Archive for 'Tourist Attractions'

Bibbona is a Tuscan town, located not far from the coast in Livorno. It has an exceptionally pretty and picturesque historical centre and old town that is centred around the parish church of Sant'Ilario and a preserved medieval appearance. Built on a unique plan, it is formed by a set of concentric circles that are connected by narrow streets and steps.

The result is charming and evokes the long and rich history of the area. The surrounding area of the town is rich in natural delights, such as nature reserves and stretches of agricultural land that produces delicious wine and olive oil, and is peppered with equally captivating little hamlets such as the seaside resort of Marina di Bibbona.

Napoleon was very famously temporarily exiled, after his forced abdication in 1814, to the island of Elba, the idyllic Tuscan island that is the third largest in Italy – hardly what most would call a “punishment”! In fact, he lived very well on the island and even had two different dwellings for the 300 days that he spent there. Villa dei Mulini was one and the other was Villa San Martin. Villa dei Mulini, also known as Palazzina dei Mulini (Palace of the Mills), is located in Portoferraio and was chosen by Napoleon as his state residence.

Castello di Ama is a famous winery located in the medieval Tuscan village of Ama in the Chianti region. The setting is picturesque, perched on a hilltop surrounded by vines and black cypress trees, with views across the surrounding landscape. The village, itself, is a charming collection of buildings largely dating to the 18^th century and is almost entirely owned by Lorenza Sebasti and Marco Pallanti, the couple who run the winery. Once you venture through the village and on to the winery, you will find a unique experience that combines art and wine in an engaging way. When you arrive, brightly-coloured paving, mirrored walls and other oddities will catch your eye which heralds what sets this winery apart from others; over the past 15 years, some of the worlds preeminent artists have been invited to contribute works to the estate. If good art and even better wine are your thing, then finding a vacation rental in Chianti and planning a visit to the estate during your time in Tuscany is a must.

The beautiful Tuscan seaside town of Livorno has a lot to offer visitors. The first Italian movie "La presa di Roma," about the entry of Garibaldi's troops into Rome during the Risorgimento, was made in the city and it was the first of many. Venezia Nuova (literally meaning “New Venice”) is part of the Old Town of Livorno that retains much of the original town layout and architectural features and looks like a mini-Venice.

Meanwhile, Cavallino Matto, located near the city, is Tuscany’s biggest amusement park. Needless to say, there are also all the churches, museums, restaurants, views and other delights that recommend any Tuscan town, in addition.

However, no trip to Livorno is complete without visiting Terrazza Mascagni for a stroll and a photo opportunity.

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!