Archive for 'Central Italy'

Those who have found a vacation rental in Volterra or a vacation rental in Pisa and who are using their rentals as a base from which to explore the wider region of Tuscany should definitely note that both locations are around thirty minutes from a Tuscan town that we doubt you have ever heard of before but that many, no doubt, would like to visit! This is the town of Lajatico.

Not only is Lajatico a beautiful medieval Tuscan village but it also gave rise to one of Tuscany's most beloved and famous sons in recent decades: Andrea Bocelli. As the birthplace of the famous Italian opera singer it will certainly be a place of interest to super-fans but, also, once a year in July, it becomes a major pilgrimage spot for music-lovers from all over the globe when it holds an extraordinary annual concert.

Italy is not a famous beer-producing country, unlike many of its neighbouring European counterparts further north. If you are planning a holiday in Tuscany, you are likely to be thinking of evenings spent sipping wine on a terrace, meals accompanied by excellent vintages and wonderful local wines, and day-trips to some of the region's incredible wineries and vineyards both small and intimate and massive and famous (read about some of our favourite Tuscan vineyards here). However, despite this long history of wine production and this reputation for being excellent producers of wine over beer, a craft brewing scene has developed in Tuscany in recent years, as it has in many far flung places the world over. If you're planning a trip to Tuscany and like wine well enough but can't quite give up your beer (and who can blame you; does anything hit the spot quite like a cold brew when you're on holidays?), then never fear! Read on to our guide to some of the must-see and must-sip craft beer spots that can be found in Tuscany.

Today, in fact, there are over 100 craft breweries in Tuscany alone! Despite the restrictions and intense specifications that are enforced in the production of craft beers in Italy, the industry has flourished in the region. The oldest example of one such establishment dates back to 2006...

Off the coast of Tuscany you will find some incredibly beautiful islands that can feel like a whole different world unto themselves, a little slice of what seems not unlike paradise on earth. Among the cluster of islands that hug Tuscany's coastline, the most famous is, undoubtedly, is Elba Island, the place to which Napoleon was infamously exiled. The second biggest island of the group, Giglio Island, is also well-known, particularly among those who have spent time in Tuscany and on the Tuscan Coast. However, the next largest island of the bunch, Capraia Island, is much less well-known, which is truly a crying shame as it, too, is a rather extraordinary beauty with lots and lots to offer the discerning tourist who finds themselves exploring the region.

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.