Archive for 'Florence'

Look, it's not like there is any shortage of beautiful towns in Tuscany. The region is famously picturesque and it is not just because of the naturally verdant and lovely landscape, it is also largely because of the charming, historic, and well-preserved towns that are dotted throughout Tuscany. Of course, when one thinks of Tuscany, the likes of Florence, Siena, Pisa, and Lucca all come to mind first but, for many, a visit to the region is all about getting off the beaten path and stumbling upon lesser-known little towns and villages that have lots to offer in their own right; rich histories, incredible little museums with collections of wonderful local artworks or specialised collections of fascinating objects, Mom and Pop eateries where you can eat like a king for a steal, family-run wineries making the best wine and olive oil that you've ever tasted, shops selling authentic locally-made goods and traditional crafts, astounding churches, palaces, and architectural gems, amazing views over the region, and much more besides.

One such town, which is often described as potentially the prettiest town in all of Tuscany, is Montaione. Browse our vacation rentals in Montaione if you're looking to avoid tourist crowds and enjoy a peaceful and authentic getaway in Tuscany or, if you just want to visit this gorgeous gem of a town for the day but stay somewhere with a bit more to offer, then browse our luxury villas in Florence, which is just a stone's throw away.

While the Mercato Centrale is Florence's biggest and most famous market, the Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio is a close second in both scale and reputation and is actually preferred by many locals. Local chefs, foodies, food writers, and savvy shoppers, in particular, favour the Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio and if you have found a luxury villa in Florence or a luxury villa in Tuscany and are planning on spending time in the city then it is definitely an excellent place to shop, wander, people-watch, and soak up the unique atmosphere of Florence.

Those who have found a luxury villa in Florence will have no shortage of museums, famous works of art, architectural gems, incredible palaces, stunning churches, historic attractions, and more to visit and, while these are all truly fascinating must-sees, we also recommend delving into the beautiful outdoor spaces that also exist in Florence. We have often mentioned the famous gardens of Florence, many of which are holdovers from the time in which nobles with incredible townhouses featuring extravagant grounds filled with flowers, statues, grottoes, fountains, and more ruled over the city and great swathes of Tuscany but there are also some parks that were specifically created as urban spaces for residents and visitors to relax and enjoy the outdoors. One particularly lovely example of this latter type of garden in Florence is the Giardino delle Rose, or Rose Garden.

Located in the Oltrarno district of Florence, just below the Piazzale Michelangelo, the position of the Giardino delle Rose means that it boasts a rather impressive and lovely panorama over the city. Created in 1865 by the Florentine architect Giuseppe Poggi (who had also designed the Piazzale above), in the year that the capital of Italy had been moved from Turin to Florence, as part of a commission by the municipality of Florence to develop the left bank of the Arno River, the garden was designed as an attractive outdoor space that would befit the new capital city. About 1 hectare in size, the space was once part of the Podere San Francesco (San Francesco farm), which was the property of the order of the Oratorian Fathers. It was then redesigned and transformed into a terraced garden by Attilio Pucci and it was under his guidance that a rose collection was first planted and established.

Italy is famous for her food and for her food festivals. No matter where you go in the country or when you visit, you're bound to stumble upon a food festival if you look around for a bit. These festivals can celebrate specific local produce, local dishes, harvests, feasts, saint's days, other holidays, historic events, and more. And whether any sort of festival or event is specifically about food or not, food is always central to Italian celebrations! If you're looking for excellent, authentic, inexpensive dining experience while you holiday in Tuscany, these are the places to go!

If the English-speaking world has Shakespeare then the Italian-speaking world has Dante Alighieri, a name familiar to many worldwide in connection to his most famous work, his so-called, “Divine Comedy,” as it is referred to in English. One of the defining works of literature throughout history, this incredibly important and influential piece is a beloved tome around the globe and many Dante-lovers hope to one day visit Tuscany and see many of the things and places that he described in his great tale of an epic journey through the afterlife. If you have found a luxury villa in Florence and you are an admirer of Dante's then there is one attraction that is, without a doubt, an absolute must-see: the Museum of the House of Dante Alighieri.

The Museum of the House of Dante Alighieri, or the House of Dante, is a medieval building located in one of the oldest parts of the historic core of the city on the street of Santa Margherita. This building, while not actually the house in which he was born, is located in the area between the Church of Saint Martino and the Piazza dei Donati that documents note was where the Alighieri family lived at the time, in the 13th century, and, though it had to be restored from a somewhat dilapidated state at the beginning of the 20th century when the museum was first planned, it largely maintains its appearance from Dante's lifetime. It was, therefore, decided upon as the best place to house a museum dedicated to the Father of the Italian Language, and is now one of the most important literary museums in the city.