Archive for 'Curiosities'

Shopping is, inevitably, part of most holidays, whether you are doing it for fun or picking up gifts for those who didn't get to go on vacation with you. If you have found a holiday rental in Venice and are planning on going shopping, here is a handy guide on the city's best stores and shopping districts to help you out and the key information you need on shopping culture in the city!

1. Venice is not a city of Bargains

Venice is a city where you very much get what you pay for and anything that is cheap is likely to be cheaply made. Venetians have been craftspeople and merchants for longer than some cities have existed and, as such, don't take kindly to haggling.     Read More

Here are some more of the architectural gems that Rome has to offer, just find a holiday rental in Rome and begin exploring!

3. Pantheon

The magnificent Pantheon is a beautifully preserved temple dating back to 117AD. Built under Emperor Hadrian in honour of the ancient Roman pagan gods, it was given to Pope Boniface in 608 AD by the Byzantine emperor Phocas and was used as a church thereafter. It is a building of ingenious design and construction that was far ahead of its time. The soaring Dome, in particular, is immensely impressive. Inside, the church is richly decorated with paintings, stone carvings, statues and frescoes. Located in the Piazza della Rotonda in Rome, it is open Monday to Saturday 9am to 6.30pm and Sun 9am to 1pm.     Read More

In our final installment in this series, we have a few more things that you can do for free in Florence. Once you have decided to visit the city and have found a luxury villa near Florence, you will probably start planning out your trip and figuring out where you want to go and what you want to do. These options don't skimp on fun but will help stretch out your budget.

Orsanmichele is a market building which became the church of the craft and trade guilds in the fourteenth century. The exterior was made extremely ornate by the guilds, who each wanted a sculpture of their patron saint to adorn the façade. Today copies of these works are what you see on the outside and inside, on the first floor, a museum houses some of the original sculptures. The church is open daily from 10am to 5pm and the museum is open on Mondays at the same times.     Read More

Once you find a luxury villa near Florence and begin exploring the city, trying out the restaurants, visiting the galleries, shopping a little and touring all of the attractions, you may find that the cost of everything begins to quickly add up. If you want to keep having the time of your life, without scrimping on fun or experiences, then check out our series on things to do for free around the city that will leave you with a little extra cash in your pocket.

The Rose Garden in Florence is the perfect oasis of calm, quiet and relaxation. It brings together art from Belgian artist Folon, roses and stunning panoramic views across the city and, best of all, it's completely free to visit and is open from morning until nightfall. Only open to the public year round for a few years now, it is a little-known gem and a must-see for anyone visiting the city. The garden is home to a collection of 400 different varieties of roses, 1000 botanical varieties, lemons, and other plants, a Japanese garden and sculptures by the artist Folon dotted playfully here and there.     Read More