Archive for 'Must See Attractions'

The medieval beauty of a town that is San Gimignano already has endless charms and good looks to impress any visitors who find a villa in San Gimignano and come explore the place but did you know that it also boasts the best gelato in the world?

Gelateria Dondoli, located right in the middle of the historic core of San Gimingnano, has won multiple gelato World Championships throughout the years and has become very famous as one of Tuscany’s prime destinations for foodies and ice-cream fans, in particular. When you approach, you’ll likely be greeted with a long queue as this is very much not a hidden gem but the shop is usually very well-staffed and lines tend to move pretty quickly so don’t worry. And it will, of course, be worth the wait!

Upon seeing the beyond famous artwork with their own eyes for the first time, many are so focused on the famous Mona Lisa’s mysterious smile that they do not really take the time to pay attention to the rest of the painting. In particular, few actually get the chance to properly admire the beautiful backdrop of the Tuscan landscape behind her, especially as jostling to get a view in the Louvre can be tricky. However, if you want to go admire that landscape in person yourself without the crowds all around, then you just need to book a villa in Tuscany and head to Val Di Chiana.

Once you get to this part of the region, not far from Arezzo, you will find the Romanesque Ponte Buriano bridge in the Penna Nature Reserve in Civitella in Val di Chiana. While not immediately striking to some, this is the very bridge that can be seen over the shoulder of the iconic figure. 

The long stretch of the Tuscan Coast boasts a wide array of pretty beaches – from little strands all around the various islands along the coastline, to the seafronts of charming seaside towns, to the longer stretches, to the famous favourites, to the dog-friendly options, to the hidden gems – and those who find a villa on the Tuscan Coast will have plenty to choose from.

In particular, if you’re thinking about planning a day-trip to the beach and you like to have choices, then we highly recommend taking a boat to the famous island of Elba and heading to the main port town of Portoferraio. 

We have a wide range of truly remarkable luxury villas in Tuscany to choose from and these incredible properties all offer the most relaxing, plush, and elegant vacation experiences. Once you’re luxuriating in one of these amazing Tuscany villas, you definitely need an appropriately chic Italian outfit to go with the experience and if you don’t have any on hand to pack and bring with you on your trip, then never fear as there are plenty of great places to shop some of the country’s most beloved and stylish designer brands. Better yet, there are some places to get these pieces at amazing discounts! There are plenty of designer outlets all across Italy and the area around Florence, in particular, has a few to visit. So, browse our luxury villas in Florence and then come snag a seriously stylish bargain...

Florence is an amazing city full of wonderful things to see and do from visiting museums to shopping in historic stores and designer flagships, from enjoying coffee in famous cafes to dining in authentic family-run eateries, and from sipping glasses of wine while enjoying the view from rooftop bars to going on guided tours of the city. All of these things, however, start to add up pretty quickly. If you have booked one of our villas in Florence and you’re looking for a way to stretch your budget so you can really splash out on the things you really care most about (whether this is chic Italian clothes to be brought home, fine-dining, good wine, or anything else), why not add some free attractions and things to see and do to your itinerary? Here is our round-up of the best things to do for free on a holiday in Florence: