Archive for 'Museums & Galleries'

Caprese Michelangelo is a town located 50km away from Arezzo in Tuscany and owes its name to Michelangelo Buonarroti who was born there in 1475 when his father Ludovico was the town’s authoritative figure. It is situated on the Apennine ridge, in the greenest area of the Tuscan Val Tiberina and the surrounding landscape of this part of Tuscany is particularly beautiful, with numerous rivers and watercourses punctuating the fields of vegetables, fruit and flowers on which Caprese Michelangelo's economy is based.

As the birthplace of that great Renaissance Master, it is obviously a site of pilgrimage for the art-lovers of the world but its great beauty means that anyone in your party will enjoying visiting this charming town. Just find a holiday rental in Caprese Michelangelo and discover this little gem 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 Luigi Pecci Centre for Contemporary Art in Prato is an extremely important art institution in Tuscany. Not only is it a rare example of such an institution (especially on such a scale), dedicated to contemporary and modern art, it is also an exceptional building in its own right. In fact, you'll not likely miss the structure if you've found a villa with pool in Prato and are exploring the area. Looking like something between a spaceship and a warehouse, it is a very distinctive building and houses a whole host of treasures, making it a must-see for anyone visiting the city. If you are lucky, you might get the museum practically to yourself, allowing you the time and space to wander at your leisure.

There are already plenty of reasons to visit the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. Set in the heart of the historical part of the city, the natural flow of the tourists passing through the area, alone, could bring you to its doorstep, even if you hadn't actually planned to end up there! However, it is also an important building historically, culturally and administratively and a key sight in Florence because of its art, architecture and history. Adding to the permanent displays and the building itself are the temporary exhibitions which are often housed inside the Palazzo Vecchio.

Currently, there is a very special exhibition taking place entitled, “The Prince of Dreams. Joseph in the Medici tapestries by Pontormo and Bronzino”, which displays tapestries that were commissioned by Cosimo I de' Medici in the 16th century. Shown in the room they were made for and all together again for the first time in over a century, it is a special treat for art and design lovers. Just find a luxury villa in Florence and see these extraordinary works for yourself.

Exploring Tuscany, you'll be so busy and will have so much to see and do that many people don't take a moment to really sit back and take in her natural beauty. Fewer still take the time to look up at the sky. If you want to really appreciate the region, why not pause, breathe in the fresh air and visit the Planetarium at Casentino for a spot of star-gazing. Spend an evening admiring the clear skies in the area and learning more about the stars above you – it's bound to make for a magical night and memory! Just find a vacation rental in Casentino and make your way to the planetarium one evening.