Archive for 'Siena'

The Palazzo delle Papesse is a beautiful historic palace and architectural gem located in the centre of Siena that has a rich and fascinating history and is currently playing host to an equally fascinating exhibition that brings together the art of famous surrealist Salvador Dalí and the thoughts, theories, and discoveries of some of the ground-breaking and world-leading scientists who intrigued him, including Galileo, who once lived for a time in the building after his abjuration. A lesser-known but truly incredible tourist attraction in the historic core of this beautiful city, it is a must-see for those who browse our Tuscany villas and then find a vacation rental in Siena.

The benefit of exploring churches throughout the region if you have found a Tuscany villa, no matter your religious affiliation or lack thereof, is that an incredible number of them house spectacular artworks by some of the most famous artists from the region throughout history. This is true of both tiny little churches that might not seem like anything from the outside and, more often of course, of the various town cathedrals throughout Tuscany. If you find a villa with pool in Siena, for example, and are spending time discovering all that beautiful and historic city has to offer, then you will likely see the ornate Gothic façade, rising tower, and central dome of the Duomo (or cathedral) from various points around the city. This might give you pause to consider the building and we highly recommend going one step further and actually planning a visit to this gem while staying in your villa in Siena. With a richly ornamented exterior and a stunning interior that boasts artworks by the likes of Pisano, Donatello, and Michelangelo, it is a wonderful reflection of the artistic heritage of Tuscany and is full of gorgeous objects and pieces of art to admire...

One of the best things about a vacation in Tuscany and a Tuscany villa is that the pace of life is ideal for those looking to slow down, relax, and properly recuperate on their getaway. Of course, many cities are busy hubs and, in particular, tourist hotspots can be full of crowds piling off tour buses, queues, and hustle and bustle but if you don’t want to deal with any of that stuff then it is easy enough to do so. All one needs to do is spend their time enjoying the scenic rural areas and natural gems, visiting fascinating but lesser-known tourist attractions, and exploring the endless array of sleepy and utterly picturesque little towns throughout Tuscany. Skip the busy spots entirely, keep your eyes open, and you never know what kind of incredible gems you might discover! From family-run restaurants serving delicious local delights, to stunning churches in little villages that boast works by famous artists, to views so perfectly scenic it is hard to believe they are real and beyond, there is so much to uncover and at your own pace, without the chaos that sometimes can accompany a vacation.

But, most importantly, before anything else, you need to find the perfect base from which to explore and enjoy Tuscany’s quieter, more peaceful charms. While there are plenty of options for different areas to take in the beauty and relaxation of Tuscany, we highly recommend browsing our villas with pools in Siena, in particular. Our villas in this part of the region often take in stunning and classic Tuscan scenes, are close to all sorts of different attractions, are spacious and pretty, and are regularly located in peaceful and remote spots, far from the stresses and concerns of daily life.