Archive for 'Travel Tips'

Those who book a vacation rental in Florence will quickly discover that it is an excellent destination for those who like to get around on their own steam! The centre is smaller than one might imagine, given its incredible cultural importance and weight, with many of the most famous attractions located within close proximity of each other. In fact, right in the heart of the historic core of the city, you will discover that Florence is a patchwork of pretty piazze, ringed by architectural gems, shops, bars, eateries, and sights. So, as you move from one thing to another on your itinerary, you’ll have plenty to feast your eyes on along the way and ample opportunity to stop for a bite, a glass of famous Tuscan wine, a coffee, a gelato, or any other delights you might need to fuel your voyage. 

Autumn and winter are when the majority of our guests decide to book their villa in Tuscany for the next summer so we are currently smack in the middle of the booking season – it’s the perfect time to snap up your ideal dates and vacation rental before someone else beats you to it!

A few weeks ago, the summer 2026 calendars for our properties went live, allowing guests to plan ahead and to secure their stay now, while the most choice is still available. These calendars are gradually filling up but are still pretty wide open for many properties… though they won’t stay that way for too long!

One of the things that our customers and any visitors to Tuscany can often find surprising is that those romantically winding roads through the region can present more challenging driving conditions than sometimes expected. While we usually recommend renting a car if you are booking a villa in Tuscany in order to make the most of your time in the region, this does come with the big caveat that there are some key things to keep in mind before going ahead...

The Domenica al Museo initiative has meant that many different museums, galleries, and public institutions all around Italy have offered free entry to members of the public on the first Sunday of each month since April 2022. Every single museum doesn’t necessarily participate but it is likely that the museums that you most want to visit will be included in the list as state museums, monuments, galleries, and archaeological sites are covered. So, for those booking a villa in Tuscany, this might be a good time to tick some cultural sites off of your bucket list… for free!

The Palazzo Pitti is a large and lush Renaissance palace in Florence that acts as a major cultural hub in the city as it is home to several difference museums. This includes the Palatine Gallery, the Gallery of Modern Art, the Treasury of the Grand Dukes (formerly the Silver Museum), a Porcelain Museum, and, most interestingly for fashion-lovers, the Costume Gallery. Filled with the most extraordinary gowns, court clothes, luxury garments from famous designers, and more from periods throughout history, this incredible museum allows you to walk through the timeline of western fashion. Now, for those who book a luxury villa in Florence and come to dive into her rich fashion heritage, there are nine newly inaugurated rooms, many showcasing never before seen garments, open to the public. So, if you love fashion, it’s the ideal time to plan that trip to Florence!