Articles written in History & Culture Category
Tuscany is bursting with history and culture, so while at your holiday villa or farmhouse in Tuscany make sure you discover the great past of this beautiful Italian region. Glance at our articles on local history and culture to find out more!
As you travel southwards from the historic city of Siena, you’ll come across one of the most beautiful areas of Tuscany: the Val d’Orcia. With its endless rolling hills and small, picturesque towns, it’s easy to see why this area has been added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. And with its warm, [...]
Located on the West coast of Italy is the municipality of Monte Argentario; one of the most beautiful areas of Tuscany. A round, rocky promontory connected to the Tuscan mainland by two strips of sand, this area is nothing short of stunning. It has gorgeous sandy beaches, lush green countryside and the odd Spanish fortress, [...]
Made up of bankers, politicians and even popes, the famous Medici family of Florence were known not only in Tuscany and Italy, but all over the world. They used their power, influence and enormous wealth not only to rule Florence, but also to build a collection of grand and ostentatious villas all over Tuscany. So [...]
Imagine yourself relaxing by the pool at a gorgeous Tuscan villa, a glass of delicious Chianti wine in your hand and an overwhelming sense of peace and tranquillity…sounds great doesn’t it? Well, imagine if there were someone at your beck and call to take care of all your holiday details too. Now that would be [...]
Located in the Capalbio countryside, which is in the beautiful Maremma region of Tuscany, is the incredible Tarot Garden, or Giardino da Tarocchi. In stunning natural surroundings, with fantastic views over the Tuscan landscape, you can see huge, colourful sculptures which depict the 22 Major Arcana of the Tarot Cards. This garden, designed by French [...]
The most famous sports car to come out of Italy has to be the Ferrari. Founded in 1929 by Enzo Ferrari in Maranello, these cars, with their famous prancing stallion symbol, represent speed, style and luxury. If you’re a fan of the Ferrari, then why not enjoy the thrill of taking part in a Ferrari [...]
The Mona Lisa (or La Gioconda in Italian) is one of the most, if not the most talked about, written about and well known paintings in the entire world. Began in Florence in 1503, and said to have been finished at least ten years later, the true identity of the woman portrayed in the painting [...]
Extending southwards from the hills of Sienna to Monte Amiata, lies the beautiful and unspoilt region of Val d’Orcia, or the Orcia Valley, named after the river which flows through it. Characterised by gentle, rolling hills, kilometres of vineyards and olive groves dotted with small, quaint towns and hamlets, this region is loved by many. [...]
Whilst staying at one of our villas in Tuscany, Italy, you’ll certainly experience the well-known and much appreciated Italian dolce vita. This expression is synonymous with the Italian lifestyle, but what exactly does it mean? In Italian, la dolce vita literally translates as “the sweet life”, or “the good life”. La dolce vita in Italy [...]