Archive for 'Florence'

Ghosts may not be the first thing that one associates with Tuscany but if you have been considering an October getaway in Tuscany then you will discover that, naturally, a part of the world with such a rich and complex history is full of tales of spooky encounters and terrible tragedies. History is very much alive (and undead) in Tuscany, with lots of places looking as though they have been left almost entirely untouched by the passage of time for centuries. These time capsules, these preserved historic city centres, ancient palaces, creepy yet lovely castles, and other remnants of times past make for the most atmospheric of surroundings and the most likely candidates for frightening and supernatural experiences. So, if you have always wanted to enjoy the delights, culinary treats, pretty scenery, incredible museums and tourist attractions of the region and much more besides and you are also fond of Hallowe’en adventures and creepy stories, then get browsing our Tuscany villas today! The ghosts of Tuscany’s intriguing past are just waiting to welcome you to this extraordinary part of the country.

But who exactly is it that awaits you? Well, we have compiled a handy list of some of Tuscany’s most haunted spots and famous spooky tales to act as a creepy backdrop to your vacation in Tuscany. These are the ghosts, haunted castles, witches, and devils to seek out as you explore the region...

Tuscany is lovely in fall when the lush landscape is made even more beautiful by the transformation of trees as their leaves turn red and gold and rust hues all across those famous rolling hills, the excitement of truffle hunting, the hustle and bustle of food and wine festivals filling medieval city centres all across the region, the cosiness of little houses with smoke-topped chimneys dotted about the place, and the appearance of chic locals beginning to wrap up in woolly layers against the cooling weather. However, much as the entire region has many charms worth discovering that are particular to the season, fall is an especially excellent time to plan a city break in Tuscany. The summer crowds will have begun to disperse, leaving the most famous attractions and sights with far smaller queues and freeing up time to see more, and things will be much calmer and more relaxed, in general. Plus, the cooler weather is more suited to darting all over the place if you’re the type that wants to see it all! So, if you have always wanted to come and see Florence, Lucca, or Cortona – all charming and stunning cities steeped in history and culture – then it is a perfect time to book a Tuscany villa and a city break in Tuscany! Just check out this selection of some of our newest listings in these destinations, all centrally located right at the heart of all the action in each town, and book today to make the fall getaway in Tuscany of your dreams a reality...

If you are both a fashion-lover and a fan of Tuscany villas then there is no doubt that a luxury villa in Florence is a perfect fit. While enjoying all the city has to offer, you can also spend time exploring the fashion museums of both famous brands like Gucci and Ferragamo and state-run historic costume collections like those at the Museum of Costume and Fashion in the Palazzo Pitti to learn more about the history of Italian design. You can see the business of fashion and traditions of craftsmanship that are on display at artisan’s ateliers. You can simply sit out with a cup of coffee in a piazza and do a bit of people-watching to soak up the local street style. Or you can even head to boutiques, famous shopping streets, local markets, and the flagship stores of some of the most famous brands in the world to find some incredible items of clothing and bring a little bit of that famous Italian style home with you after your vacation in Florence.

However, being based in the city of Florence means that you also have ready access to other towns, cities, and fashion-related attractions if you want to venture further afield and seek out some less obvious or well-known sartorial stars. Among these, the Museo del Tessuto, or Prato Textile Museum.

Located in the charming and nearby town of Prato, this excellent museum is one that we have mentioned before and is known to be one of the best fashion and textile history museums in the country. Currently, it is also playing host to an amazing exhibition that runs into April of next year entitled, “Two Centuries of Textile and Fashion Design,” that will be fascinating to any serious fashion fans or lovers of period costume. 

Truffles have had a long reputation in the culinary world as a beloved product that can immediately elevate even the most basic of dishes. For many years, people all over the world have been seeking them out and paying incredible amounts of money for the highest-quality examples. However, the world of truffle tourism has grown massively in recent years as travelling foodies have sought out new culinary experiences and planned holidays entirely centred around eating well. As Tuscany's truffles are known to be some of the best and most valuable in the entire world, those foodies who want to experience delicious truffles, truffle dishes, and truffle products should browse our Tuscany villas and spend their next vacation well by sampling some truly incredible and delicious things while they relax and unwind. Given that fall is a perfect time of year to get excellent truffles and when most of the region’s truffle festivals take place, it is the perfect time to secure that vacation rental in Tuscany today. Plan a trip in the next couple of months and be sure to seek out Tuscany's brilliant truffle festivals for the best experience of this wonderful foodie favourite!

Have you been looking at our Tuscany villas and considering a vacation in Florence? Well, if that is the case and you’re looking to dip into the city’s chic side then you should definitely plan a visit to the Luisa Via Roma store. Many fashion-lovers are already familiar with the brand as one of the best designer shopping experiences online – a place where you can pick up incredible pieces from the likes of Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Max Mara, Prada, Gucci, and much more besides – but the in-person shopping experience offered by their Florence store is a must for any style obsessives who are thinking about booking a luxury villa in Florence. To be added to any serious fashionista or fashionisto’s itinerary of the city, along with a visit to the Ferragamo Museum, the Gucci Garden, the artisanal leather stores of the city, and more, the Luisa Via Roma store is located in the heart of Florence, on Via Roma, in between the Baptistery and the Piazza della Repubblica, and boasts three floors of gorgeous goods as well as an excellent restaurant.