Are you looking for the holiday of a lifetime and don’t want to end up in the same place as everybody else? Do you fancy going away but the budget won’t quite stretch to the hotel of your dreams? Or maybe you are just stuck in the same holiday year after year?

Here we give you five reasons to take the plunge and have a look at Tuscan villa rentals, which could give you the chance to discover a fascinating corner of the World for less than you think, staying in handpicked luxury Tuscan villas.

View of San Gimignano, Tuscany by Frank Kovalchek

A relaxing holiday with beautiful weather

Weather in Tuscany is generally mild all year-round.

There are, however, some differences depending on the time of the year and the areas of the region that you might want to keep in mind when planning holidays in Tuscany: the coast and the valleys tend to boast hotter summers than you might find on the hills or mountains, which could offer you a milder summer experience.

Mountains around Castiglione di Garfagnana, Tuscany by neiljs

April, May, October and November are also good months to visit Tuscany; you will still enjoy sunny days with only the odd chance of a rainy day. Winter offers mild and sunny days with cold nights in some areas and snowfall in the mountains.

If you are looking for summer holidays in Tuscany, why not consider a visit from April to June or from September to October, when you could enjoy good weather, lower prices and fewer tourists?

Shopping

Are you a fan of shopping? Tuscany can offer you many options, from well-known designers to local outdoor markets with unique sensations, colours and noises.

Italian markets can offer a variety of products, from homemade delicacies to tasteful crafts. Quality and freshness are the order of the day.

A visit to Tuscan outdoor markets is an experience in itself and might even become your favourite memory from your holidays in Tuscany.

Food market – Mercato Centrale in Florence, Tuscany by Adam Burt

Food and Wine

Do you like Italian food? Wait until you try the wonders that await you in Tuscany. Ricotta and spinach ravioli with butter and sage or T-bone steak cooked rare alla Fiorentina?

The decision has never been easier – both! Some Tuscan towns and villages also offer their local sweets and dishes, such as almond biscuits from Siena or tortelli stuffed with chard, meat and ricotta from Lucca.

Cheese tortelli with artichokes by Jessica Spengler

Tuscany also offers a large range of top-notch wines, such as Grosso Sanese, Castello di Brolio or Castello di Fonterutoli for Chianti’s inexpensive reds, or La Casuccia for a more luxurious option.

Other excellent options are Selvapiena Riserva, Piancornello, Casanove di Neri and Fuligni. Let’s not forget Avignonesi and Poliziano from Montepulciano. The best whites are Vernaccia, from San Gimignano, and Bianco di Pitigliano.

Art and Architecture

Holidays in Tuscany wouldn’t be complete without a visit to some of the most beautiful towns in Italy.

Florence is famous for its art: the Duomo’s cupola by Burnelleschi, Ghilberti’s bronze panels on the east doors of the Baptistery or Michelangelo’s David in the Accademia to name but a few. We also recommend a late stroll along the Lugarno with the backdrop of the Ponte Vecchio.

Don’t forget to visit Arezzo, with Etruscan and Roman origins; San Gimignano and its narrow medieval streets; and Montepulciano, where a visit to the picturesque Piazza Grande is not something you’d want to miss.

Piazza Grande, Montepulciano by Phillip Capper

Italian hospitality

Tuscan villa rentals also give you the opportunity to sample one of the region’s top attractions: the hospitality of the locals.

We strongly recommend that you go out and mingle, and enjoy the Mediterranean character and way of life!

This article was written by cottagestocastles.com, Italian villa specialists since 1983.

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