Archive for 'Pretty Views'

Giannutri is a very special island in the Tuscan Archipelago. Crescent-shaped and beautiful, it is the southernmost island in the archipelago and is small, at just 2.6 km2, but an incredible natural gem that has a lot to offer a visitor. If you have found a luxury villa in Tuscany and are in search of a bit of an adventure, it is an ideal spot for a day out.

Here are some great things to do on Giannutri.

Montepulciano is one of the most famous wine areas of Tuscany, where some of the most delicious and lauded wines come from. Contucci is the oldest wine producer in Montepulciano and one of the oldest in the world and outdates the second oldest in the region by 900 years.

The Contucci name appears in written records in Montepulciano around 1000AD and they seem to have always been linked to agricultural pursuits. The current property that still serves as their wine cellar to this day is a property that has been in the family since 1646 and was originally built by a Del Monte Cardinal, then owned by the Medici Grand Duke of Tuscany Ferdinando I, then it became part of the guardhouse of Montepulciano, and finally was adopted as a palace with a wine cellar for the Contucci family.

In the heart of Valdarno, spreading into parts of Pergine Valdarno, Montevarchi and Terranuova Bracciolini, is the Valle dell’Inferno and Bandella Nature Reserve, a natural gem located along the river Arno, between the Romito, the Acqua Borra and Buriano bridges. A protected wildlife area of marshland, waterways and gullies, it is a beautiful place where nature reigns supreme and man gets to just pay fleeting visits. Varied and lovely, it is perfect for wandering, hiking, picnicking, birdwatching and escaping into the peace and quiet of nature. If you have found a vacation rental in Arezzo or a luxury villa in Florence and want to do some of that aforementioned escaping, it is ideally located as a spot for a day trip.

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Covering an area of 1300 acres, this marshland was formed in the 1950s around lakes created by the dams that were built to provide electricity to the entire surrounding area. At the centre is the marshy area of Bandella, which is home to numerous species of birds, like herons, kingfishers, mallards and egrets, and is a bird watcher's dream.

There is also a woodland that is ideal for hiking and exploring and is home to a diverse fauna of its own like hares, pheasants, porcupines, deer and wild boars. The Monticello Visitors' Centre and the Ponte a Buriano Visitors' Centre organises hikes and excursions and the Grande Escursione delle Riserve dell'Arno (Great River Arno Nature Reserve Hike), in particular, is a muse; a trail that begins at Acqua Borra, passes through Bandella, Ponte Romito and the ancient fortifications of Rondine and Penna, before finishing at Ponte a Buriano. Beautiful, with footpaths purposefully cut into the trail, it is a charming a peaceful route that passes bubbling streams, little waterfalls and all sorts of charming sights.

In the last post in this series for our Chianti Week, we are rounding up our list of ten of the best of the best of our vacation rentals in Chianti with two more gems. The famous wine region of Tuscan really is a wonderful place to go, get away from it all, enjoy good food and wine, beautiful surroundings, rich history and culture and a slower pace of life so, get to it and plan your idyllic holiday today! The availability for next season is at its prime so there is no better time to get planning your next big trip.

9. Acquerello (Available from €285 per night)

Acquerello is a lovely vacation rental that can sleep up to six people comfortably in three bedrooms with two bathrooms, located 5km from the town of Panzano In Chianti.

All this week, we are talking about the amazing vacation destination that is Tuscany's beloved wine region, Chianti. With lots to see and do and the mot picturesque of settings – not to mention great food and wine – it is the great place to relax and unwind from your busy daily life. We have also been counting down ten of the best of the best among our vacation rentals in Chianti, to help you find the perfect place to stay for a dreamy getaway in the region. Here are more of just some of our amazing properties in Chianti...