Archive for 'Localities'

Among the incredible properties that we have to rent, there are many that are unique or interesting. In some cases they have particular features, locations or views to recommend them but some of the properties themselves are the stars of the show.

Some of the most stunning are our historic vacation rentals. These properties have character to spare, tales to tell and photogenic moments aplenty.

They are the perfect location for weddings, truly once-in-a-lifetime holidays for history buffs and seriously luxurious getaways. Here are just ten of our favourites and they really are beauties.

In our final installment in this series, we have a few more things that you can do for free in Florence. Once you have decided to visit the city and have found a luxury villa near Florence, you will probably start planning out your trip and figuring out where you want to go and what you want to do. These options don't skimp on fun but will help stretch out your budget.

Orsanmichele is a market building which became the church of the craft and trade guilds in the fourteenth century. The exterior was made extremely ornate by the guilds, who each wanted a sculpture of their patron saint to adorn the façade. Today copies of these works are what you see on the outside and inside, on the first floor, a museum houses some of the original sculptures. The church is open daily from 10am to 5pm and the museum is open on Mondays at the same times.

Once you find a luxury villa near Florence and begin exploring the city, trying out the restaurants, visiting the galleries, shopping a little and touring all of the attractions, you may find that the cost of everything begins to quickly add up. If you want to keep having the time of your life, without scrimping on fun or experiences, then check out our series on things to do for free around the city that will leave you with a little extra cash in your pocket.

The Rose Garden in Florence is the perfect oasis of calm, quiet and relaxation. It brings together art from Belgian artist Folon, roses and stunning panoramic views across the city and, best of all, it's completely free to visit and is open from morning until nightfall. Only open to the public year round for a few years now, it is a little-known gem and a must-see for anyone visiting the city. The garden is home to a collection of 400 different varieties of roses, 1000 botanical varieties, lemons, and other plants, a Japanese garden and sculptures by the artist Folon dotted playfully here and there.

Continuing on from our last article, we have rounded up even more activities that cost nothing and can be enjoyed while exploring Florence, in order to help your holiday budget stretch a little further and give you one less thing to concern yourself with. Wandering around the city and just taking it all in, alone, is a worthwhile way to pass the time that will leave you satisfied and feeling like you've experienced the best of Florence. However, to add to this and enhance your experience further, here are some places you can stop off and specific areas of the city that you can visit. Just find a luxury villa near Florence and get exploring its hidden nooks and crannies - you're bound to discover the most extraordinary things.

As you wander around, you should also keep an eye out for some charming works of art on the streets. CLET, a French artist living in the city, adds a sense of whimsy and fun to the streets of Florence by transforming ubiquitous city street signs into discrete works of art with his removable stickers.

Holidays can be expensive things, particularly in large European cities such as Florence. Once you have found the perfect luxury villa near Florence to stay in, and have planned out all the big trips and delicious meals, you might find the pot a little light. If you want to enjoy the experience without having to worry about sticking to a budget, why not check out our list of things that you can do in the city for free so you can save a bit of money, without scrimping on the wonderful experiences that Florence has to offer?

Santa Maria del Fiore (the Cathedral of Florence, also known as the Duomo) is the main church and one of the most important buildings in the city. Begun in the 13th century in the Gothic style under the direction of Arnolfo di Cambio, it was not finished until the great Renaissance architect Brunelleschi came to create that famous and trailblazing soaring dome.