Archive for 'Tourist Attractions'

There is so much to see and do in the city of Florence that no one holiday could possibly allow you to do it all. Of course, if you book a luxury villa in Florence and you are exploring the city, trying to see as much as possible is a fair goal but we also recommend taking moments to stop, breathe, and really appreciate the beauty of this magical city.

One great way to do this is to momentarily step away from the hustle and bustle of the city and the endless things to see and do by visiting one of Florence’s stunning parks or gardens. There are, in fact, lots of gorgeous outdoor spaces to enjoy, spaces once made by the city’s nobility as pleasure gardens or set aside by the city for the peace and rest of the locals or created by great gardeners who wanted to share their passion.

The Giardino Dell’Iris, or Iris Garden, in Florence falls in to the latter two categories, in fact. Owned and run by the Società italiana dell'Iris to promote the iris, it was made possible by the help of the city of Florence in finding two acres over which this stunning space could bloom. Now, when the flowers have emerged, the garden is open to the public for free each year between the 2nd and the 20th of May. 

The grand cathedrals of Tuscany’s cities are generally an extraordinary collection of buildings, often with ancient origins, additions throughout various periods and architectural styles, contributions by named and famous architects, gilded interiors full of stunning objects, and artworks by the likes of Michelangelo, Giotto, and more. Those, therefore, who find a villa in Tuscany and visit any given town or city should always make time to pop into the local cathedral but, in particular, if you book a vacation rental in Siena, we really recommend a visit. This absolutely gorgeous church has lots of remarkable details touched by famous and beyond talented hands. Here are just five of its highlights that make it a must-see for those on holiday in Siena.

Ivy-covered stone walls, leafy surroundings, exposed-beam ceilings, antique furnishings, ornate and pretty light fixtures, terracotta floors worn down gently over time, tasteful modernisations alongside traditional charm... all this and more is available at the picture-perfect Il Marrubio. For those who really care about interiors and are after a bit of pastoral bliss, some cottagecore inspiration, and an escape from the daily rhythms of life to a villa that is very much like something plucked from the pages of a fairytale, this is a perfect vacation rental in Tuscany. The only problem? You may never want to leave!

If you book a villa in Tuscany and decide on one destination – a vacation rental on the Tuscan Coast, for example, or a holiday rental in Florence – but you also want to see the famous city of Pisa on a day trip, then that is pretty easily arranged. Tuscany is a diverse, fascinating, and large enough region but not so big that day trips between different cities or areas is overly challenging. What can be more difficult, however, is if you want to see as much of the region as is possible and you only have a day to spend in any one destination. In this case, what do you prioritise? Well, we’re here to help with our handy guide of what to do if you only have a day (12 hours) in Pisa!