Archive for 'Central Italy'

Rome is, understandably, pretty special at Christmastime. As the centre of Catholicism with the presence of the Vatican, Christmas is pretty important and a major celebration in Rome. If you are a passionate fan of Christmas or, particularly, a religious Christian, it is a must to spend at least one Yuletide season in Rome. There is so much to do in the city on a daily basis but even more excitement and lots more interesting festive events around Christmas. From Christmas markets to masses to performances and concerts, there is plenty to keep you entertained. In particular, there are lots of great events for music-lovers as Rome is also home to lots of musical and choir groups, many that are centuries old, and which have honed their talents over generations.

One such group is the prestigious Schola Romana Ensemble, a highly professional group of singers and musicians specialised in Roman Baroque music, who will be performing this year in the stunning church of Santa Maria della Concezione. To experience the magic of their Christmas performance, and much more besides, just browse our vacation rentals in Rome and planning a trip to Rome this Christmas!

In the last few years, an incredibly interesting castle reopened to the public after being abandoned for half a century, close to a decade of restoration, and millions of euros were poured into the project. With almost a thousand years of history, the Rocca Sinibalda is an astounding fortress located in Latium, 50 miles north of Rome. Positioned majestically on a rocky outcrop that overlooks the Turano Valley, the castle-fortress is first noted in records with the building of a classic Norman stronghold by Count Sinibaldo, the governor of the Sabina area, in the 11th century. It is an extraordinary place, steeped in history and culture, stuffed with artistic gems, with a unique architectural character, and countless stories of scandal and mischief held within its walls. So, if you’re interested in art, architecture, pretty castles, or a little bit of historic gossip, then this fascinating place is a must see for those who have found a holiday rental in Rome or a vacation rental in Latium and are planning on exploring the wider region.

While the Rocca Sinibalda looks like a typical and romantic medieval fortress from a distance it is, in fact, far more interesting and complex than that. It has several names, for one thing. One of its names, the “Castle of the Eagle”, refers to the unusual shape of the building: in addition to the expected bastion walls, battlements, and lookout turrets, there are also sixteenth century additions that make the whole thing vaguely “eagle-shaped”, including the two wing-like bastions jutting out at the rear and the pointed “beak” at the front of the building, which overlooks the town below. Another named attributed to the castle is the “Castle of Metamorphoses” and the plaque by the main entrance declares it to be the “Castle of Invented Destinies.” Each of these names refers to different periods and incidents from the history of the building, with the Metamorphoses coming from a series of 16th century wall paintings and grotesques inspired by Ovid’s myths of transformation that is located in the reception rooms of the piano nobile.

Italy is a country famous for her cinema and contributions to the silver screen throughout history. She has produced incredibly talented writers, directors, and actors, as well as movies. One of the places that these films were made was in Cinecittà Studios, a complex famous for hosting major international productions for almost 80 years, the “Hollywood on the Tiber,” in Rome. However, as times changed, the studio became less profitable in its original form and they had to switch things up and diversify a little, which was how Cinecittà World, an amusement park on the same site, was born. If you are interested in fun and film and are planning on finding a vacation rental in Rome and exploring the city, this might be an interesting spot to pencil into your itinerary.

The Cinecittà Studios were opened in 1937, having been built by Benito Mussolini in an abandoned lot on the Via Tuscolana in Rome. At its height, 350 films were produced on the site a year and Hollywood productions flocked there to make their movies, including classics like, “Ben-Hur,” and, “Cleopatra,” a few years later. Increasingly, however, movies were made outside of studios, on streets and out in the real world, and fewer and fewer big productions came to the studio. From 350 films per annum, the number decreased to only a dozen or so and the studio suffered budget deficits, on average of about $6.8 million a year. Commercials and television productions began to make up the majority of projects shot in the studios and the days of the Hollywood on the Tiber ended.

We have written about Marmore Falls previously in the context of adventure. However, if you have found a villa in Umbria and are planning on heading to this fascinating attraction, there could be another objective on the agenda: romance. Sure, there is plenty of adventure to be had in the area – canyoning (traversing the mountain by ropes, sliding on toboggans and diving into pools below), canoeing and trying out hydrospeed (a flotation device you hold on to and which allows you to be flung about on the current of the river) – but it is also an exceptionally beautiful place, built for strolls, holding hands, and admiring the incredibly romantic surroundings.

Marmore Falls is actually an ancient man-made waterfall in Umbria that was created by the Romans in 271 BC. One of the tallest waterfalls in Europe and the tallest man-made waterfall in the world, it is surrounded by lots of hiking trails and is a lush and scenic spot that is incredibly lovely, like something plucked from the pages of a fairytale; impossibly green plants draped over the rocks and cave openings, regular rainbows seen over the falls, the relaxing sound of rushing water, and, of course, Il Balcone degli Innamorati (or the Balcony of Lovers).

Over the past few weeks, we have talked a lot about weddings in Italy: about what you need to know, finding a wedding planner, necessary paperwork, some of our prettiest villas that are set up for hosting weddings, Italian wedding traditions, and more. However, if you have always wanted to escape to Italy for your dream wedding and haven’t quite settled on an exact destination, we’re here to help. We have compiled a list of five of the best wedding destinations in Italy where you will get to enjoy wonderful surroundings, beautiful wedding photos, and a location that is already on most people’s bucket lists as it is; why not kill two birds with one stone and tick one of these beloved destinations off your travel list and get married there too? So, if you are planning on getting married in Italy, read on and choose the right destination wedding location for you!

1. Venice

Beautiful, romantic Venice is considered one of the best travel destinations in the world for lovers and for good reason. It retains an Old World charm that is unmatched and elegant and its unique positioning on the lagoon and its canals add to the feeling of being far from everyday life. For weddings, it is ideal as there is bundles of charm plus the amenities and conveniences of a big city. There are plenty of churches and other places to potentially get married in, lots of places to stay for both you and your guests, and endless restaurants, bars, venues, and more to entertain said guests. Just browse our vacation rentals in Venice and get to planning a picture perfect wedding in Venice, one of the most utterly romantic and timelessly lovely cities in the world.