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Friday, June 14, 2013



Casa Brogi - www.to-tuscany.com/casabrogi/
 
No matter who you are going away with, a holiday in Tuscany can work for every group of every age. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing holiday, an adventure filled holiday or a holiday of lively nights out, Tuscany has it all.

Family Trip

Tuscany is the perfect resort for a family summer holiday as there are activities to do every day that keeps the whole family happy. Rent a private Tuscan villa surrounded by gardens for the children to run around in and a pool to relax by. Spend the days exploring historical towns, on the beach and indulging in beautiful Italian food. From the Pinocchio park to bike rides and water parks with natural springs, there are plenty of activities for everyone to enjoy.

Girls Holiday

If you are looking for a relaxing holiday away with friends Tuscany couldn’t be a better choice. Enjoy spa treatments with natural springs to swim in, relaxing beaches for days of sunbathing and cocktails, and evenings of good food and wine in quaint Tuscan villages. You can also explore Tuscany’s night life in the various bars and clubs. Tuscany is perfect for the best of both worlds when it comes to a girl’s holiday, relax and soak up the culture by day and let your hair down and enjoy a drink by night.

Romantic Get Away

Tuscany is one of the top destinations for a romantic getaway. Hire a private Tuscan villa in the country side or stay in a luxurious hotel. Spend the days exploring historic towns and villages; make sure Sienna, Pisa and Florence are on your list of must sees.  Visit vineyards and try Tuscan wine at its best, explore medieval and gothic cathedrals, enjoy a romantic dinner overlooking the sea, relax on the beaches and take a boat trip out to a Tuscan Island.

Party Holiday

If you are looking for a holiday filled with dancing and socialising Tuscany is a great choice.  Not a typical ‘party’ destination, Tuscany actually has a lot to offer when it comes to nightlife, but without the overcrowding of British tourists looking for a party. Tuscany is a more sophisticated option when it comes to a nightlife orientated holiday. Whether you are looking for quaint and quirky pubs, champagne and cocktail bars or lively clubs, Tuscany has something to suit your mood every night of the week.

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posted by To Tuscany @ 8:26 AM   0 Comments

Wednesday, June 12, 2013



People look for villas to rent in Tuscany for a variety of reasons.  Some want a chance to explore the local culture, others want to sample the region's infamous food and wine.  Many people choose to come to Tuscany because of the region's strong connection to medieval times.  You can travel to almost any country in Europe and find a castle for the middle ages, but there's something about Tuscany's many walled in cities and centuries old churches that keep bringing people back.  If you want to see some true architecture from the past, try visiting a these towns.


San Gimignano

San Gimignano sits atop a hill that's about 50km south of Florence, and this small town of less than 7,000 people has been towering over the Tuscan landscape for centuries.  If you visit San Gimignano you'll notice that the town is surrounded by 14 enormous towers.  Those towers, along with the limestone walls, walkways and buildings, have been in the town since it was formed during the middle ages.  This small town has a very relaxed atmosphere, you could spend a lot of time visiting local shops and sampling local cuisine.  If you can handle the climb, go to the top of Torre Grossa on Popolo Square so that you can see a breathtaking and striking 360 degree view of the idyllic Tuscan countryside.




Siena

Siena is technically the name of a province and a city in Tuscany, but if you want to see architecture from the middle ages you'll want to head to the city.  The center of Siena has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and once you see it you'll understand why the city earned this distinct honor.  The city is famous for the annual Palio di Siena horse race, and it has been held for centuries in the city's Piazza del Ciampo.  Before Florence was considered the epicenter for Italian art and culture, there were artists in Siena working hard to make a name for themselves.  The Torre del Mangia is filled with sculptures and paintings from a variety of artists from the middle ages.

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posted by To Tuscany @ 12:40 PM   0 Comments

Wednesday, June 5, 2013


Wine is bottled poetry.
-Robert Louis Stevenson

Vacationers come to Tuscany for an array of reasons.  Some come for the art and culture, others come for the food, and many come for a mix of it all. You can't have a true Tuscan vacation without visiting a winery, and luckily there is no shortage of Tuscany villas for rent or wineries close to them.  If you're going to be visiting Tuscany soon consider spending a day at one of these wineries

Radda in Chianti: Castello di Volpaia
Castello di Volpaia is located in the heart of the Chianti Classico wine zone in the small fortified town of Volpaia, and travelers can't stop talking about how much they love visiting this winery.  Many people are drawn to the winery because of its architectural beauty, Catello di Volpaia's main facilities is located in a church that was made in the 12th century.  The town itself often mistakenly referred to as Castello di Volpaia, but that name is actually the registered name of the famous winery.

Tuscan Wine Tour
If you're a serious wine lover you're going to want to contact Tuscan Wine Tours before you go so you can reserve your spot for an unforgettable wine tasting experience.  Tuscan Wine Tours organizes tours in the Chianti Classico wine region.  Guests who go on the tour won't be in for a simple wine tasting.  These tour guides have access to some of the best wineries in the region, and if you tour with them you may be able to see certain winery features that regular guests won't be able to.
Le Baccanti Cultural Food and Wine Tours
Le Baccanti Cultural Food and Wine Tours has been praised for their customized luxury food and wine vacations and day tours.  Their personalized touring services have been recommended by BBC Travel, The Telegraph, and countless other publications and food reviewers.   A Le Baccanti tour would be best for vacationers who want to experience both the food and wine of the region.  Guests can choose to take cooking lessons, sight see, taste wine, or a combination of all three.
Italy and Wine
Italy and Wine has arranged wine tours in an array of Tuscan regions, and they use actual wine experts to guide guests through the wine tasting experience.  Italy and Wine tours would be best for vacationers who are on a budget.  Guests have the opportunity to customize their day according to their tastes and finances.  If you visit their section on Trip Advisor the comment section is filled with guests who not only loved the tour, but also loved fun loving guides.

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posted by To Tuscany @ 12:36 PM   0 Comments

Friday, May 31, 2013

Source: To Tuscany photocompetition: Jonny Acheson

Going on holiday together is a regular occurrence for most families but it’s not without its problems. What might seem like the perfect destination in the eyes of mum and dad could be the holiday from hell for the children and so it is important to find a location that suits everyone. Luckily enough, the beautiful Italian region of Tuscany fits the bill perfectly and is sure to keep everyone happy for however long you choose to grace it’s tranquil landscape.

By finding something to please everyone, not only will you enjoy a relaxing, argument free escape but you will also get to see a lot of what this amazing area has to offer. So while you’re planning what to pack and which of the many luxury Tuscan villaHYPERLINK "http://www.to-tuscany.com/"s you want to stay in, why not choose a few of these and add them to your itinerary.

For Mum – Mums, more than anyone, love to relax on holiday (probably because they have to do most of the work at home) and so what better way to see the easy going side of Tuscany than taking a walk off the beaten track. The beautiful area of Garfagnana, just to the north of Lucca, offers scenic walks, breath-taking views and a moment of tourist-free serenity.

Another great way for mum to relax is to enjoy one of the many thermal baths that populate this region of Italy. Baths in Montepulciano, Lucca and San Filippo are just waiting for you to soak yourself in their natural, healing waters. I’m sure mum will also be keen to sample the many different wines from the Chianti region; purely for medicinal reason though of course.

For Dad – A lot of people say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach and they could be right. To test this theory, why not try a dish that is world renowned for flavour and meatiness – the steak Florentine. If that all seems too laid back to get dad’s pulse racing then taking a trip to the race track in Mugello might be right up his street. Races are staged here regularly on Sundays and the atmosphere has to felt seen to be believed.

Another big sport in Italy is football so why not take dad to a match in Italies top league, Serie A. Fiorentina are perhaps the best team to hail from Tuscany but both Livorno and Siena will still allow you to experience football from a true Italian point of view. Also, dads, can you really go to the birth place of Ferrari without test-driving one?

For The Kids – Kids are arguably the hardest members of the family to please but here in Tuscany there really is an abundance of things to feed their imagination. There are water parks in Cecina and Follonica that will allow them to splash around to their heart’s content and then there’s a great adventure park in Cieloverde that will offer tree climbing and obstacle courses to help dry them off.

If the kids are getting a bit restless with all the sightseeing then why not make it fun for them by either taking a bicycle trek or a tour on horseback. I’m sure the odd gelato here and there will also go a long way to making their experience of Tuscany a memorable one.

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posted by To Tuscany @ 8:40 AM   0 Comments

Friday, May 24, 2013


Image source: termespa.it 

It seems for most of us our lives are becoming busier and busier every year. It is so important to take some time away from your daily life in order to relax and recharge. A great option for a relaxing holiday is Tuscany. With its beautiful beaches, stunning food and quaint towns it’s the perfect escape for a well deserved relaxing break.

Tuscan Beaches

The Tuscan coast boasts some beautiful and peaceful beaches perfect for relaxing days. Whether you are holidaying with family, friends or a partner, there is a beach to suit everyone.

•        Spiaggia Lunga- This stunning beach is named ‘long beach’ and is located in Monte Argentario and is moments from the charming Porto Ercole port. It is a sandy beach that backs on to impressive cliffs. It’s a generally peaceful beach with amazing views.

•        Mar Morto- This is a very quiet and unspoilt beach in Monte Argentario. This is a great option for those looking for a beach with lots of privacy. It’s great for sunbathing and relaxing as well as looking for sea life in rock pools. A great beach for adults and children.

•        Vada Beach- This beach is in a small town close to Cecina. It is one of the most beautiful beaches in Tuscany due to its white sands and electric blue Mediterranean Sea. This beach does get busy during peak seasons, but it’s great for sunbathing and for kids who want to plan in the sand and sea.

Tuscan Spa’s And Hot Springs

A great way to relax is to visit one of Tuscany’s luxurious spas or hot springs-

•        Petriolo- These hot springs are located twenty minutes out Siena. These beautiful hot springs are found beneath ruined walls from 404AD. The pools average temperature is 43 Celsius and the springs are free to use.

•        Grotta Giusti Natural spa resort- This amazing spa benefits from a natural hot water underground lake found in a cave where visitors can relax in the warming water. The spa also offers up to a hundred different treatments, it’s a great relaxing day out.

Tuscan Villas

Nothing is better for your relaxing holiday than renting a luxurious villa in the Tuscan country side. Choose from peaceful locations, beautiful views, swimming pools and comfortable and quiet rooms to really relax in. Some Tuscan villas also boast pretty gardens and grounds, so if you have a day where you don’t fancy leaving the villa you can relax in the garden and swim in the pool.

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posted by To Tuscany @ 12:02 AM   0 Comments

Tuesday, May 14, 2013



Our Tuscany villas for rent will soon be filled up with summer vacationers who are eager to explore Tuscany and experience everything the region has to offer.  Some people choose to spend their vacations sampling local cuisine, and others spend their time exploring local museums.  Tuscany has a lot of unique culture to offer its visitors, and the region's local festivals are one of the best ways for visitors to truly experience the Tuscan life style.

If you love your local Renaissance Fair and have a passion for all things Medieval, you have to visit Tuscany's
Monteriggioni commune located in the Siena region in July.  Each year the people of Monteriggioni come together to celebrate the Middle Ages by putting on a huge Medieval fair (use Google Chrome to view the link or use the translate feature in Firefox if you aren't familiar with Italian), and unlike many of the Medieval fairs you've attended in your home country, this one takes place on the grounds of an actual castle.  If you want a chance to see a glimpse of Italian court life, the commune's court festival takes place from July 5th-7th this year.  If you want to see the fair in the village, visit the commune during the weekend of July 12th-14th. 

The themes may be slightly different, but each festival gives attendants an in-depth look of life during the Middle Ages for the residents of Monteriggioni.  This will be the most authentic medieval fair you ever attend.  The castle grounds are decorated with period appropriate decorations and they're filled with dozens of actors who play period appropriate roles. 

When you come you'll see almost every medieval social class represented.  Lords and noble men and maidens walk the grounds along with commoners and entertainers like magicians, jugglers, and acrobats.  Local taverns and inns participate by making and serving guests dishes that were commonly eaten in the region centuries ago.  When you come to the Monteriggioni's medieval days even the money you spend will be authentic.  The people in charge of the festival implemented their own currency system that uses coins that are made to resemble coinage used in the past. 

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posted by To Tuscany @ 1:17 PM   0 Comments

Friday, May 10, 2013



Is there anything worse than getting sick when you're on vacation?  There's never a convenient time for you to get sick, but being sick when you're supposed to be enjoying your time off is absolutely awful.  There are some sicknesses that are unavoidable, but there are some things you can do to better your chances of staying fit and healthy when you're enjoying your luxury villas in Tuscany.

Research the Environment

It isn't wise to go to a foreign country without being familiar with your surroundings, and if you want to stay healthy you should do a little research on what it's like where you're staying.  If you have allergies see if you're staying in an area that has high pollen counts.  If you tend to have joint problems that flare up when it's wet outside, check to see if there's rainy weather heading your way.  You should also search for local shops to see if there's a nearby pharmacy you could visit to get medical supplies in case of an emergency. 

Contact Your Doctor

Before you travel anywhere you should make sure that you're in good health, and that's especially true for people who will be going to another country.  Make an appoint to see your doctor before you leave so they can assure you that you're in good health.  Your doctor may recommend immunizations you could be behind on, or they may be able to tell you about the common health problems that occur where you're traveling.

Take Care of Yourself

The best way to stay healthy when you're traveling abroad is to live a healthy lifestyle before you go and to continue your good habits when you're on your trip.  If you aren't already taking a daily vitamin, start taking one now so that you can enjoy their nutritional benefits.  Try to get around 7-8 hours of sleep each night for about a week before you leave, and try your best to stick to them when you're away.

Extra Tips:

-If you're planning on bringing medication (prescribed or over the counter) make sure that it's in its original packaging.  Loose pills, even if they're in a medicine caddy, could cause trouble at the airport or at customs.

-If you're planning on doing a lot of walking tours look for some orthotic shoe inserts for your footwear.  Even the healthiest person can get a little worn out after walking all day, and the extra support could help prevent some typical aches and pains.

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posted by To Tuscany @ 8:38 AM   0 Comments

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