Archive for 'Churches & Religious Buildings'

Impossibly pretty little towns and villages that are steeped in charm and history and can appear almost totally untouched by time are not uncommon in Tuscany. Drive around the region and you’re likely to stumble upon any untold number of these incredibly sweet places by pure chance. However, if you want to find a cluster of some very scenic examples in a small area, the comune of Sovicille, nestled in the hills of Siena, is an excellent example. Surrounded by the famous lush greenery, winding roads, and rolling hills of Tuscany and filled with fascinating architectural gems, romantically crumbling castles, handsome palaces, charming churches, and more, these villages are totally picturesque. Book your villa in Siena and then come explore these gorgeous settlements and the lovely surrounding countryside while soaking up the authentic charm and beauty of Tuscany...

Almost all of the great poets had an equally exceptional muse that inspired their best work. For Italy’s leading poet, their equivalent to Shakespeare, Dante Alighieri, his muse was Beatrice and one of the rumoured sites of their fateful first meeting is said to have been in one of Florence’s many pretty churches. For those who are great lovers of poetry and who are romance fanatics, this church could be seen as a pilgrimage site that should be added to your itinerary when you book a villa in Florence.

Certain sights in Tuscany become famous and end up photographed endlessly due to the fact that the various elements of the surroundings and a building or town or natural feature come together perfectly to create something utterly picturesque. There are a few notable examples of this but, among them, the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Biagio (or Tempio di San Biagio) is one of the most strikingly lovely. This pretty 16th century domed church is located in the lush countryside near Montepulciano, an area already impossibly charming in its own right but when you add this elegant building emerging as if from nowhere, at the end of a typically Tuscan cypress-lined road, the overall effect is breath-taking. For those who book a villa in Montepulciano and who are looking to get out and explore the natural and scenic beauty of the surrounding landscape, a stop by this church is a must!

It may come as no surprise to some that Florence is the most visited city in Tuscany. Not only is Florence the capital of the region and the most populous city in Tuscany (with 364,073 inhabitants in the city itself and 990,527 in the metropolitan area as of 2024), but it is also very much the culture capital.

The birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is only overshadowed by Rome due to its incredible age and sheer size but in almost any other place, this would be the uncontested titan when it comes to art, culture, history, tourist attractions, and more. As it stands, Florence is still considered one of the great cities of the world and a must-see. 

For those who book one of our Tuscany Villas and who come to the region, it is an unmissable spot for at least a day-trip or two but if you want to dive in a little deeper – though any one trip will only allow you to scratch the surface of what it is on offer – then you could book one of our vacation rentals in Florence, instead.