Archive for 'Tourist Attractions'

A little known fact about Tuscany is probably that there is a multitude of freely accessible natural hot springs. Of course, there are spas and thermal baths all over the world and the Romans were well-known for their love of public bath facilities but when one thinks of such places today, Iceland and Japan come to mind, not Tuscany. Yet, there are plenty of towns in Italy that still run highly popular outdoor baths fed by natural hot springs. One such town is Bagni San Filippo in the Orcia Valley near San Quirico d'Orcia and Pienza. Here you can venture into the wilds of the forest to enjoy the hot springs, or take a more luxurious approach at a nearby hotel. Find a luxury villa in the Orcia Valley and you can unwind in a hot spring in Bagni San Filippo.

Ridley Scott’s Academy-Award winning, "Gladiator" is one of the most iconic films to come out in the past twenty years. Though set in Rome, the movie was filmed in England, Morocco and Malta with reconstructions of Ancient Roman cities and sights made specially for the production. However, two of the key scenes from the film were actually filmed in the Orcia Valley in Tuscany. This beautiful and serene landscape which has inspired poets and artists alike for thousands of years was the perfect setting for idyllic scenes that contrasted the chaos and violence of the gladiatorial battles of the film.

One of the things that Tuscany is most well known for is its distinctive and stunning landscape which appeared prominently in the works of Renaissance masters such as Leonardo da Vinci. It might seem unusual but unsurprising, then, that Tuscany has its own Landscape Museum. Located in the city of Castelnuovo Berardenga, in the southern area of Chianti Classico near Siena, the Landscape Museum records, illustrates and celebrates the beautiful landscape of Tuscany. Find yourself a villa with pool in Castelnuovo Berardenga and you can explore this historic city and its unique landscape museum!

Once you've found a luxury villa in Lucca and are headed there on a holiday, it might be tempting to stay within the Baroque walls of the beautiful city, especially as there is so much to see, despite its relatively small size. However, venturing beyond these walls is well worth it – not only for the stunning Tuscan landscape which surrounds but also for the villas on the outskirts of Lucca. These buildings were originally largely the summer homes of influential merchants. With frescoed interiors, sumptuous architectural detail and stunning gardens with waterworks ahead of their time, these villas are a treat to the senses, pleasant ventures into the past and historical and artistic gems. One particularly beautiful example is Villa Torrigiani.

Tuscany means culture, art and history, right? Any tourists would feel (and be remiss) if they didn't take in some of the world's greatest landmarks while in the area. However, sometimes, visiting museum after museum, castle after castle or cultural centre after cultural centre can become tiring. This is especially true, both physically and mentally, if you have kids with you on the holiday. The poor things will be exhausted from trying to be respectful and behave themselves! So, now it's time to let your hair down and relax and reward the little ones with some fun. Cavallino Matto, near Livorno, is Tuscany’s biggest amusement park and just what the doctor ordered. Find a holiday rental in Livorno and pencil this into your Tuscan itinerary.