Archive for 'Central Italy'

Rome is one of those incredibly beautiful and photogenic cities that people dream of visiting their whole lives. If you have found a vacation rental in Rome and are finally planning a trip, there are lots of places that you should visit. In fact, there are too many...way too many. It would take lifetimes to see it all. As none of us have lifetimes to do anything, try and see as much as you can during your trip and be sure to take lots of photos to remember it all by and to have more time to take it all in afterwards!

5. St Peter's Views And Square

Pope Alexander VII and Bernini undertook the designing of St Peter's Square, one of the many alterations that was part of the Pope's master plan for the modernisation of the city.

Rome is one of those destinations that people spend their whole lives waiting to visit and that breeds a certain type of rabid curiosity. Ever since the Grand Tour, people have flooded to see the city's endless attractions, artistic and cultural gems, and sights. But, if it's the trip of a lifetime and if you are being overwhelmed by the constant sensory overload of a city like Rome, then photographing your trip is important. Capturing those memories and moments for ever will be important to anyone visiting the city and, as it is so very photogenic, it really is a joy to shoot. Of course, some things make for lovelier photos than others so, if you have found a vacation rental in Rome and are planning a trip, these are more of the sights that you absoluely need to see, and photograph, for yourself!

Pictures are worth a thousand words, or so they say. Today, pictures are worth a holiday. Many people hop on a plane and travel thousands of miles, simply to see and photograph things that they have always seen for themselves and Rome is a destination that breeds these curious tourists: it always has, since long before commercial tourism was even a dream. If you have found a vacation rental in Rome, these are the sights that you need to see, and photograph, for yourself!

1. The Spiral Stairs in the Vatican Museums

Designed by Giuseppe Momo in 1932, this beautiful, sweeping staircase is perfectly lit from above and is simply begging to be photographed. Take in its perfection, swooping motion and grandeur for yourself, in person. Then, once you've appreciated it enough, take a picture and bring the sight of one of the many architectural gems that the city has to offer with you.

The Vatican is an incredible treasure trove of culture and art, in particular. As it was a source of immense wealth and the Church was one of the most important patrons in the world for centuries, the body of artworks that has been built up within its walls is pretty much without parallel. Great works, such as Michelangelo's impossibly famous painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, are very well known but there are many other works beyond it that are worth taking the time out to see and learn more about. In fact, there is an endless list of other works that we could mention but, in this new series, we'll be choosing some of our best picks to help you narrow it down to some truly excellent works of art. Just find a vacation rental in Rome, head to the Vatican and begin getting stuck into this endless well of cultural and artistic gems.

It looks like lasagna but it isn't lasagna; at least not in name. Vincisgrassi is a typical dish, and one of the most eaten regional dishes, of the Le Marche region of Italy and while it is very similar to lasagna: don't call it that! Vincisgrassi has its own distinct history and is an important symbol of Le Marche cuisine together. There are countless variations from all over the region and from household to household but, no matter what variation you manage to get your hands on, if you have found a vacation rental in Le Marche and are exploring this scenic and fascinating region, you cannot leave without tasting a portion of Vincisgrassi! Like a lasagna but richer and with more ingredients, it is the perfect comfort food to give you the energy to traverse the region.

The origins of the dish are, however, swamped in a bit of mystery. There are two legends about how it was created and both are passionately disputed to this day. The first story actually also has two versions, both of which date back to the period of Napoleonic rule, when the region had been taken over by Napoleon's troops.