Luxury Apartments Florence

It Takes a Village: TUI Builds Tuscan Playground for the Wealthy

When God created the earth, it wasn't a terribly difficult task. Granted, he was under some pressure to get it done on time, but it was a deadline of his own making. After all, no one had stipulated that he had only six days to complete the project. In return, he had the seventh day to plant the seed for all kinds of social nonsense that persists to this day: driving prohibitions on Sundays, holiday surcharges and strict store hours.

God also did not have to contend with the challenges modern real estate developers face. Convoluted concepts like land use plan modification applications and toxic waste cleanup requirements weren't invented until much later. And although Mr. Schlüter really doesn't want to start with Adam and Eve, the task he faces is vastly more difficult: what could very well be the largest project ever launched to develop an earthly paradise.

Schlüter, who works for TUI, manages 11 square kilometers of prime Tuscan countryside between Florence and Pisa. "It's almost six times as big as Monaco," says Schlüter, which sounds a lot better than "at least half the size of Berlin's Marzahn district," although that too would be perfectly correct. Size alone is not the issue, but rather a dream of beauty, luxury and authenticity, or, as the brochure states philosophically: "a simple life done to the highest standards." Peace, joy and spa living.

Schlüter is sitting on the terrace of the golf-course restaurant, the only building completed to date. Green lizards dart across the tiles, and the lasagna is almost as warm as the midday sun.

A guest surreptitiously steps on a large spider, which Schlüter would probably have rescued. He has just devoted a sizeable chunk of the conversation to describing how sustainably his staff will protect this unique cultural landscape, which extends well beyond the 18-hole golf course -- also an authentic Tuscan creation.

Welcome to Castelfalfi

He already has the bloodsucking horseflies under control. They weren't going over well with the golfers. Now the offensive insects are swimming in a brown liquid inside extremely green-looking traps hanging from trees on the edge of a slumbering forest. The resort has its own lake, and even a little village on a hill, not to mention 8,000 olive trees, which are already being used to produce olive oil once again, or the 400 wild boars that have to be kept locked up to prevent them from soiling the greens. Even eco-fun has its limits.

Blogger Travel And Leisure: Live Your Dream in Florence

, You generally appreciate different types of accommodation than the traveler that spends one or two days in a city and then hops on a plane to get to another city. You want the slower pace and the feeling that you are taking up residence in a city and not just passing through without even having enough time to unpack your bags. Whether your dream vacation is an entire spring in Tuscany exploring all that Florence and the surrounding rolling hillsides have to offer or you have only a week to live out your vacation fantasies; the most relaxing and home like atmosphere comes when you rent one of the many holiday apartments available in Florence. Italy has a great availability of residence apartments in general compared to a lot of other countries. The extremely high rate of tourism and the huge number of international The advantages of renting holiday apartment in Florence, rather than one a room in one of the many hotels, is increased with every additional day that you will be staying. The larger space and availability of a kitchen are obvious. But also you might want to consider the size of the bathrooms which are much larger in general in a residence apartment than in a hotel room and may even offer a bathtub to have a nice long bubble bath in after a long day of wine tasting. Your preference for where in the city you would like to stay is also a thought to keep in mind. Florence is a city made of apartments, so where in the city would you like to stay? The choice is yours, as is the decision on the size of apartment. A short term apartment for your vacation in Florence can range from a student style place with single to travel websites, what are the decisions you want to make about your dream vacation, living like a native, taking up residence in Florence, Italy? Just the thought makes most want to float away in dream of Chianti and bistecca alla Fiorentina. First, consider your location; like a lot of European cities, Florence is a walking city and your choice of location should depend on what you want to be near. There will be short term apartments available in virtually every nook, cranny and curvy cobblestoned street that make up the hereditary home of the Medici's.

Fodor's Florence, Tuscany & Umbria

Harvard magazine

Florence of Arabia, a novel

Cincinnati Magazine

The Spectator