Pomarance 624

The working of alabaster is a long-standing tradition in the picturesque town of Volterra in Pisa,Tuscany. This unique craft has been a profitable commodity for Volterra since the time of the Etruscans who used alabaster to make urns and in creating capitals, tabernacles, vases and other works of art. Luckily, there are plentiful natural deposits of the precious stone in the area. Furthermore, the alabaster of the area is considered one of the most precious around the world given its particular compactness, transparency, veins and hardness. The extraction, carving and trade of alabaster has brought fame and prosperity to the town throughout its history, allowing it to become one of the most beautiful towns in the entire region.

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.

Continuing on from our last post, here are more of just some of our picks of the best interiors in the vacation rentals in Italy that you can find on Italy Villas. From modern minimalist dreams to cosy Alpine chalets, Mediterranean villas to historic palaces, there are all sorts of properties across the website. No matter where your tastes lie when it comes to interiors, we have it and particularly lovely examples to boot. Just take a look at some of our picks and then feel free to browse through the endless other options that are available, should you be looking for something more specific. If you're having trouble finding something, why not contact us where our team of experts are waiting, 24/7, to help you find the holiday rental of your dreams.

3. Villa Di Montelopio

Villa Di Montelopio dates from the 16th century and still retains the atmosphere of the period, though part has been totally restored in recent years. You still find the cotto floors and the beamed ceilings but with all modern comforts now a bonus.

Man Ray was one of the most famous American artists of the 20th century. A causal follower of both the Dada and Surrealist movements, he worked in a variety of media and considered himself, first and foremost, a painter above all but is best known for his photography. In particular, he is famous for his work with photograms, his so-called "rayographs." Most iconic is his image, “Ingres's Violin,” which transposes the f-holes of a violin on a nude by one of Man Ray's heroes, the 19th century French painter, Ingres.

Customer reviews are really helpful in planning a holiday and, luckily, we have plenty of them for you to peruse. As such, we thought it a good idea to compile a list of our most reviewed properties in Italy to give you an idea of some of the excellent villas and experiences you can expect when you book with us! Here are two more examples.

5. Villa Carolina

Villa Carolina is a wonderful 3 bedroom villa located in the centre of Tuscany in the beautiful wine region between Florence and Siena, just 1 km from the tiny historic hamlet of Linari. Charmingly decorated with excellent views over the surrounding landscape, Judy K from Gualala in the United States had this to say of the property: “We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Tuscany -- the location was perfect, and the views were gorgeous. We were only able to enjoy the pristine pool once due to the cooler weather, but we still enjoyed relaxing on the huge deck.

The medieval town of San Gimignano in Tuscany is a unique place to visit because of its famous towers!

During medieval and Renaissance times it was common practice for wealthy families to build tall extravagant towers adjacent to their palazzos to show off their wealth and compete with other rich families in the area.

Book a vacation villa in the San Gimignano area and see the beauty of this ancient town for yourself!