Archive for 'Tourist Attractions'

Villa Mansi, is a historic villa and country estate which is located in Segromigno in Monte, Lucca and is just one of the many exceptional villas which were built in the area during the Renaissance. It dates back to the 16th century, with alterations made in the 17th, and is seen as one of the Lucchese villas which best represents the culture and society of the ancient Aristocratic Republic. Both the garden and villa are now open to the general public for tours and both are well-worth a wander on a cool morning in Lucca before heading off in search of something good to eat. Just find yourself the perfect luxury villa in Lucca and then head to Segromigno in Monte to explore this extraordinary building and its beautiful surrounds.

In the 16th century, Villa Mansi belonged to Nicolao Benedetti. His heirs sold it to Bartolomeo of the so-known Hieronimus Cenami for 656 golden scudi. It was described, at the time, as an estate “with various fields and meadows, with fruit trees surrounding the penstocks and the padronal palace, a stable, a well, an oven and a stoned wash-house, among others buildings, located in the municipality of Segromigno in Monte, in the area called Piaggia.” The Cenami remained owners of the villa and its grounds until 1675, when it was bought for 1600 scudi by the marquess Raffaello Mansi of the Mansi family, well-known in Europe for the commerce of silk. The Mansi name would go on to be the one that became firmly associated with the villa to this day.

We've previously discussed the small town of Massa Marittima
in Southern Tuscany which is a bit of a hidden gem with gorgeous views due to its hilltop location and a rich cultural heritage. Its historic Etruscan centre and numerous museums, for which it has been nicknamed the “City of Museums” are two of its most distinctive features. However, once you've found a holiday rental in Massa Marittima, you might want to also venture out of the town once you've explored it a little bit. Just a few kilometres away is the beautiful Lake Accesa with its Etruscan Archaeological Park which, like the town, also offers stunning scenery and great historical value that is not to be missed!

Not far outside of Florence, you'll find the charming little town of Fiesole. This has been a favourite holiday destination to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for the likes of the Medici in the past and continues to be a location for a spot of escapism for the rich and famous. However, it has not always, and not for everyone, been a place for rest and relaxation. While tourists might now visit for the Medici villas, churches, historic buildings and archaeological wonders, a very famous visitor once came to the town with a very special purpose in mind. This visitor was none other than Leonardo da Vinci, who, long before the Wright brothers, was there to test out a flying machine. If you want to visit this charming town for yourself, just find a holiday rental in Fiesole, and be sure to stop by the site of Da Vinci's airport.

Italy is not short of tales of miracles. In fact, it's hard to find a town that doesn't have some site of a miraculous event. However, some tales are more extraordinary than others. Furthermore, they sometimes hide in plain sight in the most understated of places. A good example of this is the Chiesa Sant Ambrogio, or Church of Saint Ambrose, in Florence. Among the gilded Medieval, intensely classicising Renaissance and dramatic Baroque churches of the city, this little building does not particularly stand out. In many ways, it is a very underwhelming church but it doesn't hint at the unbelievable wealth of cultural and artistic treasures inside, including a miraculous chalice and works of art by some of the greatest Renaissance artists. Find a luxury villa in Florence and discover this hidden gem for yourself.

In our last post, we discussed the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata (the Basilica of the Most Holy Annunciation) in Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, one of the most beautiful piazzas in all of Florence which is home to several architectural masterpieces. This church is an exceptional building which was designed by some of the most famous architects of the Italian Renaissance, such as Alberti and Brunelleschi, and is home to artworks by some of the most famous artists of the Italian Renaissance, such as Ghirlandaio and Bronzino. However, it is most famous for one particular work of art and the legend which surrounds it. Find a villa with internet in Florence and you could visit this extraordinary building for yourself.