A villa with pool, a luxury destination, the company of the people we love: these are the ingredients for a special holiday for luxury
Tourists who plan a holiday in a villa in Tuscany are usually very demanding. They are travellers looking for good food and traditions, art and history, relaxing and inspiring atmospheres.
If you plan a holiday in a villa in Tuscany, you can have all of this. And much more.
Tuscany is one of the best places to visit in Italy. How many places in the world have historic buildings, works of art, culinary tradition, culture, and a rich and colourful nature all at once? Certainly, not many.
Tuscany is one of these places. For this reason, tourists from all over the world decide to plan their holidays right in Tuscany, a land full of traditions. In Tuscany, the richness of the typical products -from wines to cold cuts – perfectly matches with culinary art, offering a special experience of food and flavours. Spending a holiday in Tuscany means getting immersed in its history and culture. A holiday in Tuscany is an incredible journey into art and beauty.
The art cities of Tuscany are famous all around the world: Pisa, with its Piazza dei Miracoli; Siena, with its Palio and its medieval towns; Florence, with its wonderful collection of works of art in the Uffizi Gallery.
Just outside the historical centres, the green hills of Tuscany will win you over. The vineyards and the olive groves make them pictures to be admired and photographed. Natural paradises where to get immersed and to retire, looking for relax and tranquillity.
Renting a villa is the best solution if you are thinking to plan a group holiday in Tuscany. Whether you are together with your friends or with your family, you can enjoy the comfort of an independent accommodation.
Tuscany is a region particularly suited to holidays in a villa, because it can count on very green peripheral areas, which are isolated, but easily reachable from the cities at the same time. During the day, you can move around discovering all the attractions, then coming back to the stillness of your villa to relax, far from the crowd of tourists.
You will be completely independent in terms of time and spaces; however, you can enjoy all the services and comforts. You will also optimise costs, especially if you are part of a large group.
If you are thinking to plan a holiday in a villa in Tuscany, here are some useful tips.
The Palio di Siena is an event known all over the world. Every year thousands of tourists come to Italy – and to Tuscany in particular – to enjoy this spectacular horse race. For the people of Siena, this is a centuries-old tradition rather than a simple event, and it is deeply felt throughout the year.
There are many reasons why you should opt for a holiday in Italy. One of these is the Palio di Siena, a horse race which takes place in Siena (in Tuscany), drawing tourists from all over the world.
The horse race is held twice a year: the 2ndof July, when the Palio della Madonna di Provenzano is run, and the 16thof August, when the Palio dell’Assunta is run.
The Palio di Siena takes place in Piazza del Campo: a beautiful piazza which is well worth a visit.
If you have never been in Italy or in Tuscany, you should plan a holiday in this period. It is the celebration of a whole city, an event not to be missed.
The Palio di Siena has ancient roots. There were reports of horse racing in Siena already in 1200: the oldest document about the Palio dates back to 1238.
The Palio was a leisure event concluding the celebrations of Maria Vergine Assunta, protectress of Siena and of its State. At the time, the nobles took part in the Palio, while the contrade –nowadays leading players– joined a series of games as opponents. The number of the contrade has changed several times over the centuries.
The jockeys ride bareback and without stirrups. It’s not unusual that both horses and jockeys fall. However, the winner is always the horse: in fact, it can reach the finish line even without its jockey (namely “riderless”), gaining victory.
Today Palio involves 17 contrade, related to as many quarters of the city. The rivalry between the contrade is very strong and culminates in the Palio di Siena. This is why people of the different contrade prepare for the Palio 365 days a year. Only 10 of the 17 contrade take part in each edition of the Palio: the 7 contrade which didn’t attend the event the previous year, in addition to 3 contrade chosen randomly.
The day of the Palio di Siena, Piazza del Campo becomes the field of the challenge. The horses have to run for three laps of the piazza, which is covered with sand and tuff for the occasion.
The winning contrada conquers the “Drappellone”, a banner painted by a different artist every year.
If you arrive in Siena in the early afternoon, it is possible to get a seat in the piazza and to attend the Palio di Siena for free.
As alternative, you can contact the tourist authorities of Siena, asking them about the availability of platforms or balconies overlooking the piazza. However, this is a payment solution.
If you have children or if you are part of a large group, this is the best option anyway.
The Palio di Siena is the great celebration of the city and it draws thousands of tourists every year. So be ready to deal with crowds, heat and long waits. The best option to enjoy the most of the Palio di Siena is to count on an accommodation outside the city. Basically, Siena is blocked for 4 days during the Palio.
Our advice is to organize a holiday in Italy of several days, during which you could include also your participation to the Palio di Siena. Before and after the event, you have all the time necessary to relax and to visit the territory. And to discover the many treasures that Tuscany – and neighbouring Umbria – have to offer.
The hills of San Gimignano are the ideal solution for your holiday in Tuscany. You can stay in a beautiful villa with pool, just a few steps away from one of the most beautiful towns of Italy , far from confusion but at the same time in a strategic position to visit the surrounding areas and Siena in particular.