Archive for 'Pretty Views'

There is no doubt about it: Tuscany is impossibly picturesque. And the list of places and sights and gorgeous buildings and incredible views and amazing works of art that could be defined as must-sees is truly endless. However, most of us unfortunately do not have entire lifetimes to explore every little thing of beauty in this stunning part of Italy. Despite this, those who browse our Tuscany villas will be able to fit a lot of wonderful sights into a vacation in Tuscany. So, why not book your trip today and get started? To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most beautiful of this endless list of extraordinary sights to get you started, help you plan your itinerary, and whet your appetite!

1. Siena’s gilded cathedral

As there is no shortage of lovely sights in Tuscany, there is also no shortage of remarkable churches and cathedrals in this part of the world. Those, however, who find a villa with pool in Siena, should definitely make a point to see this city’s glittering Duomo. With its polychromatic stone, intricate carvings, luxurious marble floors, and array of stunning words of art, it is a thing of wonder. 

A visit to a garden is always a great way to refresh while on vacation, particularly on holiday in Tuscany or some other destination where there can be lots of cultural attractions that have a whirlwind of stimuli. All of the sights, sounds, textures, and details that one can take in in places like museums, galleries, historic buildings, and old towns can overstimulate the senses and leave one especially tired. Of course, those who find one of our Tuscany villas and spend time in the region should definitely seek out as many of this part of the world’s famous sights and spots as their heart desires but you may also need a bit of a palate cleanser. This is where gardens and parks come in and, luckily, there are also plenty of these to discover in Tuscany as well. Wandering in these spaces, breathing in clean air, surrounding yourself with nature, it not only pleasant and enjoyable but it is also good for the mind, body, and soul. It is a perfect way to recover from intense touristing and the ideal sort of activity to slot into your itinerary as a cushion to more hectic outings and days.

If you have found a villa in San Gimignano, for example, the lovely Giardino Sottovico is exactly this sort of attraction and garden. A wonderful addition to any vacation in San Gimignano, this gem of a botanic garden is home to a charming collection of over 3,000 succulents in a lovely setting that is housed on the former site of an illegal landfill. Built by passionate locals who wanted to reclaim this space in Vico d'Elsa, in the municipality of Barberino Tavarnelle, not far from San Gimignano, the garden was a way of not only transforming an eyesore and polluted part of the countryside but a way of making it into a space that would actually be of service to the physical and psychological well-being of visitors.

Tuscany is full of incredible public gardens – from formal arrangements surrounding palaces, to leafy parks where one can wander endlessly, to botanic gardens bursting with plants from all over the globe that are waiting to be discovered, and more – but one of the most impressive and lesser-known of the region’s gardens has to be the Fineschi Rose Garden in Cavriglia in the Valdarno. An ancient town surrounded by a scattering of picturesque little hamlets at the foot of the mountains of Chianti, Cavriglia is a land of olive groves and vineyards that makes for an ideal place to come and enjoy local produce and wines while admiring the natural beauty of the area. And, while you’re enjoying all of that natural bounty, you should also make a point to see the cultivated natural splendour of the Fineschi Rose Garden. Browse our villa in the Valdarno and Tuscany Villas and come see this lovely corner of the world for yourself.

The largest private (though open to visitors) rose garden in the world, the Fineschi Rose Garden was established by Professor Gianfranco Fineschi, a surgeon and teacher of medicine at the Catholic University in Rome, and has been collecting rose species and hybrids from all over the globe since 1967. A living museum, it boasts more than 8,000 roses and among them 6,500 species and varieties – from antique roses to modern roses, ramblers and climbers – which are organised into 21 different sections spread across an acre of land, following the classification of roses. Each example and variety is also clearly labelled with little plaques in the ground next to them, telling you the name, age, and who created the particular type in question.

Tuscany is one of the most beautiful and romantic places in all of Europe and it is truly magical during autumn! Autumn is all about adventure and exploration and colour on vacation in Tuscany. Those famous rolling green hills of the region all turn gold and the rich foliage of the forests, mountainsides, vineyards, parklands, and protected landscapes throughout Tuscany turn an incredible array of yellow, russet, and orange hues. Areas like Casentino, Chianti, and the Garfagnana are particularly striking in the intensity of their palettes and the unbelievable natural beauty on display. So, those who love autumnal vibes, getting cosy, and exploring nature will find that if they are looking to plan a fall getaway, few destinations could be better suited than Tuscany! 

The island of Elba is famously the paradise to which Napoleon was exiled in his latter years and while we can’t expect to be sent there forever more, we can book a villa on the Tuscan Coast or a vacation rental in Portoferraio and get a taste of life in this stunning part of Tuscany. Browse our Tuscany villas and then plan a trip to Elba so you can discover all of its charms for yourself and, in particular, the incredible beaches that abound on the island! One especially gorgeous beach is Forno Beach, a picture-perfect little beauty that is made up of golden sand, rich blue waters, lush green pines on the hillsides all around, charming pastel houses directly overlooking the stretch of sand, fishing boats in a variety of shades bobbing in the water, and romantic craggy grey rocks framing the strand. Peaceful and picturesque, it is one of the most relaxing spots to enjoy a day at the beach while on Elba.