Archive for 'Food and Wine'

Those who may have left it too late to plan a getaway for summer 2026 or maybe anyone who was simply hoping to book a September stay in a villa in Italy is sure to enjoy the perfect combination of leftover summer sun and early autumnal culinary delights. Food festivals and seasonal specialities are not unique to autumn and can be enjoyed all throughout the year in Italy but once autumn sets in and harvests are completed, the whole thing kicks into overdrive. So, for those who love to eat well and eat heartily, it is a great time to explore Italy. 

Cheese-lovers, in particular, should find a vacation rental in the Orcia Valley around the first week of September when the local town of Pienza celebrates its beloved and award-winning cheeses in the Festa del Cacio...

Picture this: you're on vacation in Sicily and you're having gelato for breakfast... now, that's a unique bucket list must for Italy!

We have been recently thinking about what we believe the best and most unique bucket list items to add to your Italian itinerary are. There are the obvious things that everyone will have down and that are certainly worth adding to your own – visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa, wandering around Pompeii, gazing up at Michelangelo's ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, taking a gondola ride along the canals of Venice, sipping Limoncello on a seaside terrace along the Amalfi Coast, and more – but there are some slightly less obvious things that we think are actually unmissable. 

Want to have a perfect stay at a villa in Italy? Well, then browse our amazing listings or contact us for free personalised villa recommendations from our seasoned vacation rental experts and use the wealth of information here on our blog to build a special itinerary just for you. While you're at it, consider adding this unique bucket list gem to your schedule...

For fashion lovers and fans of the first movie, the release of the Devil Wears Prada 2 this month loomed large in calendars as a major film event of the year. With a good portion of the plot taking place in Milan, one of the oldest and most celebrated fashion capitals in the world, those planning their summer stay at a villa in Lombardy or a vacation rental in Milan might want to take note of some key locations to add to their travel itinerary.

Set two decades after the original film, this sequel sees Anne Hathaway’s Andy Sachs return to Runway as their new features editor after every member of staff at her former newspaper is laid off. In need of a job and recently having gone viral for a speech on the continued importance of journalism in the current era, she takes the new role and must once again dive into the world of fashion and face off against Meryl Streep’s formidable Miranda Priestly. 

Food is incredibly important in Italy, for both locals and visitors alike and most travellers who book a villa in Italy will be looking forward to eating well with a good degree of anticipation. In order to well and truly savour your meal like a local and avoid dining disasters, here are some things that you might keep in mind:

If you are someone who loves to hike then there are endless incredible hiking destinations to discover all across the world, Europe, and in Italy, in particular. Certainly, one of the best parts about hiking adventures in Italy is getting to refuel with the delicious local cuisine afterwards! And while there are plenty of options for hiking in Italy – from heading in to the Alps with their craggy peaks and lush valleys to discovering the azure waters and pretty villages along the Cinque Terre – one of the most striking landscapes that you could hope to explore is located in the region of Abruzzo.

Not only is Abuzzo untouched by mass tourism and over-development, preserving its natural beauty, but two thirds of the region is covered in mountains and thick forests still teeming with wildlife abound. Plus, this area of Italy is especially well known for its strong flavours and tradition of producing some of the most celebrated chefs in the country. So, if you’re looking to savour a wilder side of Italy on your next hiking vacation, then a villa in Abruzzo is sure to provide the right ingredients!