Archive for 'Siena'

Located in the Province of Siena,Colle di Val d’Elsa is a pretty medieval town that is not far from the historic via Francigena and was, therefore, a pit-stop for travellers and pilgrims for centuries. Like many cities in Tuscany, it was once a centre of artistic and artisanal production but, unlike most of its neighbours, remains that way to this day. It continues to be the Italian capital of crystal and, as such, has been nicknamed the “Bohemia of Italy.” In fact, Colle di Val d’Elsa accounts for 95% of all Italian crystal glass production and 14% of the global production of crystal, which is an incredible feat.

Due to this scale and the economic importance of the craft in the town, it remains central to life for locals, with the first Sunday of each month playing host to a crystal market in town and open-air demonstrations of glass-making (from around 3pm) in the historical centre of the city on Via della Misericordia. In addition, there is also a rather special museum dedicated to the craft, the Museum of Crystal of Colle di Val d'Elsa, which puts these incredible objects on display. If you have found a holiday rental in Siena and are spending time exploring the province, set aside some time to get a little bit off the beaten tourist path and come enjoy the peace and beauty of this amazing town and its rich cultural history. You might even pick up a piece of crystal as a special and lovely souvenir of your time in this beautiful part of the world.

There are certain pictures of the lovely Tuscan countryside and landscape that get shared time and time again: the iconic winding roads and perfect rolling hills of the Val D’Orcia, Cypress Avenue in Bolgheri, and walled towns like Siena, as seen from a distance and with lush green surroundings. Amongst these “generic” images of the evocative Tuscan countryside, you are likely to spot one particular little chapel popping up time and time again, the Chapel of the Madonna di Vitaleta, or La Cappella della Madonna Vitaleta.

Located in the province of Siena, next to the village of Vitaleta, on the road between San Quirico d’Orcia and Pienza, this pretty little house of worship is one of the most photographed churches in Tuscany and is a picture-perfect gem. Framed by cypress trees either side of the single bay, white stone-clad gem, and surrounded by rolling green hills, it looks almost too idyllic for real life. But real it is, and it is also free to visit whenever you please. Just find a holiday rental in Siena and come see it for yourself.

L'Eroica is the single must-attend event for cycling enthusiasts who were thinking about planning a holiday in Tuscany. Held on the first Sunday of October each year in the province of Siena, this is an annual non-competitive cycling event based around a theme of vintage cycling. As such, participants use vintage (i.e. pre-1987) bicycles, accessories and clothing. Combining a beloved sport with a vintage theme and beautiful Tuscan landscapes, it is a unique and fascinating annual event that can be enjoyed by those who have found a vacation rental in Siena and who are making the most out of the rich gamut of different activities and attractions that this stunning part of the world has to offer.

If you have found a vacation rental in Siena and are enjoying the sights of the city but are looking to spend a day or a few hours getting lost in nature, enjoying beautiful natural surroundings, and relaxing away from the hustle and bustle of humans, then you should head to the small village of San Giovanni d'Asso. There you will find the Bosco della Ragnaia, or Ragnaia Forest, which is a rather special and unique public park.

This magical place was designed by the American architect and landscape designer Sheppard Craige and created in 1996. The park is made up of wooded paths, a natural amphitheatre formed from cypresses and hedges, plenty of little sculptures – many humorous – dotted throughout and hidden here and there, gardens, water features, and moss-covered plaques with interesting quotes and messages in several languages. It is the perfect place to get a little lost, wander, and stumble upon surprise after surprise along the way.

In the last post, we discussed the beautiful town of Asciano in the Crete Senesi, one of the most undoubtedly scenic and picturesque parts of Tuscany. If you have found a vacation rental in Tuscany and are looking for somewhere to spend a day, it is an ideal day-trip location. Or, if you want something a bit more relaxed, why not find a vacation rental in Asciano itself and spend your time surrounded by the most picture-perfect scenery imaginable. Then, if you're looking for things to see and do, why not browse our list of five excellent things to do in Asciano, continued from the last post...

2. Visit her Museums

Speaking of the fine exterior of the Civic Archaeological and Sacred Art Museum is attractive, the collections held inside are also appealing. It houses archeological finds dating from antiquity and art dating from the thirteenth to the eighteenth centuries. Everything inside is from the surrounding area but the sacred art section is particularly noteworthy quality, boasting a wooden crucifix by Giovanni Pisano, the Triptych of Rofeno by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, and the great masterpiece that is the Nativity of the Virgin Mary by the “Maestro dell’Osservanza”, among others. In addition to this, there is the Cassioli Museum, which was established in 1991 with an extraordinary bequest of artworks by the family of artist Amos Cassioli. It is the only museum in the province of Siena that is dedicated entirely to Sienese paintings from the fourteenth century and also boasts excellent graphics and sculpture sections.