Archive for 'Latium'

If you are a serious culture vulture who likes to admire the greatest works made by human hands, then one of your bucket list destinations has to be Rome. With a villa in Rome, you can discover the ancient ruins of the Colosseum, Michelangelo's painted glories on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, the unbelievable scale and architectural splendor of St Peter's, and much more besides. However, beyond the most famous attractions of the city, there is also an impossible wealth of other incredible attractions, buildings, works of art, examples of stunning city planning, gorgeous gardens, collections of incredible artefacts, and more to be explored. In fact, there is more to see in Rome than one could get to if they had full lifetimes to wander the beautiful streets and amazing attractions of the city. However, if you're looking for something that is a famous must-see but still slightly off the beaten track for many international tourists in Rome to pencil into your next vacation in Rome, then we suggest a visit to the glorious Palazzo Colonna.

The Palazzo Colonna is a block of palatial buildings that is located in the centre of Rome, at the base of the Quirinal Hill and which is built on a site that has housed buildings and homes since before the year 1000AD, including an ancient Roman Serapeum, a 12th century castle, and palaces of twenty generations of the powerful and noble Colonna family of Rome. Today, the palace can be visited and explored and is home to the Colonna Gallery, an incredible museum of Baroque art in the surrounds of frescoed walls and ceilings, gilded corridors, and antique furnishings. The largest noble residence in Rome, this stunning palace is akin to any of the great palatial buildings of Europe and is home to works of art by some of the most famous names in the history of art, making it an absolute must-see if you were thinking about finding a villa in Rome and spending time in the city.

As Rome is the capital of the region and there are also many other fascinating attractions in the surrounding area, a vacation rental in Latium or a vacation rental in Rome means that you'll never be short of incredible things to see and do. One such attraction that has been named as one of the most beautiful and romantic gardens in the entire world is the Garden of Ninfa, or Giardino di Ninfa, and it is a truly magical and stunning place. If you love outdoor spaces, garden design, and pretty settings that are far from your daily life then this is a must-see.

Realistically, one can find lots of great pizza in pizzerias, restaurants, and shops, located in towns and cities all over Italy. However, if you are a serious pizza-lover and foodie who is looking to vacation in Italy and experience the dish in its birthplace then there are two key destinations and two main camps when it comes to Italian pizza: Naples and Rome.

Those who are interested in the history of art and architecture and in Italy as a key cultural centre in the West that inspired so much of what we see around us every day right up to the present, will probably already have a desire to find a vacation rental in Rome to come and see the Eternal City. However, while the famous monuments known all over the globe such as St Peters and the Colosseum, the Ancient Roman ruins, and the great Renaissance works of art, are all definitely worth seeking out and seeing for yourself, there are newer, lesser-known gems in this impossibly renowned and beloved city that one should definitely take note of. One such example of this is the MAXXI (the Museo nazionale delle arti del XXI secolo or National Museum of 21st-century Arts), a wonderful museum of contemporary art and architecture that is, in its own right, an incredible architectural gem.

MAXXI is located in the Flaminio Quarter of Rome, on the site of a former Caserma Montello military barracks and incorporates parts of this earlier structure. The building was designed by lauded architect Zaha Hadid after an international competition was held to find a suitable design. Built over a period of ten years, the building went on to win the Stirling Prize of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 2010. Considered an important contemporary gem in the city, it has been described by the Guardian as, "Hadid's finest built work to date," and, "a masterpiece fit to sit alongside Rome's ancient wonders." Opened to the public in 2010, the museum was the first national institution in Italy that was dedicated to contemporary art and architecture and was conceived of as a broad cultural campus. MAXXI is managed by a Foundation that was established in 2009 by the Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities and headed by Giovanna Melandri and this sleek contemporary museum is a key hub of creativity and a place for experimentation and innovation.

If you have been considering booking a city break but are trying to decide on a location, we encourage you to look to Italy. There are endless excellent options of destinations for a city break in Italy from one of the world's best-known capitals to important art and fashion centres to some less familiar but no less wonderful gems. Here is our guide to some of the best destinations in which to find a vacation rental in Italy for a city break full of scenic surroundings, history, art, culture, great food and wine, excellent shopping, and more...