Archive for 'Tourist Attractions'

Those who have found a luxury villa in Florence and who are exploring the city and all that she has to offer will find themselves with no shortage of things to see and do. Like so many of the world's capitals of art and culture, those who seek out Florence will quickly find that one would need endless lifetimes, resources, and free time to see even a fraction of the innumerable beauties, attractions, works of art, views, and more that can be found in the city. Therefore, it is inevitable that there are choices to be made and itineraries to be carefully considered and planned. There are also highlights that most find themselves choosing to visit such as the Uffizi, the Duomo, the Bargello, the Boboli Gardens, and more. However, one of the other highlights that we personally recommend is a visit to the Forte di Belvedere, named for the truly beautiful sweeping view (“Belvedere,” means, “beautiful view”) that it affords over all that Florence has to offer. And, hey, if it was good enough for the wedding of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian (no matter what your opinion on either party may be), you know it's got to be something rather special, indeed. So, should you be planning a trip to Florence and Tuscany, be sure to set aside time for a visit to this fascinating building and to take in those famous views it boasts over the city.

Lots of kids are interested in animals and lots of adults have fond memories of childhood visits to zoos so, whether you are travelling in Tuscany as a family with children among your number and are looking for something that they'll definitely enjoy doing or you simply want to know where you can go to see animals in Tuscany, then we recommend a day trip to the Zoological Gardens of Pistoia, or Pistoia Zoo.

This rather special 7-hectare zoo in Pistoia is home to more than 400 animal species and is especially dedicated to conservation and education. Created in 1970 thanks to Raffaello Galardini, Pistoia Zoo was established in a wooded area in the beautiful hills around the city of Pistoia and inaugurated on the 19th of April. There are around 600 animals living in the zoo and, among them, there are about 65 species of mammals, 40 species of birds and 30 species of reptiles. Some of the residents are more common animals often found locally that will be familiar, such as pigs, guinea pigs, oxen, donkeys, horses, goats, cows, rabbits, and other domesticated animals but other residents are from much further flung places and are not commonly found in Italy or Europe such as jaguars, polar bears, Rothschild's giraffes, Zebras (including baby Jordy who was born last year!), rare Madagascan ring-tailed lemurs, red pandas, penguins, elephants, lions, tigers, ostriches, Kookaburras, wallabies, meerkats, otters, pygmy hippos, monkeys, reindeer, crocodiles, pythons, turtles, tortoise, vipers, iguana, emus, flamingos, and more.

Titian was one of the most important artists of the Venetian school during the Italian Renaissance. While he completed lots of different kinds of works across a variety of genres, his lush and idyllic portrayals of female figures are largely what remain in the public imagination today. From early on in his own lifetime, in childhood, the talents of Tiziano Vecellio (known simply as, “Titian,” in English) were considered to be so extraordinary that they were labelled divine. Often compared in his own lifetime and since then to his somewhat older contemporary, Michelangelo, Titian was similarly gifted but, while the former favoured sculpture, Titian worked in painting and, while both were highly in demand, Titian's career faced less frustration and bestowed the artist with all of the worldly success an artist could hope for. He counted the city of Venice, lots of other Italian rulers, the Pope, the German Emperor, and the King of Spain among his patrons and, very quickly, his work became an international success.

Off the coast of Tuscany you will find some incredibly beautiful islands that can feel like a whole different world unto themselves, a little slice of what seems not unlike paradise on earth. Among the cluster of islands that hug Tuscany's coastline, the most famous is, undoubtedly, is Elba Island, the place to which Napoleon was infamously exiled. The second biggest island of the group, Giglio Island, is also well-known, particularly among those who have spent time in Tuscany and on the Tuscan Coast. However, the next largest island of the bunch, Capraia Island, is much less well-known, which is truly a crying shame as it, too, is a rather extraordinary beauty with lots and lots to offer the discerning tourist who finds themselves exploring the region.

As you explore the beautiful landscape of the Chianti region of Tuscany, you are likely to stumble upon all sorts of surprises and incredible hidden gems from pretty old towns that are centuries old to amazing views that look like a postcard come to life to tiny little vineyards producing amazing wines. It is why you should always keep your eyes open and be prepared as you travel around: you never know what you might find!

One such incredible gem that you might discover while exploring Chianti is the Parco Sculture del Chianti, or Chianti Sculpture Park. Located well off the regular beaten path for tourists, in the middle of an oak wood between Pievasciata and Vagliagli, around 10km north of Siena, the park was created by Piero and Rosalba Giadrossi on 7 hectares of wood and opened to the public in 2004 as a parkland and outdoor gallery space that follows the ancient Italian tradition of creating site-specific outdoor artworks.