One of our favorite things to do is share what we love about Tuscany, home of the Villa Campestri Olive Oil Resort with our guests. The region is definitely more dynamic than just’under the Tuscan Sun’ and you would be surprised at how many small towns are worth discovering, even in our ‘home’ in the Mugello Valley.
More than that is Italy’s strong and vast history, centuries of innovation, home to vast culture and talented ‘stars’ have made this place a must-visit for many people around the world. For this week’s blog post, we want to share these 3 Fun Facts that you probably didn’t already know about Italy’s most popular region. We could think of much more but we would like to make this a continuing series in order to learn a little more about la nostra bella Toscana.
1. UNESCO loves Tuscany! Many would be surprised at just how many UNESCO heritage sites are in this region. This includes the historic centers of Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Pienza, and the Piazza del Duomo in Pisa, plus the incredible Medici Villas. Not to mention the Val d’Orcia national park (a truly stunning and serene place).
2. Parliamo Italiano because of Tuscany! While many know of Tuscany’s famous figures, including Michelangelo, Boccaccio, Machiavelli, The Medici Family, Leonardo da Vinci and the list could go on. But did you know that Tuscany is the birthplace of the Italian Language? Look no further than Dante Alghieri whose famous literature ‘The Divine Comedy’ and ‘Inferno’ , along with works by Petrarca, gave this country a common tongue during the Renaissance period.
3. Walking on Sunshine! Tuscany was the first region to adopt pavements. According to InToscana: In 1339, the city of Florence became the first European city to pave their streets. A product of the rich banks and merchants of that era, Florence set the bar for cities around Europe and the rest of the world with this trend setting action.
Extra virgin olive oil is a natural product that continues to evolve after pressing. Heat, light and oxygen accelerate this process and gradually affect both flavour and quality. At Villa Campestri Olive Oil Resort, this is something we know well. Our family has been producing extra virgin olive oil for generations, using olives grown in […]
Mugello is best known for its charming villages, ancient woodlands, historic villas and quintessential Tuscan landscapes. What many people don’t realise is that, after sunset, its clear skies and low levels of light pollution create ideal conditions for observing constellations, planets and, at the right time of year, even the Milky Way stretching across the […]
Villa Campestri, the world’s first Olive Oil Resort, transforms extra virgin olive oil into an experience that brings together nature, gastronomy, wellbeing and a deep connection to the land.
Have you ever woken up in the morning feeling as tired as when you went to bed? Or found yourself exhausted at night, only to lie awake for hours? Perhaps you’ve experienced that familiar afternoon slump, when your energy suddenly disappears for no obvious reason. Most of us blame stress, a busy schedule or lack […]
One of the most meaningful experiences during a trip to Tuscany, beyond visiting art cities or iconic landscapes, is connecting with everyday local life. That connection often happens in village markets, artisan workshops, and small food shops where products are made for the people who live there year-round, not just for visitors. In this guide, […]
How to get to Mugello from Florence and how to travel around Tuscany with or without a car. Distances, trains, buses and transfers.
Romantic weekend in Tuscany between Mugello and Florence: scenic rooms, candlelight dinners, and olive oil tastings. Discover Villa Campestri Olive Oil Resort.
Anyone visiting Florence for the first time imagines a stay right in the historic center, surrounded by museums, piazzas, and narrow cobblestone streets. It takes only a day, however, to realize that Florence is wonderful to explore yet challenging to inhabit. Between ZTL restrictions, scarce and expensive parking, constant noise, and high prices for even […]