Archive for 'Travel Tips'

Looking forward to your next holiday is often the only thing that keeps us going as the year draws to a close and energies are at a low point. However, the end of the year is also a great time to start thinking ahead and planning and to have something to give you that boost you need. Booking a villa with us now will ensure that you really have the pick of the lot, with most our best luxury villas in Tuscany and villas with pools in Tuscany yet to be snatched up for the next summer season. You may, however, be wondering what kinds of villas and vacation rentals in Tuscany we offer and which one is best suited to you and your needs. Here is our guide to the kinds of rentals that you can choose from on our site.

1. Independent/Private Villas

These independent villas in Tuscany are standalone properties that are not connected to any other buildings, usually with a decent garden or grounds surrounding the property. These are ideal vacation rentals for those looking for space, privacy, and peace and quiet. Some examples of our private villas in Tuscany include: Torre del Cielo in Monterchi and Villa Vigliano near Florence.

Look, it's not like there is any shortage of beautiful towns in Tuscany. The region is famously picturesque and it is not just because of the naturally verdant and lovely landscape, it is also largely because of the charming, historic, and well-preserved towns that are dotted throughout Tuscany. Of course, when one thinks of Tuscany, the likes of Florence, Siena, Pisa, and Lucca all come to mind first but, for many, a visit to the region is all about getting off the beaten path and stumbling upon lesser-known little towns and villages that have lots to offer in their own right; rich histories, incredible little museums with collections of wonderful local artworks or specialised collections of fascinating objects, Mom and Pop eateries where you can eat like a king for a steal, family-run wineries making the best wine and olive oil that you've ever tasted, shops selling authentic locally-made goods and traditional crafts, astounding churches, palaces, and architectural gems, amazing views over the region, and much more besides.

One such town, which is often described as potentially the prettiest town in all of Tuscany, is Montaione. Browse our vacation rentals in Montaione if you're looking to avoid tourist crowds and enjoy a peaceful and authentic getaway in Tuscany or, if you just want to visit this gorgeous gem of a town for the day but stay somewhere with a bit more to offer, then browse our luxury villas in Florence, which is just a stone's throw away.

It should come as no surprise that we are big fans of Tuscany here, as we are sure you all are too. It is, of course, incredibly unfortunate that the region is currently inaccessible and that so much terrible hardship has befallen so many Italians and so many of us all. We've been talking a lot about escapism here in the last couple of months, in which we take a break from the new stresses and concerns of our daily lives and make food or drinks that remind us of the joy and comfort of Tuscan getaways, we go on virtual tours of her tourist attractions, we list must-see spots that we look ahead to visiting, and more. While we all try and stay safe, we can dream of our next, well-needed and well-deserved holiday, preferably in Tuscany, and use the wonderful resources at our fingertips thanks to the internet. One such excellent resource for those who want to engage in some vicarious, virtual travel and to somewhat sate wanderlust is Instagram. Travel bloggers, travel websites, travel magazines, and your average Joe that seems to somehow always be on excellent holidays alike all post wonderful shots to the app, allowing us, too, to see the wonderful things that can be experienced when you travel the world. Here are just five Instagram accounts that post about Tuscany that we have been loving lately for indulging in some pining over Tuscany and finding things to add to our bucket lists...

1. @michelechiroli

We actually recently shared one of Michele's pictures to our own Instagram account after we stumbled upon it and are blown away by his eye and talent. This architect and photographer based out of Forte dei Marmi shares truly breathtaking shots of the Tuscan countryside, pretty Tuscan towns, architectural gems around the region, and more. If you want sigh at the dreamy perfection that is the Tuscan landscape and to put together a list of lovely places to take in views and get commemorative shots of your own during your next vacation in Tuscany, this is the account to follow.

If you have always wanted to go on holidays to Tuscany, then you are probably considering booking a villa in Tuscany. Villa rentals are the most popular option for those dreaming of a Tuscan getaway and for good reason, you can experience the unique style and pleasures of a Tuscan villa and Tuscan life and enjoy the luxuries of a holiday, all while having your own space and some of the home comforts that might be missing from a stay in a hotel. Many of our Tuscan villas boast private pools, wonderful views, pretty gardens, elegant interiors, and lots of other incredible amenities and extras from maid services to cooking classes to wine tastings. Depending on what you are looking for in a vacation in Tuscany, there are different features that may be more or less important to you such as air-conditioning, proximity to a town or a particular town or city, WIFI, etc and if you browse our properties, you are sure to find the right vacation rental in Tuscany for you. However, if you are not sure where to start, then read on for our tips about what to look for and consider when booking your holiday villa in Tuscany.

1. Location, location, location.

This is the first and most obvious thing to consider. Do you want peace and quiet and to get away from it all? Or is there a particular town or city that you are interested in visiting? Do you want to be near it or inside it? Do you want to explore the wider region of Tuscany? Will you be renting a car and driving? Are you comfortable driving abroad? Do you want to have to try and navigate public transport abroad?

If you are interested in a city like Pisa or Florence or a larger town and want to stay put, you can probably get by without a car or rely on buses. However, if you want to get out into a more rural setting for a real break from reality or if you are interested in exploring Tuscany then a car is kind of unavoidable. Public transport does exist but it can be a headache for tourists and in more remote places it will be infrequent. When picking your destination, you need to keep all of this in mind because not having a driver in the group will make some locations pretty hard, if not impossible, to manage. Bigger urban destinations, however, can still be done if you don’t plan on renting a car.

You’ve finally decided to do it and plan that trip to Tuscany that you have always dreamed about but now that you’re looking into it, you’re not quite sure when is the best time to go. Will the summer be too hot for you? Will the spring not be warm enough? Is it too busy or too quiet at certain times of the year? When is it most expensive? These are all questions to keep in mind. So, if you’re wondering when is the best time to visit one of the world's most beloved travel destinations, then read on to our travel guide and travel tips and decide what time of the year sounds like it would best suit you. Then, find a luxury villa in Tuscany and count down the days until your trip to Italy!

Is Spring a good time of year to go to Tuscany?

Spring (March to May) is an excellent time of year to visit for those interested in fewer crowds, smaller queues for things, milder weather, abundant greenery, and lower prices. From March onwards, the weather gets more reliable and temperatures increase. There is some chance of snow, but not that much of a chance, and rain is to be expected some days but you can also expect up to 12 hours of sunlight by the end of the month and average maximum temperatures of 15°C. By April, the countryside is lush and filled with flowers and fruit trees in bloom. The average maximum temperature rises to 19°C, though cooler days are common and evenings are brisk with a low of around 9°C to be expected. Come May, things are getting busier and this is one of the most popular months to visit Tuscany. Temperatures can reach 24°C or more in some parts of the region, rain is uncommon, and there are over 15 hours of daylight.