Archive for 'Tourist Attractions'

Having recently spent hours in the Uffizi Gallery, I have learned a lot through error from the experience and picked up some great tips for making sure I have a much more relaxed time during my next visit. If you have found a vacation rental in the Florence area, the Uffizi is, no doubt, on your itinerary. Read up on my tips and tricks in the last post and this one and make sure that you have a lovely day at one of the world's most incredible art galleries.

4. Avoid the groups

I suggested booking as a group but I would also try avoiding the big groups as they can really hamper your experience. Every time I spotted them, I changed direction as they get in the way and it is impossible to see anything.

Visiting the Uffizi Gallery was one of the highlights of my recent trip to Tuscany but having read so much about it in the past, I found that it was a very different experience actually going there and I learned quite a few things in the process. Here are my practical tips for visiting the Uffizi once you have found a vacation rental in the Florence area.

1. Book Tickets In Advance

I always say this in guides but it really is true. We had booked our tickets in advance and we still found ourselves approaching a rather depressingly long line. However, it moved quite quickly and we were in in no time.

When my family decided that they wanted to visit a winery the very next day, late in the afternoon, I spent a rather panicked evening researching somewhere that suited their rather demanding stipulations and would be able to take us on such short notice.

I eventually (after much hair pulling and cursing under my breath) found Agriturismo Frascole and saw they did daily tours and tastings and were about a half hour drive from our villa. I rang early the next morning and they were able to take us at 3, as I requested. Little did I know how fortuitously excellent a selection it would prove to have been.

The road up to the winery was not easy. However, Frascole is located near the charming town of Dicomano, high up in Tuscan Apennines in the middle of an unspoiled area of natural beauty. The historic buildings, surrounding fields of the vineyard and incredible views over the mountains and valleys below were truly breathtaking.

The beautiful medieval walled city of Lucca in Tuscany boasts lots to see and do and wonderful historic buildings are not in short supply. However, even among all of these incredible buildings and fascinating sights, the picturesque Palazzo Pfanner, with its perfectly landscaped gardens, stands out.

Designed for the wealthy merchant Moricani family, it was built as a demonstration of their wealth and power within the city in 1660.

Unfortunately for the Moriconi family, bankruptcy forced them to sell the building in 1680. The Controni family, silk merchants who had risen to the nobility, bought the palace and extended it and added to it in many different ways.

A monumental staircase was added, presumably on the plans of the Lucca architect Domenico Martinelli and the gardens were altered in the 17th century, likely under Filippo Juvarra.

Tuscany is absolutely full of things to see and do but among this endless list of things, there are seven designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the region: the historic centre of Florence (initiated in 1982); the Cathedral square of Pisa (1987); the historical centre of San Gimignano (1990); the historical centre of Siena (1995); the historical centre of Pienza (1996); the Val d'Orcia (2004), and the Medici Villas and Gardens (2013). If you are planning a trip to Tuscany, a visit to any of these attractions would enhance any holiday.

In the last posts, we discussed some of the entries on the list so here are the last of those Tuscan UNESCO sites and why you need to visit!