Archive for 'Castles & Palaces'

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?

A post shared by Aboca (@abocait) on Jul 13, 2018 at 7:25am PDT

In the ancient Palazzo Bourbon del Monte in the town of Sansepolcro you will find the Aboca Museum, a magical little gem and the one and only museum of medicinal plants. To many, that may not seem an immediately interesting prospect but this beautiful place is stuffed with thousands of years worth of history, is in a stunning setting and has been expertly crafted to create something lovely.

Set up by the Aboca company, a market leader in the medicinal herbs sector, the museum was established to safeguard and promote the traditional use of medicinal herbs and extracts to promote good health. Most of the items in the museum hail from preexisting private collection of the Aboca company and the rest was purposefully purchased for the museum after it was opened.

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.

If you have been seeking out the perfect holiday destination in Tuscany, then you might consider a vacation rental in Sorano. This picturesque hill town in the south of Tuscany, is part of a chain of stunning ancient villages including Sovana and Pitigliano and is a beautifully preserved gem that has changed very little in the past hundred years.

It is the ideal location for those looking for an authentic and old slice of Tuscan life, for those who like to holiday off the beaten tourist track and to find something more unique.

The most distinctive feature of the town, clearly visible from a great distance, is the Orsini Fortress, originally built in the 14th and then rebuilt in the 16th century, which is raised on an outcrop above the town itself. It is a crowning glory to the romantic tangle of winding streets and alleys that make up the village itself.

The crete senesi, or the Clay hills of Siena, are a truly stunning part of Tuscany's countryside. For those looking to take in the most typical and postcard-worthy scenery, it is a must-see. You can browse our villas in Montepulciano and luxury villas in Pienza and come discover the natural beauty of this area for yourself.

However, there is also a wealth of natural beauty that is not entirely natural. By this, we mean that man has had a hand in its creation; in the creation of some exceptional gardens.

Villa La Foce is a historic villa and farm, overlooking the Val d'Orcia that boasts a wonderful garden. While the villa was built in the 15th century, the gardens date to the early 20th century and can be attributed to Antonio Origo and his Anglo-American wife Iris, who bought the property in 1924.