Archive for 'Curiosities'

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).

The Museo Nazionale del Cinema (National Cinema Museum) in Turin is an extraordinary place. Housed inside the distinctive Mole Antonelliana, a 19th-century architectural gem designed by architect Alessandro Antonelli that dominates the skyline of the city, the museum is a fascinating exploration of the history of cinema and is an impressive museum experience. For those who have found a vacation rental in Turin and who are planning on exploring the city, it is a great place to wile away some time, especially away from hot sunny days in summer and rainy days throughout the year, and learn something new about the silver screen. For movie lovers, it is an absolute must.

Opened in 1958, the museum was originally housed in the Chiablese Palace but, sadly, had to be closed in 1985 due to safety concerns about the building. In 1992, the Maria Adriana Prolo – Museo Nazionale del Cinema Foundation was founded and talks were begun about reopening a cinema museum in the city. Luckily, they found the perfect location, the stunning Mole Antonelliana, and the National Museum of Cinema of Turin was opened to the public in August 2000.

If you have found a vacation rental in Apulia and you are looking for things to see and do in the area, a quick internet search will immediately list the fantastic Castellana Caves (Grotte di Castellana) are one of the most important attractions in all of Apulia. This system of caves is one of the largest in Italy and stretches underground up to 60m deep for over 3km. The karst rock formations are complex, varied, and dazzling and so otherworldly-looking that you would be forgiven for mistaking it for a place on another planet entirely. Offering a unique and rather extraordinary experience, the caves should be seen with one’s own eyes and are a must for those spending time in the region of Apulia.

The cave system was discovered in 1938 by the speleologist Franco Anelli, a kilometre south of the town of Castellana – now usually referred to as Castellana Grotte, referencing the presence of the caves – after the Provincial Tourist Board of Bari asked the Italian Institute of Speleology of Postojna for a speleologist to inspect some caves in the area. They hoped that some of the local caves could be made into a tourist attraction but all of them had been already explored and were thought to be unsuitable due to their limited extension.

Many people, decades on, remain fascinated by the Kennedys and the style icon that was Jackie Kennedy, in particular. As a result, places that they visited, in both official and unofficial capacities, are tourist attractions in their own right today. If you have found a vacation rental in Ravello and you have an interest in the Kennedys, it may sweeten the whole thing for you to know that the First Lady once came for a long stay in this beautiful seaside city in Italy.

In honour of this famous visit, the city is putting on a documentary exhibition that recalls this moment in history. "Welcome Jackie" is the name of the documentary exhibition curated by architect Francesco Fortunato and it recalls the story of Jackie Kennedy's long stay in Ravello in the summer of 1962, upon the advice of the famous American writer Gore Vidal who was a distant relative of the First Lady and a frequent visitor to Italy who was particularly impressed by the beauty of Ravello.

Milan is one of the most impressive fashion capitals in Italy and in the world with a long and lauded sartorial history, plenty of incredible boutiques, headquarters and flagship stores of many of the world’s most famous designer labels, designer cafés, restaurants, and bars, fashion museums, ample opportunity for stylish people-watching, and so much more besides. However, as more and more of the clothing market turns to vintage and resale in a bid to make the industry much more sustainable, savvy and stylish travellers who have found a vacation rental in Milan might be looking for some of the best places to shop for clothes in search of a new home. As such, we have compiled a list of just five of the must-see vintage stores in Milan in order to kick off your trip to this fashion fanatics’ dream holiday destination. Read on, get shopping, and go green.