Archive for 'Curiosities'

Tuscany is famous for several different craft traditions which continue to this day to a lesser or greater degree. There is gold-smithing of Arezzo, the leather-working of Mugello, the glass-blowing of Empoli, and the transforming of the marble of Volterra into all sorts of wonderful things, to name but a few. One of the most quietly impressive traditions of craft in all of Tuscany, however, has to be Montalbano’s history of truly extraordinary embroidery. For those who book a villa with pool in Lucca or a luxury villa in Florence and are planning day-trips in the area, the beautiful locality of Montalbano, in the province of Pistoia is worth visiting for its exceptional looks alone but is also a place where lovely things have also been made. 

2024 has already begun… or has it?

Well, if you plan a vacation in Tuscany and head to a villa in Florence, you might be surprised to find that the city’s traditional New Year’s celebrations have actually not yet happened…

In Florence, New Year’s is actually celebrated on March 25th! Of course, many ring in the new year on the 1st of January like the rest of us today but there are still celebrations and events to mark the event on the 25th of March as well. 

If you were considering booking a villa in Siena and spending the Holidays in Tuscany, then learning about and experiencing some of the local festive traditions is a must that will make any vacation even more special and memorable. Tuscany is awash with all sorts of wonderful traditional foods, festivals, experiences, and more and her pretty and historic towns are made even lovelier each year with the addition of lights, decorations, Christmas markets, music, excited crowds, and festive cheer. The charming town of Abbadia San Salvatore, in particular, has an incredible Christmas Eve tradition that makes for an ideal way to ring in the Holidays...

We have previously discussed that Florence is a city of perfume and those who love fine scents will be well catered to by a trip to the birthplace of the Renaissance. But, if you have found your luxury villa in Florence and are after a seriously bespoke, one-of-a-kind, and utterly unforgettable perfume experience then you should plan a trip to the Aquaflor store...

Located inside a stunning vaulted 15th-century palace, this amazing perfumery is the epitome of elegance and sophistication. With artisanal scents created by the master perfumer Sileno Cheloni, the shops sells a variety of products including organic soaps, body-care products, cosmetics, home fragrances, scented candles, and more.