Archive for 'Florence'

Have you always wanted to see the famously beautiful city of Florence for yourself? Well, get browsing our exceptional luxury villas in Florence and our villas with pools in Florence and start planning the trip of a lifetime to make your dreams finally come true!

From endless museums, palaces, and churches stuffed with world-famous works of art; to headquarters of globally-beloved high-end fashion brands, shops selling locally-produced artisanal goods, and historic markets where you can get everything from fresh fruit and cakes to vintage clothes; to architectural gems and picturesque sights around every corner; to family-owned restaurants, centuries-old cafes, and trendy bars; and more besides, there is an endless list of things to see, do, admire, and eat while in the city. However, if you want to make the most of the wonderful outdoor spaces of Florence and you want to zip around and get to know the place in a fun and interesting way, then why not consider heading to the stunning Cascine Park, renting some roller-skates, and exploring the city on foot...and wheels...

Florence, as an important art and design centre of the world and the famous birthplace of the Renaissance, is a destination that has long attracted some of the most renowned and important artists throughout history. If you, too, have found a luxury villa in Florence, and are spending time in the city, you may want to follow in the footsteps of some of these greats to, perhaps, soak up some of their inspiration and genius. A great way to do this is to grab coffee or a drink or a bite to eat in one of the city's famous and iconic coffee houses in which great minds used to (and often continue to) convene. One such example of this kind of hallowed venue is the Caffè Concerto Paszkowski in the city's famous Piazza della Repubblica in the historic core of Florence.

Declared a National Monument in 1991, the Caffè Concerto Paszkowski was an important literary café that attracted key Italian writers and thinkers such D’Annunzio, Soffici, Papini, Montale, Saba, and Pratolini at the beginning of the 20th century. A lovely and centrally-located place to take a rest and grab a coffee while exploring the historic streets and endless sights of Florence, it continues to be a hub of culture to this day and hosts live music regularly as well as special events such as conferences, fashion shows, literary evenings and more.

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...

While there are lots of incredible traditional tourist attractions to seek out if you have found a luxury villa in Florence and are spending some time exploring the city, it is also a great place to wander around. Wandering semi-aimlessly is always a great way to get to know a new place and Florence, in particular, really rewards visitors who explore her streets as the incredible grandeur of her architecture and the impossible wealth of things to see and do mean that it is a true feast for the eyes. From grand old palaces where the nobles of Florence would stay when they weren't in their country homes on estates located throughout Italy and many of which now house excellent museums of art, fashion and more, to stunning churches and religious buildings like gilded jewellery boxes that are stuffed with amazing works of art and meticulously handcrafted objects. From gardens overflowing with blooms, to wonderful restaurants and cafes and bars (that have existed for centuries in some cases), to plazas offering incredible views over the city and filled with fountains and statues by history's most famous artists, the city is just full of abject beauty and wonder. If you are wandering around the city, one particular plaza (and one of the prettiest) that you will likely encounter is the Piazza della Repubblica.

What comes to mind when you think of Italy? Is it the famous culinary heritage that has become so beloved that it is now also a mainstay of many other cultures and countries around the globe? Is the genius artists that filled incredible churches, palaces, town squares, public buildings, and museums all over the country with masterpieces? Is it the beautiful and diverse landscape of the country that varies from perfect white sandy beaches lapped by azure seas to the famously pastoral and lovely rolling green hills of Tuscany to the pretty seaside towns perched on craggy cliffs to the impressive snow-capped peaks of the Alps, and much more besides? Is it the relaxed and easy-going lifestyle of much of the country that is envied all over the world? Or, perhaps, is it the famously stylish citizens and beloved fashion houses and designers?

For many, it is the latter. The stylish eateries and bars, picture-perfect towns, fashionable people-watching, and excellent shopping (and window-shopping because lots of those famous brands are outside of the reach of most of our budgets) are all factors that draw the fashion set to Italy, looking for a chic getaway. If you're one of those people, interested in Italian style and learning more about it, we have put together a guide, an A-Z of fashion in Italy: