Tuscany Villas for Rent

Tuscany is certainly the most appreciated of all Italian regions. Due to the high concentration of artistic beauties, Florence is the most visited city of the region, together with the other cities of art, like Pisa, Lucca, Siena and Arezzo.

However Tuscany is the ideal destination for all kind of turists: those who love the sea can choose among the resorts of the Versilian Riviera, the beaches of the coast between Livorno and Pisa, the Isle of Elba, the other islands of the Tuscan archipelago and the magnificent waters in front of Grosseto. Those who prefer the mountain can go hiking in Lunigiana, Garfagnana, Mugello and Casentino, whereas those who love nature can visit the various Tuscan parks and nature reserves. Many folk and historical events take places during the year in Tuscany: the Palio di Siena, Florence`s historical football and the carnival of Viareggio are only three of the most famous events. A journey to Tuscany is a good occasion to taste some typical Tuscan dishes, such as the ribollita or the famous Florentine beefsteak, accompanying them with some Chianti or some Brunello di Montalcino. With the most important fashion stores and its craftman`s workshops, Tuscany is a paradise for shopping lovers. To those who love sports Tuscany offers sailing tours, golf fields, scuba diving in gorgeous waters and many walks in the nature.

Central Tuscany : Siena Chianti and the Crete - Central Tuscany is an agricultural area renowned for its magnificent landscapes and for its many walled towns, such San Gimignano and Pienza. Siena lies at its heart. The Chianti spreads north of Siena; here some of Italy`s best wines are produced. The Chianti hills are dotted with farmhouses, villas and baronial castles, many of which have now been turned into luxury hotels or rental apartments, offering various facilities. South of Siena spread the Crete: a series of eroded clay hills, where shepherds tend sheep whose milk is used to produce the popular pecorino cheese. This area, full of cypresses and crossed by the S2 highway, is dotted with romanesque churches, castles and medieval garrison towns. Central Tuscany was the theatre of the long struggle between the Ghibelline Siena and the Guelph Florence, which reached its climax in 1260 with the battle of Montaperti. After some vicissitudes, Siena definitely entered Florence`s orbit in 1559. This was the destiny of many other villages and towns in central Tuscany. Siena, with its narrow streets and medieval buildings, is the natural starting point for exploring central Tuscany: the Chianti valley, with its castles, the medieval towns of San Gimignano and Montepulciano and the countryside, with its vineyards, olive groves, cypresses, the ancient churches and the stone farmhouses.

Western Tuscany : The Arno Valley and the Medicean Villas - With its ports and its industries, western Tuscany is the economical heart of the region. Pisa, with its Leaning Tower and its monuments, is the major touristic attraction of the area. South of Pisa, the charming hills surround the ancient Etruscan town of Volterra, with some magnificent examples of medieval architecture. In the hills of western Tuscany the architects in the Renaissance built several country-seats for Florentine noble families, as the Medicean villas in Artimino and Poggio a Caiano. San Miniato, rising on a hill that dominates the whole Arno valley, and Vinci, with its museum dedicated to Leonardo, are worth a visit.

Southern Tuscany : Sea Nature and Archaeology - Southern Tuscany is warmer and drier than the rest of the region. The Mediterranean maquis covers the hills that face the sea and there are a lot of palms and Indian figs. Many VIPs spend their holidays in the seaside resorts around Mount Argentario and in the Orbello lagoon, whereas the inner part of this region is still relatively unknown. Those who love thermal baths can visit the spa of Saturnia, with its sulphurous springs; those who like history and archaeology can explore the rock tombs in Sovana or visit the archaeological parc in Roselle, whereas those who love nature can indulge to charming walks in the countryside of the Maremma.

Province of Florence : Magnificent Views and Culture - The province of Florence spreads on a wide and varied territory, in which the Apennins and the Mount Albano alternate with the valleys in the southern part of the province. This part of Tuscany has been inhabited for centuries, especially around Florence, as Leonardo Bruni wrote in its Praise of the City of Florence in 1403. Florence is the major attraction of this part of Tuscany, that is however rich in interesting villages and towns.