As the crisp air of fall settles in, families across the U.S. gather for traditions passed down through generations. In Upstate New York, families head to orchards for apple and pear picking or spend weekends pumpkin hunting. Children race through fields, their faces lighting up with excitement as they choose the perfect pumpkin for carving jack-o’-lanterns or enjoy a fresh slice of apple pie à la mode. These are the cozy, comforting moments that make…
Exploring the Chic & Discreet Maremma. Maremma is one of our favorite lesser-known areas of Tuscany, Italy. This region of understated beauty between Florence and Rome on the lush Mediterranean coast is unlike anything else in our country. Not surprisingly, it has become an exclusive destination for travellers and locals alike. It encompasses the province of Grosseto and its surrounding towns along the west coast of Tuscany, not far from the famous towns of Siena, Montepulciano,…
When we talk about wine, we tell a story, and talking about this winery in Montalcino is an adventure. Today, we want to share our experience regarding one of the best Brunello wineries to visit: Podere le Ripi. This is the story of the realization of a dream, a winery, an ecosystem, a living organism, a biodynamic vineyard in the heart of the Tuscan hills. But first, let us immerse ourselves… Winery in the UNESCO…
The southern hills of Lucca are enchanted with stylish villas, historic buildings, olive groves, forested areas and many beautiful camelia gardens. Located in the town of Vorno, and within walking distance from our villas, Cucina dello Scompiglio is known as the secret garden. This beautiful spot is so much more than a good Lucca restaurant – it is an experience that combines both tradition and innovation. This restaurant is a special destination you will…
If you’re looking for a unique Tuscan experience, consider visiting the stunning Petra winery in the Tuscan hills of Maremma, the hidden secret of Tuscany. Petra is a unique destination that must be experienced in person to truly understand its beauty and wonder. It lies near the ancient village of Suvereto, and is a 40 km drive from Bolgheri, nestled into the iron hills of Val di Cornia. Petra – The Property When we first…
Secret Gardens in Florence Imagine being immersed in the center of Florence, in the largest privately owned garden in Europe, situated within city boundaries. One of the secret gardens in Florence that you can find it between Via del Campuccio, Via de ‘Serragli and the stretch of wall that runs along the Viale Francesco Petrarca. Rife with masonic symbology with an esoteric feel, the neo-gothic tower with a stone-spiral staircase is the most visible symbol of this hidden…
Tuscany is wonderfully multifaceted. One moment, you’re immersed in the peace of rolling hills and vineyards; the next, you’re strolling through museums or vibrant piazzas (city squares). Add in pristine coastlines and charming hilltop towns, and you’ve got a region bursting with variety. With so much to see and experience, we want to share with you a spot that puts it all within reach. Meet Casole d’Elsa, a charming town situated in the heart of…
It has been said that Florence houses 60 percent of the world’s greatest art treasures and as a result no visit to Florence is complete without visiting the Renaissance City’s world renown museums including, the Uffizi & l’Accademia. The museums are open six days a week – they are closed on Mondays – and tend to be extremely crowded on weekends and Tuesdays – and nearly always the admittance lines are long – with waits…
Tuscany’s Thermal Springs If you think that Tuscany is limited to sprawling landscapes and charming hill-top towns, think again. Besides an extensive coastline, there is much to experience in this vast region that we so deeply adore. Tuscany is home to some of the most unique and picturesque thermal springs. These Tuscan thermal springs also happen to offer a range of benefits for the skin and body. Our team members love organizing a day to…
The best part of life in Tuscany is discovering just how dynamic this central Italian region really is. It continues to amaze me, even after years of living here. Tuscany encompasses a beautiful and diverse natural landscape with numerous UNESCO World Heritage sights. Many travelers are only aware of the famous Renaissance cities of Siena and Florence, but my personal favorites are the smaller towns where time seems trapped in a bygone era. One of the…
A Glimpse Into The Past Lucca is a city that has withstood the test of time. It showcases remnants of its illustrious past in its well-preserved architecture and city layout. Its origins can be traced back to ancient times when it was founded by the Etruscans. Over the centuries, Lucca was inhabited and influenced by various civilizations, including the Romans and the Byzantines. Each time period leaving an indelible mark on its character. However, it…
In our opinion Lucca is perhaps the most opulent and culturally interesting of all the magnificent cities in Tuscany. Founded originally by the Etruscans and then passed on to the Romans, Lucca prospered as it became the center of the silk trade in the 11th century. The silk trade brought considerable wealth into Lucca and both a middle and an upper middle class emerged. The Bernardini and Buonvisi families rose to considerable prominence not only…
Chianti Colli Fiorentini wines are a true embodiment of Italy’s rich winemaking heritage and a testament to the artistry and passion of the Tuscan winemakers. The Chianti Colli Fiorentini wine region encompasses the rolling hills surrounding the historic city of Florence. Crafted primarily from Sangiovese grapes, the signature grape of the region, these wines carry a unique and unmistakable personality. They have long been celebrated as some of Italy’s finest offerings. Chianti Colli Fiorentini Chianti…
You’ve finally decided to reward yourself and take that dream vacation you always wanted – you’re going to rent a villa in Italy! You browse the internet and all the villas you’re seeing look beautiful, so how do you pick the right one? We thought we would offer a few tips on how to pick the right villa to rent in Italy and particularly in Tuscany so your holiday finds you living la dolce vita…
Trying to pick the right villa in Tuscany for your family’s vacation is not an easy task. The internet is full of pictures and descriptions, but as we all know the pictures are staged, and the descriptions are written to entice you to come rent the villa and tend to omit anything that might deter you from renting the estate. How do you tell? Of course getting on an airplane and flying to Tuscany and…
One of the best ways to see Tuscany is by car. Here are our top tips for renting a car and driving in Tuscany. To rent a car, you will need to present a valid driver’s license from your home country and a credit card. When renting a car, debit cards are not usually accepted. International driver’s permits are needed in Italy to be able to rent and operate a vehicle legally. International Driver’s Permit…
If you’re headed to Tuscany this autumn, go ahead and pat yourself in the back. In addition to less crowds, cooler weather and fun seasonal events – visiting during this time of year means you have access to something Italians (and well anyone really) cherish more than anything. Truffles and Porcini mushrooms, the ‘gold standard’ of local cuisine during this period, together with Alba in Piedmont, Tuscany is also quite famous for excellent truffles. One…
No poem was ever written by a drinker of water– Horace, the great Roman poet. On this blog, we’d like to showcase places that personally are quite special to us, including the fantastic winery in Tuscany Castello d’Albola, located just north of Radda in Chianti. Not only is their wine a personal favorite (we like the Acciaiolo), it is located in one of the best wine regions in Tuscany, a place with a long history…
2021 Retreat – Sailing in Tuscany Venus is the Goddess of love and beauty and has been the favorite subject of artwork and legend since ancient times. Legend tells of her loss of a necklace as she emerges from the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The pearls of the necklace scatter and form the seven islands of the Tuscan Archipelago. Today, we know these islands as Capraia, Elba, Giannutri, Giglio, Gorgona, Montecristo, and Pianosa. For…
Few years ago, on a very quick decision made over TOO MANY cups of tea at La Rosa Canina Lab in Florence, we decided to leave for a fast 2 weeks in Cape Town. The result was 2 weeks of maniac work at the desk of hour house on the beach of Big Bay and 3 inspirational shooting that we simply love! And so did many of the blogs we have submitted them and published…
Built over seven years, every inch of this rental on the Maremma Coast overlooking the island of Giglio has been carefully planned and beautifully executed by a famous interior design architect. Lodged between the rolling Tuscan hills and the sea in Argentario, the location is enough to qualify it as a true paradise. One of a Kind View The designer capitalized on the location, which creates a mesmerizing uninterrupted view of the sea and all…
Lush countryside, beautiful vineyards, and gorgeous weather make the ideal location for your perfect tuscan outdoor wedding in Tuscany. In fact this region of Italy was the preferred location for destination weddings in Italy for 24% of couples, according to recent research from JFC Tourism and Management. But, no matter how laid back and relaxed an outdoor wedding looks, it requires ample planning and attention to detail. You should prepare for the weather, organize outdoor…
Wellness & Yoga Retreats in Tuscany, Italy. In 2017 TuscanDream launched Wellness & Yoga Retreats in its Tuscan villas! The first one took place in a beautiful 5 bedroom villa with heated pool located in the Val d’Ambra region, called Molino del Chianti. The property sits at the foot of the Chianti hills, nearby a small medieval village, in an enchanting Tuscan landscape surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and oak woods. The retreats was focused on…
If you close your eyes and picture Italy like it is often depicted in the movies, you might see a peaceful place with rolling hills, quaint farmhouses and charming villages dotting the landscape. All this and even more describes of our favorite areas of the country, the scenic and fertile Val di Chiana (Valdichiana) valley, located in the southern Tuscany. It is also quite well-known for its excellent food, wine and extremely charming towns that…
You don’t need a silver fork to eat good food. – Paul Prudhomme In Tuscany, there is a maxim that in order to eat well, you must head straight to the (natural) source. Our cuisine is part of our heritage and when it comes to food, Italians are acutely attuned to what is fresh and in season. If you use the freshest ingredients you don’t have to make things complex – you can enjoy them…
There is exciting news for art lovers planning on visiting Florence this winter! We highly recommend that you visit the fascinating Palazzo Vecchio museum located in Florence’s magnificent Town Hall and see an exhibit before it closes in mid-February. For the first time in over one hundred years, the Opificio delle Pietre Dure, a spectacular set of twenty tapestries depicting the stories of the Biblical patriarch Joseph have been reunited and put on display. These…
Let’s face it, even for those of us who live in Tuscany, one of the most beautiful places in the world there is stress – and sometimes we all need to relax and reset our mind and body. One of the best ways to let out all the tension and clean the mind is yoga – and no matter which discipline of yoga you want to practice you will find it here. We are passionate…
It’s the ultimate stress reducer – If responding to text and phone calls about what time the ceremony starts or what is the closest hotel to the wedding venue isn’t part of your wedding vision, then a wedding website is a must! Using your website to communicate the details guarantees that your guests can always access the information they need, even if they accidentally misplace your invitation. It sets expectations – While is likely all…
December is one of the best months to be in Italy, not only is it less saturated with people crowding the town centers in the height of the summer season – it also means the welcome arrival of the Christmas markets. In every major town around the country, streets exuberantly light up, adorned with lights and folly while markets dedicated to the holiday season open up to sell locally-made goods and plenty of hot, mulled…
For those looking to truly wind down in the heart of Tuscany, we suggest choosing a location that is strategic to local towns you would like to visit, in addition to fabulous places where you can wind down because a vacation doesn’t feel like one if you are constantly on-the-go. Luckily, for those looking for something private yet accessible, we have two villas available for rent in the province of Siena (19 kilometers from the…
Tuscany is well-known for rolling hills with cypress-lined lanes, hill-top Renaissance towns and wonderful food – but the markets are also some of the best in Italy. From Arezzo to Florence, there is something for everyone in this varied region. Whether it be antiques, books, organic foodstuffs, vintage clothing, or even for Christmas – you can guarantee to find something you like here. Since there are more than we can list today, we categorized our…
Florence belongs to humanity.. It all starts with Gian Gastone in 1737, the last Grand Duke of the Medici Dynasty and one that most people have never even heard of is wasting away in the grand Palazzo Pitti. Sure, Lorenzo, the art-lover is well known with his crooked nose a common portrait found in town and of course the illustrious Cosimo. But the end is sort of where this story actually begins. The history of Florence…
“Nothing makes the future look so rosy as to contemplate it through a glass of Chambertin.” ― Napoleon Bonaparte The region of Tuscany is full of surprises when it comes to accommodation options staying in a castle is entirely possible. One such option is the lovely 11th century Castello di Volognano, a medieval abode only twenty minutes from Florence in the lovely Valdarno hills with room with six-bedrooms, a beautiful pool and its very own wine cellar.…
Getting married in off-season is increasingly becoming a conscious choice by discerning brides who can appreciate a different feel on their wedding day. Which in our opinion, is no less elegant and romantic than tying the knot in high summer. If anything it can be even more ethereal experience. Intermingling a creative use of light and floral — a winter wedding could be the talk of the season (in a good way). We came up…
Our series spotlighting the best of hot new contemporary eats in the city is back. Our first article covered the dynamic San Lorenzo neighborhood, this time we are focusing on the south bank or ‘other side of the river.’ The area stretching from San Niccolo to the oltrarno to San Frediano. Commonly known as the area where locals’ reside. The hustle and bustle here is typically less touristy and crowded as the zones surrounding piazza…
With low-cost flights making a jaunt over to Florence a very realistic possibility, people are taking advantage of this more than ever. Planning fun weekend trips from all over Europe is becoming cheaper, and offers a variety in travel that before people could only dream about. Breakfast in London, dinner in Prague. In less than two hours from locations like Paris, Berlin or London — you can step foot onto Italian soil and be sipping…
Packing for Italy, do you love or do you hate it? We completely get it, our stress levels rise alarmingly quickly when traveling to a place where the weather is as temperamental as the bus drivers, but on the other, bus drivers in Italy also tend to be pretty handsome. Regardless of season, there are a few things that should always be in your suitcase on your next Italy trip. Tissues being one of them, public…
Fall in Italy is a personal favorite for so many reasons, you can feel the palpable energy which returns to Italian cities. For those of us who love food and wine, it also is the time when harvest season is about to kick off, which means plenty of great food and festivals in many local towns. We also believe that couples getting married during this time tend to stress less about weather, since fair-enough, it can…
We all lead busy lives which often means not enough time to focus on the things that really matter, mainly our relationships with family and friends. While someone’s idea of a holiday in Italy might mean hitting up every hot-spot mentioned in Rick Steves, aimed at checking it off a dream bucket-list. We suggest otherwise. The things is, you have the rest of your life to hurry to the next big thing, ideally, coming to Italy should…
Monteriggioni – Only 50 kilometers from Florence, and 15 from Siena, lies a tiny, walled 13th century Medieval town that seems to have been preserved in time, its prowess is even quoted in Dante’s Divine Comedy. Used as a defensive fortification in the Middle Ages between the always-fighting Siena and Florence, it is one of the best preserved towns from this era in all of Italy, with 570 meters of circular walls that beckon to…
Those who have traveled to Florence in the past ten years might be accustomed to a style that is very reminiscent to Tuscany. Marble-topped tables, rustic atmosphere and a written menu, featuring delights that are heavily vegetable, except for the odd ‘bistecca alla fiorentina‘ or two. Lately the city has undergone a bit of a contemporary revolution, the traditions still remain but a younger, passionate wave of owners has broken the barriers to add their…
We’d like to think that ‘Cinderella’ were around today, she would likely skip the stiff organza and go instead for a softer, more delicate appeal. A bit of vintage lace with a soft cascading silk skirt, her hair in loose waves, or woven with a braid adorned with fresh flora. She steps out to a hushed whisper in a row of whispering cypress trees, nestled in the heart of Val d’Orcia. Or in an iconic…
The idea to celebrate weddings in a foreign country was born from my need to get new inspirations away from Tuscany and explore exotic spots at the same time. South Africa was the perfect location for a lot of reasons. Since I got back there in 2010, after my first trip in 1993 when the apartheid regime was still on, this country has been inspiring me in a lot of different ways. Now how to…
Although it is a relatively small city of fifty-two thousand people Siena is a cultural behemoth and rightfully has earned its place as a Unesco World Heritage Site. This picturesque hill town has played a huge role in western civilization. Originally settled by the Etruscans, Siena rose to prominence when the Lombards conquered the city and built the Via Francigena, linking Rome with what is now France in the sixth century. The city became…
If a Hollywood set designer was asked to create the Tuscany of our dreams, chances are good that they would erect a model of the medieval town of Gaiole in Chianti, the small vineyard dominated village nestled fifteen kilometers north of the provincial capital of Siena and only forty kilometers southeast of Florence. In 1215, Gaiole became the central market town for the small villages of Radda, Castellina in Chianti and the nearby castles of…
Weddings don’t get much more beautiful than with a backdrop of rolling hills & vineyards! For those that have decided to marry in a winery, wine will obviously be a huge part of your nuptials! So, why not to use some white wine barrels for your outdoor ceremony?
This is an amazing recipe for the winter weekend! It is not too sweet and it is healthy. It’s a cake, but no sugar, yeast or baking powder are needed. It also contains pine nuts and walnuts that are good for your system. In Tuscany we typically make it in November & December because we pick up the chestnuts and prepare the flour in November and like all the flours is better if you use…
Getting to Tuscany by air is quite easy. Pisa and Florence have international airports, but many of our TuscanDream luxury villas are less than a two hour drive from Rome’s Fiumicino airport, Bologna and Genoa. It depends where your villa or hotel is located and where you are flying from to determine which airport is best to fly into for your Italian vacation. If you are staying in a TuscanDream villa in Lucca, you could…
This past year we really had the chance to create some beautiful long table arrangements. Here some quick snaps of the ones we loved the most! All the 3 of them will be featured in wedding blogs in the month so stay tuned for more details. A castle setting is the perfect place to use long tables and in this case we did a U shape table to create that medieval banquet feel. Using silver…
Tuscany has always been a shopper’s paradise – and now with the United States dollar having gained over 10 percent against the Euro it’s even better! Whether you’re looking for designer goods, ceramics, shoes and other leather goods, antiques or jewelry, we’ve got bargains galore! The Luxury Outlet “The Mall” is located 30 minutes southeast of Florence on the Via Europa 8, Leccio Regello (Florence) features a host of designer goods at about thirty percent…
No matter where you rent a villa in Tuscany, no vacation seems complete without a visit to Florence, the city that gave birth to, and is synonymous with, the Renaissance. It is estimated that 70% of the Western World’s most important art can be found in Italy, and half of these treasures can be found in the world famous museums of Florence! One could easily spend a year sightseeing in Florence without taking in everything!…
Tuscany is rightfully world renown for our cuisine and a meal is not just an occasion to quickly fill your stomach. In our land, a meal is a celebration of taste and a festival of flavours that is to be savored and enjoyed. We do not push back from the table until we have to. We are blessed with some amazingly talented chefs, none better than Valentino of Taste Emotions – the author of three of the best…
On a beautiful spring day at the beginning of the month of May in a Castle in Chianti with about 80 guests we made it happen! Many foreign couples planning their destination wedding in Tuscany consider the month of May for their wedding. While the end of month feels almost like summer already, with longer daylight and steady weather, the beginning of the month can be more tricky and risky weather wise. For Richard and…
Here is an easy to follow step by step guide to help you plan your destination wedding in Tuscany. Be it Tuscany or any other part of the world this quick guide is sure to trigger some important points to consider that you might have not thought of previously. For a more detailed guide read this post on planning a destination wedding in Tuscany. Feel free to share this by pasting the code below into…
Thinking of planning a wedding abroad? Check out our list of things to consider before planning a Tuscan wedding.
Destination weddings are a wonderful way to celebrate your special day. Not only can you seek out warmer weather, but also beautiful locations, delicious food and the perfect atmosphere.
Cortona is a picturesque medieval walled city set high on the slopes of Mount St. Egidio and overlooking the Val di Chiana and Lake Trasimeno. Known to many as the setting for the movie Under The Tuscan Sun, Cortona is a vibrant town well worth exploring for its historical importance, fantastic shopping, breathtaking views and its fabulous cuisine! TuscanDream offers several phenomenal villas in Cortona, including the sensational ten bedroom air conditioned Villa Laura that was…
Twenty minutes northeast of Siena, and less than an hour south of Florence, is Tuscany’s lush and fertile Valdambra region. Bordering the southern tip of Chianti, Val d’Ambra is the home of phenomenal restaurants, storybook castles, award winning vineyards and some of TuscanDream’s most popular air conditioned Tuscan villas. The unspoiled Valdambra countryside is punctuated by a collection of little towns and hamlets, including Montebenichi, Levane, Rapale, Capannole, Duddova, Ambra, Sogna, and its principal city,…
Spring in Tuscany! We are getting ready to welcome our travelling guests that will be arriving soon! It seems like a promising season with a lot of activities and events. Here will update info on events, sightseeing, concerts, guide tours, private classes, yoga retreats and motorcycle tour offered for the season. We are specialized in offering the most authentic and exclusive experiences that you can have while traveling to Tuscany throughout the year. Please come…
Villa Maurizio, one of our most popular Tuscany rental villas, located in the heart of Montepulciano’s Super Tuscan wine country, is discounting its remaining 2014 weeks by 15 percent! This six bedroom air conditioned villa is now renting for less than 5,000 Euros per week during high season! With spectacular views from Montepulciano all the way to Cortona, this stellar villa sleeps 15 people and is perfect for family holidays and gatherings of friends. To…
TuscanDream has an amazing deal!!! All remaining weeks from May 31st – September 1st at our two favourite luxury villas in Lucca, the 12 bedroom air conditioned Villa Borgo Bernardini and the eleven bedroom air conditioned Villa Controni are now 15% off their listed price. This offer extends to March 31st! Unparalleled luxury can be yours at an even more affordable price. Perfect for family vacations, weddings or just a group of friends who want…
Our passion is to discovery new “gems” to add to the TuscanDream portfolio. Recently we added 2 new villas, Serratone & Vigna, a bit off the beaten tracks, located in the Maremma area, only 30 minutes from the beaches of Castiglione della Pescaia. Maremma is one of the less well known area of Tuscany and for this reason it has still a lot to offer. Siena and Bolgheri are only 45 minutes away. Click here to…
The South Africa wineland is one of the places I love the most. In our April trip, together with business partner Ric, had the chance to visit many wedding venues of these amazing part of the world. One of the places is always in my memories is Babylonstoren, an ancient old Dutch farmhouse converted in a luxury hotel.
Here is where I have seen the most creative, simple and inspiring decorations for a wedding table that would fit any of our countryside estates here in Tuscany.
The very first time I walked into the palatial Villa Borgo Bernardini in Lucca, I was absolutely awestruck. As someones whose ‘job’ (in reality it’s more like a pleasure than a job!) is to find new villas I have the privilege of seeing magnificent villas and castles on a daily basis – but with Borgo Bernardini it was love at first sight. As I wandered through the lavish villa, through the spectacular kitchen, the amazing…
Here’s a video of a recent wedding we had the honor of planning for Sophia and Seth, two wonderful people whose wedding at il Borgo captured the beauty of their love for each other!
We here at TuscanDream are excited to offer an amazing Spring holiday and culinary experience, as we invite you to join us in Lucca for our Gourmet Cooking School and Wine Experience under the guidance of acclaimed chef Valentino and sommelier Larissa. Valentino, known to many as the former chef at the revered Lo Scompiglio in Lucca and noted Sommelier Larisa will teach you the art of Tuscan cuisine and wine in an exclusive hands…
TuscanDream is proud to represent the majestic 16th Century air conditioned Villa il Palagio, owned by rock and roll legend Sting and his movie producer wife Trudie Styler, one of the most gorgeous estates not just in Tuscany but in all of Italy. Located in the rolling hills of Chianti outside the town of Figline Valdarno, this lush staffed vineyard estate is a 900 acre vacation destination unto itself! The villa is impeccably, yet comfortably…
Our Tuscan cuisine is world famous – and one of the joys of renting a villa from TuscanDream is the fact that we can bring a fabulous bilingual chef to your villa to not only prepare a sensational feast, but also to give you and your guests a Tuscan cooking lesson. But if you can’t run off to Tuscany today we thought we’d give you a little taste of Tuscany to whet your appetite! One…
Twice a year, every July 2nd and August 16th, Siena comes alive as the world famous il Palio horse race is held on the Piazza del Campo. There are 17 contrade in Siena, the equivalent of city districts, and ten of them race on July 2nd. The seven communes who did not participate in the first event race on August 16th in a ten horse field which is augmented by three horses from other communes…
The best lunch I ever had! The pleasure to eat at the gorgeous Villa Daniela in Lucca, Tuscany. Today may have been a rainy day in Tuscany but it was a phenomenal day. Today I had to do the hard part of my job and visit our amazing villas!
Coming to Tuscany and not sampling our wine is like dining at one of the best restaurants in the world (and we have several such restaurants here in Tuscany!) while you’re on a diet! Most people are familiar with our Chianti wine region, but we are blessed with much more! We have the Vino Noble di Montepulciano and Brunello di Montalcino made primarily with Sanigovese grapes and the amazing white wines Vernaccia di San Gimignano…
