The slant of the light. The grace of the architecture. The serenity of the landscape. It's an enduring sense of time and place and peace found only in the elegant summer villas of Tuscany.
A vacation in a hillside home in a quaint little town is your chance to truly live in Tuscany, to get to know the people and their traditions, to experience the richness of the region.
The fresh air, the vineyards, olive groves and winding roads through many small communities where the landscape has changed little in the five centuries since the Borgias summered here.
A breathtaking view
The Tuscan landscape can be panoramic and inspiring, with vineyards, olive groves, fig trees, hilltop towns in the distance… Or it can be intimate and mysterious, with old farmhouses, churches and palazzos, maybe a Roman, or even Etruscan, ruin…
With grapes exacted by nature and still harvested by hand, wine making is the art and soul of Chianti.
You’ll feel a part of the landscape as you dine al fresco. The cuisine is fragrant and flavorful, made with impeccably fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs grown locally and purchased earlier in the day at the farmer’s market.
The local wines are glorious. Classicos from Chianti, robust Brunellos from Montalcino, luscious Nobiles from Montepulciano, and the Super Tuscans, such as the Bolgheri Sassicaia.
Sunday afternoon, visit the piazza and take part in the traditional passegiata. Watch the square transform as people of all ages stroll and socialize. You’ll find the Tuscan people welcoming and generous, with a genuine desire to introduce you to the things they love.
Everything is within easy distance
When you’re ready to explore you’ll find all the riches of Tuscany are no more than a day trip away.
Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance and the capital of Tuscany, is a panoply of culture and commerce, history and modern Italian style, Tuscan charm and European sophistication. The choices for sightseeing are many so be sure to ask for an itinerary that lets you experience the city at a pace that’s comfortable for you.
For sun and sea with a cosmopolitan flair, visit Forte de Marni and Porto Santo Stefano on Tuscany’s coast. If you prefer a more rugged terrain, explore the unspoiled wilderness of the Apennine Mountains. Travel to Arezzo, Pisa, Lucca, Siena. And of course you’ll visit the old villages that dot the landscape, including the ones high atop the hills, where they’ve perched safely for centuries.
Arezzo's medieval Piazza Grande is home to a highly celebrated monthly antiques market. The Pieve di Santa Maria (right), is Arezzo's oldest church.
Shop, sightsee, relax
Tuscany is the marketplace for some of the world’s best leather goods, silks and other textiles, antiques and religious art. Italian designers such as Ferragamo, Gucci, Prada and Armani have boutiques in Tuscany — there are fabulous designer outlet stores, too. Antiques fairs and music festivals are held in Tuscany throughout the summer.
And in the evenings, enjoy a leisurely meal prepared with care and perfection. You might consider a wine tasting, adding a sommelier to guide you and your guests through the local vintages. Or go out for the evening to enjoy one of the many classical and traditional concerts, operas and theatrical performances you’ll find even in the small Tuscan towns.
Everyone thrives in Tuscany
Tuscany is an ideal setting for a multi-generation family vacation. Small children enjoy the simple pleasures of playing outdoors in a natural environment. Older children enjoy seeing history come to life as they encounter Renaissance palaces and relics from ancient empires. Teenagers make new friends quickly in the convivial atmosphere of the piazza. And while there are many walking and biking paths, everything is accessible by car or train, so no one need be left out of the fun.
Tuscany villa rentals from Homebase Abroad
Homebase Abroad has a Portfolio of Tuscan luxury rental villas and comprehensive vacation planning services. You can rely on us for insider information about the best restaurants, shops, antiques dealers and art galleries. Allow us to help you procure tickets, plan itineraries off the beaten path, arrange for a hot air balloon ride… Let us use our familiarity with the region, local contacts and expertise to create a custom luxury Italian villa vacation that meets all your requests and exceeds your expectations.
Luxury villa vacations in Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, Lake Como, Umbria since 1994. Comprehensive travel planning and Concierge services are included for all Homebase Abroad guests.
781-639-4040UK: +44-20-7084-6374
Click here to view our Portfolio of Tuscan luxury villa rentals. For information, including availability, please call Homebase Abroad at 781-639-4040 or UK: +44-20-7084-6374 to consult with one of our directors. We would be happy to answer all your questions and make suggestions as to how your luxury villa vacation could be customized and made especially memorable.
© January 2008 by Homebase Abroad, Ltd. All rights reserved.
