Archive for 'Curiosities'

If you have found a villa in Sardinia and are exploring the island, then there is one attraction that anyone will say not to miss: Neptune's Grotto. This magical natural gem is an incredible sight and a must-see. One of the largest and most famous marine caves in the country, it is located near the town of Alghero in the Porto Conte Park and can be reached via the 656 steps of the Escala del Cabirol (Steps of the Roe Deer) that cling to the western side of Capo Caccia or by boat from the Port of Alghero or the dock of Cala Dragunara in Porto Conte. Entrance by sea is easier but scaling the steps is, in its own right, an amazing experience that takes in extraordinary views over the water but not recommended for children or those who are less physical able.

If the Aperol Spritz is the drink of choice in Venice, then the Pirlo is its equivalent in many ways in Brescia. This beautiful city in Lombardy is a wonderful place to spend time, wandering the pretty streets, taking in the beautiful buildings, visiting the parks, museums and UNESCO awarded attractions and more. It is also the perfect place to grab a Pirlo, kick back and relax on your holidays. Just find a vacation rental in Lombardy, hit up the nearest caffe-bar and order the local speciality for yourself.

Messina is the third largest city in Sicily and is a bustling place, rich in history and culture and dotted by lots of beautiful buildings. The Punta del Faro, or Capo Peloro, is the northeastern promontory of Sicily and is situated in the province Messina, just northeast of the city and 3km across the water from the Italian mainland. Nestled close to Messina and between the lovely and beloved lakeside town of Ganzirri and Mortelle, the area's most popular summer resort, it is an ideal spot to start out a day with endless possibilities ahead if you have found a vacation rental in Sicily and are looking for adventure.

If you have found a villa rental in Padua and are exploring the city, it is unlikely that you will miss Prato della Valle, or “Prà deła Vałe” in Venetian, a 90,000sqm elliptical piazza in the city and the largest square in Italy as it is so vast and exceptionally beautiful. However, just in case, we're warning you: don't miss out on this stunning part of the city or you'll be kicking yourself later!

Before 1635, the area now occupied by Prato della Valle was actually a large and unpleasant swampy terrain, just south of the old city walls. Then, in 1636, a group of Venetian and Veneto public figures and nobles decided to finance the construction of a temporary, but lavish, theatre for mock battles on horseback on the site.

Italy is a beautiful place to holiday and the south of Italy, in, boasts hot summers and plenty of excellent beaches. For seaside and sun getaways, it's undoubtedly the best part of the country to head to.

However, if you are looking for a quasi-tropical destination in Italy, then you need to find a vacation rental in Apulia and make your way to the exceptionally beautiful town and comune of Porto Cesareo in the province of Lecce, in the heart of the Terra d’Arneo. This area has stunningly, impossibly azure crystal clear waters and powdery white beaches and feels like you somehow accidentally stumbled into the Caribbean...how magical does that sound?