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Borgo La Stella redesigned by Victoria Maria Interior Design located in Siena, Italy


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Borgo La Stella, it is perfect for your ideal dream home. This time based in Belgium designer Victoria-Maria Geyer has redesigned the interior of an old Tuscany villa called Borgo La Stella. It is located in Radda in Chianti, a comune in the province of Siena, Italy. La Stella has been renovated in a quite contemporary way, which, at a first glance, does not fit the style of the house, but which makes it somehow interesting. More than antique and unique, this house looks very special with this new design. Outer side of the house is amazing with the look of ornamental plants and a beautiful pond. Moreover, the natural scenery around is very satisfactory. Green expanse of nature and the garden are always ready to be enjoyed. On the other hand, the interior of the house is presented with dynamic nuance. Modern property such as antique desk, contemporary art, vintage suitcase, Italian design sofa’s, Indian fabrics, bright colors and Swedish design chairs, all live together. It is outstanding work. After briefing, we serve you the pictures and complete explanation of Borgo La Stella redesigned by Victoria Maria Interior Design located in Siena, Italy below.

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Head news about Borgo La Stella redesigned by Victoria Maria Interior Design located in Siena, Italy taken from the internet

Belgium designer Victoria-Maria Geyer has redesigned the interior of an old Tuscany villa called Borgo La Stella, located in Radda in Chianti, a comune in the province of Siena, Italy.Borgo La Stella by Victoria Maria Interior Design:“The house is called Borgo la Stella, it’s has successively been a postal relay, a monastery, a bed & breakfast and finally was bought by the actual owners to make it a family house.Through the years the La Stella has been renovated in a quite contemporary way, which, at a first glance, does not fit the style of the house, but which makes it somehow interesting…The owners, wanted it to be classical and antique, whereas I had this deep feeling that the house needed something more. Something else, than what you would it expect to be!My biggest fear was to fall in the trap of “country-side cosyness”, with rattan furniture and red Vichy napkins! Not that I don’t like it, but the spirit of the house wasn’t that. So, the tricky part of the work was to conciliate the classical views of the owners and my more avant-garde desires.The result is very interesting because it confirms that total look is not necessary (and not nice), and that, if done wisely, style and time mixing can be very pretty and timeless!!In the living room, we have a antique desk, contemporary art, a vintage suitcase, Italian design sofa’s, Indian fabrics, bright colors and Swedish design chairs, all living together.COSMOPOLITAN IS THE KEY!”Photos by: Alohafred Photography.

Pictures Gallery of Borgo La Stella redesigned by Victoria Maria Interior Design located in Siena, Italy

We show you pictures gallery of Borgo La Stella redesigned below. Nice reading.

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Date Published: Apr 03, 2012 - 12:11 pm



Day Trips in Siena



Toscana

Firenze
Arezzo
Grosseto
Livorno

Lucca
Massa Carrara
Pisa
Pistoia

Siena
Prato
Forte dei Marmi
Versilia

Palio di Siena

Siena Travel Guide
Siena Sights
Siena Day Trips
Siena the Palio

Siena Eating Out

Autostrada Milano Napoli

Thanks to http://www.world66.com/
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No visit to Siena would be complete without making at least one excursion into the fabulous surrounding countryside.
There is the abandoned and roofless Cistercian abbey of San Galgano, hauntingly beautiful in the morning mist; the great Benedictine church of Sant'Antimo, whose ancient stonework gleams among the cypress trees; the Renaissance frescoes decorating the cloister of Monte Olivetto Maggiore; the powerful fortresses of Monteriggioni, Montalcino and Montepulciano.
There is the extinct volcano of Monte Amiata, ringed by stone villages and castles; the wild Montagnola and Maremma regions; the Renaissance town of Pienza, once home to Pope Pius II; the cathedral town of Massa Marittima, whose powerful walls tower above the sea. In addition, there are numerous points of interest along less traveled scenic roads which wind through vineyards and olive trees.
Wandering around siena
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This summer I tried an interesting and unconventional trip, visiting the area around Siena: at the south, the countryside of San Quirico D'orcia with its landscapes; at the west, the magnificent fortress of Volterra; at the east, Castelnuovo Berardenga and its vineyards; at the north, San Gimignano to live a medieval experience. The starting point was a splendid villa near Monteriggioni booked on the www.vacavilla.com website
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url: www.vacavilla.com
email: bartalini.andrea@gmail.com
Day Trips in Siena
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Piazza del Campo
Piazza del Campo
There are a lot of possibilities for travellers in Siena. You'll have at least two days to the visit of the city. The famous Piazza del Campo, with the town building and the tall Tower of Mangia, the imposing Cathedral made of white and black marble, the medieval alleys, the fountains. It is worth to get lost in the historical center that can be crossed from one side to the other in half an hour by foot.
What can I say 'bout outskirtses: Monteriggioni is famous for his entourage of intact medieval walls, Colle val d'Elsa and Casole d'Elsa are attractive ancient more..
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url: www.2beinsiena.com
address: siena
email: info@2beinsiena.com
Chianti Tour
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Day tour in which you can visit the lovely medieval village of Castellina in Chianti, driving through the famous road "Chiantigiana" also called the road of wine, and wine tasting of the Chianti red wine in a typical winery.
Castellina in Chianti: It is part of the Chianti Hills, between the valleys of the Arbia, Pesa and Elsa rivers. he first settlements in the area dates from the Etruscan age, and they were probably devastated by Gaulish invasions at the time of the latter's invasions against Rome. In the early Middle Ages the town was known as Salingolpe; in the 11th more..
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tel: 3349363253
url: www.2beinsiena.com
address: 2Be In Siena
email: info@2beinsiena.com

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Date Published: May 17, 2012 - 11:06 pm



Siena Travel Guide



Toscana

Firenze
Arezzo
Grosseto
Livorno

Lucca
Massa Carrara
Pisa
Pistoia

Siena
Prato
Forte dei Marmi
Versilia

Palio di Siena

Siena Travel Guide
Siena Sights
Siena Day Trips
Siena the Palio

Siena Eating Out

Autostrada Milano Napoli

Thanks to http://www.world66.com/
*********************The content is published under a creative commons licence :
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0 / )

In scenic hill country just 55 kilometres south of Florence this picturesque well-preserved medieval town lies in the right in the middle of the Tuscany wine region. A bitter competitor with Florence for much of its history Siena is a treasure trove of art pageantry and architecture.
Inhabited continuously for over a thousand years, Siena flourished in the Late Middle Ages when the merchant oligarchy known as "the Nine" spent vast sums in order to create the most beautiful and impressive city in Tuscany. The many churches, palaces and military fortifications which survive from this period bear witness to the magnificence and sophistication of Sienese civilization. Most interesting are the wonderful black-and-white Gothic Duomo (don’t miss the magnificent Bernini statue of Mary Magdalene hidden away in a niche or the dazzling mosaics on the floor), the Palazzo Pubblico (for its impressive frescoes) and the Torre del Mangia you can climb for a nice view over the city.
If you’re there at the beginning of July or in the middle of August try not to miss the world-famous the palio . A tradition dating from the Renaissance it takes place in the Piazza del Campo a marvelous shopping plaza in the shape of a half-shell whose circumference is topped on race day with a layer of dirt to create a track.
For those interested in nightlife - Siena is a fantastic city in which to eat - amble into any restaurant and you won't be disappointed.
Drinking wise - the Irish pub is a good place to start - packed full of foreign students i.e. those who speak English it's good craic. Afterwards head down to the Barone Rosso which is cool but has nasty toilets - then amble to the Heineken Bar at the very end of town - it's owned by a nutter who is married to a Greek Lady and he insists on drinking ouzo with you once he gets to know you.

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Date Published: May 17, 2012 - 11:14 pm


La Strada del Vino Terre di Arezzo is well worth a visit to experience rural Italy and its culture.


La Strada del Vino Terre di Arezzo, a breathtaking luxury destination in Tuscany that offers everything you are looking for in the perfect getaway that has everything you could possibly hope for. Delicious food, gorgeous scenery, and full-bodied local wines.

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Azienda Manucci Droandi
La Strada del Vino Terre di Arezzo is an organization that began in 2000 to bring together vineyards and wine companies and as of today has expanded to 180 participants. Among them are wine producing farms, inns, farms specializing in traditional production of foods and wines and wine bars and  restaurants .
A total of 124 miles (200 km) of vineyards spread throughout 19 towns in the Tuscan countryside, La Strada brings together all of the wonderful products of Tuscany. This is a magnificent region in Italy in the heart of Tuscany and includes cities  such as Cortona, Arezzo, and Valdarno.
Traveling in this picturesque region provides visitors many treats for their eyes and well as their palate’s. The vineyards, olive groves, tobacco cultivations, and chestnut woods line the rural roads.   We followed these ancient roads and encountered museums, artistic programs, and visited  many  estates in the area.

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Tenute di Fraternita
The Wine Road, ‘Terre di Arezo,’ goes across the Valdarno, a valley characterized by an unbelievable variety of landscapes. From one side, vines grow in rows on terraces surrounded by dry walls, villages, and castles. The other side of the road is a sharp contrast, filled with large craters which are remnants of open-cast mines.


Upon reaching our next stop we encountered ancient abbeys and fortified villages set on the hills covered by centennial olive groves. As we continued to explore the winding Wine Road, we reached Valdichiana, which is filled with beautiful views and Renaissance pictorial masterpieces which date back to the dawn of civilization and the Etruscan culture sent us back in time
The next destination is Arezzo, a medieval town surrounded by hills, where vineyards and olive groves abound. Arezzo rises in the heart of four valleys which are rich in history and culture. Its food and agricultural products are of the highest quality. The famous Antiques Fair is held monthly along the street in the historical center.


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Minolta DSC
The road then continues from Arezzo towards the Casentino, and continues to follow the Arno River North. At first, the course of the valley is hilly and then opens into a perfect amphitheatre-like shape.




The valley is moved by slopes that end up to the age-old forests which cover the mountains in the North. Leaving Arezzo we continued to proceed along the Strada Provinciale Setteponti until we reached  the bottom of Pratomagno. Charming medieval villages and Romanesque parish churches can be admired along this last part of the route. The beautiful terraced vineyards here are a example of perfect harmony between man and nature.
The Arezzo area also produces excellent wines.      Chianti Colli Aretini DOCG (DOC in 1967, DOCG in 1984),Vinsanto of Chianti’s Colli Aretini Occhio di Pernice DOC,        Valdichiana DOC (originally only white, it has now a selection of both red and white),Cortona DOC (DOC in 1999 with a variety of wine and Vinsanto),Vald’Arno di Sopra DOC, Chianti DOCG, Colli dell’Etruria Centrale and Vinsanto di Chianti.
Accommodations are world class and provide and experience that will linger in your memories for a life time. It is almost like an old Italian movie and you are the star.  The Baracchi Estate is located on a beautiful slope just east of Cortona with a wonderful view of the Valdichiana Valley and Under the legendary Tuscan Sun.
A typical Tuscan villa which dates back to the 17th century, it is now completely restored and transformed into countryside Relais. The old olive groves and the new vineyards surround the property. Sangiovese, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet and Trebbiano are all produced here and are a tribute to the land of Cortona and to the pleasure of good wine.

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Syrah Grapes

Il Falconiere is situated in a quiet, elevated, rural location amid vineyards and olive groves. It enjoys enviable views of the Val di Chiana to the West, and Cortona, the ancient Etruscan hilltown, just three kilometers to the South.
The Relais is ideally located for short trips to some of the most famous art cities of central Italy, such as Arezzo, Perugia, Siena, Florence and Assisi, all within in an hour’s drive away.


This region and its 19 towns provide travelers mouthwatering regional cuisine, world class wines picturesque villas and an opportunity to travel back in time. La Strada del Vino Terre di Arezzo is well worth a visit to experience rural Italy and its culture.
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Date Published: Jan 04, 2012 - 12:07 pm


Tuscany – A Cornucopia of Everything


Recently the Chianti region in Tuscany has been named as the Wine Capital of the Year. But that is not the only thing that Tuscany is famous for. With its wild natural landscapes, art and history, Tuscany offers the world’s famous wine and food to enjoy on your tour to Italy. Tuscany has everything to cherish and relish on your visit to this wonderful land.

It is really difficult to imagine any other place that can offer so many good things all at once. This is the reason that I always love to visit Tuscany during my holidays and spend my vacation relaxing in the coziness of Tuscany villas.

Embedded with beautiful sites and culture, excellent food and wine to make you go haywire, the land has really something that soothes both mind and body. The amazing thing about the land is that you can go for swimming in the summer and go skiing in winter. With its varied landscapes and numerous activities to indulge in, it really makes a perfect destination for a holiday. Tuscany is also home to world’s most famous museums and famous artists as well as influential people such as Petrarch, Dante, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Niccolo Machiavelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo Galilei, and Amerigo Vespucci. Some of the most popular haut couture houses like Gucci and Ferragamo are also located here. The beautiful landscapes with the rolling hills and well preserved medieval villages, filled to the brim with pretty charming sceneries offer a spectacular view, and on top of every hill, you can see a beautiful Tuscany villa.

TuscanyVillas
Tuscany Villas

A day in Tuscany wouldn’t finish without tasting its delicious food and wines that range from basic everyday wines to the top class bottles that can rival any other district. Brunello, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Chianti Classico and the Super Tuscans are just a few of the many wines that the wineries of the region produce.

Olive oil is a part of Tuscan food and a famous ingredient of Tuscany, which the Tuscan people are particularly proud of. Tuscan people use olive oil in everything from preparing salads, making bread to frying and everything in between. It is considered as one of the most peppery and spicy in all of Italy.

The mix of order and organization has given Tuscany one of the highest standards of living in Italy. With its colorful blend of culture, tradition and simple living, Tuscany offers an exciting and marvelous holiday opportunity for tourists to enjoy and be part of its local life.

Date Published: Jan 28, 2012 - 12:25 am


Explore the Traditional Culinary Art of Different Regions of Italy


Everyone who has visited Italy has surely fallen for its marvellous landscapes, ancient history, renaissance art, incredible architecture and overall of course its food. Even though the people who have never been to Italy already know the Italian food in some shape, taste and form in spite of never eaten a pizza or spaghetti pasta.

It is a well known fact that Tuscany is world famous for its food and wine produce. This rich fertile and luxuriant soil has produced unique, high quality goods for centuries. These products are the jewel in the crown, together with the tourist industry, of the region’s economy.

RentVillasinTuscany
Rent Villas in Tuscany

Every area has its own something special, typical, characteristic products. Siena is popular for its panforte cake and ricciarelli for its almond biscuits. While the nearby rural areas are well-known for the production of cinta senesa pork salami products and for cacia pecorino cheese made in the area to the south of Siena known as “le Crete”. The Chianti area is quite famous for its wonderful extra virgin olive oil and most importantly for its red wine - Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montepulciano. In Florence, visitors can try the ribollita soup and the famous “Fiorentina” steak which comes from the Chianina breed of cows. In Livorno, you can try the caciucco, a tasty fish soup made on the coast.

Apart from these items, there are many Italian recipes from the central region of Tuscany, which is probably the best region of Italy for its beauty, history and charm. Each region has its own culinary speciality and own versions of a common Italian dish. Something like pizza is made differently in Naples, Rome, Florence and Milan. And once you have tasted the regional dishes in Italy, you’ll want to discover what makes them really so delicious, good and so different from what you have tasted before so that you can make this dish on your own back home.

TuscanyVillas
Tuscany Villas

Florentine cooking is linked to a tradition of simple dishes prepared with genuine, tasty but plain ingredients which has recently been considered by the world of more sophisticated cuisine. Cereals, bread, vegetable and oil are the basis of many recipes that just have to be tried in one of the restaurants in Florence.

In the nutshell, we can say that for most people Tuscany conjures up images of rural tranquillity, wonderfully preserved medieval towns and the excellent Tuscan country cuisine. Thus, renting a villa in Tuscany, you will have a perfect base to enjoy the beautiful regions along with the culinary tradition of the various places.

Date Published: Nov 23, 2011 - 2:35 am


The Hotel Castel Manastero, Tuscany Italy


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The Castel Monastero sits in one of the most beautiful stretches of Tuscany; the Ombrone Valley, just 23km from Siena. Surrounded by four hectares of vineyards, chestnut forests and cypress trees, the Resort was originally a medieval village called Monastero dell’Ombrone; the records of the village dating back as far as 1050. Now sympathetically renovated, this ancient hamlet will become the Castel Monastero; the latest addition to the prestigious Forte Village group of properties.

 

HotelCastelloTuscanyItaly

Hotel Castello Tuscany Italy


 

The 74 guestrooms and suites are all decorated in a rustic, yet elegant style. Some are located in the main building, whilst others occupy the charmingly renovated houses of the old village. The Castel Monastero Villa occupies 160m2 and has wonderful views over the village. A chef and a personal butler are available on request.

Castel Monastero offers a superb gourmet restaurant and three bars, including an exclusive wine bar, located in the 13th century cellar. Here guests can sample the finest wines, including vintage Chianti produced and aged in the Resort’s own winery. For those interested in local cuisine, the Resort also offers a cookery school.

An excellent Wellness Centre & Spa will provide a variety of treatments, including weight loss, detoxifying, aesthetic cures and relaxation techniques. A tea room offering Tuscan herbal infusions, based on ancient recipes, will complement the spa.
 

 
The Resort has 3 swimming pools (one indoor), where sun-beds, parasols and pool towels are provided on a complimentary basis. For the little ones there is a Mini Club for children up to 12 years of age. The resort offers tennis and cycle hire, available at local cost. There is also the opportunity to take trips in hot air balloons (approximately EU50 per person).

Accommodation:

74 Rooms – Classic – Deluxe – Prestige – Junior Suite – Executive Suite Monaco – Suite Ducale – Suite Reale – Villa. (Triple and Family rooms are also available).

Facilities:

3 Pools ( 1 indoor) – 3 Bars (including a wine tasting bar) – Tea Room – Wellness Centre/Spa – Mini-Club – Library – Room Service – Concierge – Parking – Shop – Cookery School – Cycle hire – Horse Riding – Tennis Court – Hot Air Balloon trips (all payable locally).

Private transfers:

Approximately 90minutes from Pisa airport. Prices available on request.

Self drive car hire also available. Details and prices available on request

 
 

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Date Published: Jan 13, 2012 - 11:09 am


Tours of Italy: A Wine and Food Tuscan Itinerary


Florence, Siena, Pisa, Lucca, San Gimignano, Arezzo, Cortona are just some of the most famous Tuscan towns, while there are many others less famous but not less interesting places to visit like Colle Val d'Elsa, Buonconvento, Bagno Vignoni, Montepulciano, Pienza just to name a few. Tuscany is also renowned for having been the birth of place of many notable people like Dante, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo Galilei, Amerigo Vespucci and Giovanni da Verrazzano. Therefore Tuscany has always played a key role in any tours to Italy.

Many tours of Italy containing Tuscan itineraries focus on region's wine and food traditions which are as famous as the artistic treasures of this amazing region. Tuscan wine is an excellent product and one of the best ambassadors of the so called “Made in Italy”.

The Chianti hills which stretch between Florence and Siena are the core of a production, under the “Gallo Nero” symbol production, which is by now universally highly appreciated. In this area, i.e. between Florence and Siena, visitors can find a number of wonderful vineyards, country resorts, restaurants and typical “osterie” where is possible to taste, buy and experience great wines at all levels: from the most sophisticated Chianti Gallo Nero DOCG, generally expensive, to some good, although more affordable, Supertuscan. There is as well a great number of hotels, country resorts, b&b and holiday rentals apartments or villas for people who would like to spend some nights in the surroundings.
Other famous and well awarded Tuscan wines are Brunello di Montalcino, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, vino nobile di Montepulciano and the fantastic dessert wine Vin Santo.
Tuscany has many others oenogastronomic treasures to offer besides its wonderful wines. Simplicity is central to the Tuscan cuisine. Legumes, bread, cheese, vegetables, mushrooms and fresh widely are used. Olive oil is made up of ancient olives. Beef of the highest quality comes from the Chiana Valley, specifically a breed known as Chianina used for Florentine steak. In the Siena region, a pasta known as pici resembles thick, grainy-surfaced spaghetti, and is often rolled by hand. Ribollita is a fantastic peasant wonderful Florentine soup. Regional desserts include Panforte (prepared with honey, fruits and nuts), ricciarelli (biscuits made using an almond base with sugar, honey and egg white), and cavallucci.

Italy Tours containing a wine and food Tuscan itinerary is a “must” for everybody who regards  himself as a real traveller.

Date Published: Apr 26, 2012 - 1:03 pm


My Dream Trip to Italy with a Pleasurable Stay at Tuscany Villas


My dream came true on my recent visit to Tuscany. It was a great holiday experience and relaxing time spent in the villa. Italy is a top European destination for visitors around the world. It is also quite popular with females traveling without men like mothers, daughters, sisters, girlfriends and even solo. That’s why being a woman; I preferred to visit Italy all by myself. It was a dream to visit Italy and stay at one of the most luxurious Tuscany villas.

The reasons that it’s a girl’s favorite destination are many. It offers a plethora of beaches, the Mediterranean climate, the Italian Riviera delicious food and wine; the arts, music, and culture; spas and wellness centers; cooking, cycling, walking and other specialty tours; designer fashions, boutiques and markets, and more. There are really many interesting things to do and fascinating places to visit and enjoy.

I avoided to visit in the month of August as Italy is quite hot and crowded during this month. Especially during August, most of the Italians move towards beaches vacating the cities, this make the beaches quite crowded. In the mid-September, I made a plan and visited the place taking an independent trip, covering much of the Italy from Rome to the south of Naples.

TuscanyVillas


Tuscany Villas

It was much easier and less planning work as our team of girls decided to take on an escorted tour in order to avoid any problems while on the tour. Our accommodations were already booked in advance in one of the finest Tuscany villas with 6 beds in order to get much space for each one of us.

We started with Rome and Florence as these two places were in our big list. Venice was given less priority seeing on our tight schedule. Language was the only barrier that we faced here otherwise; it was really a great trip to these places. In Rome, we booked for “Roman Dolce Vita” - an urban adventures walking tour. Local guide took us to visit city highlights like the boutique-lined Via Condotti, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon, but also to locals’ favorite espresso and gelato shops. The thing I loved the most was eating pineapple gelato, which was really yummy and delicious.

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Tuscany Villas for Rent

We traveled throughout the country escorted by our tour guide. It was a great experience visiting different places of Italy. Best of all was the authentic experience of Italian life back in the vineyards watching the Giannettis harvesting grapes. It was really great. I have truly enjoyed my trip to Italy along with staying at Tuscany villas, which has added more fervor to our trip.

Date Published: Oct 21, 2011 - 3:07 am


Visit Eastern Tuscany Italy


I Love Italian Travel – Eastern Tuscany

If you are looking for a European tourist destination, consider visiting the eastern part of the famous Tuscany region in central Italy. Depending on your interests, this beautiful area might be an ideal vacation spot. You can get classic Italian food, and wash it down with world-famous and other local wine. Many of its sites are very popular, especially in high season, but are well worth the visit. Be sure to read the companion articles in this series that present western Tuscany and the Chianti region.

 

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Chianti Italy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our tour of eastern Tuscany starts at Arezzo, some fifty miles (eighty kilometers) southeast of Florence. Then we head south to Cortona before heading sourh and then east to Montepulciano, Pienza, and Montalcino. Finally we turn south to visit the spas at Saturnia.

The hilltop town of Arezzo is Tuscany’s third largest city.

As so often in this part of the world, make sure to find a parking place before hitting the old town. The Basilica di San Francesco hosts beautiful frescoes, restored over a period of 15 years. You will need reservations to see them up close. The Piazza Grande might have been a Roman forum initially. It includes several palaces and hosts an antiques fair on the first Sunday of each month. More exciting is the Giostra del Saracino (Joust of the Saracen) held in mid-June and the first Sunday of September. You’ll also want to see the Pieve di Santa Maria, a Twelfth Century Romanesque church whose Portale Maggiore (great door) hosts sculptures of the months and whose bell tower boasts double orders of mullioned windows. There are several churches worth seeing as well as an archeological, contemporary art, and jewelry museum. Arezzo is the initial setting of the 1999 Academy Award winning film Roberto Benigni’s Life is Beautiful.

 

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Cortona Town Center

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neighboring Cortona stars in another artistic work, Frances Mayes’ Under the Tuscan Sun. It now hosts the annual summer music and lifestyle Tuscan Sun Festival. This medieval hilltop town boasts a view of the surrounding Val di Chiana Valley. You can see Lago Trasimeno where Hannibal ambushed the Roman Army more than 2200 years ago. The Palazzo Casali  hosts the Museo dell’Accademia Etrusca, displaying Etruscan, Roman, and Egyptian artifacts. Don’t miss the Renaissance Santa Maria del Calcinaio Church 2 miles (3 kilometers) southeast of the city. Unfortunately the Renaissance Santa Maria Nuova Church is in poor condition and is not open to visitors.

 

The town of Montepulciano sits on a hilltop more than one mile (almost two kilometers) high. It is cool in the summer and definitely chilly in the winter. It’s home to Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, one fine Tuscan red wine. Don’t confuse this Sangiovese-based wine with those made from the more pedestrian Montepulciano grape. You’ll enjoy the Piazza Grande whose Duomo should be appreciated from the inside. The Church of San Biagio is outside the town walls.

It houses a painting of a Madonna designated Madonna del Buon Viaggio (Madonna of the Good Journey) that is said to protect those touring Italy.

Pienza was rebuilt by Pope Pius II; transforming the village of his birth (1405) into an ideal Renaissance town.

It is also home to some great pecorino (sheep’s-milk) cheese. Visit the Palazzo Piccolomini that includes papal apartments, a library, a music room, and a weapons collection. The stable below had room for 100 horses. The nearby Duomo (Cathedral) is in Renaissance style but its bell tower is Germanic, honoring the years that this pope spent in Germany. Pienza boasts other palaces and a museum showcasing local textiles. The Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall) also has a bell tower; shorter than the Cathedral’s tower, just in case you need be reminded who ruled the roost in those days.

 

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Montalcino

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The medieval hilltop town of Montalcino is best known for the excellent Brunello di Montalcino red wine made from a clone of the Sangiovese grape. You really should taste this wine and compare it with the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano discussed above. You can do so at La Fortezza, a Fourteenth Century fortress, with a spectacular view of the surroundings and an enoteca (wine bar). The Museo Civico e Diocesano d’Arte Sacra is located in a Thirteenth Century building that was formerly the property of Augustine monks.

Be sure that you tour the Castello Banfi winery complete with a castle that includes a dungeon.

For something quite different visit the baths near Saturnia. Both the Etruscans and the Romans thought that the terme (baths) were lightning bolts that Jupiter launched at Saturn, but missed. Be that as it may, the thermal waters contain sulfur, carbon, sulfate, bicarbonate-alkaline, earth, some hydrogen sulfide gas, and carbon dioxide. In high season the falls are open 24 hours a day. The spa is quite pricey and offers a full range of health and beauty treatments.

For more information on Italy click the link below

http://www.etraveltrips.com/eTravelTrips/hotels_list.php?vresort_name=&ifacility_id=&vcountry=Italy&vstate=&vcity=&search_rosort=search

 

 

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Date Published: May 06, 2011 - 7:15 am


A Remembering Stay in Tuscany Villas


Tuscany, a village in countryside of Italy is a storehouse of great pieces of art and architectural masterpieces.  Apart from its rich history, the village is blessed with many beautiful and picturesque natural scenes, locations and frames. The place is like a small heaven with soothing views to help completely relax your mind, body and soul. In recent times, the place has been visited, explored, enjoyed and liked by huge amounts of visitors. This craze and interest in the place has led to development of this village as a better tourist destination offering better stays, resorts, villas, farmhouses and all luxury desired by the visitors.

Tuscany villas are important step towards the betterment of the place and pleasure of the tourists. Anybody planning small or long stay in this beautiful land now gets to select from the varied luxury filled and beautifully designed Tuscany villas.

The villas with attached swimming pools are available in varied sizes and regions to accommodate and comfort families and couples who visit Tuscany for vacations. Not only this, resorts and farm houses are also available on rent to make possible corporate meetings, trainings or employee outings.  While villas add a full-fledged luxurious feel to your holidays, opting for farmhouses make you enjoy comfort of a home stay.

Freshness of the area, green surroundings, absolutely blissful atmosphere and friendly people of the village make your stay memorable and cherish able. Considering serene and ecstatic beauty of Tuscany, the place in recent times have been preferred for organising and hosting important family events like weddings. Imagine a Tuscany villa wedding, a wedding organised in a huge villa located amidst the beautiful green scenes with cool refreshing breeze and all family friends and relatives enjoying and blessing the newlywed couple.

The colourful and pleasant scenery in the backdrop makes scene of a Tuscany villa wedding so romantic and fulfilling experience in itself.
 
As wedding is the most important event in one’s life, a Tuscany style wedding is surely among the best ways to enjoy the moment with your loved ones and family.

All in all, Tuscany is a place filled with great destinations, long history and treasures of serene natural beauty. It helps to discover the true meaning of a vacation i.e. to completely lose strings of all daily worries and relax deeply. Such places are a boon for tourists and guesthouses like rental villas and farmhouses make the vacations even better than ever thought of. Thus next time you plan out a stay in the lap of nature, give Tuscany a thought as the place has loads to promise!

Date Published: Apr 20, 2012 - 2:12 am


Mappa italia Politica Ultima


Mappa italia Politica Ultima immagini
Mappa italia Politica Ultima Region



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The arena stretches over the abruptness of the Apennines, in advanced of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The Tuscan mural is mainly aerial and hilly, with a collapsed breadth besides the sea (the Maremma). The bank presents altered aspects, alms both continued albino expances and headlands. In advanced of the bank there are the baby alluring islands of the Tuscan archipelago.

Cities: Florence is the basic of Tuscany. Other important cities are Siena, Pisa, Arezzo, Pistoia, Prato, Lucca, Livorno, Grosseto, Massa Carrara.

Tuscany is incomparable as a cradle of best art. One can acquisition examples of every age and style: from the Etruscan acculturation (Fiesole, Chiusi, Volterra, Populonia) to Roman monuments and ruins; from the Romanesque architectonics to the absorbing Gothic cathedrals, to the aberrant aesthetic access of the Renaissance. Florence has preserved its masterpieces and abundant works of architectonics over the centuries.

Museums:

The best important accumulating of paintings in the apple is offered by the Uffizi Gallery; visitors can access the actual absorbing Designs and Print Room; the accumulating of self-portraits. Abundant paintings can be apparent in the Gallery of Palazzo Pitti, with Tiziano’s and Raffaello’s masterpieces. Florence additionally has the Museum of the Costume and the Museum of the Carriages; the admirable Italian area can be admired in the Giardino di Boboli. In the Museum of the Opera del Duomo the acclaimed "Pietà" by Michelangelo can be admired. Then, there are the Museum of the Bargello, St. Mark’s Museum, the Academy Gallery and the Ethnologic Museum Stibbert. Pisa, an age-old Roman argosy abject and amphibian republic, has the Museum of the Sinopie, which holds the basic assets for the frescoes, and the National Museum of St. Matteo. Siena is a well-preserved medieval city; actuality there are the Civic Museum, which houses the Histories of Alexander III, the Museum of the Opera Metropolitana and the Pinacoteca Nazionale, with Senese painting. Tradition and art are able everywhere: in Arezzo the Gallery and the Medieval and Modern Museum can be visited.

In accession to art, Tuscany offers outstanding attributes sceneries, such as the National Park of the Argentario and the Isola of Elba. In Siena there is the admirable Piazza del Campo. In Florence there are the fifteenth-century shops on the Ponte Vecchio. Pisa has the Campo dei Miracoli, with the acclaimed Leaning Tower.
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Date Published: Apr 24, 2011 - 8:58 pm


Tuscany a rural paradise


eTravelTrips Blog

Centuries-old art and culture nestled in natural beauty

Those who want to discover the splendors of the Tuscan countryside will delight in the area’s amazing cultural and natural treasures. Whether by car, foot, bike or on horse-back, the territory offers myriad opportunities if you are looking to immerse yourself in a centuries-old culture that is immersed in beauty.

 

Tuscany

Tuscany Italy


 

Chianti senese – This landscape appears to be drawn by hand. Visitors will delight in participating in one of its many itineraries spotlighting forests, vineyards, hamlets and special districts. Don’t miss the area’s many gems such as Radda, Gaiole, Castellina and Castelnuovo Berardenga.

Crete Senese – This fascinating area is characterized by shapes sculpted from an ever-changing sea of clay. The thermal baths of Rapolano, the truffle of San Giovanni D’Asso are just some of the wonders that this territory offers.
 

 

Val d’Orcia – In the heart of the territory surrounding Siena, you’ll find a perfect landscape characterized by rolling hills, cypress groves and the sinuous flow of its river. In this authentic treasure chest filled with stunning natural beauty, you won’t want to miss historical centers like Pienza and Montalcino.

Chianti fiorentino – Barberino Val d’Elsa, Greve in Chianti, San Casciano in Val di Pesa and Tavarnelle in Val di Pesa boast rolling hills and vineyards paired with the chance to enjoy a glass of fine wine. As you cross the territory, it’s impossible not to find castles, hamlets, solitary abbeys, and history-filled villa-farms.

Mugello – Just a few kilometers from Florence you can discover additional traces of history that prove equally fascinating when compared to that of the Renaissance capital. Mugello hosts a racetrack as well as Medici villas, tiny churches and myriad trails for cyclists.

Vallombrosa – Take a walk through the area’s many woods, discovering enchanting trails that will lead to abbeys built in bygone times. All of these incredible experiences are sure to make for an unforgettable holiday.

Lucca and province – Whether you love culture or nature—this territory has it all. The villas of Lucca are authentic historical gems that once belonged to noble families who lived in the area stretching from Versilia to the Apuane Alps.

 

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Date Published: Aug 29, 2011 - 12:14 pm


Learning About Tuscan Decor


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by Andrew Caxton

How a visit to the Tuscan region will make you want to come back again and again. Many of the things that you can see and do in the region of Tuscany.

altIf you have visited the Tuscan region of Italy once, you are sure to come back again. There is so much to do there, that you will need to come back to complete it all, but you will also want to come back just to experience the same pleasures once again. No matter what kind of vacation you like, Tuscany will have something for you to enjoy.

The most popular places to stay in Tuscany are the beautiful old farmhouses or the quaint B&Bs. Even though these accommodations can be full of old world charm, you will also find many activities besides just enjoying the history and the ambiance. There are water sports, historical sites to visit, like the Tower of Pisa and local customs to view and enjoy, such as wine making and olive processing.

If you prefer, you can stay at a luxurious hotel, but there is so much charm and beauty in the old castles, villas, farmhouses and B&Bs that that is the recommended route. You can view some of the special treats of Tuscany, such as olive oil production right on the farm you are staying at!

One of the most fascinating activities is watching the production of two of the most famous products of Tuscany: wine and olive oil. You can take a tour of a winery and taste the famous Chianti or Tuscan wine, and of course watch the olives being pressed for the delicious oil of the area. Don’t forget to buy a bottle or two for a souvenir.

The wines of Tuscany are superb, and they have to be to go with the wonderful Tuscan style of cooking. Fresh pasta served with meats in various sauces and of course famous Italian bread to go with everything.

The taste is not the only thing that is satisfied here. The eyes have a feast when you drive along the coast to try out some water sports such as swimming or windsurfing, or to have a day of fishing. The Mediterranean is nearby for all of these activities. Of course, many of the places where tourists stay have wonderful pools for the use of their guests.

Another popular activity in the region is to rent a bike and make a tour of the countryside. Here you will have a closeup view of the famous monuments, such as the ancient churches that the region is known for.

You will agree that it is so hard to decide what to do on this trip, that you have already started planning your next one!

About the Author:
Adam Peters enjoys writing about italian style for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com . For additional information on italian style tuscan theme accessories subjects have a look at his web.

More about Tuscany:
Discover even more about what Tuscany has to offer and find out what your fellow travelers think of one of the most beautiful regions in Italy at http://www.italytravelnotes.com/category/tuscany/

Date Published: Aug 11, 2011 - 11:30 pm


Tourist Guide of Arezzo


altArezzo is one of the most fascinating cities of Tuscany, a true urban treasure rich in artistic features and splendid landscape.

Arezzo is a city rich in history, attracting visitors not only to its artistic works-of-art and beauty buildings in its centre, but also to its splendid nature in the surrounding areas. Arezzo is a unique location allowing for cultural, relaxing and leisure breaks.

Events in Arezzo
Giostra del Saracino
The annual revocation of a historic medieval challenge of the finest knights from the four town quarters, which takes place in the picturesque setting of Piazza Grande. The Giostra takes place on the penultimate Saturday of June at night time (Giostra di San Donato) and the first Sunday of September during the day (Giostra di Settembre).

Antiques fair
Every first Sunday of each month, in the medieval centre of Arezzo, an antiques fair takes place with over 500 exhibitors coming from all over Italy, offering a panorama of cultural and regional traditions. A unique occasion for big and small collectors.

Gastronomy and typical produce
Chianti dei Colli Aretini
D.o.c wines produced exclusively in the territory of Arezzo and characterised by their vivacious ruby red colour, intense odour and light tannic overtones.

Sanbudello
A small, round sausage, also known as “Ammazzafegato aretino” (Arezzo liver-killer). The sausages are distinguished for their spicy flavour obtained during the process in which the pig’s offal (heart, tongue, lungs…) are mixed with garlic and herbs and spices including wild fennel.

10 things to do in Arezzo
• Walk around the historic centre
• Visit the cathedral of San Donato
• Take an excursion of Casentino
• Attend the Giostra del Saracino
• Visit the church of San Domenico
• Visit the basilica of San Francesco
• Visit the church of Santa Maria Assunta
• Visit the state archaeological museum of Gaio Cilnio Mecenate
• Visit the state medieval and modern art museum
• Wine-tasting in Chianti and Colli Aretini

How to get to Arezzo
By car: From the Sole A1 Milano – Napoli motorway exit at Arezzo.
By train: The train station is situated in Piazza della Stazione; to visit Arezzo you need to take the Firenze-Roma line. From Arezzo there are two local lines which operate; Arezzo-Stia (connection for Casentino) and Arezzo-Sinalunga (connection from Valdichiana).
By plane: The nearest airports to Arezzo are Pisa, Florence and Forlì. Although there is an airport in Arezzo, it is for private small plane use only.

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Date Published: May 02, 2011 - 3:50 am


 
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