Archive for 'Pretty Views'

If you have been seeking out the perfect holiday destination in Tuscany, then you might consider a vacation rental in Sorano. This picturesque hill town in the south of Tuscany, is part of a chain of stunning ancient villages including Sovana and Pitigliano and is a beautifully preserved gem that has changed very little in the past hundred years.

It is the ideal location for those looking for an authentic and old slice of Tuscan life, for those who like to holiday off the beaten tourist track and to find something more unique.

The most distinctive feature of the town, clearly visible from a great distance, is the Orsini Fortress, originally built in the 14th and then rebuilt in the 16th century, which is raised on an outcrop above the town itself. It is a crowning glory to the romantic tangle of winding streets and alleys that make up the village itself.

The crete senesi, or the Clay hills of Siena, are a truly stunning part of Tuscany's countryside. For those looking to take in the most typical and postcard-worthy scenery, it is a must-see. You can browse our villas in Montepulciano and luxury villas in Pienza and come discover the natural beauty of this area for yourself.

However, there is also a wealth of natural beauty that is not entirely natural. By this, we mean that man has had a hand in its creation; in the creation of some exceptional gardens.

Villa La Foce is a historic villa and farm, overlooking the Val d'Orcia that boasts a wonderful garden. While the villa was built in the 15th century, the gardens date to the early 20th century and can be attributed to Antonio Origo and his Anglo-American wife Iris, who bought the property in 1924.

Suvereto is a lovely medieval village that can trace its history back over a thousand years and is located in an incredibly scenic position, overlooking the Costa degli Etruschi in Tuscany. Embraced by ancient town walls, made up of charming old buildings, traversed by paved streets, not far from the sea, and surrounded by the most lush and bountiful countryside, it is the most idyllic little spot and the perfect place to well and truly get away from it all.

Located in the province of Livorno, the village is a great spot to spend a day wandering around and taking in the rich history and traditions that have been preserved in town. Just find a vacation rental in Livorno and head over for a taste of an authentic Tuscan experience.

The town is actually one of the stops on the La Strada del Vino, or the Wine Route, and is in a valley that is populated by thick cork, chestnut and oak woods, Mediterranean scrub that grows right down to the sea, grapevines, and centuries-old olive trees.

Fields and fields...endless fields of sunflowers, there are few sights quite so lovely, right?

While sunflowers are native to Central America, they became popular in Europe in the 18th century and were planted all over. In Italy, they truly took root and their popularity grew from the ground up so that they are now actually one of the symbols of Tuscany.

Barga is one of the many exceptional hilltop towns in Tuscany and, certainly, the most amazing in in Garfagnana, in the province of Lucca. It has won numerous prestigious awards for the quality of its tourist services over the years, such as the Italian Touring Club Orange Flag and the Città Slow award, and is officially listed as of One of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy.

If you have found a luxury villa in Lucca, it makes for an easy day trip and a lovely place to spend time wandering and taking in the true Tuscan pace, and way, of life.

The town's Cathedral, the Collegiata di San Cristoforo, is considered one of the most important Romanesque examples in Tuscany. One of the oldest buildings in the town, it is filled with frescoes and sculptures and it is well worth popping inside for a look. Barga is also home to a beautifully restored castle that is perched above the town.