Invitation to Tuscany Ltd

19/06/2025

The crypt of San Miniato al monte, Florence.

10/06/2025

I’ve seen one in the wild! The beautiful FIAT Topolino, next to his best friend APE 50. Spotted in Casole d’Elsa.

06/06/2025

29/05/2025

Back to a time when horses were working companions, following woodcutters into the forest and coming back loaded with firewood, or even charcoal. On the left you can see our pile of reclaimed bricks - my sister and I would be set to work cleaning these, chipping the mortar off with a brickie's hammer. And in the centre of the photo there's my sister in full hippy-crochet glory, rocking that waistcoat and those glorious stripey socks!

15/05/2025

Coming to the end of a wonderful few days exploring Tuscany, visiting sites and houses. I’ve been doing this for over 40 years now and it never loses its magic.

14/05/2025

"Wow! A perfect vacation. The staff are welcoming, kind, and helpful - every one. We celebrated our anniversary, bringing ous sons and there families (6 adults and 4 kids). Every one of us were so impressed with the lodging, comfort, atmosphere, privacy, and especially the pool. Breakfast each morning was incredible. We paid for a chef to prepare a few dinners - again, and fantastic experience. Special kudos to Francesco (manager), Anna (chef), and Lola (always helpful and smiling). We felt a part of the Montestigliano family. Most definitely plan to return!"⁠

Review of Pipistrelli
⁠
⁠

13/05/2025

https://www.invitationtotuscany.com/guide/italy/tuscany/siena/bronze-statues-in-san-casciano-dei-bagni

I've published some notes on these amazing statues discovered in the old thermal baths of San Casciano dei Bagni - there will soon be a brand new museum in the town to house these stunning finds. The largest bronze find since the Bronzes of Riace. I'm particularly delighted and intrigued by the mix of Latin and Etruscan inscriptions, and by the evidence of powerful families from both cultures coming to the sacred baths to ask for intermission from the Gods on their behalf.
Looking forward to visiting the museum and reading some of the inscriptions.

12/05/2025

To continue last week's theme of the massive depopulation caused by the Black Death in the mid-fourteenth-century, this is a sketch I made of Siena from the top of the unfinished cathedral. In 1339 plans were made for an ambitious expansion of the current Cathedral, and works were started in 1340, just eight years before the plague would visit the city and lay waste to any plans. Today all that remains is the tall wall that would have been the new end of the nave, and some columns embedded in the next door Palazzo.

Visit the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo to climb this tall section of wall and see the city from above, with Piazza del Campo laid out below in a clear signal of the primacy of the church over the state. The museum itself is fabulous, with works by Duccio, Giovanni Pisano, Donatello, Pietro and Ambrogio Lorenzetti and many more. Highly recommended.

11/05/2025

"We loved Ragana in Radicondoli. The villa is typical old style tuscany villa which adds to the charm was huge (4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms), clean and with all modern appliances. The grounds are large and maintained well by Claudio - the owner, who is a most helpful and pleasant host. The private pool was excellent and with many lounges and tables etc. The villa is situated on the outskirts of the village and adjacent to the owner's working olive farm."⁠