Exploring the Captivating Charms of Chianti

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.

Discovering the Delights of the Tuscan City of Siena

Piazza del Campo with Palazzo Pubblico and Torre del Mangia, town of Siena, Tuscany/Italy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By []Giovanni Balboni

Experience picture postcard Tuscany as you explore the stunning and beautiful Chianti area in the heart of Italy. Wander around the quaint hilltop towns, visit some of the country's most romantic cities and soak up the unique light and atmosphere while meandering through the countryside. When choosing to stay in Tuscany, villas dotted throughout the region are the perfect way to make the most of your time here. In Tuscany, villas are offered for rent by many excellent companies, all with something different to offer. You are certain to find one that suits your group size and holiday aspirations. Whether you are travelling with a group of friends, family, or even if you and a loved one are looking for a peaceful getaway, there will be somewhere perfect for you in this stunning region.

Discover the Wonderful Region of Chianti in Tuscany

Vineyards in Gaiole in Chianti in the Chianti Classico region (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By []Giovanni Balboni

The Chianti region is arguably one of most beautiful places in Italy. It is deservedly well known and is a region rich in culture, history and gastronomy. There is no better way to explore the Chianti than by hiring a car and spending your days discovering the picturesque towns and breathtaking scenery at your own pace. There is no doubt that the Chianti lives up to all we expect from this stunning region in Tuscany. Villas are found in abundance throughout the area and there is bound to be one to suit your group, budget and holiday hopes.

Learning Holidays in Chianti

Vineyards in Gaiole in Chianti in the Chianti Classico region (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By []Giovanni Balboni

New research tells us that learning is good for our health! Learning new skills offers numerous health benefits: mental, emotional, and physical. By learning new skills you are building new neural pathways that keep your brain active, healthy and ward off the dreaded dementia. Learning in a class situation is sociable and provides opportunities to make new like-minded friends; so, why not combine some of your hard-earned leisure time with the opportunity to improve your mind and spirit and head to Italy!

Must See Sights in Spectacular Tuscany

By []Giovanni Balboni
Tuscany is an area of Italy situated along the upper 'shin' of the leg-shaped country itself. The region is large enough to offer both inland and coastal sites to visit - providing a snapshot of the best of Tuscany. Villas are available to book virtually everywhere you look, so you are bound to find just the right setting for your own personal holiday story.

In deciding the main highlights of the region, the choice is virtually endless in Tuscany: villas that will take your breath away, historical attractions, artistic treasures and spectacular countryside. Let's explore, shall we?

Top Cities Worth Visiting in Tuscany

English: Il Duomo, in Florenece, Italy seen at night from Michelangelo's Piazza. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By []Giovanni Balboni

When you think of Tuscany you often think of rolling, sunburnt landscapes and it sometimes seems hard to believe that there are many cities that are worth seeing too. Here we have suggested four of the best to explore while you are there, although you would need a long holiday to see them all. However, in Tuscany, villa accommodation will allow you to do just that - and at your leisure.

Tuscany's Wine Country: The Wine-Lover's Dream

Landscape in the Italian wine region of Greve in the Chianti area in Tuscany, Italy. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By []Giovanni Balboni

If you want to spend time in a place where there's fabulous wine, food and the kind of natural beauty that inspires great art, how about spending a week or two in one of those amazing villas in Tuscany's prime wine region- Chianti!

In Chianti, you'll certainly find your fill of everything that makes for a great holiday. Here are a few of the things that may convince you to choose Chianti when choosing which of the numerous villas in Tuscany to make as your home away from home for the holidays.

Tuscan Cuisine: Simple, Rustic and Delicious

Bistecca alla fiorentina (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By []Giovanni Balboni

You will find that the cuisine is kept simple but delicious when you stay in Tuscany. Villas located throughout the region make the perfect base to discover the cuisine of this area of Italy for yourself, and it does not really matter where you stay because the food here is exceptional throughout the area.

Tuscan cuisine is known for being healthy, hearty and very, very tasty. It comprises [predominantly] of salads, pastas, herbs, pies, soups and grilled meat. If you like your food simple, honest and delicious, you are in for a treat in Tuscany. Villas to rent will often have their own, spectacularly appointed kitchens, so you can try your hand at recreating some of the dishes yourself.

A Taste of Tuscany - Walking Holidays in Italy

The Campo dei Miracoli ("Field of Miracles") ie Site. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By []Tony Maniscalco 
Wine and Walking in Italy There's more to the wine region of Tuscany than the much-coveted Brunello. The wine buffs would tell you that from the 1980's Tuscany has been producing new wines called Super Tuscans that have found international popularity. It's not uncommon to combine wine and walking in Italy into wine-tasting and walking holidays.

Popular Day Trips From Florence, Italy

Many towns, such as San Gimignano, were enclosed with walls, causing crowding and the building of tower houses. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)



By Larry Aiello


The city of Florence is a true artistic treasure, filled with lots of art and museums, along with the great fashion and is truly a must-see destination when you visit the country of Italy. However, if you do have some time and want to escape the city life to more tranquil destinations, then you should consider these popular day trips from Florence:
San Gimignano
From Florence, you can take a rental car and drive through the beautiful wine country down to San Gimignano, an example of Renaissance beauty. This town is famous for its medieval towers that will impress you very quickly as you approach the town. There is a charming old part of town that is easily accessible on foot. You can check out some of the restaurants, shops, alleyways and piazzas. Be sure to savor some of the local white wine called Vernaccia di San Gimignano.

4 Magical Museums of Tuscany

The Birth of Venus (ca. 1485), by Botticelli. (Uffizi Gallery). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
By Giovanni Balboni
Almost every part of the world has its museums, and this also applies to Tuscany. Villas in this region of Italy allow people to arrange holidays and explore the area and visit many of the museums they find along the way. If you are planning a holiday in the region, consider the following suggestions - these are some of the best museums to see while you are there.

I Love Sightseeing Tours of Italy - Tuscany Winter Attractions and Events

Image via Wikipedia
By Levi Reiss


The Tuscany region of central Italy is famous for wine and food. Tuscany is proud of their white truffles, one of the tastiest and most expensive "mushrooms" in the world. On the second, third and fourth weekends November, why not visit La Sagra del Tartufo Bianco (Festival of the White Truffle) in the medieval hilltop town of San Miniato? Besides the food you can enjoy craft displays, theater performances, and marching bands.

Tuscany for Nature Enthusiasts

Image via Wikipedia
By Giovanni Balboni


Tuscany is a region of Italy most notably recognised for its influence in the world of art and music. However, the prolific nature of the art that emerges from Tuscany must suggest there is something truly inspirational about the region, something sown into the proverbial soil. This is, of course, the country's natural landscape and the inspirational, captivating sights that it offers.

Tuscany - A Region Ripe With Choice

Image via Wikipedia
By Giovanni Balboni


In Tuscany, villa rental isn't just a convenient way of taking a holiday - it's about sampling a way of life. Booking a villa means being able to immerse yourself entirely into the Italian lifestyle and see how the locals live - and why they love it so much!
Urban delights
For many people, the first image that springs to mind when the word Tuscany is mentioned, is that of ancient history and sophisticated cities. That's perfectly understandable, and unless you have strolled around the medieval streets of Siena, the ancient towers of San Gimignano, or watched the sun set from a Florentine piazza, it's very difficult to claim that you've seen Italy.

A Car Tour In The Italian Middle Ages: Siena And The Via Francigena

Image via Wikipedia


"Cor magis tibi Sena pandit" (Siena opens up a greater heart than this gate) is the sign that greets visitors at Camollia gate, one of the gateways to the historic centre of Siena. This cordial invitation is the business card of a city that needs no introduction.



Founded, according to a popular legend, by Remus, brother of the legendary founder of Rome, Romulus, Siena is an open-air museum. The severe palaces and steep alleys of the old town have remained the same since the middle ages when Siena was an independent republic. A large part of the cities ancient pride is still present in the temperament of its citizens, which is expressed fully on July the 2nd and August the 16th of each year during the famous Palio festival, perhaps the oldest and most authentic popular celebration in Italy. In the heart of the city is the magnificent shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, dominated by the high Torre del Mangia, considered one of the most beautiful squares in Europe for architectural harmony and balance. However Siena also offers beautiful churches and museums in addition to the ability to surprise even the most hurried visitor with unforgettable views. The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Italian Sights: Siena

Image by Eco . via Flickr
Author: Tatyana Kogut.

Siena reminds of a garden. Its a wonderful city standing on three scenic hills, with unforgettable views over the city suburbs opened up from their tops. You will like its narrow roadways, parks and ancient architecture. Thanks to this little city Italy got highly reputed for its wonderful medieval architecture. The centre of Siena is like a scenery erected specially for some historic movie. Unlike the other Italian cities, Siena has little Renaissance buildings. Most of its constructions follow strict gothic rules - this adds a dark charm to Siena’s image.

A Taste of Tuscany – Walking Holidays in Italy

Image via Wikipedia

There’s plenty in Tuscany both for the connoisseur and for those who want to spend their holidays walking in Italy. Imagine a day of seeing the sites, sampling some wine and then taking an after-dinner walk. Italy is the perfect place to do it. Tuscany in particular is full of good food, wine, city culture, and countryside scenery perfect for walking holidays.

Wine and Walking in Italy

There’s more to the wine region of Tuscany than the much-coveted Brunello. The wine buffs would tell you that from the 1980’s Tuscany has been producing new wines called Super Tuscans that have found international popularity. It’s not uncommon to combine wine and walking in Italy into wine-tasting and walking holidays. The vineyards in Tuscany range from a small winery to a large producer in the grounds of a stately Castello, (a castle-like house) and walking here offers the chance to take in the views as you walk among grapes growing on the vines. Most vineyards are open to visitors and many arrange events or tours for groups.

Walk in Italy to Work Up an Appetite

Of course, nothing goes better with wine than food, and the Tuscan cuisine knows how to please. Some walking holiday packages offer the chance to try your hand at cooking delicacies as well as eating them. Such packages let you experience the Tuscan lifestyle in the kitchen as well as in the hills; the trouble is you’ll want to eat so much that afterwards you’ll find it hard to walk! Italy is proud and protective of its pasta, and Tuscany is no different. Each shape of pasta is said to be as individual as the region it comes from. One of Tuscany’s pastas is Pici, a hand-rolled pasta made from long solid fat tubes. After a day Walking in Italy’s hills, sit down to sample a local speciality meal such as rabbit stewed with olives, pasta with a local sauce, or perhaps artichoke pie.

The Tuscan Scenery

What will make that meal special though is the scenery. The towns of Tuscany are linked and surrounded by the gentle green slopes and pretty valleys of the countryside. Walkers can enjoy the mountain paths, some of which are strenuous enough for more serious hiking. Italy is big on cycling too, so you’ll hear the spokes spinning along the rolling hillside roads. The Tuscan landscape has something for its summer vacationers, too, with the sea coast and islands.

Walking in Italy’s Artistic Cities

This scenery has inspired generations of Italian artists to produce an enviable collection of art. Tuscany contains the magnificent cities of Florence, Siena and Pisa, which are filled with eye-catching architecture, famous galleries and sculpture. The best way to take it all in is to walk. Italy is a nation so rich with renaissance art that six of Tuscany’s cities have been made UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Why not take a sightseeing walk at Italy’s famous icons such as the leaning Tower of Pisa and the black and white Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral at Siena?

In true Renaissance style, there’s no reason why you can’t combine all the specialities of Tuscany into one, with the popular package walking Holidays in Italy. A hiking, drinking, eating, and inspiring walk in Italy is waiting for you.
Tags: Holidays, Italy, Taste, Tuscany, Walking

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Artistic Itineraries in San Gimignano, Siena

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San Gimignano, near Siena, is widely seen as a busy tourist destination which has become a melting point of various people and cultures. There are many things to do in San Gimignano and places to visit. From all cities and countries, people come rushing into the Tuscan town to catch their share of all the hyped fun. Once you decide where you wish to stopover during your vacation break to Italy, you will come across excellent offers with fantastic rates that you just can’t resist. Fun seekers and vacationers strive

Fun seekers and vacationers strive throughout the year to be part of the flurry of activities that make San Gimigano bubble. As a busy holiday destination which doubles as an attraction to people from all walks of life all around the globe; the San Gimignano tourist and travel services are simply too good when it is measured in terms of efficiency and cost. With the huge number of visitors flocking into the town daily, San Gimignano has made provision for their comfort and safety from the very moment they set feet in the town. Fro this reason, apartments and villas may not be many in San Gimignano but they are quite affordable for an average family wishing to embark on a holiday camping trip to the town. The senior citizens are folks that would love to stay in a cheap, not too fancy accommodation like farmhouse inns or lodges.

Tourists and vacationers who take a trip to San Gimignano will discover that the place is very enlightening and interesting. Enlightening because at the end of your San Gimignano trip; you would have gained so much from the rich cultural heritage showed by the people. San Gimignano is also adjudged interesting due to the fact that there are many activities to do with even a modest budget. For regular visitors to the town who live in Tuscany, you can even do with a very low budget because you will be very familiar with the entire town. For all sane reasons, San Gimignano affords all adventurous tourists with the opportunity to enjoy what they have been hearing about for so long. The Tuscan town is so pleasant that it doesn’t lack vacationers who love to come around for the purpose of just relaxing and also for a change of environment. San Gimignano is situated in a strategic place that makes it the delight of photo fans and tourists who are in Tuscany. For a new comer to San Gimignano, there are fun stuffs that are different from what they are used to which makes the whole thing even more exciting.

With lots of great outdoor activities to participate in, the town is definitely the right place for holiday breaks of a month or more. After a summer holiday trip to San Gimignano, you would love to write about your experiences. San Gimignano is the right place to visit if you are someone who loves much fun for less cost. In the Tuscan town, expenses are low even for high level accommodation. Tourist services are very fair whether its phone, internet or other types of services. As in similar Italian towns, there are places in San Gimignano where one can stay and still enjoy basic hotel facilities so depending on where you have in mind to explore during your trip, your search for good accommodation will yield favorable results. Everyone knows that good things don’t come easy but not so for a San Gimignano trip. Traveling to San Gimignano is a lot less expensive than most other towns in Italy and Europe in general. In addition, you are of fun and fanfare like other cities once you decide to try a trip. You don’t have to bend backwards to get good value for an all inclusive holiday travel package to San Gimignano.

Those who have been to San Gimignano will narrate the wow times they had all through their stay. The beauty of the town and its people are enough to keep your mind at rest for as long as you wish. San Gimignano’s cuisines are in abundance because of the wide variety of dishes offered by the best of Italian chefs. There are bars scattered around San Gimignano where you can go to cool off; and many restaurants that will take care of visitors and tourists who want to enjoy meals outside what they are used to. Some of the best places with a high value for your money are usually recommended by the experienced travel agents who have long been in the business for years. From them, you will find cheap travel packages to new and existing tourist customers. Since there is always another vacation holiday ahead, one can start planning as soon as possible so that you can take advantage of these cheap offers. Getting the right information before deciding the right places to visit in San Gimignano is no qualms if you just get on the net and make a careful search.
Author Resource:- Andrea Leoni writes articles for http://www.expertlodging.com, which is a useful resource to find a comfortable bed and breakfast in Siena or other kinds of accommodation in Siena Italy. Andrea contributes to many important Tuscany tourist guides.
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