Archive for 'Localities'

When it comes to outdoor adventures, there are many that suit only one time of year; beaches are most enjoyable in summer, hiking is most pleasant in spring and autumn. However, some outdoor adventure destinations are set up to suit different purposes and are an excellent idea no matter when you visit. Take, for example, Mottolino Fun Mountain, set high in the Italian Alps above Livigno. This adventure park adapts to the time of year and is a ski area or a bike park, depending on the season. So, if you have found a vacation rental in the Northern Italian Ski Region and want to have a holiday in the Italian Alps, no matter what time of year you are going, you will find that there will be adventures to be had at Mottolino Fun Mountain. Explore the stunning landscape of the Italian Alps while having fun outdoors!

From early June to late September (check the Mottolino website for exact dates on any given year, as they can vary), the park is a bike park that offers fourteen different routes for people at various ability levels, a jump area, a slopestyle area, an air bag to practice jumping and tricks, and a north shore area – where you can test your balance and try your first jumps. Opened during the 2005 MTB World Cup, the bike park has quickly become a meeting point for all downhill and freeride mountain bikers from all over Europe. Inexperienced riders can also come and enjoy the thrills too, however, as you can rent all of the items and safety equipment that you might need and there are trained guides from the Freeride Bike School who can come along with you to discover the Mottolino Bike Park trails. Plus, the range of trails for beginners and pros makes it easy to learn and progress.

When one thinks of art in Italy, it is the grand heritage of art that first comes to mind. One pictures the museums stuffed with works by the likes of Botticelli, Titian, and Caravaggio, the grand churches with art pieces and frescoes by the likes of Michelangelo and da Vinci, and elegant palaces and villas that bring together works by endless lists of talented artisans and artists under one roof. This long-standing history and wealth of cultural heritage is, of course, to be found in Italy, but it is not all there is to offer. It might be hard to imagine at first but Italy is also home to incredible works of art that are outside these lauded institutions, works of art that anyone can enjoy at any time of day and for free. That is to say, it is home to some rather special pieces of street art.

This street art is incredibly varied in size, age, style, and more. Some pieces are even centuries-old and other pieces are being added all the time. Some are by unknowns and some are by some of the most famous names in art history. If you are planning a trip to Italy and are interested in art, be sure to also spend time outside galleries, keeping your eyes peeled for street art surprises as you explore. If you are looking for some particular highlights to specifically set aside time to visit, then these are some of our top street art picks around Italy.

The evocative Amalfi Coast presents one of the most iconic and enduringly beloved images of Italy. Of course, it presents many different images, not just one singular image, but one can easily conjure up a standardised prototype that could stand in as shorthand for the Amalfi Coast at large; romantically craggy cliffs, perfectly blue waters just waiting for you to dive in, and seaside towns perched along the edge of the world with colourful buildings stacked upwards from busy and bustling bays. This beautiful part of the world is an idyllic holiday destination and a perfect place to lazily explore stunning settings. There are various lovely trails to hike and lots of incredible different towns, all connected along the coast, to visit and explore. However, one of the best places that combines both of these things – trails and traditional towns – that you should definitely make time for is the Sentiero dei Limoni. This trail connects the towns of Maiori and Minori, is lined with lemon groves, and is the most idyllic of paths to follow if you have found a vacation rental on the Amalfi Coast and are exploring the area.

Sentiero dei Limoni is 3.9km long and a moderately trafficked trail that offers scenic views over the Amalfi Coast. Passing through terraced lemon groves, the route follows the coast and connects the towns of Maiori and Minori in Campania. Going up and down staircases, through alleys, along terraces, through lemon groves, and more, it is a varied and interesting walk that is not incredibly difficult or challenging and, therefore, should be fine for most people in any party. However, it is, in no way, readily accessible for those in a wheelchair, would be challenging for anyone relying on crutches or a walking stick, and does require that those who undertake it be relatively able-bodied and relatively fit. In saying that, it really is not a particularly difficult walk and is a great way to explore the area, admire the incredible views and surroundings, get some fresh air, and stretch your legs, all at the same time.

When one thinks of Venice, they think of canals – bodies of water made for transport and access, romantic boat journeys, a range of pretty bridges linking the various districts to one another, a constant battle against marshy lands attempting to reclaim the city – but there is more to the waters of the city beyond the manmade. If you look past the canals, you get to the sea and the beaches. Many somewhat forget it but Venice is not merely a city break destination, it is also a coastal city with lots of the charms that go along with that, including an area that boasts some exceptional beaches to play on, the Lido di Venezia. If you’re planning a city break and have found a vacation rental in Venice, why not also set aside some time to go and explore this less often praised part of the city? Visit the famous museums and churches, enjoy the unique charm of the canals, wander the pretty squares, go on the gondola rides, and then head to the beach for some seaside fun, too, while you’re at it!

The Lido di Venezia is an 11-kilometre-long sandbar in Venice that is famously where the Venice Film Festival takes place each September. At least half of the Adriatic side of the island is one long sandy stretch of beach that is divided into smaller, largely private beaches. However, the northern and southern ends of the island are home to two enormous public beaches. By public water bus, the Lido is only a few minutes from the city centre of Venice and, as such, is a handy place to visit and spend a few hours or a day. It is a popular Adriatic seaside resort and for good reason, with pretty beaches, warm and clean waters, lots of eateries and bars, cute boutiques and shops, and much more besides.

Car lovers from all over the globe will know that Italy is one of the key destinations to visit over the course of your lifetime. Traditionally, Italy has produced some of the world’s favourite cars as well as some of the world’s most desirable luxury cars. As such, these companies and brands often have museums dedicated to their history and the cars that they have made and have made them famous throughout the years. You can head to the Ferrari Museum, the Lamborghini Museum, the Fiat Museum and more but, if you have found a vacation rental in Milan and are exploring the city, then the obvious choice is the Alfa Romeo Museum, located a few kilometres from the city centre of Milan, in Arese.

The Museo Storico Alfa Romeo (now called the Museo Alfa Romeo - La macchina del tempo, which literally means, “The Alfa Romeo Museum – Time Machine”) is dedicated to over 100 years of history of the Alfa Romeo brand. Alfa Romeo, while best known for their cars, has actually produced automobiles, commercial vehicles, railway locomotives, tractors, buses, trams, and marine and aircraft engines throughout the years. This museum tells the tale of the brand and all of those incredible machines that it has put out into the world over time.