Archive for 'Architectural Gems'

Volterra is a beautiful, medieval hilltop town in Tuscany that is incredibly picturesque. Elegant, cinematic, and seemingly untouched by time, it feels as though one has stepped into the past when walking around the pretty cobbled squares and historic buildings. There is a reason that it was chosen as the setting of the Italian headquarters of a very ancient and powerful vampire coven in the movie series based on Stephanie Meyer’s “Twilight” saga. However, beneath this beautiful exterior, there is a lot of darkness and the town of Volterra is steeped in local myth and is home to quite a few macabre attractions. Perhaps, another reason as to why it was chosen as the fictitious home of a group of deadly vampires!

If you are intrigued by the more spooky or creepy things in life, a vacation rental in Volterra is a great idea as it offers all of the charm and typical features of a Tuscan town and Tuscan life, along with some fascinating morbid surprises. Head to the crossbow festival in May, the Jazz festival in August, the delicious truffle fair in October, the horrifying and informative Torture Museum, and the site of a witch trial. Or, you could go and explore the abandoned Ospedale Psichiatrico di Volterra, a crumbling old mental institution that looks upsettingly just like the setting of a very scary horror movie.     Read More

The Museo di Storia Naturale del Mediterraneo (or the Natural History Museum of the Mediterranean) is a long-standing beloved gem in the seaside city of Livorno in Tuscany that is a favourite of school groups and families. However, if you have found a vacation rental in Livorno and are planning on spending time in the area, it makes for an interesting visit for tourists too and, well, anyone, particularly those travelling with kids. Just set aside a couple of hours and come explore the models of various creatures, the dioramas, the interactive features, the impressive animal skeletons and much more besides…

Originally established in 1929, when famous naturalists from Livorno and the surrounding area collected lots of scientific equipment that had previously been part of the Cabinet of Natural History at the Technical Institute of Amerigo Vespucci. It was these objects that became the original basis of the collection of the museum. In 1944, bombing destroyed the museum and it was moved to the municipal aquarium and reopened there in 1952. The museum was moved once more in 1980 to a restored historic property in town, the Villa Henderson, and that is where it remains to this day.     Read More

The Mercato Centrale (Central Market) of Livorno is also known as the Mercato delle Vettovaglie (Market of the Provision) or Mercato Coperto (Covered Market) and is one of the most incredible buildings and attractions that the Tuscan seaside city has to offer. Not only that, it is also a wonderful culinary hotspot for those visiting the city where you can enjoy lots of amazing local delicacies, treats, and specialities. If you are a foodie and have found a vacation rental in Livorno and are planning on spending any time in the city, then it is an absolute must! Just make sure you wear some comfy, roomie pants…     Read More

Villa Masini is a celebrated architectural gem located in Montevarchi in Tuscany. Built as a statement of love by the entrepreneur Angiolo Masini, it was designed by local engineer Giuseppe Petrini and work began in 1924. Masini didn’t scrimp, wanting to build a perfect family home for himself and his beloved wife, and sought out the best and most talented painters, glass-makers, and textile artists and the finest stone, marble, furniture, and fittings to outfit their house. They deemed the work perfect by 1927 but, tragically, the love of his life had died by then. However, this Art Nouveau and Art Deco gem remains as a testament to some of the finest craftsmen in Italy at the time and to the love Masini had for his wife. If you have found a vacation rental in Montevarchi and are exploring this pretty Tuscan city, be sure to drop by and admire this rather special building.     Read More