A Couple of Tuscan Escapades for Your Italy Tour

Villa Vignamaggio

For those who’ve watched the Kenneth Branagh film of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, then you’ve already seen Villa Vignamaggio, where the movie was shoot. Vignamaggio is also well-known as the birthplace of Mona Lisa in 1479.

About a couple of miles from thedistrict of Greve in Chianti, Vignamaggio is midway placed among the area wineries producing Chianti Classico. In fact, Vignamaggio produces its own premier wine and olive oil and sponsors excursions and tastings for guests and visitors alike. Vignamaggio’s wine was in fact the very first red wine in the region to get referred to as “Chianti,” in 1404.

This agriturismo is a very good choice for people as it presents 2 swimming pools, a tennis court, mountain bikes, fitness hub, a recreation area including a billiard table. Guests may decide among 20 quarters, suites and flats housed in several aged farm houses. The lodge itself, surrounded by a stunning Renaissance garden, has suites only. The room we stayed in was full of antiques, but also had a tiny kitchen creatively created into an old wardrobe. Still the apartments hold regular maid assistance.

Vignamaggio hosts special dinners two times a week, if not guests prepare dinner for themselves inside their apartments or visit one of the exceptional eateries in Greve. It’s best to have a rental auto when traveling to the region. Cruising the winding highway up to Vignamaggio at night could seem daunting to some. The hotel can also arrange for taxi service for its tour Italy guests.

Via Petriolo 5
Greve in Chianti
39 055 854661
Open: Middle of March upto the yearend

Locanda dell’ Amorosa

It is actually no oversight the name of this Tuscan getaway means, “Lover’s Inn,” as this place exudes ambiance from the moment guests come into the striking, cypress-lined drive. An hour-and-a-half by van from Florence, Locanda dell’Amorosa is like the small town it previously was, a 14th-century medieval village. The property has shifted ownership only once in 700 years. In 1873, the Piccolomini family of Pienza (family of Pope Pius II) sold it to Fiorella Favard, whose offspring still own the property.

The town’s beautiful old church, the venue of special weddings, sits among the primary square. Adjacent, a classic farm structure is modified to a wine tavern where breakfast is taken as well. At the side, previous quarters of the farmers has been changed into great client rooms with similarly spacious and open bathrooms, a rarity in Italy.

The previous stables are now habitat to Amorosa’s very good restaurant with internal and open-air seats, where visitors can benefit from the estate’s calm setting while indulging in Tuscan specialties. Behind the primary square are the remainder of the changed farm buildings and hotels. The hotel’s infinity pool sits within a calm meadow overlooking the countryside.

The inn offers small amenities such as a computer with Internet access from the lobby and complimentary food and drink poolside. It considers it hard to leave to discover the encompassing towns, but at Amorosa it’s only fine to stay and revel in the beauty at hand.

Localita’ l’Amorosa
Sinalunga
39 0577 677211
Open: Early March to early January

Tags: Couple, escapades, Italy, Tour, Tuscan
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Romantic escapades to Italy

Looking for a romantic holiday, then Italy should be your ideal destination. Situated in the Mediterranean, this European country shares its borders with other hot travel destinations like France, Switzerland and Austria. But still the beauty of its old cities and landscape has made Italy as one of the top vacation spot.

Traveling to Italy

Italy is well connected to all the prominent airports of the world. In Europe, it is also connected by the rail and that eases the problems of the budget travelers. In Italy, travelers face a big problem of choosing their travel destinations. But traveling in this country is easy as it is well connected by rail, road, water and air.

Staying in Italy

Easy and budget accommodations are easily available all throughout Italy. There are more than 40,000 hotels in this country in different categories. Though you can bargain to get a good deal, but most hotels have fixed rates after consultation with the regional tourist board. Home-stays are also available with bed and breakfast schemes, but it is advisable to find the licensed operators before finalizing it. Day hotels are also available but mostly in the central part of the cities and you can take a small break here to refresh yourself before moving on to your next destination.

On arrival, you have to register with the local police station in three days. If you are staying in a hotel then they will take care of it, but if you are staying with friends in private room, then you have to go and register in person.

Places to visit in Italy

From the beautiful cities to the exotic snow capped mountains there are lot of places to visit in Italy. The cities of Rome, Milan, Venice, Napoli and Torino are some of the favorite tourist spots in Italy. You can enjoy a romantic evening in Rome or can enjoy a beautiful ride on the Gondola in Venice with your spouse. There are lots of options and you will be spoilt with choices. Italy also has two-thirds of world’s heritage monuments declared historical artistic by the UNESCO. In fact the region of Tuscany has more heritage sites than the whole of Spain.

Italy is also rich in landscape and has two mountain ranges – the Alpes and the Apennines. The Alpes run over 600 miles from east to west and its highest peak is Mont Blanc, which is more than 14,000 feet. A ride on the river Po that is lies in the foot of the Alpine ranges is also a worthwhile experience. It is also the longest river in Italy, running over 390 miles. The Apennines form a wide arc and runs till the Tyrrhenian Sea. It highest peak is the Corno Grande and in large part of central Italy this mountain range is characterized by its green landscape.

Italy also has some serine islands with white beaches. The most visited island is Sicily, which is home to the famous volcano of Mt Etna, which is 10, 860 feet tall. Other prominent islands to visit are Sardegna and the archipelagos of Tremiti Islands, Tuscan Archipelago, Egadi Islands, Pontine Islands and the Aeolian Islands.

Tags: escapades, Italy, Romantic
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