Want to Rent a House in Tuscany?
Posted on | June 16, 2009 | No Comments
Tuscany is full of accommodation options, but there is one thing that can help you feel at home when away from home and that is a house to rent.
There are several different houses that you can rent. One of the most popular is the farmhouse.
It is really up to you what area you choose to go to. It simply depends on what appeals to you. For instance, you may want to check out Siena or Lucca for the awesome scenery. Although all of Tuscany is beautiful, there are some rental houses that are placed strategically throughout the area so that you can get some of the greatest views you have ever seen.
One great example of a place you can stay is La Pievina, which is located near the town of Greve. This property used to be a medieval church. Even though the property has been remodeled, it is easy to see that this was once a church because of its entry point.
You can also choose something such as a luxury home. For instance, Arancio in Greve has room for eight people and has everything you have at home from the CD player to the Internet connection. You get a view of olive groves and vineyards and you also have a swimming pool.
In Florence, the Brogino sleeps up to 10 people, so you can have the vacation of a lifetime with your family. You have the pool, the central heating and air, and a grand piano. This house also has everything that you have at home to stay for long periods of time. Everyone will have a great time.
The idea is comfort and you will get that when staying at a rental home in Tuscany. Because there are so many homes available and they are so comfortable, you shouldn’t have an issue finding the right one.
Want To Go Backpacking In Tuscany?
Posted on | June 11, 2009 | No Comments
If you know anything about Tuscany, you know that it is outfitted with some of the best scenery that you will ever see. There are vineyards, picturesque landscapes, and the work of famous artists in the museums and galleries.
When backpacking through Tuscany, there are some stops that you want to make. The first stop is in Florence because you’ll find plentiful hostels and you’ll find that everything is centrally located so you can enjoy much of what Florence has to offer. For instance, Florentines have the tradition of “aperitivo.” This is where bars will serve those who purchase drinks free food after 6:00 in the evening.
Another stop on your backpacking tour should be Siena. There is plenty to see. You can get something to eat, find a place to stay, and check out the famous cathedral that was built in the 12th century.
Pisa is another fantastic stop because you not only get to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, but you also get to eat great food, see great scenery, and find great accommodation. Pisa is a hot spot in Tuscany, so you can find a little bit of everything.
Your final stop should be Monte Argentario. If you want to spend part of your backpacking excursion lounging on beaches, then this is the right spot. This is a great way to relax and get away from it all before continuing on your trip.
You’ll find that the different regions of Tuscany have something to offer people from all walks of life. There are a lot of sleepy villages with something unique to offer everyone. And something else you will find is that the people of Tuscany are just fantastic. You can learn a lot about Tuscany from the people, so make sure you strike up conversations.
Can Tuscany ever have too Many Tourists?
Posted on | June 5, 2009 | No Comments
With Tuscany being such a popular place to take a holiday, can it ever have too many tourists?
This is a very good question if you intend on visiting Tuscany. You certainly don’t want to be too crowded when visiting this beautiful countryside. But that’s not something you really need to worry about. Tuscany is a rather large place.
With cities such as Florence, Pisa, Siena, and Chianti, as well as many coastal areas and small villages along the way, there are plenty of places for tourists to go. You can stay in a hotel, hostel, villa, apartment, or a farmhouse. Because of all of these options, there are plenty of accommodations for tourists.
Really, the only place that you’re going to see overcrowding is the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. This is because people flock to this gallery well before it opens and the lines are long. But you can avoid the long lines simply by making reservations when you decide to take a trip to Tuscany. Many individuals do not realize they can do this, which is why they tend to stand in line for hours on end so that they can see the artwork of Michelangelo and many other famous and historic artists.
You’ll especially find traffic around Michelangelo’s David because everyone wants to see this historic sculpture. However, a little bit of patience will pay off.
Once you have battled some of the crowds, you can enjoy wine tasting tours and check out the famous Tuscan olive groves. You can even head over to Pisa and take a look at the Leaning Tower of Pisa. You could spend days without seeing another soul if you want.
So if anyone says, “Don’t go to Tuscany because everyone does,” don’t listen. You’ll be able to do everything you want. Mainly because everyone keeps on moving so that they can see as much as possible.
Tuscany – The Model of 14th and 15th Century Painters
Posted on | May 31, 2009 | No Comments
In many 14th and 15th Century paintings, Tuscany was the backdrop. With the rolling hills, the hill towns, and all that makes it beautiful, anyone can respect that. But what if you can see much of what these painters saw? That would be great, wouldn’t it? Well, the truth is that you can see Tuscany in all its glory any time of the year. Even when it is cold and rainy, you can go out and about and find that you can shed your coat and bring in the sun.
Whether you travel in the on season or the off season (January to March), you’ll be able to appreciate much of the glory Tuscany has to offer. But if you really want to save a buck, you can travel during the off season. And don’t let the weather put you off. You can cut a lot of corners when traveling during the off season.
For instance, you can go to the many vineyards in the Chianti region and find that you won’t have to be around so many individuals tasting the wine. You may also find that it is easier to acquire the accommodations that you need and desire. The prices are usually cut as much as 30% at some of the best hotels. You’ll also find that there are a lot of concerts and ballets taking place during the winter. So if you want to see a genuine Italian opera, you can do this during the months of January, February, and March.
Any tourist attractions you will come across will be less crowded, so you’ll be rubbing shoulders with fewer people.
Yes, some of the shops and restaurants are closed during these months, but you’ll find that there are still great deals to be had, the locals can spend more time talking to you, you’ll be able to take in more of the attractions, and you’ll save some cash.
All-in-all, you will really get to experience Tuscany the way the 14th and 15th Century painters did. And if you can’t visit Tuscany in the off season, you can still enjoy it any other time of the year and appreciate what the artists saw many centuries ago.
Words of Wisdom before Traveling to Tuscany
Posted on | May 24, 2009 | No Comments
Before you travel to Tuscany, it is important to have some words of wisdom. Those words of wisdom include:
DO EVERYTHING YOU POSSIBLY CAN!!
And
VISIT THE CITIES OF TUSCANY. DON’T HOLD STILL!!
You just can’t hold still in Tuscany. Sure, you want to be able to relax, but you also want to be able to have a lot of fun. Seeing the cities of Tuscany is how you’re going to have that fun. You are going to eat great food, see historic things, and you are going to see beautiful gardens. You’ll also have great conversations with the natives.
And you can’t resist the wines. If you love fine wine, Chianti is going to make for a great stop. You can visit the wineries and go on wine tours that will enable you to have some of the greatest tastes you could ever imagine.
After you have checked out the cities and tasted the wines, you have to drive through the countryside. If you do not have a rental car, you need one so that you can drive through the hillsides and see the beautiful green scenery that Tuscany is known for. You will be quite amazed at what you will see. The beauty is breathtaking and you will never want the drive to end.
And if you don’t want it to end, you will find that you can rent villas directly in the Tuscan hills so that you can enjoy the scenery all of the time. It is quite the romantic environment.
So if you’re all about the culture, the romance, and the beautiful hills all over the Tuscan region, you will absolutely love a great visit to Tuscany. You’ll love it so much that you will come back again and again. It’s a great way to take the stress out of your life.
Tuscany is the Heart of Italy
Posted on | May 19, 2009 | No Comments
When you travel to Tuscany, you are traveling to the rural heart of Italy. It is absolutely breathtaking. You can stay in villas and farmhouses if you want to truly experience what Tuscany really is. You can also purchase your own property so that you’ll always have a wonderful place to go when you visit Tuscany.
Furthermore, you can have as much world class wine as you can possibly get. Granted you might be a little intoxicated throughout your trip, the good news is that that is your right. That’s if you like amazing wines. With all of the vineyards and wine tasting tours, you can surely find a wine that is perfect for you. Be mindful that if you do you may need to utilize public transportation.
But while you’re in Tuscany, you have to visit Florence because Florence is an amazing city that is filled with all sorts of culture. You can see some of the oldest structures in Italy and see the artwork that you have only read about in history books. You will see works by Michelangelo and other very well known artists and theologians.
If you don’t feel like visiting the city, you can always spend 100% of your time in the countryside. If you don’t explore the countryside, you are missing the best of Tuscany. You do, however, have to allow yourself enough time to explore Tuscany because the roads are winding and many of them only have one lane. This is cause for slow travel, but you will be able to take in everything that you need to take in so that you can experience Tuscany for what it is…the heart of Italy.
There is no doubt that you will feel refreshed after you have taken in the immense culture and tranquility of Tuscany.
Your Guide to Tuscan Wine
Posted on | May 12, 2009 | No Comments
There is nothing in the world like Tuscan wine. That’s because it is homegrown and is processed with care. And believe it or not, you do have the opportunity to go to these Tuscan wineries and taste what it is they create.
For example, Chianti is known for its wines. Chianti makes people think of cheap wines. However, the wines in Chianti are anything but cheap. When you start traveling close to Siena, you’ll find many wineries offering samples that will satisfy the most complicated of pallets. Some individuals are very picky regarding their wines, but Chianti wines can break through the pickiest of individuals and satisfy their taste.
With the Montalcino, you have over 7,100 acres of land that is used to cultivate the grapes that are used in their wines. This is a winery that is only 25 years old, but it is quite a success. You can also sightsee around the Castello Banfi estate and see some amazing sights.
When heading over to San Gimignano contains these amazing medieval towers, but one of the most important features are its white wines. So you can literally take quite the scenic tour and also get to taste some of the best white wine in the world. You can watch sheep graze and be served white wine while watching them. You can even enjoy some snacks while you’re at it.
And then, of course, there is beautiful Siena with its large gothic cathedrals. There are also great wine tasting opportunities. The grassy knolls and wineries are snuggled up together in a fantastic way because this gives you the opportunity to explore any or all of the 800 acres that makes up the Villa Dievole. This can be quite the amazing wine tasting experience.
So if you are into wine and you are into Tuscany, you have to take a wine tour. Check out all of these areas and their amazing wines, so that you can have the experience of a lifetime.
Words of Wisdom before Traveling to Tuscany
Posted on | April 30, 2009 | No Comments
Before you travel to Tuscany, it is important to have some words of wisdom. Those words of wisdom include:
DO EVERYTHING YOU POSSIBLY CAN!!
And
VISIT THE CITIES OF TUSCANY. DON’T HOLD STILL!!
You just can’t hold still in Tuscany. Sure, you want to be able to relax, but you also want to be able to have a lot of fun. Seeing the cities of Tuscany is how you’re going to have that fun. You are going to eat great food, see historic things, and you are going to see beautiful gardens. You’ll also have great conversations with the natives.
And you can’t resist the wines. If you love fine wine, Chianti is going to make for a great stop. You can visit the wineries and go on wine tours that will enable you to have some of the greatest tastes you could ever imagine.
After you have checked out the cities and tasted the wines, you have to drive through the countryside. If you do not have a rental car, you need one so that you can drive through the hillsides and see the beautiful green scenery that Tuscany is known for. You will be quite amazed at what you will see. The beauty is breathtaking and you will never want the drive to end.
And if you don’t want it to end, you will find that you can rent villas directly in the Tuscan hills so that you can enjoy the scenery all of the time. It is quite the romantic environment.
So if you’re all about the culture, the romance, and the beautiful hills all over the Tuscan region, you will absolutely love a great visit to Tuscany. You’ll love it so much that you will come back again and again. It’s a great way to take the stress out of your life.
Would You Like to Take a Walking Tour Through Tuscany?
Posted on | April 26, 2009 | No Comments
Tuscany comes with a lot of great surprises. There is beautiful scenery and a lot of history, but there are two things that the people tend to love more than anything and that is the wine and the food.
Perhaps the wine is why there are so many walking tours in Tuscany. Walking tours are the best ways to experience the wines and the cuisines because you will be tasting a lot of wine. So much, in fact, that you may not even want to ride in a moving vehicle. There are accommodations close to the wineries. In some cases, the winery does have accommodations for individuals wishing to stay close by. This makes it easy to get some rest and start moving the next day to your next location.
You’ll also experience some great places to eat on your walking tour, so you may find that it is hard to walk after your meal. Nevertheless, you will walk it off and be ready for your next taste by the time you get there.
And don’t forget that your walking tours will take you to such amazing cities as Florence. Florence is a city where the preferred method of transportation is walking for the fact that all of the main attractions are located within walking distance of each other. You can see so much in such a short distance that you will actually spend more time at the attractions than you will getting to them. That is great.
So what you need to do is invest in a good pair of shoes and go to Tuscany. Enroll in one of these walking tours and see Tuscany in a way you wouldn’t be able to see it otherwise. You will notice that you can take in the scenery a lot better than what you could using faster means of transportation.
The 5 Things You Need to do in Tuscany
Posted on | April 19, 2009 | No Comments
There is a lot to do in Tuscany, so there are times in which you may not be able to get to everything. How long you stay depends on how much you can do. But no matter how long you’re staying, you have to ensure that you do one of the following things:
• Make sure you visit Siena – This is the greatest medieval town in Italy. You can take a walk through the narrow maze streets and the alleyways at the Piazza del Campo. You’ll have a lot of fun and you will feel like you have gone back hundreds of years in time.
• The Leaning Tower of Pisa – You can’t let this one pass you by. You’ve seen it in history books, so you might as well see it in person. You’ll find that it is really leaning.
• Go to Cortona – Cortona was discovered by the Etruscans and has been populated since as far back as the 7th century B.C. The Etruscans were the types of people who absolutely loved living on hills. That is why Cortona is one of the oldest towns sitting on a hill.
• Don’t forget Lucca – Lucca was built on top of a Roman colony. The city dates back to 180 BC. You can visit the Roman Amphitheater and take a look at the many churches and piazzas. You will also see plenty of medieval buildings.
• Chianti – Chianti is known for its world-class wines. When you travel to the Chianti region, you will have the opportunity to taste the best wine on the planet. There are vineyards that you can visit and go on tours. You can taste the different wines and pick out your favorite. You will probably never go back to your old wine.
So make sure you at least stop at these 5 Tuscan locations so that you can get a taste of Tuscany in both the present and the past.