Archive for 'Curiosities'

The Cinque Terre is a famously beautiful coastal part of Italy but, when one imagines it, one tends to picture the pretty and colourful cluster of houses hugging a rugged cliff-side that descends to a bay bobbing with yachts and little fishing boats. However, if you have found a vacation rental in the Cinque Terre and are spending time in the area, you will be glad to know that these aren’t the only stunning seaside scenes that you will encounter.

You will also find some of the prettiest traditional perfect soft-sand-and-blue-seas beaches in Italy. There aren’t that many and most are only small stretches that can be found next to some of the towns in the area but there are a couple that are more spacious and impressive affairs, like the most obvious and best example, the picture-perfect Spiaggia di Fegina.

If you are interested in a picture-perfect historic setting, excellent eateries and an especially rich culinary tradition, pretty boutiques and streets, and art and culture, then the incredibly lovely city of Bologna makes for an ideal holiday destination. However, if you have found a vacation rental in Emilia Romagna and are planning trips to Bologna to experience the history and tradition then be sure to also keep an eye for the contemporary gems on offer in the city as well. For while the streets still reflect Medieval roots and the museums are generally filled with great works of art from times gone by, there are some incredible places to see the most cutting-edge and engaging works of art that deal with the most important issues of our times. One such place to see contemporary art in Bologna is Fondazione MAST, an international cultural and philanthropic institution that brings exhibitions focusing on art, technology and innovation to the city.

The MAST (or Manifattura di Arti, Sperimentazione e Tecnologia) Foundation was established in 2013 to encourage creativity and entrepreneurship among younger generations and to work in collaboration with other institutions in order to support economic and social growth in Bologna. In addition to a diverse and rich cultural program of events including art exhibition, conferences, presentations, film screenings, musical events, and educational workshops for children and teenagers that are open to the general public, there are also a variety of corporate welfare services, including a corporate restaurant, nursery school and wellness centre that are integral to the foundation’s mission statement of making an open place in which every citizen can access learning and the arts. This is not some elitist cultural institution but, rather, a space for the growth and well-being of all people.

The elegant seaside city of Syracuse is one of the most beautiful holiday destinations in Sicily and boasts medieval streets, Baroque piazzas, lemon trees spilling out all over, golden light, deep blue seas, lovely cafes, pretty boutiques, and more. Once the largest city in the ancient world, it is steeped in history and culture, as well as being a looker. For those looking to holiday in Sicily and who like both urban settings and seaside getaways, a vacation rental in Syracuse offers a wonderful combination of days on the beach, a cosmopolitan selection of eateries and stores, and a great wealth of things to see and do.

One of the highlights of the city’s range of tourist attractions has to be the Museum of Leonardo Da Vinci and Archimedes Syracuse. It offers an intriguing, educational, and fun museum experience and is dedicated to the life and work of Leonardo Da Vinci and Archimedes of Syracuse.

We have already talked about the romantic city of Verona and how it makes for a perfect holiday destination built for two this week. As the location of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, it is home to countless love stories both fictional and real but it is also just exceptionally pretty, the kind of place made for wandering hand in hand. To come and fall in love with this city and more deeply with each other, just browse our vacation rentals in Veneto and plan a trip to Verona during your stay.

If you are in the area, you might also consider heading to the Villa Mosconi Bertani. This beautiful neoclassical country house is a stunning gem that reflects the strong tradition of such incredible villas and this style of architecture in the region and is also home to astounding gardens and an excellent winery. It is the perfect place to spend the day surrounded by splendour and getting to know the delicious wines of Veneto.

First built around 1735 for the Fattori family, the villa was constructed over a pre-existing 16th century wine cellar and a site that dates back to settlement during the time of the Ancient Romans. It was not completed under the Fattori family and was purchased in 1769 by the Mosconi family who finished the job and added an incredible eight hectare English-style Romantic garden. Under the Mosconi family the wine business was also expanded and became one of the largest cellars at the time in Northern Italy. After an initial glowing period in the 19th century as a centre for cultural and intellectual figures, the villa fell into neglect and disrepair in the 20th century. Thankfully, it was bought and saved by the Bertani family who run the winery to this day.

Those looking for a romantic getaway destination in Italy would be hard pressed to find anywhere more fitting than the charming and pretty city of Verona. Most famous for two fictional inhabitants – the tragic figures of Romeo and Juliet, who were the eponymous doomed lovers of Shakespeare's most famous play, it is a place that is drenched in romance. If you have been looking for a Valentine’s Day getaway location, why not browse our vacation rentals in Veneto, the wider region in which the city is located, and come visit? Make special memories and write a timeless love story of your own in this beautiful city of love.

Once you have landed in Verona, like many others, you may be interested in taking a tour of the supposed locations from the story of Romeo and Juliet. There are, of course, tours that you can join and follow around and there are endless Romeo and Juliet-themed businesses and attractions all around town that you can visit but two particular highlights are the so-called homes of the two lovers.