Anyone who visits the Italian province of Tuscany and enjoys the pleasure of one of their Tuscan villa rentals must be equally entranced by the spectacular natural beauty of the region as well as the magnificence of the art created by man. There is no simply no other place on Earth that combines the divine and the terrestrial in such splendid harmony.
The Many Flavors of Tuscany
Tuscany is known to scholars as the birthplace of the renaissance. It has been called home by some of the greatest artists and scientists in history including Dante, Michelangelo, da Vinci, and Galileo. Today, the cities of Tuscany are home to some of the world’s greatest architecture and many of those artistic masterpieces are comfortably housed in the world famous Uffizi Gallery.
While Tuscany is indeed a sight for sore eyes, it has rich culinary tradition that will also delight the senses of taste and smell. The region is best known for its production of Chianti but a wide variety of cheeses, meats and pastas also hail from this, most remarkable, region of Italy.
A Village for Sale
For the more than well-heeled, the village of Pratariccia, near Casentino per Arezzo, offers a singular opportunity to experience all that Tuscany has to offer. Pratariccia is an 800 year old, medieval village that overlooks the Casetino Valley in central Tuscany. For a mere $3 million dollars, anyone can buy the village lock, stock and barrel.
The village is not on hard times. To the contrary, it is owned by a highly successful monastic order. The monks feel, however, that the village is a distraction. The proceeds from a sale in a will be used in a far more beneficent manner. In short, instead of running the village, the monks will be able to concentrate on their own needs and those of the needy.
Tuscan Villas for Rent
While your own village may not exactly meet your needs, a stay in Tuscany should certainly be on your bucket list. Tuscany offers a wide variety of culinary, artistic and cultural delights for the world traveler and yet is still quintessentially Italian.
To understand this region, one must spend some time here. There are several amazing Tuscan villa rentals available for families or couples to experience the area. This experience is the combination of the quiet Tuscan countryside with the exotic and cosmopolitan flavors of its art and culture. A villa of your own will allow you to experience Tuscany at your own pace and to fully develop a taste for this wonderful area.
Jesse Dugan and his team of expert writers guest blog for sites all over the web in several different categories. Follow him @JesseDugan.