years now, it is a little-known gem and a must-see for anyone visiting the city. Once you have found a vacation rental in Florence, be sure to check it out for yourself!

The Parco Benestare is a park in the areas located in, and a collaboration between, the districts of Gambassi Terme (near Florence) and Montaione in Tuscany. It is a unique concept for a new kind of park land that has no strict territorial boundaries and takes in and celebrates the culture, beauty and history of both areas.

Composed of picturesque routes, the park brings visitors on interesting journeys through the Tuscan landscape and allows them to experience its uncommon beauty.

If you are looking to get away from it all, this is just the place! We have plenty of vacation rentals in Gambassi Terme and vacation rentals in Montaione as well as some in nearby towns. Check out our vacation rentals in San Gimignano, Certaldo and Castelfiorentino as well.

Gambassi Terme is a town in Tuscany, located in the south of Florence province, on the border with the province of Siena, which is home to famous thermal baths. Archaeological evidence indicates that the town has been inhabited since the Neolithic Age but it wasn't properly settled until the Etruscans arrived in the seventh century BC. It was later home to the Romans and there is evidence of a castle there in the Middle Ages, going as far back as 1037. Gambassi Castle then became property of the bishopric of Volterra until the end of the twelfth century before a newer castle was built next to the old in the 12th century. Disputes over the ownership of the town led to bloody battles until it finally came under Florentine rule in the 13th century. Only since 1977 has it been called Gambassi “Terme”, an addition to highlight the importance of its natural spas (the “terme”).