Archive for 'Must See Attractions'

Chianti is at its most breath-taking in September, as the vines grow heavy with grapes and the leaves turn to golden and russet hues. The rolling green hills and lush valleys are always a sight to behold, a distinctly lovely wonder that has made the landscape of Tuscany famous, and when the endless vineyards of the region are ready to be harvested this beauty is only more impressive and striking still. So, if you are a wine-lover who has always wanted to head out on adventures, sampling the incredible wines of Tuscany and exploring her gorgeous landscape and pretty towns, then we think you should book a escape in Chianti this September!

Picture this: you have been enjoying a stay in one of our luxury villas in Florence, you have spent the day exploring the city, you have worked up an appetite and a thirst, it’s lunchtime, and you want to enjoy some seriously chic bites and a truly excellent glass (or maybe even a bottle, especially if you’re splitting it with a group of similarly-minded travel companions) of wine. Well, then we have a perfect prescription for you to make your day even more enjoyable: a visit to Procacci 1885, one of the oldest and most glamorous wine bars in the birthplace of the Renaissance. 

Lonely Planet has long been a key name in the travel industry when it comes to guides to specific destinations and in highlighting places you should think about visiting. Starting as guidebooks and now a mainstay of internet research ahead of a trip or as a spot for some serious travel inspo, 2024 marks 50 years of the brand.

In this special year, they have highlighted 50 amazing destinations to celebrate 50 years in their annual Best in Travel awards. While it certainly is not news to us, one of the best regions that they have decided to feature is Tuscany! A villa in Tuscany is always a good idea but in order to reiterate our own opinion on the matter, here’s what Lonely Planet had to say and why they decided to choose Tuscany among the regions of the world as one of the best to visit...

The grand cathedrals of Tuscany’s cities are generally an extraordinary collection of buildings, often with ancient origins, additions throughout various periods and architectural styles, contributions by named and famous architects, gilded interiors full of stunning objects, and artworks by the likes of Michelangelo, Giotto, and more. Those, therefore, who find a villa in Tuscany and visit any given town or city should always make time to pop into the local cathedral but, in particular, if you book a vacation rental in Siena, we really recommend a visit. This absolutely gorgeous church has lots of remarkable details touched by famous and beyond talented hands. Here are just five of its highlights that make it a must-see for those on holiday in Siena.

If you book a villa in Tuscany and decide on one destination – a vacation rental on the Tuscan Coast, for example, or a holiday rental in Florence – but you also want to see the famous city of Pisa on a day trip, then that is pretty easily arranged. Tuscany is a diverse, fascinating, and large enough region but not so big that day trips between different cities or areas is overly challenging. What can be more difficult, however, is if you want to see as much of the region as is possible and you only have a day to spend in any one destination. In this case, what do you prioritise? Well, we’re here to help with our handy guide of what to do if you only have a day (12 hours) in Pisa!