Archive for 'Central Italy'

Right along the border between the famously picturesque, rolling green landscapes of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, you will find the Appennino Parmense Orientale, a chain of mountains located in the Eastern part of the Province of Parma. For those who have found a vacation rental in Emilia-Romagna or a vacation rental in Tuscany and who are looking to go hiking during their stay in Italy, it is definitely a place to take note of as it boasts lots of different routes and incredible views. Whether you are an experienced hiker, a hobbyist, or a budding photographer looking to simply dip your toes in the water and get some great shots, whether you want to stretch your legs or have an adventure, whether you have a whole day to spend or just hours, you'll find a trail (or a part of a trail) that will suit your needs in this part of the world. However, if you're particularly interested in pretty scenery and breathtaking views, then there is one section of the mountain range that we would recommend: Monte Sillara and her twin lakes that offer an extraordinary panorama right over the surrounding landscape, right out to the islands of the Tuscan Coast and to Corsica on the clearest days.

Rome is dotted with the most extraordinary tourist attractions and ancient architectural gems that were so well-built in the time of the Ancient Romans that they have remained standing to this day, hundreds and hundreds of years (and even millennia) later. These lofty examples of Roman architectural and structural prowess dot the city, set among the bustling daily life of modern-day Romans, and attract endless crowds of tourists who have been coming since the 17th century to admire them and learn from them. If you have always wanted to see those famous ruins of that long-gone empire then browse our vacation rentals in Rome and start planning the trip of your dreams to finally go and make it happen.

One of the more famous examples in the city of these incredible ruins is the Baths of Caracalla. This ancient thermal complex was once the city's largest public baths, or thermae, and was likely built in the period between 211 or 212AD and 216 or 217AD, during the rule of the emperors Septimus Severus and his son, Caracalla, for whom it was named. Located in the southern area of Rome of Regio XII at the time, the site on which the Baths were built was formerly a vast garden that was known as the Horti Asiniani. In fact, the so-called Farnese Bull sculptural group that came to adorn the Baths was actually already present in the gardens and later moved into the Baths after they were built. Work on the Baths was fast-tracked, with back-breaking efforts required from the workers doing the actual manual labour, in order to get it finished in the relatively short, approximately six-year-long, period in which it was built and from then on it was in use until the 6th century with some later renovations and modifications by subsequent rulers.

There are few cities with the quantity and quality of incredible landmarks as Rome. It is a truly staggering city to explore, with amazing sights around every corner that show the lingering presence of the grand history and heritage of Rome, living today alongside the hustle and bustle of contemporary life. Some of these landmarks are now cordoned off and require tickets and queuing up and milling along with other tourists on tours to view them but some have been absorbed into the landscape of the city in a more natural way. One such attraction is the famous Circus Maximus, which was once the site of grand chariot races in the time of the Ancient Romans and is now still very much in use by contemporary Romans as a place for performances, concerts, gatherings, and just sitting out, chatting, and enjoying the view that such noble ruins in the storied cityscape that surrounds afford. If you find yourself on
vacation in Rome, it is definitely a spot to pencil in as it is a key attraction, free to visit, and a little less hectic than many of Italy's other famous landmarks.

Beautiful and historic wineries that are located in the most extraordinary settings are not unusual in Tuscany but, though there are many and many that we have discussed in this blog on numerous occasions in the past, there are many more excellent examples that we have yet to discover and for visitors to the region to discover. So, if you're a serious wine-lover who is thinking of planning a vacation sometime soon, there can be no doubt that Tuscany makes for a truly idyllic and perfect holiday destination to go and see where great Italian wines are made, taste wines, learn about them, buy and ship bottles home, and to engage in a vibrant and ancient wine culture.

One particularly scenic and lovely winery in which one can do all of the above and more besides is the beautiful Castello di Monsanto. While the Castello di Monsanto actually dates back to the middle of the 18th century and wine production in the area goes back centuries, it is in the last fifty years that the estate has become home to the Bianchi family and their beloved wines. Located in Barberino Val d'Elsa, in western Chianti Classico, a bit northwest of Castellina in Chianti, this incredible historic castle was where founder Aldo Bianchi, a native of San Gimignano who had first left Tuscany before the Second World War to seek fortune elsewhere in the North of Italy, found himself at a wedding. Taking in the amazing views across at his hometown of San Gimignano, over the hills of the Chianti Fiorentino region, and right to Monte Amiata and the Apuan Alps from the terrace of the castle, Aldo fell in love. Within a few months, he owned the Castello di Monsanto.

Sally Rooney's Normal People was already a best-seller and beloved novel worldwide when, in the midst of the COVID-19 breakout, the television adaptation hit the BBC and Hulu, and captured hearts and imaginations all over the globe. People were immediately entranced by the drama about growing up and trying to figure out who you are and what you want. The show follows Marianne and Connell, who are from quite different backgrounds in Sligo, on the west coast of Ireland. Marianne is wealthy and privileged but does not fit in in school and isn't well-liked. Even her family seems to have little time for her. Connell, meanwhile, is from a working class background but is popular, sporty, and someone that everyone seems to like. His mother is the housekeeper in Marianne's family home and, while the two know each other from school and growing up together, it is only when they start having a secret relationship that they truly get to know each other. The rest of the series charts their ups and downs, break-ups and relationships, as the two go off to college in Dublin and grow up.