Archive for 'Must See Attractions'

If you have found a luxury villa in Umbria or a luxury villa in nearby Tuscany and are planning an Autumn getaway in Italy to enjoy the fertile and lush landscape, pretty towns, and hearty cuisine of the region of Umbria, then you might also be looking for something a little spookier to add to your itinerary as October unfolds ahead of us and Hallowe’en approaches. Italy, as one might imagine of a place with such a long and vibrant history and so rich in well-preserved historic towns, castles, palaces, churches, and other architectural gems, is full of tales of ghosts, goblins, ghouls, witches, demons, and more. There are plenty of supposedly haunted spots to visit, places where witch trials took place or deals with the devil are said to have gone down, and sites of famous superstitious traditions. However, if you are thinking of heading to explore Umbria and are in search of somewhere where you’re guaranteed to see something spooky this Hallowe’en, then look no further than the crypt beneath the Chiesa di Santo Stefano, or Church of St. Stephen, in Ferentillo.

Elba is an impossibly beautiful island off the coast of Tuscany that is famous as the place to which Napoleon was exiled. It is full of stunning beaches and excellent hiking routes across its lush and characteristic peaks and valleys and there is much to be seen if you have found a luxury villa on the Tuscan Coast and are exploring the island. However, if you don’t quite feel up to a hike or it’s a particularly hot day or you want a more unique experience and a bit of a thrill, then why not head to the Cabinovina Monte Capanne?

The Cabinovina Monte Capanne is a cable car that makes the journey from Pozzatello, just off the centre of the town of Marciana, to the top of Monte Capanne. Monte Capanne is the highest mountain and point on the Italian island of Elba and the lift takes you on an 18 minute journey over the stunning landscape of the area, offering the most spectacular of views along the way.

Extending over 306 hectares across two sites – at Montalcino and Scansano – the winery of Fattoria dei Barbi goes back centuries and helps preserve the rich history and heritage of wine in the area. Having won prizes for their Brunello all over Europe since the late nineteenth century and continuing to do so to this day (but now all over the globe), this is the ideal spot for those interested in Tuscan wine and the Brunello variety, in particular. Just find your perfect getaway spot by browsing our luxury villas in Montalcino and then set aside some time to visit the winery for yourself and learn more about their business, history, and production while also getting to taste some exceptional wines in Tuscany.

As we mentioned in a recent article, Tuscany is a region of the world that is known for her long history and rich heritage of fashion design. However, the region is also famous for its cultural contributions to the world, with theatrical and musical genres, styles, and performances being very important contributions, in particular, in the past. Opera was born in Florence and travelling theatrical troupes litter the pages of the history of the region, for example.

It makes sense then, that the world of stage and clothing were closely intertwined and lots of costumes were born in Tuscany, in order to adorn performances and complete productions. One of the most famous costumiers of all time was Arturo Cerratelli and, luckily, the work of both this man and his industrious company remains housed in an incredible museum that remains to help tell the fascinating story of theatrical dress in Tuscany. One of the more unique and (understandably) theatrical clothing museums, this amazing institution is a must-see for anyone who has found a luxury villa in San Giuliano Terme.

The seaside city of Viareggio has lots to offer visitors from delicious seafood to beautiful beaches, architectural gems to surfing spots, Carnevale celebrations to fascinating museums. Among these museums there is the Centro Matteucci per l’Arte Moderna, which regularly hosts excellent curations of works of art and is currently showcasing a particularly interesting exhibition called, “L’Eterna Musa.” If you have an interest in a seaside getaway in Tuscany with an artistic and cultural twist, then just find a luxury villa in Viareggio and come discover for yourself all that it has to offer!

“L’Eterna Musa” (“The Eternal Muse”), is an exhibition of 40 works of art from the 19th and 20th centuries, each of which depicts a different woman. These women come from a variety of backgrounds and places, from nobles to peasants, mothers to girls, housewives to workers. In showcasing these female figures, the exhibition explores the transformation of female roles in society and the ways in which the depiction of women has changed throughout the centuries.