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Get The Best Villas to Rent In Tuscany Before “Ruscany” Comes In

Credit: www.vacavilla.com

Tuscany and the“Chiantishire”used to be an outpost of Britons in Italy. Now Russians are taking over the best villas to rent in this region

Chiantishire. A nickname that for many Britons is a synonym of idyllic holidays in the Tuscan countryside. It indicates the area of Tuscany where the famous Chianti wine is produced. The numbers of visitors from the United Kingdom is so great that the region was soon dubbed Chiantishire, because it has become as popular as the most loved locations of Yorkshire, Devonshire, Derbyshire, etc.

Chiantishire owes it fame also to the many celebrities that decided to buy a villa there:Sting, Richard Gere, Antonio Banderas are just few of the names that bought some estates there. However, it was the former British Prime Minister Tony Blair who launched the trend of retreating to Tuscany for the summer holidays in the 1990s.

The real question is: why thousands of Britons decided to elect this particular area of the charming Tuscany as their favourite location, instead of keep on spending their time in the local (and much closer!) shires? The answer is not that hard to find.

First of all, the climate: Tuscany is located in the center of Italy, where the climate is temperate, warmer and sunnier compared to the British one. It is nice to forget about rainy and cloudy days, and finally be able to enjoy the joy that sunshine brings.

Secondly, the culture. UNESCO claims that 60% of the world’s important arts is in Italy and a great share of this percentage is in Tuscany. As a matter of facts, Tuscany is the cradle of Renaissance: great names that were fundamental for the cultural evolution of mankind were born here: Dante Alighieri, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Michelangelo Buonarroti were all inspired by Tuscany and its beauty. Chiantishire is also at a close distance from Florence, a city worldwide famous for its art galleries and architecture. No wonder why British art enthusiasts decide to spend their time there!

Third, the cuisine. As stated above, the same name of the regions derives from the production of Chianti wine. It is a red wine extremely popular in Italy, but also abroad, because it suits well meat dishes or pasta seasoned with Italian cheeses. Meat is indeed the true specialty of Tuscan cuisine. The famous Fiorentina is a really thick T-bone steak grilled and seasoned with black pepper, salt, and olive oil. It is hard to taste a genuine porterhouse steak cooked in the Tuscan way in Britain, therefore it should not surprise that a lot of people find the combination of culture, sunshine and delicious food too hard to resist.

Finally, the accommodation. Celebrities and wealthy people can afford buying a villa in the Chianti area, but for common people the most chosen option is to rent a villa or a farmhouse for their holidays. Italy as a whole hosts beautiful houses in charming locations, but the cherry on the top is the naturally welcoming hospitality of Italians. Tuscans are no exception! Incoming tour operators offer not only a great variety of villas to rent in Tuscany, but also a personalized experience according to the clients’ needs. Being friendly and helpful is something that comes natural for Italians and it is a quality appreciated by visitors, that find themselves in a domestic atmosphere. Though there might be a language barrier, Italians always find their way to communicate with foreigners and it is funny for Britons to see the funny hand gestures that old resident do when they want to establish some sort of connection with them.

However, the predominance of Britons in the area has been challenged by the arrival of hordes of Russian tourists. “Ruscany” is the new way of referring to this phenomenon. Russian oligarchs are slowly taking over the number of Britons and Germans who used to spend their time in Tuscany. A process that has not been stopped by the sanctions imposed on the Russian Federation after the annexation of Crimea. On the contrary, wealthy Russians travel to Europe and this region in particular to experience the things that they can now find with a certain degree of difficulty at home. Food, clothes, pieces of art are all bought here and brought back home.

The tourism industry of Tuscany is adapting to this new clientele. Russians who come there, are usually wealthier than their British counterpart, and their hunger for luxury makes them choose the best villas to rent in Tuscany. Therefore, Britons who would love to keep on spending their vacations in their beloved summer retreat, should plan it even with more advance than usual, otherwise they might not find the perfect accommodation.

However, many people in Tuscany do have a soft spot for Britons. Though Russians are famous for giving great tips, Britons are perceived as gentlemen! Keeping that in mind, UK visitors to Chianti can take advantage of it and show their best manners to get the best villas to rent in Tuscany, the best table in a restaurant or the best services available!

Marta Mariani

Travel, fashion and good food: that's what I like the most in my life! ...(Read More)

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