Archive for 'April'

  

Thursday, January 17, 2019
Daisies
The lovely medieval city of Lucca is full of surprises and intriguing little gems around every corner. One of the most fascinating, if somewhat macabre, things that you could stumble across is the mummified remains of Saint Zita, the city's patron saint. Famously kind and beloved, she spent her life working diligently as a maid for a noble family, attending church on a daily basis, and tending to the sick and poor in her free time.

Despite having died in the 13th century, when her body was exhumed in the 16th century, it was found to be uncorrupted and was eventually put on display in a richly ornamented glass coffin in the Basilica di San Ferdiano. Canonised in the 1690s, a cult of worship built up around the kindly saint, who remains especially beloved in the hearts of locals to this day.     Read More
Posted in: April, Events, Localities, Lucca

  

Tuesday, December 5, 2017
Florence Iris Garden
Florence is full of things to see and do and, among them, there are a number of gardens and parks that are especially beautiful and worth exploring. One that we haven't mentioned before is the Giardino dell'Iris, or Iris Garden, a botanical garden that, unsurprisingly, specialises in the cultivation of iris flowers. Just find a vacation rental in Florence and come explore this lovely Tuscan garden for yourself, as a nice moment of quiet and calm amongst all the darting around busy tourist attractions.

The iris has been a symbol of Florence since 1251 and this garden, near the Piazzale Michelangelo, celebrates the city's bloom rather magically.     Read More
Posted in: April, Events, Florence, Localities, May, Must See Attractions, Parks & Gardens, Tourist Attractions

  

Thursday, April 28, 2016
Palatine Chapel
There is never a lack of exhibitions happening at any given moment in time in Florence. However, some are a little more special than others whether the pieces are on loan from all over the world, have never been seen together, gain new meaning in an entirely new setting or have rarely been seen before. It is the latter reason that makes an exhibition currently running in the Pitti Palace so special.

“Rigour and Grace” sees pieces that are rarely on display being opened to the public in their home in the Palatine Chapel which is, likewise, rarely seen. For the next few months, this beautiful and exclusive space is being opened for visits. If you have found your luxury villa in Florence and are planning on visiting before May 17th, be sure to drop by the chapel.     Read More
Posted in: April, Events, Florence, Localities, May, Museums & Galleries, Tourist Attractions

  

Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Market Square, Greve in Chianti
One of the things that define holidays for most people, along with having a bit of a lie-in in the mornings, tasting the local cuisine and seeing the sights, is doing some shopping and picking up souvenirs to remind you of your trip and to bring back as gifts for those who didn't go with you. Of course, it's always nice when there are bigger and better versions of the shops you like or impressive urban shopping districts but it's preferable to purchase things that you can't get anywhere else; crafts, locally-produced goods and other one-off items. This is one of the many things that makes the town of Greve in Chianti so desirable around Easter.     Read More
Posted in: Activities, April, Events, March, Shopping

  

Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Cobbled street in Bibbona
Bibbona is a stunning town in the Livorno province of Tuscany tucked into the picturesque Val di Cecina. This popular seaside resort has four kilometres of white sandy beaches overlooking the pristine Tuscan coast.

Book into a beautiful villa in Mannaione, only a few kilometres from Bibbona where you can enjoy the many sights and attractions in this coastal part of Tuscany.

Tourists with a passion for nature would thoroughly enjoy a few days in Bibbona as right beside the town is a scenic network of forests and hilly walkways to explore. The stone paved historic town centre of Bibbona is beautifully preserved.     Read More
Posted in: April, Events, Localities, Small Towns