Archive for 'Siena'

Tuscany has more than her fair share of famous, beloved, and iconic tourist attractions and destinations but which of these are also UNESCO World Heritage sites?

A title that indicates incredible cultural value, the absence of this accolade does not diminish an attraction but being awarded it does underscore the immense significance of a place. Attractions that are named UNESCO World Heritage sites are immediately considered, by many, to be unmissable. So, if you have booked your villa in Tuscany and you are wondering about the UNESCO World Heritage sites near you that you should check out during your trip, then read on to our definitive list to help you plan a dream vacation in Tuscany...

There are eight official UNESCO World Heritage sites in Tuscany:

If you were considering booking a villa in Siena and spending the Holidays in Tuscany, then learning about and experiencing some of the local festive traditions is a must that will make any vacation even more special and memorable. Tuscany is awash with all sorts of wonderful traditional foods, festivals, experiences, and more and her pretty and historic towns are made even lovelier each year with the addition of lights, decorations, Christmas markets, music, excited crowds, and festive cheer. The charming town of Abbadia San Salvatore, in particular, has an incredible Christmas Eve tradition that makes for an ideal way to ring in the Holidays...

For avid cycling enthusiasts contemplating a Tuscan getaway, mark your calendars for a truly exceptional experience this fall – L'Eroica. Autumn is already the ideal time to come to Tuscany in order to enjoy outdoor pursuits as the landscape of famous rolling green hills of the region is even lovelier when dressed in fall colours – making for especially scenic surroundings to admire on your adventures – and the milder weather after the hot summer is more conducive to enjoying outdoor pursuits comfortably.

L’Eroica, meanwhile, takes place on the first Sunday of October each year in the enchanting province of Siena and is an annual non-competitive cycling event that celebrates vintage cycling culture. Participants immerse themselves in the nostalgia of the past by riding vintage bicycles, adorned in accessories and clothing from pre-1987. Combining the thrill of cycling with a vintage flair amidst the captivating Tuscan landscapes, L'Eroica is a distinct and captivating event. And, certainly, cycling fans who book a vacation rental in Siena at the beginning of October won’t want to miss it!

Tuscany boasts several different spa towns but one with an incredible long-standing reputation and an array of remarkable facilities is the beautiful gem that is Chianciano Terme. Encircled by the scenic Val d’Orcia and the Val Di Chiana, its verdant landscape stretches into the town's parks and sprinkled throughout are various spas and thermal baths. In fact, Chianciano Terme stands proudly as one of Europe's premier thermal cities and Italy's top health resorts with its therapeutic waters, famed for liver detoxification, being the key draw to the area. Book a villa in Chianciano Terme and come experience it for yourself!

As far back as the 5th century BC, Chianciano Terme has been known for its restorative properties. The Etruscans built a temple in the area honouring the god of Good Health, closely situated to the Silene springs and from the Romans, including the famed poet Horace, to modern-day travellers, these springs have been celebrated as a perfect place to relax and unwind.

There are an endless list of places to visit while enjoying a stay in a villa with pool in Tuscany that could compete for best view but many of these spots are in and around the famously picturesque area known as the Orcia Valley. This part of Tuscany epitomises the renowned beauty of the Tuscan countryside – think rolling green hills swathed in thin bands of fog in the early mornings and lit with golden light in the evenings, pretty and historic villages perched overlooking the valleys, cypresses lining winding roads, vineyards and olive groves stretching out to the horizon. It is an area of true pastoral perfection and one of the best places to enjoy these views, among all the amazing candidates, while staying in a vacation rental in the Orcia Valley, is from the gardens of the Palazzo Piccolomini.