Archive for 'Hiking'

If you love horses and beautiful scenery and you were considering a holiday in Italy then you might want to think about booking a villa in Abruzzo. This charming little region of Italy is a place that has remained largely untouched by human hands and, therefore, boasts an unspoiled and incredibly stunning landscape of wide plains, towering peaks, dense forests, gorgeous jewel-toned lakes, and a lush and sweeping coastline, overlooked by romantic crumbling castles and picturesque medieval towns perched on high ground. It is also home to the Gran Sasso, the longest horse trail in the country (in addition to being a national park and part of the country that abounds in hiking and cycling trails), and plenty of horse-riding schools and equestrian centres that take visitors out on guided trips. 

One of our favourite regions of Italy to recommend to tourists is the lush and beautiful Le Marche area. With a long coastline full of great resort towns and excellent beaches, this region is well-known to Italian tourists as a perfect spot to escape to from boiling cities during the hottest months of the year. Visiting in July or August, therefore, will mean that you will be surrounded by throngs of Italians on their summer vacations. International tourists, meanwhile, seek out this remarkable part of the country far less often and many have never head of it before. But there are endless reasons to choose it for your next vacation. Impossibly green, full of pretty villages, boasting plenty of amazing beaches to choose from, and steeped in history and culture, a vacation rental in Le Marche means discovering a part of the country beloved by locals who are in the know and that perfectly combines many traits for which other regions are famous. In fact, many people describe it as all of Italy captured in one region. Here are five of its most captivating charms and some excellent reasons that we think make it a perfect spot for your next holiday...

Venice is, without a doubt, the most famous part of Veneto and one of the most famous cities in the entire world. However, the wider region of Veneto is incredibly interesting and lovely and much of it is largely untouched by the immense tourist crowds that descend daily upon the city. Made up of marshes, rolling green hills and vinyards, mountains, forests, nature parks, and a charming coastline, a vacation in Veneto has plenty more to offer beyond Venice – though a visit to that most romantic and fascinating of cities during your time in the region is also always a good idea!

Take the municipality of San Michele al Tagliamento, for example. It is likely a place many have never heard of before but if you find a villa in San Michele al Tagliamento, you will quickly discover that you have access to some gorgeous beaches, historic sites, fun activities for the whole family, some excellent wineries, some wonderful walking and hiking trails through the lush and picturesque landscape of this part of the world, a brilliant wellness centre in which you can perfectly unwind, a host of fun activities to enjoy with your family, and more. So, come and sample all that Veneto has to offer by basing yourself in a vacation rental in San Michele al Tagliamento and then heading out to explore all of the remarkable charms of this region that are close at hand. Among them, there are some particular highlights...

Sardinia is a popular destination for its beauty, its uniquely non-Italian Italian culture, its ruins and historic sites, and its rich and highly specific food culture. However, for many, its biggest singular draw is that it offers a long list of incredible outdoor pursuits that can be enjoyed while surrounded by the lovely settings of this impossibly scenic part of the world. If you love to get outdoors, sweat a little, have adventures, and explore, then you’ll definitely be interested in browsing our vacation rentals in Sardinia and planning a holiday on this remarkable island!

But what exactly is there to do in Sardinia? Well, as we said, lots and lots but for the outdoorsy types these are some of the best activities that you can enjoy...

After the sizzling summer months, there are plenty of travellers who look forward to the mild weather of fall in Italy and being able to get out and comfortably explore the stunning landscapes all across the country. In particular, the mountainous areas and vacation destinations of Italy really come into their own again once fall rolls around and you can plan hikes, cycling trips, and more without worrying about sun burns or sweating too much or lugging around adequate hydration. One ideal spot in which one can do all that and more while enjoying the lush peaks and lovely alpine scenery of Italy is Merano. Located in the South Tyrol region, Merano is a gorgeous town located in a valley that is hugged by leafy hillsides and towering mountains and boasts endless walking paths, parks, gardens, hiking and biking trails, pretty little streets winding through the historic centre, and many more routes to explore while the weather is mild and the surroundings transform into a gorgeous array of gold and red tones. Browse our villas in Merano and then discover our guide to a perfect fall getaway in this cinematically lovely part of Italy...