Tuscany villas and luxury vacation rentals

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.

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.

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.

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.