Archive for 'Museums & Galleries'

If you like to learn about the history of places you holiday to then perhaps a relaxing stay at one of many vacation rentals in Tuscany would be the perfect base for your enlightening stay?

Tuscany got its name from an ancient civilisation called the Etruscans who lived and thrived in this region between 800BC AND 390 BC. Although we don’t have many written accounts of the Etruscan civilisation, we’re lucky that they left so many clues behind them in the form of murals, pottery, metal artefacts and buildings to help us piece together how they lived. Tuscany has great many museums dedicated to the ancient Etruscan people; here are a few of the most popular.

The ‘Museo dell’ Accademia Etrusca' in Cortona is home to many ornate Etruscan treasures. It has a beautiful mural called ‘Musa Polimnia’ and includes most of the discoveries found at a tomb in nearby Sodo. One of the few bronze tablets left bearing one of the longest inscriptions in the ancient Etruscan language can also be admired here. There were also three significant tombs discovered here, one of which revealed a grand alter with a sphinx themed stairway leading up to the ‘Melone II’ tumulus. They also discovered a beautiful Etruscan oil lamp chandelier here.

During your next vacation to Tuscany why not spend a day or two in the glorious Empoli area in the lower Arno Valley of Florence? There are several charming towns and villages here that are of Roman origin which have plenty of things for tourists to see and do! If you wish to stay in the area for a few days, why not look at some superb vacation rentals with great reviews in Empoli town?

The rich fertile soil here has made Empoli into a successful agricultural area where many olive groves and vineyards thrive as well as many fields of healthy crops.

There is a huge range of nature trails and history attractions in the area as well as some fantastic towns to visit like Castelfiorentino, Montelupo, Montaione and Montespertoli.

Why not take a day to visit the intriguing Roman farm remains called Villa del Virginio in the province of Florence that dates back to the 1st century BC?

Discovered in the 1980’s by a team of local archaeologists, this well preserved structure offers tourists a rare glimpse back into Roman times as they walk around what was once the home of a very wealthy family that ran a huge farming business.

Visitors wishing to stay in this area to explore it for a few days have a fine choice of luxury villas in the nearby town of Montelupo.

Explore the extensive 3,000 square metre area that existed at the meeting point between the Virginio and Pesa rivers. Back in Roman times, this was the ideal spot for building a farming villa as it was close to water which workers would regularly carry and water the crops with under the burning Tuscan sun. History records detail the great importance this area was in terms of agricultural production for all of Tuscany!

Whether it is your first trip to Italy for your 100th, there are always new sites and sounds to take in thanks to the rich history and amazing culture. While many first-time visitors understandably spend much of their time visiting some of the more well-known tourist locations, there is a wealth of things to see and do throughout Italy, and in Tuscany in particular, that will surprise and delight you, not to mention keep you coming back time and again.

Here we are going to show you a side of the Isola d’Elba that you might be unfamiliar with. If you want to see it with your eyes, browse our vacation rentals in the area, and come to visit this amazing place.

You are more than likely familiar with Napoleon, at least by name and reputation. What you may not know is that he spent almost a year in exile on the beautiful Italian island of Elba from 1814 to 1815.

Although originally used for little more than the rich iron deposits that were found throughout the island, it is probably best known now as the location of some of the houses that Napoleon lived in during this period of his life.

If your are holidaying in or close to the city of Florence in Tuscany then a day trip around the Palazzo Strozzi is well worth your time! Situated between the Piazza Strozzi and the Tornabuoni road, this beautiful building and exhibition space is one of the finest examples of domestic Renaissance architecture in all of Florence.

Tourists planning to come here have plenty of luxurious holiday apartments and other rental accommodation available to them, both within Florence city and the surrounding area. Palazzo Strozzi is about a ten minute walk North West of the nearest train and bus station which is called Firenze Santa Maria Novella.

Palazzo Strozzi’s foundation was laid in 1489 but wasn’t completed until 1538. It was the home of the noble Strozzi family and remained in their ownership until 1937. It now belongs to the city of Florence and is its largest exhibition platform. Visitors can immerse themselves in the sheer magnificence of the exterior architectural design before going inside to be spoiled with an ocean of visual beauty from the many exhibitions it houses within its walls.