Nov 08

Five Magnificent Boutique Hotels in Florence | Tour Italy in Style

By ItalyTravelista Florence, Travel Italy, Tuscany 3 Comments »

florence Five Magnificent Boutique Hotels in Florence | Tour Italy in Style

Florence is a wonderful city that offers so many historic sights and cultural venues regardless you’re a Florence first timer or a seasoned Medici aficionado. Florence is also a renowned romantic getaway and perfect for a special holiday so it makes sense to treat yourself to one of these memorable Florence boutique hotels, stylishly decorated with absolutely gorgeous atmosphere and breathtaking locations.

Hotel River

The elegant and classy River hotel is located on the Arno River and provides some exceptional views over Santa Croce (in the centre of Renaissance Florence). This lovely hotel is a great place to stay when visiting Florence as it offers that special Florentine charm combined with the excellent location close to the main Florence must see sights. In the 19th century this was the grand home of a family of Florentine aristocrats. The whole building has been carefully renovated in a classic high end Italian style with some wonderfully romantic touches such as the intricate cast iron beds and antique furnitures.

Hotel river terrace view 682x1024 Five Magnificent Boutique Hotels in Florence | Tour Italy in Style

Villa Mangiacane

You will enjoy the magic of Tuscany in this romantic family run hotel set right in the heart of the colorful Tuscan countryside. At Villa Mangiacane guests are surrounded by picturesque olive groves, vineyards and rolling lush hills. This luxury property, built in the 15th century, was once the magnificent stately home of the world renowned Machiavelli family. This luxury property has been fully renovated to provide the elegance and grandeur of its long history and offers some stunning luxury suites and spacious public areas to relax and unwind in after a long day under the Tuscan sun.

Villa Mangiacane room Five Magnificent Boutique Hotels in Florence | Tour Italy in Style

Palazzo Magnani Feroni

Staying at the Palazzo Magnani Feroni hotel makes a breathtaking experience from the moment you reach enter. This stunning historic building used to be the grand residence of a powerful Florence family but has now been transformed into a beautiful small luxury hotel. The beautiful façade opens up to reveal an elegant and exquisitely decorated interior complete with the standard of antiques you would expect to find locked away in museums and art galleries. There is also a stunning terrace where guets can relax over a light dinner and enjoy great views out over the Renaissance sky line of Florence. Treat your beloved ones to a well deserved holiday at this amazing 5 star hotel which offers some of the best accommodation in Florence.

Palazzo magnani feroni Five Magnificent Boutique Hotels in Florence | Tour Italy in Style

Hotel Villa Stanley

Stay away from the crowds of Florence by choosing the stylish Villa Stanley hotel. Villa Stanley is conveniently located in the peaceful Florence suburbs offering a convenient place to stay whilst visiting Florence and the Tuscan countryside. This lovely 4 star hotel is set within a well tended park and provides a historic and relaxing experience with easy access to both the city and the beautiful surrounding countryside. Guests will enjoy the traditional 18th century style décor and taste some fine Tuscan delicacies at the hotel delicious restaurant.

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Palazzo Vecchietti

Palazzo Vecchietti hotel is located in one of the classic Florentine stately homes and offers its guests stylish and elegant surroundings. This is a very private hotel that provides top class luxury amenities such as a personal butler service and some stunning views out over the city of Florence. The stylish Italian décor and classical architecture of this 15th century palace are combined with a wonderful ambience to provide a rich taste of Florentine noble culture and history.

Guest post by Escapio.com

Since 1997 Nancy Aiello Tours specializes in providing personalized Italy travel services designed for the independent traveler visiting Italy with family and children, with his/her business partners or simply on his/her own! Based in Rome, Italy Nancy Aiello Tours offers a wide range of top quality Italy travel services for the demanding Italy visitor who wants to enjoy Italy art and history, Italian food and made in Italy shopping in comfort and style. We are glad to offer our privileged guests private Italy transfers by fully insured a/c Mercedes Benz limo and minivans, Italy V.I.P. concierge services, Italy accommodation tips, Italy tour planning services, private guided skip the line Italy museum private guided visits, and more.

Italy Private Guided Tours with Nancy Aiello Tours of Italy

Ciao from Italy:-)

Nancy Aiello @ ItalyTravelista.com

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When in Florence treat yourself to one of these memorable Florence boutique hotels with top quality service, atmosphere and memorable Florence locations to enjoy the best Florence has to offer.

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Oct 05

Tuscany Top 5 Boutique Hotels & Restaurants | Italy Travel Tips

By ItalyTravelista Food & Wine, Siena, Tuscany 1 Comment »

Tuscany resorts Nancy Aiello Tours Tuscany Top 5 Boutique Hotels & Restaurants | Italy Travel Tips

Tuscany is the Italian region where all the Italy’s clichés are true. Rolling hills, sun-drenched days redolent with the smell of cut grass and the hum of honeybees, fine wines, food from the hands of the gods, and a truly Italian attitude to life that prioritises family, fresh food and Dolce Vita life. To know Italy, it is vital to know each of its regional traditional foods and recipes. We’ve made it easy with our pick of the Top Five restaurants and Tuscany hotels that are still among the hidden gems of Tuscany.

Tuscany Luxury resorts Tuscany Top 5 Boutique Hotels & Restaurants | Italy Travel Tips

1. Antica Dimora Residenza and the Piccolo restaurant

Torrita di Siena is a 600 year old stone village that looks like something conjured up by a travelling poet. The Antica Dimora is a family-owned boutique hotel that welcomes its guests into the historic, but lushly appointed rooms, many of which overlook the picturesque Tuscan countryside. The Piccolo is Torrita di Siena’s best restaurant, offering traditional Italian pizza and its signature range of seafood dishes. The owners, Mario and Gioia, have been in the restaurant trade for a couple of decades, and are always happy to share their Tuscany’s travel tips, and to recommend the right Tuscan wine to match any palate or dish.

2. Villa Sassolini hotel and restaurant

At the base of the Chianti hills, in the heart of Tuscany, are the suites of Villa Sassolini. Geographically, this is a perfect staging point for day tours to visit the nearby Siena and Florence. Most suites have a view of the Tuscan countryside, and the aged architecture houses up-to-date technology. The Villa Sassolini restaurant is perfect for long lazy dinners ordered from the a la carte menu designed to offer a mix of traditional local dishes with a truly modern Italian twist.

Villa Sassolini resort in Tuscany Tuscany Top 5 Boutique Hotels & Restaurants | Italy Travel Tips

3. Hotel Villa il Tesoro and the Bracali Ristorante

In the midst of the Maremma hills is the medieval city of Massa Marittima, home of the converted farmhouse boutique hotel Villa il Tesoro. Set in the grounds of a four-star vineyard, the Villa il Tesoro is an intimate affair of just twenty richly appointed suites. While the Villa has its own notable restaurant, an even better choice is the Bracali. Family-owned, the Bracali serves up traditional dishes with a modern edge in it’s décor that emphasises roman columns and the occasional piece of leopard print to offset its mother-of-pear walls and Swarovski-crystal encrusted lamps.

4. Il Pellicano Hotel and Restaurant

Porto Ercole sits on the Italian Mediterranean coast, and it is here that lucky guests can while away their evenings at the Il Pellicano. This boutique hotel (six cottages and one main guesthouse) is true Italian decadence, unabashedly devoted to romance. Romantic couples are Il Pellicano’s bread and butter, and it is easy to see why this hotel is popular with honeymooners. There are two restaurants at Il Pellicano: The all-aperto grill that serves more casual fare – fresh seafood is always popular in the warmer months. The jewel in Il Pellicano’s culinary crown is the Restaurant Il Pellicano that has not one but two Michelin stars. Here diners are served world-class modern Italian fare on a sweeping terrace overlooking a starlit Mediterranean sea.

5. Siena:

Some would say that this is the most intriguing and magical city in Tuscany, and it is the site of the famous annual horse race “Palio di Siena” that makes the cobblestones tremble to the thundering rhythm of hoof-beats. In this ochre-coloured piece of a fairytale is the luxurious Hotel Certosa di Maggiano and its restaurant, Il Canto. Once a Carthusian monastery built in the 14th century, the design was turned over to architect Renzo Mongiardino who created the breathtaking ambience that has been the hotel since 1978. Il Canto (The Chant) is a standalone achievement: Award-winning food in the relaxed environment of a building that was devoted to silent prayer for centuries.

Guest post by Escapio.com

Ciao from Italy

Nancy Aiello

ItalyTravelista.com

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© Copyright 2010, Nancy Aiello Tours

Since 1997 Nancy Aiello Tours offers its valuable guests visiting Florence and the Tuscan countryside the most comprehensive selection of private guided walking tours of Florence, Florence day trips, Florence Museum Tours, Chianti and Maremma wine tours, Tuscany culinary tours and food tours for Italy food lovers led by qualified English, Spanish, French, German, Russian and Chinese speaking qualified Italian touristic guides and licensed driver/guides.

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Jun 06

2010 Best of Italy Summer Music and Opera Festivals in Italy

By ItalyTravelista Italy, Tuscany, Umbria 1 Comment »

Italy in summer offers great opportunities to Italy art & culture lovers to appreciate special events and music concerts. This summer from June to September Italy proposes more than 300 art and music festivals all across the Belpaese to enjoy internationally renowned performing artists and world premieres in beautiful and historic settings. Here please find ItalyTravelista Top 10 Festivals for the 2010 Italy summer.

Latium > Rome > Opera Festival at Caracalla > July 1 to August 10

Teatro dell’Opera in Rome holds its summer opera and ballet season at the stunning settings of the Caracalla’s Baths (Terme di Caracalla), where art lovers enjoy opera and ballets watching the stars in the open air stage. The opera and ballet performances for the 2010 summer season at the Baths of Caracalla feature the orchestra, chorus and the ballet company of the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma as well as international stars including an adaptation of Shakespeare’s most popular works for the stage, Puccini’s Tosca, Bizet’s Carmen, and last but not least Verdi’s Rigoletto and Aida.

Latium > Tivoli > Hadrian’s Villa International Festival > June 15 to July 18

Villa Adriana in Tivoli hosts the 4th edition of festiVAl – Festival Internazionale di Villa Adriana. The big open air stage housed in the Baths of the Hadrian’s Villa, listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Site, will host art performers from Taiwan and London, from Paris and Tel Aviv, Rome and Brussels on a cultured art festival with dancers like Akram Khan and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan and the Vertigo Dance Company, music events featuring Elvis Costello, the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia and Enrico Rava with his Parco della Musica Jazz Lab, exciting live performances by Mimmo Cuticchio and Aurélia Thiérrée.

Veneto > Verona > Arena Opera Festival > June 18 to August 29

One of Europe’s premiere summer festivals, the Verona Opera runs from mid June thru the end of August inside Verona’ stunning Roman amphitheater. This popular summer opera festival brings a staggering 16,000 people to each production. The 88th Edition starts on June 18th with Turandot and continues with Madame Butterfly, Carmen, Aida, and Il Trovatore along with jazz concerts and the Shakespeare Festival, also held in the Teatro Romano.

Tuscany > Fiesole > Estate Fiesolana > June 13 to July 28

The Estate Fiesolana, organized by the Fiesole Town Council, is the oldest open air festival in Italy and a special favorite among Florentines and visitors alike thanks also to its stunning setting in the Roman Amphitheater of Fiesole, just outside Florence. The program for the 2010 edition is even richer than usual with a series of guest stars as well as locally produced performances. Classical music and opera, ballet, theatre and jazz/pop music are highlighted by a series of special events.

If you’re planning to visit Tuscany and would like to learn more about events and festivals visit Tuscany’s official tourism website

Tuscany > Torre del Lago > Puccini Festival 2010 > July 16 to August 22

Torre del Lago, home of the Puccini Festival, lies between the Lake of Massaciuccoli and the Tyrrhenian Sea, 4 kilometers far from the Tuscan Riviera and 18 kilometers from Lucca and Pisa. The Festival welcomes about 40.000 spectators every year to its open-air theatre, just a few steps from the Villa Mausoleum where Giacomo Puccini lived and worked. This year the festival’s open-air theater will feature productions of Turandot, Tosca, Madama Butterfly and La Fanciulla Del West.

Umbria > Perugia > Umbria Jazz 2010 > July 9 to 18

Since 1973 Umbria jazz Festival is one of the most important events dedicated to European jazz with considerable international appeal. The green heart of Umbria becomes for 10 days the Italian official jazz capital in the suggestive environment of the historical centre of Perugia. The 2010 edition of Umbria Jazz offers a vast programme of music and events enriched by some of the best artists and players on the international scene. Ten days of concerts and 220 events staged by 500 musicians.

Sicily > Taormina > Taormina Film Festival 2010 > June 12 to 18

Italy’s principal summer film event, the Taormina Film Fest, celebrates its 56th edition against the stunning backdrop of the Teatro Antico of Taormina, one of Sicily’s most important and well-preserved monuments. On June 13, Robert de Niro will hold a Master Class for festival-goers and, later that night, receive the prestigious Taormina Arte Award on the stage of Taormina’s 2,300-year-old Teatro Antico.

Sicily > Taormina > Taormina Arte 2010 > July 22 to August 22

The summer season of Taormina Art 2010 opens its world class program on July 22nd with the Royal Ballet of London and continues with the Russian Ballet, the National Academic Bolshoi, the Compania Espanola de Baile Flamenco and Argentinean tango with Compania Astor Piazzolla

Lombardy > Milan > Milano Jazz Festival 2010 > July 12 to August 2

The 4th edition of Milano Jazzin’ Festival is a an amazing opportunity for jazz lovers to enjoy one of the best jazz festivals in Italy. Elisa, Mark Knopfler, Crosby Stills e Nash, Zappa plays Zappa, Norah Jones, Paolo Nutini and many more Italian and international artists will participate at MJF10.

If you’re planning to visit Milan and would like to learn more about events and festivals visit Milan’s official tourism website

Abruzzo > Pesaro > Rossini Opera Festival 2010 > August 9 to 22

Established in 1980, the festival at the birthplace of the Rossini features performances of his works. This 2010 edition features Sigismondo and Stabat Mater, and from August 1 to 10 Cenerentola (Cinderella) directed by Luca Ronconi.

Very interesting Italy summer festivals are also found in Venice, Spoleto, Martina Franca, Mantova, Sant’Arcangelo di Romagna, Fies, and the Dolomites.

What is your favorite summer event in Italy? Please write us your comment and we’ll be happy to post it!

Ciao from Rome:-)

Nancy Aiello

ItalyTravelista.com

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© Copyright 2010, Nancy Aiello Tours

Since 1997 Nancy Aiello Tours specializes in personalized private guided Vatican, Rome & Italy Tours for Leisure & Business Travelers including underground Rome and her hidden treasures.

New articles are published on our site weekly, sometimes daily. To keep up to date with our news, tips and current events, please sign up for ItalyTravelista free RSS feed.

If you are interested in publishing a version of this article please contact Nancy Aiello Tours.

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Nov 23

Tour the Tuscan Countryside | Crete Senesi | The Clay Hills of Siena

By ItalyTravelista Florence, Italy, Siena, Tuscany 2 Comments »

piazza del campo siena Tour the Tuscan Countryside | Crete Senesi | The Clay Hills of Siena

Siena Medieval Piazza del Campo | Torre del Mangia | Tower of Siena

The hill top town of Siena located in Tuscany and listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Site is one of the most charming places to visit in Italy. Sienna is world famous for the Palio, the stunning Torre del Mangia and the outstanding Duomo but when in Siena visitors should not miss the opportunity to visit the Crete Senesi, where Tuscany reveals its truest and most beautiful identity.

nancyaiellotoursofsiena 560x420 custom Tour the Tuscan Countryside | Crete Senesi | The Clay Hills of Siena

Crete Senesi Art of the Landscape | Tours from Siena

The Crete Senesi, the clay hills of Siena, offer a remarkable landscape of rolling hills that adopts the form of the senses and communicates with the force of emotions. This is an interesting journey through one of the most celebrated landscapes in the whole Italy. The Crete are a sea of greyish waves not  softened by woods or trees to be found just outside Siena when driving towards the south. Here, along the via Cassia, overlapping the ancient via Francigena, we find the 14th c.  walls of Buonconvento known for an interesting Sacred Art museum and a museum dedicated to sharecropping . From here we climb to the Abbey of  Monte Oliveto Major dramatically set at the edge of a steep slope of clay. This is one of the most visited monuments in Tuscany thanks to its religious and artistic heritage. The frescoes in the kiosk, the inlaid choir or the library are not to be missed. San Giovanni d’Asso is the capital of Tuscan truffles. The village castle is now the first museum in Italy  dedicated to these noble and expensive bulbs. Asciano is the most important town in the Crete area with its interesting Romanesque church and Archaeological and Art museum.

hills of siena 560x420 custom Tour the Tuscan Countryside | Crete Senesi | The Clay Hills of Siena

Clay Hills of Siena | Romantic Tuscany

Siena is separated from the Crete by a few miles and hundreds of curves, now and then its turreted profile appears on the horizon.

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Siena Profile from the Crete | Travel Tuscany

The crete of Siena is a portrait that varies from red to purple in fall, becomes gray as the sky in winter, evolves to brilliant green in spring, and finally shows a dazzling yellow in summer when the wheat is already high, this is a borderland where the colors of the Crete meets with the green shoulders of Chianti offering incomparable views in this sea of land of endless wheat fields dotted with hamlets, farms, vineyards, churches and winding roads.

Crete Colours 1024x768 Tour the Tuscan Countryside | Crete Senesi | The Clay Hills of Siena

Memorable Colours | Crete in Siena

The appearance of the clay hills changes with the season and sunlight but the most fascinating phenomenon here is that it is enough just to walk the same street in the different directions to discover a whole different world.

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Crete with a View | Hill Top Farm in the Crete Area

All the streets of these hills provide excellent spots to take pictures, to observe, to wonder, to meditate, to paint, and to fall in love!

hills of siena1 1024x768 Tour the Tuscan Countryside | Crete Senesi | The Clay Hills of Siena

Hills of Siena | Siena Countryside | Enjoy Tuscany Landscapes

What to See

ASCIANO – The 14th Century Abbey of Monteoliveto Maggiore the most important monastery in the Siena area, the 11th Century Saint Agata’s Basilica, the Gothic church of San Bernardino home to the Etruscan Museum and the late Gothic Church of Saint Francis, Piazza del Grano with its 15th Century travertine fountain by Paolo Ghini.

Weekly Market on Saturday | Asciano Crete Market – Second Sunday of every month

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Unique Landscape of Tuscany | Crete Senesi | Clay Hills of Siena

RAPOLANO TERME – Porta dei Tintori, Piazza del Castellare, the Romanesque Church dedicated to Saint Bartolomeo, the breathtaking view over Siena’ s tower. Weekly Market on Friday

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A View of the Crete from Rapolano Terme | Landscapes of Tuscany

SERRE DI RAPOLANO – The gorgeous historical center, the outstanding medieval architectural complex of Palazzo della Grangia, and its surrounding gems such as the villages of Armaiolo and Poggio Santa Cecilia, and the 12th Century Castle of Madanella.


Best Restaurants Around the Clay Hills of Siena

Da Mario | Buonconvento | Euro 25

Da Roberto Taverna in Montini | San Giovanni d’Asso | E.30

Il Conte Matto | Trequanda | Euro 35

Modanella | Modanella | Euro 35

La Pievina | 9 Via Lauretana Asciano | Euro 50

Would you like to share your Italy travel tips or pictures with us? Please write us your comment and we will be happy to post it! Enjoy Tuscany!

Ciao from Rome:-)

Nancy Aiello

ItalyTravelista.com

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© Copyright 2009, Nancy Aiello Tours

Since 1997 Nancy Aiello Tours, based in Rome, specializes in Private Guided Vatican and Rome Tour, Siena and Tuscany wine tasting tours, and Italy Tours for the value conscious travelers and family visiting Italy with children.

New articles are published on our site weekly, sometimes daily. To keep up to date with our news, tips and current events, please sign up for ItalyTravelista free RSS feed.

If you are interested in publishing this article please contact Nancy Aiello Tours for consent & info.

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