Casa Donatello

If you’ve read our interesting articles about the great work of a non-profit Italian Trust called the Fondo Ambiente Italiano (FAI) and a remarkable incentive they run every two years called ‘I Luoghi del Cuore’ then you’re likely to have read its impressive top ten Tuscan hotspot list of 2012.

Why not treat yourself to a beautiful stay at a vacation villa in Scandicci where you can visit one of these attractions with ease?

Here are the four beautiful sacred sites that made it into this list, given to you in greater detail.

1) Tempio della Congregazione Olandese Alemanna in Livorno – This stunning monument made it into the overall top ten “I Luoghi del Cuore” 2012 short-list, coming in at ninth place. It’s a stunning and rare example of Neo-Gothic architecture in Livorno with its stunning exterior façade. Sadly the interior is in dire need of repair and restoration.

There are some museums that are perhaps too niche for some but absolutely fascinating to others. A great example of this is the Museum of Straw and Straw Weaving (Museo della Paglia e dell’Intreccio) in Signa, which celebrates the long tradition of hat-making in Tuscany and in Signa, in particular. For some, that may seem a little too specific and not particularly interesting but serious fashion-lovers who are interested in the incredible history of clothes-making and of trend-setting and style and the vibrant heritage of crafts that are still very much alive in Tuscany, it is sure to be of interest. If you have found a luxury villa in Florence but you're looking for a great day-trip destination then a visit to the pretty town of Signa is a wonderful idea and if you're one of those fashion-obsessed visitors to Florence, the town's history of hat-making and the museum that is dedicated to this heritage is a must-see while there!

The Domenico Michelacci Museum of Straw and Straw Weaving in Signa is located in the municipal building in town that also houses the municipal library and the historical archive. Signa, of course, is the perfect setting for such a museum as this old artisanal tradition dates back centuries upon centuries in the town. In fact, by the 16th century, the weaving of straw had become so refined and perfected in Tuscany that the Grand Duke Cosimo I is known to have sent examples of locally-made hats as gifts to sovereigns of kingdoms all over Europe. By the beginning of the 18th century, the woven goods and hats of Signa had become so sought after that local farmers began producing wheat that was exclusively grown to create straw for hat-making and not for consumption. As a result, Florence and the surrounding area, including Signa, became the biggest producer of quality straw hats in all of western Europe.

Continuing on from the first part of our ‘Top ten natural attractions of Tuscany’ topic, here are the rest of the gems of the region that would make for some excellent day trips! Stay in a luxury villa in Tuscany to help make this a perfect cultural getaway.

6) Caves of Tuscany – There are so many to choose from, which you can see for yourself by reading our collection of articles on ‘Underground Tuscany’, detailing the numerous cave systems and mines below the earth here. For those wishing to stay mostly above ground, why not head to the famous marble caves of Carrara. This is where the Master sculptor, Michelangelo went to seek the marble needed for his masterpiece ‘David’. Or climb up to explore the fascinating Windy Cave of the Apuan Alps.

The beautiful city of Florence is the birth place of renaissance, and is often referred to as the Athens of the Middle Ages. This capital of the Tuscany region of Italy attracts millions of tourists each year, and was ranked as the world’s 72^nd most visited place in the year 2009. The city is also known as the fashion capital of Italy. Apart from the beautiful locales, grand history and friendly people, the city of Florence is also famous for the Firenze Gelato festival each year.

The Firenze Gelato festival will be held from May 23^rd to May 27^th, 2012 as part of the Florence International Handicrafts Trade Fair. The visitors can experience the process of ice cream making, and taste amazing craft gelato, made with authentic Italian ingredients.

You can also try fantastic cocktails with gelato. Bartenders can provide alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions of the drinks to provide a refreshing and delightful break to people of all ages. Ice cream lovers can taste and buy hundreds of varieties of 100 percent Italian products.

While there is no concrete evidence to prove it, most historians believe that the ice cream originated in Florence during the Renaissance period. Ruggeri, an amateur cook and poultry seller, won the food competition organized by the Lords of Florence in the early sixteenth century. The fame and taste of the recipe spread across the Tuscany area, and the modern ice cream desserts were born. Painter and sculptor Bernardo Buontalenti surprised his guests at the inaugural banquet of the Fortress of Belvedere with his own ice cream recipe in1559.