18 Dec 2013

Posted at 00:00h in Italian itineraries

No visit to Tuscany would be complete without an overview of the many wonderful works of art in Florence. If you're visiting during high season (April-October),Uffizi Gallery advance reservations are a good idea for the most popular museums. Reservations can usually be made online. If you're on a tight schedule, check the hours of any museums you plan to visit shortly before you go, as hours can change without warning. In general, Sundays and Mondays are not good days to visit museums in Florence, as many are closed or have reduced hours on those days. Discounted tickets are available at most museums.

06 Dec 2013

Posted at 00:00h in Italian itineraries

Sammezzano Castle (in Italian: Castello di Sammezzano) is located in the picturesque area of Reggello, near Leccio, on the outskirts of Florence. Benefitting from the climate and natural beauty that typifies central Italy, Sammezzano Castle is one of the elegant pieces of architecture standing majestically in an area of outstanding natural beauty.Sammezzano Castle in Tuscany interior The castle is surrounded by a sizeable park which boasts dense, unspoilt woodland and offers tremendous panoramic views of the region. This beautiful castle was built in 1605 at the request of Ximenes of Aragon. It was bequeathed to and later redesigned by another generation of the Ximenes family, namely, Ferdinand Panciatichi Ximenes, who welcomed the then King of Italy, Umberto, to stay at the castle in 1878.

The castle is conveniently located just over 25 miles from Florence. The journey by car travels through idyllic countryside, taking little more than 45 minutes. Sammezzano is also easy to reach using public transport: simply head to the bus station in Florence and take a bus travelling towards Incisa Barberino, changing at Incisa in Val d’Arno, to take the bus to Leccio (which is within walking distance of Sammezzano Castle). The journey takes less than an hour and a half – and, as is the case in most of Italy, travelling from A to B takes you through magnificent natural beauty, making every moment worthwhile.