A dream circuit in Tuscany: the ideal choice to discover the beauty and richness of a splendid region in Italy

If you dream of traveling to a place full of history, culture and nature, then Tuscany is the perfect destination for you. This region in central Italy will delight you with its picturesque landscapes, its artistic cities and its delicious gastronomy. Remember that in order to explore all the facets of this wonderful region, a dream tour in Tuscany must include both the city of Florence and the countryside.

A circuit in Tuscany is the ideal choice to discover the beauty and richness of a splendid region!

Of course, in Tuscany, you will find many properties and villas for rent, ideally for an amazing vacation. See our villas in Tuscany here.

Florence: the starting point of a memorable trip to Tuscany

The circuit starts in Florence, the capital of Tuscany and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Here you will be able to admire the Renaissance works of art by great masters such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, or Botticelli, in famous museums such as the Uffizi Gallery or the Academy Gallery. You will also be able to visit impressive monuments such as the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, with its famous dome made by Brunelleschi, or the Vecchio Bridge, which crosses the Arno River and is full of jewelry shops.

villas for rent in Florence, Tuscany
Florence, Italy

 

Siena: The untouched Medieval charm of a historical region

Siena is a city with impressive architecture and a lively atmosphere. This town retains its medieval charm intact and is known for the Palio horse race, which takes place twice a year in Piazza del Campo. Here you will be able to admire the Gothic Cathedral, with its black and white facade and its richly decorated interior, or the Public Palace, the seat of the town hall and the civic museum. Siena is also an ideal place to enjoy famous Tuscan wines such as Chianti or Brunello di Montalcino.

Siena, Tuscany
Siena, Italy: Piazza del Campo e Torre del Mangia – photographer: Antonio Ristallo on Unsplash

 

San Gimignano: “the Medieval Manhattan”

San Gimignano is a fortified village with 14 tall and elegant towers that dominate the landscape, a fact that made it earn the nickname of “the Medieval Manhattan”. Here you can visit the Museum of Torture, where you will see macabre instruments used to punish criminals in the Middle Ages, or, in contrast, you can enjoy a delicious ice cream at Gelateria Dondoli, which has won the title of the best gelateria in the world several times. Reserve some time to admire the well-preserved medieval architecture and visit the Palazzo Comunale or the Church of Sant’Agostino.

San Gimignano, Tuscany
San Gimignano, Tuscany

 

Montepulciano: the iconic landscape of Tuscany

The beautiful Renaissance hilltown town of Montepulciano stands haughty, contemplating its natural surroundings and the weight of its remarkable history. Here, in Montepulciano, in any direction you will look, you will be “struck” by the iconic image of the Tuscan countryside, where boundless and painted hills and fields,  surrounded by tall cypresses create an unforgettable landscape.

Montepulciano is famous for its large area of prestigious vineyards, a fact that attracts many lovers of high-quality wines.

In Montepulciano, you must visit the historic center, together withe the Piazza Grande and the Renaissance Palace. Close to those are also the Palazzo Comunale and the Cathedral that has been watching over the town since the XVI-th century.

villas for rent in San Gimignano, Tuscany
San Gimignano, Tuscany

 

Pienza: when small things impress without effort

A small town with just a few narrow cobbled streets, but with a hidden architectural richness, Pienza welcomes his curious guests with many pots of colorful flowers. Even for just a few hours overlooking, Pienza will enchant you with its charming stone walls and romantic atmosphere, world-famous cheese and local cuisine, and craved panoramas of stunning landscapes.

villas for rent in Tuscany, Pienza
Pienza, Tuscany
Pienza, Tuscany
Pienza, Tuscany

 

Looking for villas in Tuscany? See our villas available for vacation rental in Tuscany here.

 

Perugia: the city in the Umbria region, close to the River Tiber

Perugia is a city with a rich history which is definitely worth a visit. Walking around the city, you will find many beautiful points of interest, including huge Etruscan city gates, Roman arches, Medieval Government buildings, and Renaissance palaces. And last but not least, many great places to eat, but this is already obvious…

Tuscany circuit
Perugia, Italy

 

Lucca:  a walled city from the 16th century, which will offer you a relaxing walk through history

In Lucca, you will be able to visit Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, a square built on the ruins of a Roman amphitheater, the birthplace of Puccini, the famous opera composer, or Torre Guinigi, a tower with trees on top.

But Lucca also has a lesser-known side. To discover it, visit the Museum of Torture, where you will see macabre tools used to punish criminals in the past. Or attend the Comic and Games Festival, where you’ll meet fantastic characters and buy all kinds of souvenirs.

villas in Tuscany for rent
Lucca, Italy – photographer: Cristina Gottardi on Unsplash

 

Val d’Orcia: the Paradise of Tuscany

Between Montepulciano and Montalcino, is located the fascinating Val d’Orcia, the place that contains the emblematic image of Tuscany. Here you will discover beautiful medieval towns, thermal baths, green valleys, sun-burnt hills, rustic houses, and of course, the amazing cypresses on the side of the roads.

Val d’Orcia is a region protected by UNESCO, but also by an extinct volcano, Monte Amiata, which watches over it. You can start exploring from Radicofani, where you’ll feel like you’re in a movie with knights and castles. Then you can go to Pienza, Zeffirelli’s ideal city, where Romeo and Juliet swore eternal love.

If you are a fan of Brunello wine, don’t miss a visit to Montalcino. And if you want to relax after so much walking, you can take a bath in the thermal waters of Bagno Vignoni or Bagni di San Filippo.

Val d’Orcia is a place full of charm and authentic tastes, such as pecorino cheese from Pienza, extra virgin olive oil, saffron, mushrooms, chestnuts, and truffles.

Val d'Orcia, Tuscany: villas for rent
Val d’Orcia, Tuscany

 

Things to do in Tuscany

Interested in villas for rent in Tuscany? See our villas available for vacation rental in Tuscany here.

Lake Como: the paradise of bohemian destinations

If you want to discover a dream destination, full of beauty, history and glamour, Lake Como in Italy is the perfect choice! This idyllic lake in northern Italy is the most “fashionable” of Italian lakes, attracting celebrities, artists and sophisticated demanding tourists for centuries.

Here’s what you can see and do at Lake Como, the place where you’ll feel like you’re in a movie.

 

Holiday Lake Como, Italy

villas for rent at Lake Como, Italy

villas for rent at Lake Como, Italy

 

Explore the picturesque lakeside towns

Lake Como is shaped like an inverted Y, with three arms stretching south. On each arm there is an important city: Como, Lecco and Bellagio. Como is the largest and liveliest city, where you can admire the medieval architecture, the Gothic cathedral and the silk museum. Como is where bright red Ferraris drive through narrow lakeside towns, offering a contrast between modern and traditional. Lecco is a smaller and quieter town, famous for its connection with the novel “I promessi sposi” by Alessandro Manzoni. Bellagio is considered the “pearl of the lake”, being an elegant and romantic town, full of shops, restaurants and gardens.

 

Visit the sumptuous villas and their gardens

Lake Como is where neoclassical villas take on a whole new level of opulence. On the shores of the lake there are numerous historical residences which belonged to noble families, artists or famous personalities. Some of the most beautiful villas are Villa Carlotta, with its botanical garden full of exotic flowers, Villa del Balbianello, with its panoramic terrace and art collection, Villa Melzi, with its English park and its Napoleonic museum and also Villa Serbelloni, which hosts an American cultural academy. Many of these villas can be visited or even rented out for special events.

 

Enjoy water sports and outdoor activities

Lake Como is not only a place for relaxation and contemplation, but also for fun and adventure. The lake offers ideal conditions for water sports such as sailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing or rowing. You can rent a boat or seaplane to explore the lake from a different perspective. If you prefer outdoor activities, you can go hiking, biking or climbing in the mountains surrounding the lake. You can admire the spectacular scenery from the height or visit the hidden waterfalls.

 

Take a look at our selection of villas at Lake Como available for holiday rental

Villa Incanto – Lake Como

See more villas at the Lake Como available for holiday rental

 

Feel like a secret agent at Casino Royale

If you are a fan of the Bond films, you cannot miss the opportunity to see the places where scenes from Casino Royale were filmed. Parts of the 2006 Bond film were filmed on Lake Como and many of the luxury lakeside hotels have 007 fare. You can visit Villa La Gaeta, where Bond kills Mr. White, or Villa Balbianello, where Bond recovers from the torture suffered at the hands of Le Chiffre. You can stay at the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este, where Bond leaves his Aston Martin, or the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, where Bond meets his MI6 contact.

 

Discover the local culture

Lake Como is not only a beautiful place, but also a place with a rich history and culture. You can discover local traditions and customs by visiting museums, churches, castles or festivals. You can learn more about the silk industry that made the area famous, or the art and literature related to the lake.

Lake Como attractions Lake Como attractions

Lake Como recommendation

 

How to get to Lake Como?

Lake Como is located in northern Italy, about 50 kilometers from Milan. You can get here by train, car or plane. If you choose to fly, the nearest airport is Milan Malpensa, from where you can take a bus or taxi to Como, the main lakeside town. From there, you can explore the rest of the lake by ferry, boat or seaplane.

Take a look at our selection of villas at Lake Como available for holiday rental

 

What to eat at Lake Como?

Lake Como is also a paradise for gourmets. Here you can taste local specialties based on fish, meat, cheese and vegetables. Don’t miss risotto with saffron, polenta with cheese, pizzoccheri with cabbage and potatoes, missoltini with polenta (dried and fried fish) or lavarello alla griglia (grilled lake fish). You must also try cotoletta alla milanese (veal schnitzel), ossobuco (veal stew with marrow), bresaola (cured and seasoned meat).

And if you’re still here, discover taleggio (cream cheese), gorgonzola (mould cheese), mascarpone (sweet cheese), torta di mele (apple pie) or panna cotta (cream pudding). And of course, all this traditional gourmet should be enjoyed with a special wine, such as Nebbiolo, Barbera or Moscato.

Bellagio, Lake Como

 

If you want to live an unforgettable experience in Italy, you cannot miss Lake Como, the most “fashionable” of the Italian lakes. Here you’ll discover a dream place where mountains are mirrored in blue waters, where bright red Ferraris weave through narrow lakeside towns, where neoclassical villas take on a whole new level of opulence.

Lake Como is where you can feel like a movie star, or even like a secret agent if you like watching James Bond movies. For sure, you will collect beautiful memories with glamour and adventure. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit this Italian paradise, which will delight you with its unique charm!

 

Take a look at our selection of villas at Lake Como available for holiday rental

Villa Deluca – Lake Como

Things to do in Lake Como

See more villas at the Lake Como available for holiday rental