{"id":346584,"date":"2026-04-16T10:49:39","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T14:49:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.sothebysrealty.com\/?p=346584"},"modified":"2026-09-03T16:03:53","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T20:03:53","slug":"spotlight-on-tuscany-italys-historic-heartland-moves-with-the-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/spotlight-on-tuscany-italys-historic-heartland-moves-with-the-times\/","title":{"rendered":"Spotlight on Tuscany: Italy\u2019s Historic Heartland Moves With the Times"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The region\u2019s dynamic food scene and quiet luxury matches up to its cultural treasures and lush landscapes, writes Kiki Deere<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Medieval<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Arezzo, Italy<\/a> | Italy Sotheby\u2019s International Realty<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With its rolling vineyard landscapes, cypress-lined avenues and ancient olive groves, Tuscany has long been seen as Italy\u2019s bucolic idyll, a sun-soaked region with enduring appeal. Its art-filled cities are famous for harboring an unrivaled quantity of Renaissance riches, while its coastline blends glamorous beach resorts, pine forests and rugged coves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The newly released movie \u201cYou, Me and Tuscany\u201d once again brings the charm of the area to the fore. This romantic comedy is also a love letter to Tuscan food and wine, a reminder that the region has earned its reputation as one of the country\u2019s premier culinary destinations. In Florence, family-run restaurants and elegant cocktail bars dot the historic core, where a wave of independent boutiques and ateliers are also shaking up Italy\u2019s shopping experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat makes Florence and Tuscany so compelling now is this balance of Renaissance heritage and a vibrant contemporary scene,\u201d says Salvatore Ferragamo Jr., grandson of the legendary Italian shoemaker and global ambassador for the family\u2019s hospitality arm, which includes the five-star Portrait Firenze hotel and the 1,100 acre wine estate Il Borro in Tuscany\u2019s Arezzo province.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"exterior<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lucca, Italy<\/a> | Italy Sotheby\u2019s International Realty<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuscany \u201coffers an intimate, authentic expression of the Italian lifestyle, where quality, beauty and a slower rhythm come together in a way that increasingly resonates with modern travelers,\u201d says Ferragamo. This unique combination seems to be drawing global homebuyers to the region too.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beautifully restored countryside retreats such as this 16th-century villa near Lucca<\/a> preserve all the charm of the Renaissance, with original features and a wine cellar housing ancient oak barrels. But there\u2019s no compromise for homeowners used to luxury living\u2014and hosting\u2014particularly given the estate\u2019s additional converted barn and farmhouse. The open-air pool is surrounded by vines, olive trees and acacia woods, with a wisteria-covered pergola for long, lazy lunches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"pool<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Arezzo, Italy<\/a> | Italy Sotheby\u2019s International Realty<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the far east of Tuscany lies Valtiberina, a lesser-known corner of the region that spills into neighboring Umbria. While Renaissance greats Piero della Francesca and Michelangelo both hailed from this area, a restored medieval castle<\/a> combines even older heritage with some refreshingly contemporary styling. As well as a pool below the ramparts, the property even has its own private chapel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTuscany captivates with its unparalleled combination of natural beauty, cultural heritage and refined lifestyle,\u201d explains Diletta Giorgolo, head of residential at Italy Sotheby\u2019s International Realty. \u201cThe serene landscape changes with the seasons, while historic towns, Michelin-starred restaurants and world-renowned art ensure a rich cultural experience year-round.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"interior<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Florence, Italy<\/a> | Italy Sotheby\u2019s International Realty<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

International buyers are also looking beyond the countryside to properties in the heart of Florence, such as this exclusive piano nobile<\/em><\/a> (or \u201cprincipal story\u201d) of a 16th century palazzo with an 18th<\/sup>-century facade on Via della Condotta. Currently divided into apartments, with lofty coffered ceilings and bookshelves floor to ceiling, this light-flooded property and its internal courtyard is an ideal investment for potential rentals. It\u2019s also ripe for conversion as a year-round residence in the heart of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Giorgolo says: \u201cTuscany is not just a place to visit\u2014it is a place to live, offering a lifestyle that balances tranquility, sophistication and authenticity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s how Venice\u2019s historic palaces are also being reimagined for modern living<\/em><\/a><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The region\u2019s dynamic food scene and quiet luxury matches up to its cultural treasures and lush landscapes, writes Kiki Deere Arezzo, Italy | Italy Sotheby\u2019s International Realty With its rolling vineyard landscapes, cypress-lined avenues and ancient olive groves, Tuscany has long been seen as Italy\u2019s bucolic idyll, a sun-soaked region with enduring appeal. Its art-filled […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":232770377,"featured_media":346603,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1393,1559,1403,1563],"tags":[1453],"class_list":["post-346584","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-art-and-culture","category-destinations","category-market-insights","category-regional-reports","tag-italy"],"jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pf4gbL-1sa4","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":342805,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/spotlight-on-tuscany-the-best-of-art-history-and-nature\/","url_meta":{"origin":346584,"position":0},"title":"Spotlight on Tuscany: The Best of Art, History and Nature","author":"SIR Admin","date":"October 10, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"The Italian region has enduring appeal for its rolling countryside, celebrated vineyards and artistic heritage, writes Mandi Keighran Gaiole in Chianti, Italy | Italy Sotheby's International Realty Tuscany epitomises living la dolce vita\u2014an Italian expression that evokes enjoyment of life\u2019s pleasures: good food and wine, long summer days, and a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Art and Culture"","block_context":{"text":"Art and Culture","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/art-and-culture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/image4-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/image4-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/image4-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/static-sir-corp-blog-production.gtsstatic.net\/blog-api\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/image4-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":409,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/inside-venices-magical-palaces\/","url_meta":{"origin":346584,"position":1},"title":"Inside Venice\u2019s Magical Palaces","author":"Procurement Admin","date":"February 13, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Venice\u2019s historic palazzi, with their grand facades and opulent interiors, are being reimagined for modern living, writes Mandi Keighran. 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