Archive for 'Must See Attractions'

Titian was one of the most important artists of the Venetian school during the Italian Renaissance. While he completed lots of different kinds of works across a variety of genres, his lush and idyllic portrayals of female figures are largely what remain in the public imagination today. From early on in his own lifetime, in childhood, the talents of Tiziano Vecellio (known simply as, “Titian,” in English) were considered to be so extraordinary that they were labelled divine. Often compared in his own lifetime and since then to his somewhat older contemporary, Michelangelo, Titian was similarly gifted but, while the former favoured sculpture, Titian worked in painting and, while both were highly in demand, Titian's career faced less frustration and bestowed the artist with all of the worldly success an artist could hope for. He counted the city of Venice, lots of other Italian rulers, the Pope, the German Emperor, and the King of Spain among his patrons and, very quickly, his work became an international success.

Off the coast of Tuscany you will find some incredibly beautiful islands that can feel like a whole different world unto themselves, a little slice of what seems not unlike paradise on earth. Among the cluster of islands that hug Tuscany's coastline, the most famous is, undoubtedly, is Elba Island, the place to which Napoleon was infamously exiled. The second biggest island of the group, Giglio Island, is also well-known, particularly among those who have spent time in Tuscany and on the Tuscan Coast. However, the next largest island of the bunch, Capraia Island, is much less well-known, which is truly a crying shame as it, too, is a rather extraordinary beauty with lots and lots to offer the discerning tourist who finds themselves exploring the region.

Stunning country villas with elaborate grounds and incredible gardens are in no way uncommon in Tuscany but that doesn't mean that each one fails to wow us. Every time we see another example, we are amazed at the ingenuity, design, and beauty. One particularly lovely example that we happened to come across lately is the Villa Guicciardini Corsi Salviati, located in Sesto Fiorentino, an area of Florence that is located on, “the sixth Roman mile,” (ergo the name), or around six miles, from downtown Florence. Florence, in particular, is awash with stunning buildings, palaces, parks, and gardens but this lesser-known gem is a truly picturesque example and an absolute must-see for lovers of historic homes. While a trip to Florence may yet be a little bit away, enjoy these wonderful pictures of this beauty from the comfort and safety of your own home and then pencil in a visit to go and see it with your own eyes once travel is possible once more. For now though, just take a look at this unbelievable stunner...

Tuscany is an incredibly popular and famous tourist and holiday destination but many do not think of, or know much about, her stunning coastline. Tuscany - in addition to being a perfect place for those interested in her history, culture, art, hearty cuisine, and beautiful and verdant landscap - makes for an ideal seaside getaway. The region is home to a long coastline and a cluster of gorgeous islands, all of which boast pretty little seaside towns, perfect beaches, interesting coastal walks, excellent seafood, and plenty of outdoor pursuits, activities, and watersports to keep you entertained. Whether you just want a quiet and relaxing break in which deciding what to eat and taking in the sea air are all that occupies your days, you want to stay active by trying new things and having adventures, you want to splash in the water and make memories with your children, you want to go for romantic strolls along the beach, or you want to photograph the diverse and beautiful landscape, a seaside vacation in Tuscany can offer all that and more.

One particular stretch of the Tuscan Coast that we would recommend, if you're thinking about a holiday in the area is Portoferraio. Portoferraio is a port town on the Tuscan island of Elba, an island most famous as the place to which Napoleon was exiled. The town was enriched by his presence, which drew visitors and made it more of a cultural hub than one might expect. Today, it remains charming, picturesque, fascinating, a little frozen in time, and quite surrounded by truly beautiful beaches including...

It should come as no surprise that we are big fans of Tuscany here, as we are sure you all are too. It is, of course, incredibly unfortunate that the region is currently inaccessible and that so much terrible hardship has befallen so many Italians and so many of us all. We've been talking a lot about escapism here in the last couple of months, in which we take a break from the new stresses and concerns of our daily lives and make food or drinks that remind us of the joy and comfort of Tuscan getaways, we go on virtual tours of her tourist attractions, we list must-see spots that we look ahead to visiting, and more. While we all try and stay safe, we can dream of our next, well-needed and well-deserved holiday, preferably in Tuscany, and use the wonderful resources at our fingertips thanks to the internet. One such excellent resource for those who want to engage in some vicarious, virtual travel and to somewhat sate wanderlust is Instagram. Travel bloggers, travel websites, travel magazines, and your average Joe that seems to somehow always be on excellent holidays alike all post wonderful shots to the app, allowing us, too, to see the wonderful things that can be experienced when you travel the world. Here are just five Instagram accounts that post about Tuscany that we have been loving lately for indulging in some pining over Tuscany and finding things to add to our bucket lists...

1. @michelechiroli

We actually recently shared one of Michele's pictures to our own Instagram account after we stumbled upon it and are blown away by his eye and talent. This architect and photographer based out of Forte dei Marmi shares truly breathtaking shots of the Tuscan countryside, pretty Tuscan towns, architectural gems around the region, and more. If you want sigh at the dreamy perfection that is the Tuscan landscape and to put together a list of lovely places to take in views and get commemorative shots of your own during your next vacation in Tuscany, this is the account to follow.