Archive for 'Localities'

We have discussed stunning cafes in Milan before but it would be remiss of us to not also mention Pasticceria Marchesi. An important and historic patisserie in Milan, it was established in 1824 and became well known for its elegant aesthetic and incredible specialties, including their Panettone, which they claim is the best in the country. With its impossibly charming interiors and tasty treats, it is a wonderful place to wile away time with a good book or head for a coffee pitstop if you have found a vacation rental in Milan and are exploring the city.

La Vigna di Leonardo (Leonardo’s Vineyard) in Milan is, as you may have guessed from the name, a vineyard that used to be owned by Leonardo da Vinci. Given to da Vinci by Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, in 1498, during the artist's tenure in the city and while the Duke was his main patron, it was very precious to him and something he maintained even after leaving the city. Da Vinci actually came from a family of winemakers and was a haven that he returned to after long days of working on projects such as the last Supper in the nearby convent of Santa Maria della Grazie. Today, it is open to be toured by the public and provides a fascinating insight into the great Renaissance man's private life. If you have found a vacation rental in Milan, it is a wonderful and unique attraction to make time for in your itinerary.

We have been talking a lot lately about the benefits of off-season visits to Italy and some great winter destinations in the country but we thought it might be a good idea to also spotlight some examples of the types of rentals that are perfect for these winter getaways. Continuing on from the last post, we have the rest of our top five picks of winter vacation rentals in Italy...

3. Castellavazzo in the mountains of Veneto, an ideal relaxing mountain location for ski holidays and evenings by the fire (From € 298 per night)

Sleeps up to 15, 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms

This dreamy mountain getaway is located in the mountains of Veneto and is in a popular ski region.

Winter is a great time of year to plan a visit to Italy – crowds are smaller, prices and availability are better, and the festive season brings its own unique charms – and we have written about great winter destinations around the country but we thought it might also be a good idea to spotlight some examples of the types of perfect cosy rentals in Italy that make for ideal winter getaway options. Whether you're looking for a city break and to be located right in the centre of the festive fun or you want to get away from it all with a perfectly idyllic mountain hideout, we have chosen some of our truly wonderful winter-appropriate vacation rentals in Italy.

1. Suite Casa Nova in the centre of Venice (From € 208 per night)

Sleeps up to 6, 1 bedroom, 2 bathrooms

Caffè Florian is an incredibly famous and historic coffee house located in the Procuratie Nuove of Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy, that was established in 1720 and, along with Café Procope in Paris, is the oldest café in continuous operation. It has been visited by Charles Dickens, Henry James, Lord Byron, Goethe, Marcel Proust, Casanova, and countless celebrities over the centuries and has always been a favourite haunt of the rich and famous. Beautifully decorated, with large, lavish interiors, and boasting excellent coffee, it is a key foodie experience for those who have found one of our private villas in Venice and are planning a trip to the city.