A stunning region of Italy steeped in bucolic beauty: our Tuscany travel guide
14 April 2022
Luxury villas rental in Tuscany
The perfect stay
in Tuscany, Italy
Culture. Food. Wine. Spectacular landscapes. It could only be Tuscany. This stunning part of Italy is famous for the Renaissance, the genius of Da Vinci, and the delights of a cool bottle of Chianti on a summer’s evening. Our private luxury Tuscany villa rentals offer you the chance to experience this incredible region for yourself, again and again, all year round. Sit back, breathe in the thyme-scented air, and relax.
Drive through the famous rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside and delightful little towns and you reach Empolese Valdelsa and Montalbano, the true heart of Tuscany. A fertile region where you’ll find vineyards and olive groves, it’s also home to those classic Tuscan villas built from honey-coloured stone topped with terracotta tiles. But Tuscany is also about the grandeur and romance of its cities, particularly Florence, Pisa and Sienna. If you want to avoid the crowds, there are a thousand tiny Tuscan towns to explore where you can order an authentic bowl of pappa al pomodoro soup or tagliolini sprinkled with decadent truffle shavings.
Drive through the famous rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside and delightful little towns and you reach Empolese Valdelsa and Montalbano, the true heart of Tuscany. A fertile region where you’ll find vineyards and olive groves, it’s also home to those classic Tuscan villas built from honey-coloured stone topped with terracotta tiles. But Tuscany is also about the grandeur and romance of its cities, particularly Florence, Pisa and Sienna. If you want to avoid the crowds, there are a thousand tiny Tuscan towns to explore where you can order an authentic bowl of pappa al pomodoro soup or tagliolini sprinkled with decadent truffle shavings.
All of this and much, much more is on offer when you book a onefinestay luxury villa in Tuscany. If you’ve always wanted to unleash your inner artist, pack your easel and watercolours, sit back in your villa and simply look out of the window. The landscape will inspire you; the food will comfort you and the wine – well, let’s just say that one glass is never enough. Your dedicated concierge is on hand to ensure every detail is taken care of while you are on your luxury vacation, including arranging dinner reservations, wellness activities, childcare, and car hire.
Things
you can't miss in Tuscany
- Explore the wine-producing region of Chianti and enjoy plenty of wine tasting options.
- Visit the medieval villages of Montalcino, Montepulciano and Bagno Vignoni.
- Charter a private boat for a luxury cruise around the islands of Giglio and Elba.
Our insider tips for Tuscany
Tuscany with Anthony Bogdan and his family
11 August 2022
A love letter to Italy
24 August 2022
5 grand Italian palazzi
03 March 2022
6 secluded Italian villas
09 February 2022
Popular destinations in Tuscany
Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance
The City of the Lily is a masterpiece. Florence is a stunning city, the birthplace of the Renaissance, home to some of the finest works of art on the planet, and bursting with culture. The alleyways of the Oltrarno and the winding streets of San Niccolò are perfect for exploring. The city walls surround the old quarter, while the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is breathtakingly beautiful. Climb the 400 steps to the top of Giotto’s bell tower for the city’s best views. One visit is never enough, and Florence will tempt you back again and again.
Siena, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Full of stunning architecture, culture and colour, Siena is everything you could wish for in a Tuscan destination. A major finance and trade centre in the 13 th century, it’s home to the oldest bank in the world, the Monte Dei Paschi bank, operating continuously since 1472. The city stands proudly on three hills and is surrounded by the soft golden countryside of Tuscany, lined with vineyards and olive groves. This medieval masterpiece is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and famous for the Palio horse race that runs through the Piazza del Campo twice a year.
Lucca, 2,000 years of history
A short drive north from Pisa is Lucca, a charming city full of historic interest. This ancient city sits at the foot of the Apuan Alps and, thanks to its location on a plain rather than a hillside, is easy to get around on foot. From Roman villas to medieval churches, the architecture charts the history of Tuscany over two thousand years. Cycling is popular, and you can tour the city’s perimeter in an afternoon. A half-hour drive away are the beaches of Versilia, while the mountains surrounding the city beg to be explored all year round.
Chianti, the wine capital of Italy
Rolling hills covered with rows of grape vines producing one of the world’s finest wines – it could only be Chianti. Crisscrossed by roads that are a driver’s delight, this gorgeous region is also steeped in history dating back to the Etruscans. The Chianti Sculpture Park captures the spirit of Tuscany using striking sculptures by modern artists. Chianti is also home to events such as a vintage bicycle race through Eroica. From hilltop villages to open plains, Chianti is filled with wonderful villas, fabulous vistas, and of course, some rather good wine.
Tuscany villa rentals you will love
Our Tuscany villas
Villa Poderosa
14 PEOPLE -
7 Bedrooms -
6 Bathrooms
Borgo S. Lorenzo
6 PEOPLE -
2 Bedrooms -
1 Bathrooms
Villa Nardini
24 PEOPLE -
12 Bedrooms -
12 Bathrooms
Villa Leila
16 PEOPLE -
8 Bedrooms -
8 Bathrooms
Villa Santo
14 PEOPLE -
7 Bedrooms -
9 Bathrooms
Casale Gabbro
8 PEOPLE -
4 Bedrooms -
5 Bathrooms
“I love starting long, lazy days in Tuscany by throwing open the shutters and letting the warm scent of the vineyards inside. Life here is truly la dolce vita, filled with culture, Renaissance art, delicious food and astonishing natural beauty.”
Sophie Stileman
Why stay with us?
Curated and inspected homes, villas & chalets
Luxury linen and toiletries
Round the clock support
Complimentary weekly clean
Dedicated concierge
Earn & redeem Accor ALL loyalty Reward points
Personal Meet & Greet
Complimentary medical support in partnership with AXA
Enhance your Tuscany vacation stay
Book additional services to make the most out of your trip. Add services at the time of booking your private luxury Tuscany villa rental or with your concierge before the stay.
Essential Tuscany information
When to visit Tuscany
JAN
42F
FEB
44F
MAR
48F
APR
53F
MAY
62F
JUN
69F
JUL
75F
AUG
75F
SEP
68F
OCT
60F
NOV
51F
DEC
44F
Please note: these are the average temperatures reported but can vary greatly due to weather conditions, such as heat waves etc. We kindly invite you to contact us for more information, including confirmation that your chosen villa has air conditioning, to ensure a comfortable stay.
Best time to go
During spring: time to discover Tuscany’s ‘flower roads’, where you’ll discover a multitude of wildflower meadows and gardens. Explore the Tuscany National and Regional parks (our top tip – rent some bicycles) or visit hamlets such as Santa Fiora or Sorano.
During summer: with temperatures soaring into the 30°s, it’s time to head to the coast. If you’re staying at one of our Tuscany villas just south of Pisa then visit Tirrenia, where the ocean meets scented pine forests and the breeze takes the edge off the summer heat.
During autumn: temperatures are still in the 20°s during the autumn months, and the countryside takes on a golden glow. If you want to see the ultimate picture-postcard views of Tuscany then a road trip to Val d’Orcia in the south is the place to go.
During winter: seeing Michelangelo’s David in all its glory without the crowds in Florence, or skiing in Abetone are just a couple of Tuscan winter attractions. Pack a jumper, or warm up with a soak in one of the region’s hot springs.
How to get there
Make the journey as memorable as the arrival at your Tuscany villa rental. Your dedicated concierge can arrange transportation from the closest airport or train station to your Tuscan villa.
By car
Tuscany’s roads await. Your dedicated concierge can arrange any kind of hire car from a cheeky little Fiat 500 to a sleek open-top Ferrari. Pick up your car on arrival or have one delivered directly to your villa rental in Tuscany.
By plane
You’ll arrive at either Florence or Pisa airport, where your dedicated concierge team will be ready to arrange a private transfer to your villa.
By train
Italy’s rail network is exceptional, and there’s nothing more romantic than travelling through the Tuscan countryside with its rolling hills by train. Your dedicated concierge can arrange tickets from Pisa or Florence to a station near your destination, and then transfers onto your luxury villa in Tuscany.
Local Tips
- Because of the rural nature of many of our Tuscan villas, a rental car is essential for stays at countryside villas in Italy. This can be arranged by your concierge and the vehicle delivered to your villa.
- Tipping - there isn't a specific policy of tipping in Italy, but it could just be considered a gesture of goodwill to leave a 5-10% tip for taxi drivers. In restaurants, you can simply round up the final bill rather than leaving a separate gratuity.
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