Archive for 'Books and Movies'

Narni in Italy is an old and beautiful hill-town that is located in the central Italian region of Umbria and is often better known by its ancient Roman name of Narnia.

The town is not the snowy wonderland from C.S. Lewis' famous series of books but it did inspire the author in his creation of that beloved fictional universe. He never visited Narni but knew of the town from reading Roman history and writers such as Tacitus, Livy, and Pliny the Elder.

Lewis' former secretary also noted that had specifically told him that the name on the atlas had inspired him in the writing of his Chronicles.

Located about 50 miles north of Rome, it is a place that any fans of Narnia will find interesting if they have found a vacation rental in Rome and are planning for day trips during their stay.     Read More

The idea of festivals in Italy evokes images of fun, music, dancing and great celebrations and while, of course, there are plenty of these all over the country, there are also a large variety of very unique and particular festivals as well. It is these that cater to more specific interests and, if you're someone with a singular passion for something, you're sure to find a corresponding festival somewhere in Italy. If that passion is literature, you need look no further as 2016 Italian Capital of Culture; Mantua has just what you are looking for. Every year, this beautiful and historic city plays host to a literature festival which attracts the finest writers and, even, Nobel Prize winners each year. Just find a holiday rental in Lombardy and you could be rubbing shoulders with some of the greatest literary minds this September.     Read More

Villa del Balbianello is an 18th century villa which is perched precariously and picturesquely over Lake Como. It is now owned by Fondo per l'Ambiente Italiano (FAI), private, non-profit trust which receives sites of historic, artistic and naturalist value and restores and opens them to the public so that everyone can enjoy them. A popular spot for weddings and tourists, it was built for Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini at the end of the 1700s. The décor which exists today, however, comes from its last owner, the explorer Guido Monzino. It has a rich collection of Chinese, African and pre-Colombian art, precious English and French furniture of the 1700s and a small museum with documents and mementoes of his expeditions.     Read More