Archive for 'Tourist Attractions'

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.

Milan is one of the great fashion capitals of the world, this is a well-established fact. For many, Italy and Milan are both synonymous with style and glamour and, as such, a visit to either is bound to involve some bout of shopping.

If you have found a luxury villa in Lombardy and are planning a trip to Milan, there is one destination, in particular, that you need to keep in mind: the Quadrilatero d’Oro district. It has long been considered one of the world’s most important centres of fashion and is home to Milan’s most exclusive stores.

The Quadrilatero d’Oro (or ‘The Golden Rectangle’) is the name given to a tangle of streets located just north of the Duomo. It is often classed as one of the chicest and most expensive streets in the world.

Sassari is Sardinia's sprawling second city; a cultured, bustling university town that can seem a little drab or scruffy at first but which is home to some spectacular surprises.

Once you navigate through the areas of urban sprawl with less personality, you'll find lovely spots to eat and drink, galleries and stores you'll find nowhere else and, at the centre, a historic Old Town that charms.

Medieval alleys, busy piazzas that are alive with the sound of daily life, stunning churches and grand palazzi all await. Once you have found a vacation rental in Sardinia and are planning your itinerary for your trip, be sure to include a visit to Sassari.