Florence: A Tale of Two (Extra) Davids
September 12th, 2016Why has a single statue managed to capture the minds of millions, held gazes enraptured, struck awe in the hearts of admirers? Maybe it is the story: David, the original underdog manifested in marble. The mind’s eye fills in the gaps: The giant Goliath. The sling shot. Desperation because no “real” warriors have stepped forward, only ... Read More
A Feast for the Eyes: Unforgettable Florence Views
July 25th, 2016The city of Florence has much to be admired. At every turn there are layers upon layers of beautiful views. Here are some of our favorite panoramic views for enjoying the splendor of Florence, whether from a popular tourist site, an off-the-beaten path location or a wonderful vacation rental apartment. ... Read More
Exploring Beautiful Bologna – Day Trip from Florence
May 9th, 2016Bologna is one of the fine cities of Italy, very much worth a visit. The trip from Florence is only 35 minutes by train from Firenze Santa Maria Novella to Bologna Centrale station, with a train about every 30 minutes. You can buy the ticket directly at the train station or online at this link. ... Read More
Cinque Terre Day Trip from Florence
April 18th, 2016A wonderful day trip from Florence is the iconic coastline of the Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre translates in English to “The Five Lands”, a chain of five coastal towns that have never had automobile access. Here you can explore each beautiful town, hike along the coastal trail, dine on seafood, or lounge on the beach. The five villages in order from the ... Read More
What Florence Sites to Book Ahead?
February 22nd, 2016Our guests often ask for advice on which sites to reserve in advance to avoid waiting in long lines. We know those lines so well. I remember a special excursion to Florence years ago with my young son, having driven for 2 hours from our countryside vacation rental. He really wanted to see Michelangelo’s Bound ... Read More
Contemporary Art in Historic Florence
October 19th, 2015Florence is known as the birthplace of modern art, beginning in the 15th century with the Renaissance ‘rebirth’ when Florence became the incubator for a massive burst of creativity and the beginning of the modern era. Renowned as the cradle of Renaissance, it is not known for its contemporary art and Florentines remain skeptical about modern art. Things are slowly changing ... Read More
Five Tuscan Fall Festivals
September 14th, 2015Fall is a great time to enjoy the many seasonal harvest festivals that take place throughout Tuscany which celebrate the rich tradition of food and wine. 1 – GREVE: CHIANTI CLASSICO WINE FESTIVAL This enticing wine festival is held every year in the city of Greve, in the Chianti area, on the second weekend of ... Read More
Five Great Day Trips from Florence Italy
July 19th, 2015Florence is conveniently located in central Tuscany, a city known for millennia as the intersection of great art, history, and food. The nearby towns and cities, rich with culture and tradition, are great opportunities for easy day trips while staying in Florence. Here are some of our favorites chosen by our Italy travel experts. ... Read More
Favorite month to visit Italy? Our travel experts’ answer might surprise you.
July 13th, 2015November is our favorite month to take advantage of low season rates and fewer crowds. We always go in November, have done for 10 years, and the first part of the month has mild, October-like weather that can last into the latter half of the month. ... Read More
The ZTL – Avoid Restricted Traffic Zones & Fines in Italy
June 16th, 2015Are you thinking of cruising around in your rental car, pulling up to the doorstep of your vacation rental in the center of Rome or Florence, unloading your bags and then chancing upon a handy parking garage or, better yet, street parking? Think again… Driving in Italy takes some careful planning if your route takes you through ... Read More
Travel Tips for a Do-Able Day Trip to Venice from Florence. And sample itinerary!
April 21st, 2015Get the most out of a day in Venice. It is a small city with many attractions, so we’ve put together 5 travel tips for vacationers staying in Florence. Some of these tips save you time, some save you money and all of them come from our years of experience in Italy tourism. ... Read More