Tuscany
Farm Houses
If you are looking to travel to a unique and beautiful destination in Europe, the wonderful Tuscany, Italy, is an excellent choice of holiday destination. The rich culture, fascinating lifestyle, and breathtaking beauty of this destination means that a vacation here will truly be a vacation to remember. When it comes to finding accommodations in the area, you will enjoy a range of choices one of which is a farm holiday in Tuscany, where you can enjoy the delights of your own farm accommodation throughout your stay, enabling you to really get a feel for the lifestyle and culture in the area. You will find holiday villas in Tuscany are dotted all around the region, and with Tuscany vacation rentals you and your family can enjoy the luxury of your own accommodation with all the space and privacy you need. You can get a variety of different types of Tuscany villa, from a country style villa to a luxury villa in Tuscany. A farm accommodation is just one type of holiday home in Tuscany, and is a very popular choice amongst those that visit this area.
Enjoy the charm of a farm holiday in Tuscany
When you opt for farm accommodation on your visit to Tuscany you will enjoy the charm and beauty of these traditional buildings coupled with modern amenities and facilities to make your stay here just perfect. Whether you are visiting Tuscany on a family vacation or a romantic break for two, these farm accommodations will prove ideal, boasting real style and traditional Tuscan beauty. You will find farm accommodations in various areas of Tuscany, and you will find that you are never far from a host of attractions and sights as well as fabulous scenery and incredible surroundings. You will find that with a farm holiday in Tuscany you get to stay in a wonderful place with bags of character and charm, all of which will help to add to your vacation experience as well as the wonderful memories you take home of your stay in this region.
Explore the beautiful region from your luxury farm accommodation
Your farm accommodation will provide you with the perfect base from which to explore the splendour and beauty of Tuscany. You can enjoy relaxing in your own gardens, where you can take leisurely breakfasts or lunches. You will enjoy being within easy reach of attractions and facilities such as vineyards and wineries, pubs, restaurants, shops, churches, sights, monuments, and more. Yet, at the same time you will enjoy having the privacy and space you need with your own beautiful farm accommodation in a fabulous setting. There is no better way to enjoy all that Tuscany and its unique and breathtaking areas has to offer, and you can be certain that the whole family will be thrilled with the comfort and amenities as well as the traditional charm and character that comes with this type of accommodation when you opt for a farm holiday in Tuscany.
The period that saw art and culture blossom in Tuscany also saw
the creation of the rolling country landscape that attracts millions
of visitors every year.
The peace of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries encouraged
extensive rural settlement and provided a cultivational boom time
that still informs the landscape to this present day. In particular,
the olive groves, vineyards and wheat fields contribute to a unique
and stunning countryside that continues to charm and inspire all
those who visit this blessed and ancient region.
Florence
Spread out along the banks of the Arno, Florence, Tuscany's capital
city, is one of Italy's main centres for culture and the arts. This
cultural significance is unsurprising considering the wealth of
talent that has resided in this incredible city at one time or another.
Florence's most politically and artistically influential sons include:
Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Dante, Machiavelli and Raphael
who all contributed to the vast wealth of cultural capital that
continues to enchant visitors to this day.
Where to go
Perhaps the most famous attraction in Florence is Michelangelo's
"David". Housed in the Galleria dell'Accademia this evocative
statue is one of the artist's greatest triumphs and is considered
to epitomise the glory of Italian art.
Situated in front of the old Battistero is the magnificent Cathedral
Duomo. Building work on this the fourth largest cathedral in the
world started in the twelfth century and has continued in one way
or another ever since. The enormous dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi
was built between 1420 and 1436 and visitors an climb to its summit
and take in spectacular panoramic views of the city. The original
Gothic exterior was unfortunately removed in 1587 in order to make
way for a replacement in the then popular "High Renaissance"
style. This project died however with its champion the Grand Duke
Francesco de Medici and sufficient funding for the current neo gothic
exterior was not raised until the nineteenth century.
Pisa
Clearly the most popular of tourist attractions is the Leaning Tower
of Pisa, but this city has much more on offer for the cultural visitor
than just a subsiding monument. Its rich architectural heritage
and typically Italian café culture make it the ideal destination
for a day's unforgettable sight seeing. Away from the main tourist
attractions, which a mostly grouped in one area of the town, one
can wander the peaceful streets and admire the magnificent bridges
and churches that seem to be everywhere.
Where to go
The Piazza del Duomo or "field of miracles" as it is known
locally manages to pack more history into its relatively small acreage
than almost anywhere in Europe. The leaning tower itself, as well
as the glorious Duomo and grandiose Baptistery, are housed in this
historically significant part of the city and are a must see on
any visitors list.
Museo dell'Opera del Duomo
This important museum houses much of the significant art work from
the twelfth century Romanesque cathedral. There are many works by
artists such as Michelangelo, Donatello and Giovanni and a trip
here is the perfect educational compliment to the Piazza del Duomo.
Siena
Whilst the Florentines were "improving" their city during
the renaissance the Senese were minding their own business and as
a result much of the city's architecture remains as it was in the
middle ages. Indeed, Henry James was convinced that on a visit to
the town he had had "half and hour's infinite vision of medieval
Italy".
Where to go
The Plazzo Pubblico was built during the thirteenth century in response
to the city's need for bigger magisterial buildings. The decoration
was courtesy of the Siena Art School many of whose students went
on to become internationally famous artists.
The Cathedral was completed at the end of the fourteenth century
and was described by E Gibbon as "the most beautiful monument
of gothic magnificence" and by Henry James as "a work
of goldsmithery in stone".
San Gimignano
Known for the silhouette of its sentinel towers, the charming town
of San Gimignano sits on a hill overlooking the Val d'Elsa and the
surrounding Tuscan countryside. Entering through the ancient city
gates one is struck by the medieval aspect of the architecture and
layout and if it weren't for the modern hotels and street signs
you could be forgiven for thinking you had stepped back in time.
Where to go
As with all medieval Tuscan towns, the churches are an absolute
must see, but none more so than the beautiful San Agostino. One
of the few examples of Renaissance architecture in the town this
tribute to Saint Augustine features some of the artist Benozzo Gozzoli's
best fresco work. Also of note is the marble altar dedicated to
St Bartolo whose ashes are still kept there in an urn by Benedetto
da Maiano.
Palazzo del Popolo
Dating back to the thirteenth century, the people's palace is the
place to go for views of the town. Its one hundred and sixty foot
tower, also dating from the thirteenth century, is ideal for taking
in the lay of the city and the surrounding countryside. The palace
also houses the Museo Civico which has a fine collection of twelfth
century Florentine and Sienese art.
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