Archive for 'Museums & Galleries in Italy'

Leonardo da Vinci famously spent years in Milan working under the Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza, painting, designing floats and pageants for special occasions, creating equestrian monuments for the city, and more. His mark, therefore, can be felt in various spots all throughout the city to this day and those who find a villa in Lombardy and visit Milan or those who book a vacation rental in Milan itself who have a penchant for all things Leonardo and the Renaissance, will find plenty to intrigue them from museums to artworks. However, the most unique trace of Leonardo that remains in the city today has to be Leonardo’s Vineyard.

While there are plenty of things to keep the adults in the group entertained all throughout the region during a stay in one of our Tuscany Villas – wine-tasting, shopping, visits to museums, wandering around historic towns, and more – many of these activities are either less interesting to children or not for children at all. A great vacation in Tuscany that everyone can enjoy will involve combining the must-see activities that adults don’t want to miss with both experiences everyone will appreciate and outings that will specifically appeal to the little ones in your group. Here are some of our best suggestions of things to do with the kids (and things that those who are kids at heart will love) during your next visit to Tuscany...

Most likely, if you are booking a villa in Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, you’re going to want to visit some of her famous museums. Among the list of extraordinary art institutions of the city that are stuffed with masterpieces by many of the most famous names in the history of art, the Uffizi Gallery stands out as probably the must-see example. Of course, you may want to visit more and other galleries and museums throughout your vacation in Florence but this is certainly the best-known option and for good reason. Sprawling, beautiful in its own right, boasting amazing views over the city from its terrace, and full of outstanding works, it is an important tourist attraction for any art-lover coming to the city. Set aside a few hours, make sure you’ve had a snack and something to drink beforehand, and then come dive in so you can put a little dent in the astounding collections of the museum.

The Last Supper, one of the most famous of da Vinci’s world-renowned masterpieces and one of the most instantly recognisable paintings in the history of the modern world, is located  on a wall in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. Despite the disastrous experimental method used in creating the work, the passage of time, damage inflicted during World War II, and inadequate restoration efforts in the 19th century, this iconic wall painting remains and is a must-see while you still can.

In the 20th century, an extensive 22-year restoration project to save the painting was undertaken, finally concluding in 1999. While this endeavour helped extend the lifespan of the piece, the damage remains severe. Nevertheless, visitors continue to flock to see this captivating and stunning work, with many returning time and again. If you have booked a holiday rental in Milan or even if you have just one day in Milan during your vacation in Italy, a visit to The Last Supper is an absolute must but here’s what you should know if you're planning a visit...