Archive for 'Localities'

Venice's lovely canals are lined with famously beautiful churches, palaces, and architectural gems, many of which contain all sorts of incredible surprises - particularly astounding works of art. As such, if you are considering your next getaway and you happen to be a bit of an art-lover looking to go museum-hopping then doing so via boat while on vacation in a holiday rental in Venice is just the thing for a truly memorable and magical experience. Discover the endless museums inside palaces where noble families once lived and the churches elaborately adorned with paintings, sculptures, and decorative elements by some of the greatest artists in the history of the world. Take in key pieces of ancient art and the most cutting edge examples of contemporary movements. Enjoy carefully curated experiences and impossibly rich collections. Do all of this and more, with a art-lovers break in Venice on your next vacation!

Of course, while there are endless different institutions and venues to visit all over the romantic city of Venice, one of the newest and coolest art spaces among them has to be the Fondazione Prada in the Ca' Corner della Regina (or Palazzo Corner della Regina).

Opened in May of 2021, the Fondazione Prada took on a space in the building back in 2011 for their Venetian branch of their art program and then spent years restoring their various rooms meticulously before opening them as an engaging and fascinating new art venue in the city. Also home to the History Archives of the Contemporary Art Exhibition of the Biennale di Venezia, this incredible 18th century building is a lovely and striking place in which to display and observe exhibitions.

Milan is famously a fashion capital of the world but it is also, as the largest city in Lombardy and a city with a long and complex history, a great cultural centre that is home to some amazing museums and galleries. If you an art-lover who has found a villa in Lombardy and you are planning a trip to Milan while in this part of Italy then be sure to set aside some time for at least one of these amazing cultural gems between your shopping, people-watching, visiting excellent bars and restaurants, and exploring the various attractions of the city. Of course, there are many different options to choose from and all have their own unique attractions and charms but one that is definitely worth considering is the fascinating Ambrosian Library or Biblioteca Ambrosiana.

Italy's Lake District – comprised notably of Lake Garda, Lake Como, and Lake Maggiore – is one of the country's most desirable upscale resort locations. Here you will find pretty lakeside towns, wonderful scenery, excellent hiking trails, brilliant water sport facilities, and endless things to see and do in the most magical of settings. However, if you're interested in all of these traits and getting a little bit off the beaten tourist path, then we recommend actually foregoing these better-known destinations in favour of the lesser-known but no less lovely Lake Orta. A favourite getaway of the wealthy and cosmopolitan set of Milan, locals have largely kept this absolute gem to themselves but it can (and should) be readily visited if you have found a vacation rental in Lombardy and you happen to be looking to experience the delights of the Italian lakes without busloads of other tourists to contend with.

When one thinks of Venice, they tend to imagine scenic surroundings, stunning buildings, elegant meals, drinks in stylish bars, museums and churches full of incredible works of art, romantic getaways, and exciting masked revelries. However, like any other place in the world, the city has its dark side too. Ghost tours are incredibly plentiful here for a reason and if you have found a villa in Venice and are interested in the more factual macabre side of this beautiful place then there is a relatively recent addition to her selection of fascinating museums that you must see: Venice Secrets.

Venice is unique in many ways. The layout for which the city is so famous, built on a lagoon and navigated by a series of waterways rather than roads, of course, is rather unusual. Public transport consisting of water boats is also an uncommon trait of the city. Half-flooded book shops, pretty Skittle-hued houses in Burano, former leper colonies, rich museums, incredible architectural gems, astounding churches, endless ghosts and tales of hauntings, exceptional restaurants, elegant hotels, and more all can be found throughout this unforgettable and magical and sometimes strange city. But, as with any other destination in Italy, if you have found a luxury villa in Veneto or vacation rental in Venice and are spending time exploring all that the city has to offer, you might be wondering about what you should eat while in the area! This is always one of the first questions you should ask when travelling in Italy.

While there are all sorts of specialties – from Cicchetti (plates of finger food), to Baccalà Mantecato
(one of the city's most traditional dishes made from stockfish), to Buranelli biscuits, to the beloved Spritz and the many famous cocktails whose origins are attributed to the city – to be tried during your time in Venice, there is a rather unique jam that the most discerning of foodies should make a point of acquiring. This is Vartanush, a rare rose petal jam made by Armenian monks...