Travel and Leisure

In Tuscany, villas are famous as a desirable and typically Italian place to stay when visiting this eminent region. This large area in central Italy is best known for its turbulent history, its artistic attributes and its rich and fertile soils. People travel from all over the world to appreciate the architectural elegance of its cities, to explore its breath taking landscape, and to indulge in some of the most celebrated gastronomy Europe has to offer. There is no doubt that through the ages, nowhere in Italy has attracted more artists, poets and influential people than Tuscany. Villas dot the landscape, many of them elegantly adorned with grand facades and long winding driveways. Originally built for the elite and aristocracy many have now been turned into hotels or are privately owned.

As well in Tuscany, villas of a more understated nature are available for groups and families to rent for their stay in the area. This is an ideal accommodation option if you want to have your own base and take your time exploring. There is nothing better than, after a day out sightseeing, returning to the comfort of your own place, indulging in some al fresco dining and watching the sun sink gently over the hills.

Exploring Florence

There is so much to do, explore and discover here, but no visit would be complete without spending time in the famous capital (of the region), Florence. This wonderful city is a treasure trove of historical and cultural delights. Around every corner there is something new to uncover. The museums and galleries are rightly famous for their world-renowned exhibits, but even by simply wandering the streets of Florence and stopping to look up and around you, you will realise that there is history, art and Renaissance architecture oozing from every nook and cranny. This city absolutely bursts with legacies from the affluent past it is so proud of.

The cathedral in Florence is breath taking and you can climb to the top of the dome and get close to the stunning fresco that adorns it. The Academia Museum is where you will be able to stand and admire the incredible Michelangelo statue of David, a hundred times more mind blowing than the replica in the Piazza Publico. It is easy to spend a day in the Uffizi galleries, one of the world's most prestigious collections of art. Some of the churches such as Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce are art galleries in their own right, absolutely bursting with fine examples of Renaissance work.

If you prefer to explore a city by wandering the streets, following the enchanting restaurant smells and joining the locals in their daily gastronomic rituals, then Florence is the perfect place. Head over the Ponte Vecchio, the bridge that is the oldest street in the city and the unlikely survivor of both world wars, and up to San Miniato for some of the best views of the city and indeed of the countryside of Tuscany. Villas in and around Florence are easy to come by and you will be spoilt for choice. Regardless of where in this gorgeous region you choose to base yourself, you cannot fail to have a very special holiday.