Archive for 'Big Cities'

  

Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Datini statue in Prato
Built on the foothills of Monte Retaia in Tuscany is the tourist city of Prato! The River Bisenzio, a tributary of the great River Arno, meanders through Prato and helps create a pleasant scene for visitors. Prato has been inhabited since Palaeolithic times and is believed to have been colonised by the Etruscans. It is now Tuscany’s second largest city after Florence and is home to the second largest Chinese population in Italy after Milan.

Check out some stunning Carmignano luxury villas, only twelve kilometres from Prato if you wish to stay in this area for a few days.

Textile manufacture made up quite a lot of Prato’s economy as can be seen from the informative textile museum here. Also of interest to history lovers is the Datini Archives on display here. This is a collection of books and manuscripts that belonged to a merchant called Francesco di Marco Datini.     Read More
Posted in: Big Cities, Castles & Palaces, Food and Wine, Localities, Museums & Galleries, Slow Food, Tourist Attractions

  

Tuesday, April 29, 2014
arezzo main square
Arezzo is a splendid town south-east of Florence that has lots of incredible attractions to offer tourists! Arezzo is thought to have been one of the twelve most powerful Etruscan cities in Italy during the reign of this influential civilisation. There are lots of magnificent remains in and around Arezzo just waiting to be explored by you!

Visit the Etruscan necropolis on the nearby ‘Poggio del Sole’, which means ‘hill of the sun’ where two infamous bronze artefacts called the ‘Chimera’ and the ‘Minerva’ were uncovered in the 16th century and transported to Florence to be proudly displayed.

There are plenty of Arezzo vacation villa rentals for tourists to choose from for their stay in this scenic part of Tuscany.     Read More
Posted in: Big Cities, Localities

  

Friday, April 4, 2014
The exploding cart outside florence's cathedral
Easter is a big calendar event in Tuscany so why not do something different and celebrate it over here with us! There are lots of events and venues for you to choose from on your arrival and you can be sure that the weather will be warm for your holiday. Choose from an extensive range of gorgeous Tuscany holiday villas across the region where you will be close to the Easter festivities!

In Bibbona town, witness the exciting Palio delle Botti which takes place during the Easter celebrations where neighbouring towns come together to race wine barrels down a hill!

Or visit the artistic city of Florence where many superb events take place, including the ‘Exploding Cart’ which is hosted outside the Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore during the 11am mass. A fantastic fireworks display lasts for twenty minutes as the bells ring and people celebrate the new calendar year of the Catholic Church.     Read More
Posted in: April, Big Cities, Events, Florence, Localities

  

Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Palazzo dei Vescovi
With a refinement, elegancy, and beauty that dates back to the golden age of Italy, visiting Pistoia allows you to see a well-preserved view into the past in its walled old town. Located just 25km northwest of Florence in Tuscany, visiting Pistoia is a great day trip for anyone renting a villa in northern Tuscany.

It has many interesting facets to explore, including a variety of cloisters, churches, art museums, and palaces from many different eras.     Read More
Posted in: Big Cities, Day Trips, Localities