Archive for 'Tuscany'

In this series, we have been outlining some incredible destinations for those who are thinking about planning a city break in Italy. Any sort of vacation in Italy is, of course, an excellent idea but for those who like the comforts, conveniences, sights, and cosmopolitan appeal of a city break, there are lots of excellent urban destinations in Italy to choose from. We have covered some of the most famous, must-see examples in the first part and second part of this series but in this final post, we have chosen one lesser-known but truly wonderful example...

If you have been considering booking a city break but are trying to decide on a location, we encourage you to look to Italy. There are endless excellent options of destinations for a city break in Italy from one of the world's best-known capitals to important art and fashion centres to some less familiar but no less wonderful gems. Here is our guide to some of the best destinations in which to find a vacation rental in Italy for a city break full of scenic surroundings, history, art, culture, great food and wine, excellent shopping, and more...

Over on Tuscany Villas, we have covered the famous bath and spa towns of Tuscany pretty extensively. The region is home to a rather surprising number of beautiful towns that boast naturally-occurring thermal springs and around these long-standing tourist attractions large-scale wellness and spa industries have developed, making said towns the perfect place to head to if you have found a vacation rental in Tuscany and are looking to unwind and pamper yourself. However, while there are plenty of pretty spa towns with great resources to choose from, if you are looking for something less picturesque and more cinematic, if you are looking for something more unique, then we recommend heading to Larderello and the Valle del Diavolo, or the, “Devil's Valley.”

Located in Pomarance, a hilltop medieval town that is situated between Volterra and Massa Marittima, Larderello has been famous for, and attracting visitors to, its hot springs and its rather unique volcanic nature since the time of the Ancient Romans. If you have found a vacation rental in Volterra or a vacation rental in Massa Marittima and you're looking to get off the regular tourist routes to find something a little more special, then we definitely suggest a visit to Larderello. Do keep in mind, however, that it really is a unique place in Tuscany and does not look at all like the Tuscany that most imagine: in place of rolling green hillscapes and historic little villages, you will be confronted with bubbling, steaming lunar landscapes more akin to the scenery one might imagine in Hell and a modernised town where the harnessing of geothermal energy is the primary industry and the five giant cement towers of a thermal plant dominate the skyline.

Right along the border between the famously picturesque, rolling green landscapes of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, you will find the Appennino Parmense Orientale, a chain of mountains located in the Eastern part of the Province of Parma. For those who have found a vacation rental in Emilia-Romagna or a vacation rental in Tuscany and who are looking to go hiking during their stay in Italy, it is definitely a place to take note of as it boasts lots of different routes and incredible views. Whether you are an experienced hiker, a hobbyist, or a budding photographer looking to simply dip your toes in the water and get some great shots, whether you want to stretch your legs or have an adventure, whether you have a whole day to spend or just hours, you'll find a trail (or a part of a trail) that will suit your needs in this part of the world. However, if you're particularly interested in pretty scenery and breathtaking views, then there is one section of the mountain range that we would recommend: Monte Sillara and her twin lakes that offer an extraordinary panorama right over the surrounding landscape, right out to the islands of the Tuscan Coast and to Corsica on the clearest days.

Beautiful and historic wineries that are located in the most extraordinary settings are not unusual in Tuscany but, though there are many and many that we have discussed in this blog on numerous occasions in the past, there are many more excellent examples that we have yet to discover and for visitors to the region to discover. So, if you're a serious wine-lover who is thinking of planning a vacation sometime soon, there can be no doubt that Tuscany makes for a truly idyllic and perfect holiday destination to go and see where great Italian wines are made, taste wines, learn about them, buy and ship bottles home, and to engage in a vibrant and ancient wine culture.

One particularly scenic and lovely winery in which one can do all of the above and more besides is the beautiful Castello di Monsanto. While the Castello di Monsanto actually dates back to the middle of the 18th century and wine production in the area goes back centuries, it is in the last fifty years that the estate has become home to the Bianchi family and their beloved wines. Located in Barberino Val d'Elsa, in western Chianti Classico, a bit northwest of Castellina in Chianti, this incredible historic castle was where founder Aldo Bianchi, a native of San Gimignano who had first left Tuscany before the Second World War to seek fortune elsewhere in the North of Italy, found himself at a wedding. Taking in the amazing views across at his hometown of San Gimignano, over the hills of the Chianti Fiorentino region, and right to Monte Amiata and the Apuan Alps from the terrace of the castle, Aldo fell in love. Within a few months, he owned the Castello di Monsanto.