Tag Archives: Europe

Italian Estate Video Tours: “Villa Antinori Di Monte Aguglioni” In Tuscany

This beautiful historic villa, located on a scenic position, on one of the hill tops on the left side of the river Arno, a few kilometres from Florence, is now for sale. Its beautiful facade appears on the label of a wine that has made the history of Chianti Classico in the world: we are talking about Villa Antinori Monte Aguglioni, belonged to one of the great families of the Tuscan wine tradition from the late 19th century until the middle of last century. This beautiful villa, located just 5 kilometers from Florence, is rich in history. From 1498 to 1517 it was owned by the powerful Del Giocondo family who owned the famous Monna Lisa, wife of Francesco del Giocondo, called “La Gioconda,” painted by Leonardo Da Vinci in circa 1505. From here it seems that Baldo was the Aguglione, jurist and Florentine politician, contemporary of Dante, who the great poet mentions twice in his Divine Comedy as the “villan of Aguglione.” It was, in fact, the Aguglione to give judgment, September 2, 1311, which excluded Dante from the amnesty, preventing the return from exile. This is a rare complex from the 16th century, constituted by the manor house and other buildings of pertinence such as the keepers lodgings and other rural buildings of agricultural use. The property is surrounded by splendid parks and gardens, tree-lined alleys, vineyards and olive groves. A large wood surrounds and shelters this dreamlike property. There are two entrances: the main and original one is an iron double gate that allows access through a driveway, lined by cypress trees, that leads to the Italian style garden rich in ornamental plants and basins, which was originally designed by the English architect Cecil Pinsent, who created an actual park with rose beds, scented plants and symmetric flower beds. There is also a double ramp staircase leading to the main level.

Travel & Wildlife: The “Iberian Lynx” Of The Sierra Morena In Spain (Video)

Southern Spain: home to distinctive landscapes, extreme climates, and a unique species of wildcat. The Iberian lynx is smaller than its European cousin and has evolved to survive almost exclusively by hunting wild rabbits.

Yet this unvaried diet is what drove the Iberian lynx to the brink of extinction during the 20th century. We introduce the breeding and conservation programs that have helped the wildcat make a remarkable recovery, and take a look at the threats the endangered species still faces today.

The Iberian lynx is a wild cat species endemic to the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe. It is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

The Sierra Morena is one of the main systems of mountain ranges in Spain. It stretches for 450 kilometres from east to west across the south of the Iberian Peninsula, forming the southern border of the Meseta Central plateau and providing the watershed between the valleys of the Guadiana to the north and the west, and the Guadalquivir to the south.

Italian Villa Video Tour: “Bellosguardo, Florence”

On the hills above Florence, in an extremely panoramic location with direct view over the historic center of the city, we find this beautiful luxury villa with Italian garden and swimming pool.

The villa has also easy access to the International School of Florence, which has its headquarters inside Villa Torri di Gattaia (5km; 10’), just above Piazzale Michelangelo.

Easily reached and in one of the most renowned areas of Florence, this property allows easily reaching the historic center of the city on foot (3km; 15’) and at the same time moving throughout the many interesting cities and towns of Tuscany: San Casciano in Val di Pesa (15km; 20’), Greve in Chianti (28km; 35’), Colle di Val d’Elsa (46km; 40’), the imposing towers of San Gimignano (51km; 50’), the unique medieval center of Siena (69km; 55’), Volterra (72km; 1h 10’), Lucca (88km; 1h 10’), Castiglion Fiorentino (98km; 1h 20’), Montalcino, hometown of the superb Brunello wine (107km; 1h 35’), Pisa and its world-famous leaning tower (109km; 1h 20’), Montepulciano with its Nobile wine (112km; 1h 25’) and the Etruscan town of Cortona (120km; 1h 35’).

Travel & Culture Videos: Germany Celebrates 250th Birthday Of Beethoven

The celebration of Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th birthday this year is reaching a crescendo in Germany. The composer and pianist was born in Bonn on December 16, 1770, and his musical legacy carries on. In this reel, we meet concert pianists putting a new spin on Beethoven’s work. Susanne Kessel, for one, put out a call to composers for 250 new piano pieces inspired by Beethoven and is now in the midst of performing them. Elsewhere, the duo known as Pianotainment is using humor and serious piano chops to make the work of the likes of Beethoven accessible to all. We wrap up this ode to Beethoven with a visit to a museum full of self-playing musical instruments. And, yes, some of them even play Beethoven.

This Great Big Story was made possible by the German National Tourism Board and BTHVN2020: https://www.germany.travel/beethoven2020

New Travel Videos: Will Venice See Mass Tourism Return Post-Lockdown?

As the 77th edition of the Venice Film Festival opens this Wednesday, life is slowly returning to normal in the northern Italian city, which was hard hit by the Covid-19 crisis. It’s the first time since the start of the pandemic that a major international festival is allowing the public to attend. This comes as good news for Venice, whose economy relies heavily on mass tourism, despite adverse effects on the environment and locals. Can La Serenissima steer away from this model and invent a new one? Our correspondents report.

Top Travel Tour Videos: “Grand Hotel Tremezzo – Lake Como, Italy” (2020)

Join me on a full tour of Grand Hotel Tremezzo. Located in the heart of Lake Como, with unparalleled views of Bellagio, the iconic hotel is an authentic Art Nouveau palace offering the delights of a 5-star luxury vacation (including a fabulous pool floating on the lake).

Top New Travel Videos: “Biking In Tuscany” (2020)

Tuscany offers many cycling itineraries: from the most challenging to the easiest routes (even for families), from the mountainous paths to the ones passing through art towns. You can take in the sights of amazing beaches and mountain tops, crossing precious hamlets lost in the countryside.

French Vineyard Tours: “Château Siran” In The Bordeaux Region (Video)

Owned by the same family since 1859, Siran is an original property with many surprises, including the panoramic terrace with a superb view over the Margaux appellation and the fallout shelter built to keep the Château Siran wine store dating back to 1912.

For more than 40 years, Siran has offered visitors the opportunity to share a family’s passion for the art of creating great wines and tasting them. One of the rare Médoc châteaux which can be visited every day from May to September and the rest of the year from Tuesday to Saturday, by appointment, Siran is worth a detour!

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Top Road Trips In Germany: From Baden-Baden to Berchtesgaden In Bavaria

Bogner’s latest road trip took him and his fellow curve hunters from Baden-Baden across the Black Forest to Lake Constance and along the German Alpine road to Tegernsee, Berchtesgaden and numerous other wonderful corners of Bavaria.

Along the way, the Porsche convoy stopped at the Dornier aircraft factories, the Gmünd paper mill and a plethora of fabulous hotels such as Ellmau Castle and the Kranzbach. 

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