Posted in: Architectural Gems Curiosities Must See Attractions Parks & Gardens Pretty Views Tourist Attractions
Not far from Montepulciano, in the rolling, lush landscape of this famous and beautiful wine area in Tuscany, you will find a truly incredible garden. The Parco Villa Trecci is something really special, one of those places that is absolutely breathtakingly lovely. Surrounding the Villa Trecci, a country villa located along the Via di San Bartolomeo, a stone’s throw from Monticchiello, the gardens of the park cover a total area of three hectares and are divided up into different sections such as the rose garden, olive grove, and more. Designed by the landscape architect Adelmo Barlesi and begun in 2014, the Parco Villa Trecci is a feast for the senses, a modern vision of bucolic bliss, and perfect contemporary villa garden. If you have found a vacation rental in Montepulciano and are exploring the area, it is a must-see.

The park, as noted, is made up of different areas and sections including the grey plants garden, the grove, the rose garden, the large graminaceous flowerbed (or flowerbed of grasses), the lake with the aquatic plants and the swamp, the lemon trees glasshouse, and the garden library. It is home to 400 species of plants, almost two dozen varieties and hybrids of roses, lots of different kinds of trees, herbs, fountains, statues, and more. As a result, it is a colourful, beautiful space that shifts, changes, surprises, and delights as you wander around. The herbs, flowers, and citrus plants all give off incredible aromas, insects and birds living in the gardens chirp and buzz, the blooms and grasses in different hues are ruffled by the breeze; it is a living, breathing, multi-sensory experience.
Cycling
Posted in: Activities Cycling Localities Must See Attractions Parks & Gardens Tourist Attractions Tuscan Coast
The seaside town of Viareggio is the coastal gem of Tuscany and an excellent holiday destination for many different reasons from her rich traditions to her beautiful beaches. If you have chosen a luxury villa in Viareggio you will find plenty of things to see and do in the city itself and that day-trips to other Tuscan towns and cities can be readily organised as well. However, if you are looking to get out and explore Viareggio, in particular, and aren’t quite sure where to get started, then we might suggest heading to the Parco Pineta di Ponente, or Pineta di Ponente Park (Western Pine Forest).
Posted in: Localities Must See Attractions Orcia Valley Pretty Views Tourist Attractions
One of the most famously beautiful parts of Tuscany is the UNESCO-awarded Val D’Orcia. This part of the region that extends from the hills south of Siena to Monte Amiata and is home to the towns of Pienza, Radicofani, and Montalcino. It is the place from which our perfect postcard pictures of Tuscany, the very first images of the region that come to mind when you think of Tuscany, come from. These are the undulating green hills broken only by roads winding throughout and the odd tree, old farmhouse, or beautiful hilltop medieval town or village that have made the countryside of Tuscany so iconic and famously stunning worldwide. If you have found a vacation rental in the Val D’Orcia, however, and are exploring the region, there is one particular spot to head to in order to take in perhaps the most famous and most beautiful panorama in all over Italy: the Podere Belvedere.
Chapel of San Michele, Semifonte
Posted in: Architectural Gems Churches & Religious Buildings Curiosities Florence Localities Must See Attractions Tourist Attractions
If you have found a luxury villa in Florence and are looking to delve into, and explore, some of the beautiful Tuscan countryside around the city and if you are interested in abandoned places and history, then you should probably head to Semifonte. Located in the province of Florence, within the modern day comune of Barberino Val d'Elsa, Semifonte was once a grand fortified city that was built during the 12th century. If was destroyed in 1202 in a siege during conflict with Florence and little remains today as the peace treaty brokered with Florence required surviving inhabitants to demolish their own city and prevented rebuilding on the site. In fact, the stones used to build Barberino Val d'Elsa were taken from the destroyed city and repurposed, leaving very little of the city behind today.
Posted in: Central Italy Christmas December Events January Markets Must See Attractions November Tuscany
Considering getting away this Christmas – escaping the chaos, the in-laws, the dinner preparations, and more – but not sure where to go? Why not think about choosing Montepulciano? It is a beautiful town, famous for its wine, located in lovely Tuscany, surrounded by the most gorgeous scenery, historic and well-preserved, and very peaceful and quiet. Better yet, it is utterly transformed at Christmas and becomes a magical winter wonderland with plenty to keep everyone in the family or in a group of friends happy! If you are looking for a home away from home that is full of Christmas cheer but far removed from your daily routines and responsibilities, then just browse our incredible vacation rentals in Montepulciano and plan a Christmas getaway in Tuscany.

From the 16th of November 2019, right through to the 6th of January 2020, the lovely medieval town of Montepulciano goes crazy for Christmas. A Christmas Village pops up in the Piazza Grande and the cute little wooden huts that make up the town’s Christmas market house various stalls selling all sorts of goods from Christmas ornaments and gifts to local crafts to seasonal treats and snacks to hot drinks of all kinds. Then, at the Poliziana Fortress, Santa Claus takes over for the season and it becomes his castle and the garden plays host to an ice-skating rink.