Archive for 'Castles & Palaces'

Sarteano is a stunning Tuscan town that has long been a bit of a hidden gem. Only recently have its many attractions and boons have become public knowledge to a wider audience outside the region.

The town itself is immediately distinguishable; a lush and green place with a medieval core and topped by its famous giant castle.

The castle is definitely one of the main highlights of the town and is a must-see but there are plenty of other historic and cultural gems to be discovered and explored; from Etruscan tombs to Renaissance palaces and medieval churches to local festivals, Sarteano has a diverse offering of interesting local attractions.

Just find a holiday rental in Sarteano and you can begin delving into everything the town has to offer.

Castello di Brolio is a famous and beautiful Tuscan castle in the southern Chianti countryside, located on top of an isolated hill a few kilometers from Gaiole. It is famous for its stunning architecture, grounds and views but is also supposedly home to several ghosts and is where one of the most famous wines in the region was born.

A visit to the castle provides a whole day out as there is plenty of cultural and artistic gems and historic insights to be discovered but there is also still a functioning vineyard on the property where you can take tours and even sample a little of the lauded local tipple.

Once you have found a villa with a pool in Chianti and are exploring the region, you can rest assured knowing that you have one day trip planned already.

The Natural Park of the Val d’Orcia is an exceptionally beautiful part of Tuscany with pretty scenery and charming towns but one of the most impressive sights has to be the skyline of Radicofani, which is a typical medieval town topped by one of the most impressive fortresses in all of Italy. The Rocca di Radicofani, or Fortress of Radicofani, is an extraordinary building, steeped in legend and rich in history as it is located on the border between Tuscany and Lazio, had considerable military importance and was an important stop for both pilgrims and travelers. The building itself is fascinating and the views offered from its walls and windows are exceptional, displaying one of the best panoramas over the Tuscan countryside.

If you want to take in a real taste of the landscape of Tuscany, just find a villa with pool in Radicofani and discover this exceptional attraction for yourself.

Prato is a Tuscan city which is less well-known than some of its closest neighbours, like Pisa and Florence, but is no less fascinating. While this is, by no means, some hidden gem (it is the second most highly-populated town in Tuscany) you will, however, face less of an intense tourist crowd in Prato. In addition to not having to line up outside museums for long periods of time, the city offers just as rich a history and cultural heritage as any other in the area. In particular, it is a town that has produced some wonderful art, architecture and design over the centuries and has an especially important history of textile production. If you're looking for things to do once you've found a vacation rental in Prato, look no further! We've rounded up some great things to do in this great cultural city.

The Emperor's Castle (also known as the Fortress of Santa Barbara or Castello Svevo) is a castle in Prato, Tuscany. It is considered one of the most important examples of medieval architecture in the city and was the headquarters of the Imperial party in the Florentine countryside and the seat of the Imperial Viceroy of Tuscany. The square, thick-walled, imposing building is full of history and interest and worth visiting in its own right but is also now home to local events, festivals and, even, movie screenings. For this reason, it is all the more intriguing and there are even more reasons to visit. Once you've found a holiday rental in Prato and are exploring the historical centre of the city, find time to stop by the castle.