Archive for 'Architectural Gems'

La Fabbrica di San Martino is a beautiful vineyard nestled among the lush rolling hills just north-west of Lucca around 5km from the city centre, in an area called the Colline Lucchesi (Lucca Hills), which is a DOC wine region in Tuscany. At the centre of the estate is an 18th century villa and surrounding it are grounds that stretch over 20 hectares and encompass vineyards, olive groves, a forest, gardens and more. The estate, itself, is a stunning place to explore and spend time but it is also home to a vineyard and winery that produce celebrated wines. If you have found a luxury villa in Lucca and are looking for the perfect setting for some wine-tasting, it is an excellent option. Come and sit back and relax, take in the wonderful views, sip some wine, try some local delicacies, and meet the friendly staff members and the cute furry pals that live on the estate.

Florence is home to a large and exceptionally beautiful synagogue that can be traced back to the nineteenth century when David Levi, President of the Hebrew University, bequeathed his possessions in order to build a new synagogue for Florence that would be “worthy of the city”. The architectural gem that resulted is a stunning beauty and a must-see for those interested in religious architecture in the city. Just find a luxury villa in Florence and come visit this incredible building for yourself.

Levi had also even provided for the acquisition of a site between the new development of the Mattonaia and Piazza d’Azeglio and the building of the Tempio Maggiore Israelitico di Firenze, or Great Synagogue of Florence, was completed between 1874 and 1882 under the direction of architects Marco Treves, Mariano Falcini, and Vincenzo Micheli.

Giannutri is a very special island in the Tuscan Archipelago. Crescent-shaped and beautiful, it is the southernmost island in the archipelago and is small, at just 2.6 km2, but an incredible natural gem that has a lot to offer a visitor. If you have found a luxury villa in Tuscany and are in search of a bit of an adventure, it is an ideal spot for a day out.

Here are some great things to do on Giannutri.

Montepulciano is famous as a wine-producing area of Tuscany and sampling local wines is definitely a must for anyone who has found a luxury villa in Montepulciano. However, if you're looking for something else to do (and maybe to walk away the light-headedness after tasting a few of the delicious wines produced in and around the town) why not take a stroll around and discover some of its rather impressive architectural gems?

The Villa Reale, or Villa Marlia, is one of the many beautiful historic estates located in the Tuscan countryside. There are lots of wonderful villas in the area around Lucca, in particular, and this property in an area called Marlia is especially lovely.

A former royal palace with extensive and stunning gardens, it is filled with surprises around every turn and if you have found a luxury villa in Lucca, it is the perfect place to head off for a day trip.

Exploring the grounds, alone, will take up to two hours and if you want to picnic in the gardens (which we recommend) or visit the villa (although it is currently closed for renovation work), you will need additional time. Off the beaten tourist track and away from intense crowds but full of things to see and do, it is the ideal place to wander at your leisure and truly enjoy your downtime while on holidays.