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| Landscape in the Italian wine region of Greve in the Chianti area in Tuscany, Italy. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
By []Giovanni Balboni
In Tuscany, villa rentals are a wonderful accommodation option, giving you the freedom to explore this magical region at your leisure. Villas decorate the countryside, dotted in between the terraced vineyards and atop the rolling hills. When on holiday in this stunning region in central Italy, choosing to stay in one of the typical villas adds to the complete Tuscan experience. This beautiful area is one of Italy's favoured regions, combining stunning scenery and countryside with an interesting history, a rich artistic heritage, some wonderful architecture and excellent gastronomy.
Florence, the largest of the Tuscan cities, is the administrative capital of the region, although the famous Etruscan legacy lives on in all of the provinces and hilltop towns in the area. There are endless opportunities to visit ancient sites and uncover some hidden historical treasures. Every town has a story to tell and has played a part in the turbulent past. Some of the world's most beautiful towns are found in the undulating landscape of Tuscany; villa rentals are plentiful and you can choose one situated within a small town or out in the countryside. They are usually well serviced, comfortable and authentically Italian. Often set in their own grounds, complete with outside eating area and swimming pool, you will have ample opportunity to relax, dine al fresco and enjoy some local wine.
Chianti
Known for its world famous wines and picture-postcard scenery, there is so much to explore in this area of Tuscany. Villas rentals situated here are in the perfect location for making the most of the area. The city of Siena is a good place to start your sight seeing as it is small enough to manage in a day but is packed full of Renaissance gems and other historical monuments. Situated on three hills, the city of Siena is one of the few with perfectly preserved city walls. You can while away some time soaking up the sun, tasting some local Panforte, or eating ice-cream in the unusual piazza del Campo, the venue of the famous Palio horse race. The Palazzo Publico, the seat of the municipality, takes pride of place in the square alongside the Torre de Mangia, which you can climb to experience some wonderful views of the city and the lush, rich countryside that surrounds. The cathedral in Siena is a magnificent piece of architecture and the Museo Civico, close by, houses some exquisite pieces of art, including Simone Martini's Maesta.
Some of the smaller towns are hidden treasures in themselves. The wine towns of Montalcino, Montapulicano and San Gimignano are surrounded by some of the most famous vineyards in the world and there is plenty of opportunity to visit, taste and buy. Barberino Val d'Elsa is a stunning medieval village offering breathtaking views of the region, and Greve in Chianti, with its rich history connection with the beautiful Castle of Montefiorelle, is another gem in the stunning region of Tuscany. Villa rentals often have outside eating areas and grounds in which you and your friends can relax, share some local gastronomy and luxuriate in the famous sunshine.
Giovanni Balboni works for To Tuscany, who specialise in finding the perfect [http://www.to-tuscany.com/]Tuscany villa rentals in Chianti as well as selected villas in Umbria and Puglia. To Tuscany is proud of their villas and their reputation. All our Tuscan properties are personally selected and visited by our representatives to ensure we offer only the best in the region.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Exploring-the-Captivating-Charms-of-Chianti&id=7481253] Exploring the Captivating Charms of Chianti
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