Italy is one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations and Tuscany is the jewel in its crown. Awash with history and enthused with that infectious Italian passion for life, this picturesque region offers perfect opportunities for couples, families, or groups to enjoy the romantic ambiance, visit the many tourist attractions, or simply relax and enjoy the food and weather. And what better way to experience Tuscany than to hire an apartment in Florence or a luxurious country villa.

The region’s capital is the usual starting point on a Tuscan adventure. Florence has great cultural significance as the birthplace of the Renaissance. Particular highlights include the Duoma (the city’s domed cathedral that dates from the 13th century) and the Uffizi art gallery which contains a world renowned collection of artwork featuring such luminaries as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rafael, and Botticelli.

Hiring a city centre apartment provides total freedom to explore your surroundings while giving a more intimate and authentic taste for Florence. As an added bonus, it will also be kinder on your wallet than staying in a hotel.

Whilst Florence is fantastic, it is the hills and mountains surrounding the capital that perhaps offer the most idyllic holiday opportunities and the perfect way to enjoy this Tuscan paradise is to hire a holiday villa. These family friendly villas invariably come with stunning hillside views, excellent self catering facilities, and that all important swimming pool. Hiring a Tuscan villa can offer particularly good value for families or groups, as you pay per day rather than per person.

One of the many attractions of a Tuscan holiday is the climate and, during the summer months, you are pretty assured of getting good weather. The hillside breezes offer a refreshing respite from the heat, as do the swimming pools which are excellently maintained.

Another star quality that Tuscany exudes is the quality of the food and wine. After a day spent hill walking or splashing about in the pool, make sure that you venture into the little villages for an authentic Tuscan meal amongst the vibrant bustle of the local eateries. A particular local delicacy is wild boar, washed down, of course, with some Tuscan wine. Alternatively, you cannot go wrong with Italian pasta, pizza, and ice creams that are the best in the world! Whilst on the topic of culinary delights, if you are lucky, you might find that your Tuscan villa owner will come round and cook you an authentic Italian meal, making pasta from scratch.