Archive for 'Umbria'

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).

Italy is home to many delicious dishes, foods and products but one of the most recognisable food items of all has to be Baci. These chocolate “kisses” are one of the most famous sweets from Italy and can now be found in stores and supermarkets all over the world. Coming from Perugia, in the region of Umbria, they are made by Perugina, which is the leading chocolate brand in Italy. Made of chocolate and hazelnut, a popular combination of flavours in Italy, and wrapped in metallic blue and silver foil with stars and the logo on them, they are an iconic chocolate. If you have a holiday rental in Perugia and are visiting the area, you can visit their factory, and take a tour, drop into their chocolate museum, and take a chocolate-making class while you're there but, if you have found a vacation rental anywhere in Italy, you'll be able to readily get your hands on these tasty treats. Be sure to treat yourself and to buy some to give to your loved ones!

If you have found a vacation rental in Perugia and find yourself exploring the city, you may stumble across the fascinating Pozzo Etrusco, or Etruscan Well (also known as the Sorbello Well, named for the noble Sorbello family, whose palace was built overhead). Located just a few metres from the central landmarks of the Fontana Maggiore and Piazza IV Novembre, this imposing construction dates back to the fourth or third century BC and is 37m deep and 5.6m wide, and fully accessible by a system of stairs. It is an exceptional work of hydraulic engineering and a staggering thing to behold, especially if you remember when it was made.

This week, we are focusing on some of our best villas with amazing pools in Italy. There are many to choose from – so, so many – so we had to narrow things down a bit, which got us thinking: what's even better than a great pool once you have found a vacation rental in Italy?

How about a pool that also boasts an amazing view? Well, you're in luck: here are more of our pools with a view in Italy...

4. Casa Farfalla (Available from €965 per night)

We have mentioned this six bedroom villa previously, as one of our most amazing interiors. Located on a hilltop in the countryside surrounding Lucca, in Tuscany, it is owned and was designed by a husband and wife architect team and is beautiful inside and out.

In the penultimate post in this series, we are looking at some more of the finest and most famous wineries in Italy. No trip to Italy would be complete without enjoying the local cuisine and wine that the country is so famous for and there are few activities that are more pleasant and relaxing on a holiday than visiting a winery. Tour the grounds, learn about Italian wine and, of course, sample some!