Archive for 'Lakes'

There are lots of wonderful coastal destinations and natural gems to explore in Apulia and great swathes of this beautiful region in the south of Italy are protected but one particular area that combines all of the above and is a must-see for those who have found a villa in Apulia is the incredible Laghi Alimini, or Alimini Lakes.

Located north of Otranto, the Alimini Lakes is one of the most beautiful natural areas of Salento and Apulia by far and consists of a protected oasis extending over around 1000 hectares, two bodies of water, and a stunning chunk of the coast. These two bodies of water are the main stars of the show here (though the beaches are also quite stunning) and are known as the Alimini Grande and Alimini Piccolo.

While many are attracted to the coastal areas of Italy for her beaches, sun, fun, and excitement or the major cities for their endless list of things to see and do and cosmopolitan delights or the countryside for peace, privacy, and relaxation, there is another major and popular kind of holiday destination: the mountains. And though there are mountainous areas throughout the country, the Alpine region that stretches in a band across the most northern part of Italy is the most popular among them. Here you get hearty comfort food, snowy winter wonderlands, excellent Christmas markets, long ski seasons, that chalet lifestyle, and all sorts of winter fun. However, during the warmer months, the mountains also make for an excellent holiday destination as they boast wonderfully fresh air, incredible views and surroundings, great hiking options, water sports on the mountain lakes, and lots of different outdoor pursuits. If you like your vacations active, wholesome, healthy, and scenic, this is the type of destination for you. Browse some of our villas in Trentino and get planning a perfect mountain getaway in Italy today!

There are some places that are so cinematically beautiful and impressive it is hard to believe that they are real, that they haven't been perfectly put together to appear on a screen or page. Imagine, for example, a stunningly pretty Italian palace that looks strikingly like a perfect little doll's house, surrounded by gardens heavy with the smell of roses, filled inside with lyrical sculptural works by Canova, and overlooking the tranquil waters of the beloved and lovely Lake Como...sounds too good to be true, right? And, yet, this is a real description of the utterly idyllic Villa Carlotta in Tremezzina. One of Italy's most charming and wonderful examples of a historic villa (which is saying something as there is no shortage of stunning villas in Italy!), this incredible architectural gem is a must-see for those who have found a vacation rental in Lombardy and who are exploring the most beautiful nooks and crannies of Lake Como.

The Villa Carlotta traces its origins to the rise of the Clerici family from rural origins to successful silk merchants in the 16th century due to the efforts of Giorgio Clerici. His sons then furthered the wealth and status of the family with Pietro Antonio Clerici being made a Marquis and Carlo becoming the owner of several palaces in Milan and Brianza. Carlo's son, also named Giorgio Clerici, was also a marquis and then became a senator in 1684 and was nominated as President of the Senate in 1717. It was he who decided to establish a country estate on ancestral lakeside land at Tremezzo and its first iteration was completed in 1695. His great grandson Anton Giorgio Cerici then completed the villa in 1745 but died with little money left to the estate after sinking major investments into the Palazzo Clerici in Milan. Unusually, we do not actually know for certain who the architect of the villa was.

As there are incredibly lovely surroundings and views, an elegant and relaxing atmosphere, and leisure activities aplenty to choose from, Lake Garda has long been a place where the rich and famous have chosen to make their homes or to build holiday homes. Accordingly, along the shores of Lake Garda and on the islands throughout the lake, you will find some of the most impossibly beautiful estates, villas, and mansions in the entire world. If you have found a vacation rental in Lombardy or a holiday rental on Lake Garda and you are exploring the region or, better yet, if you have a particular interest in stately homes, architectural gems, and amazing gardens, then you will be very much in luck as there are lots of astounding treats to discover in and around Lake Garda. One such fascinating (albeit controversial) site is the Vittoriale degli Italiani (The Shrine of Italian Victories), a hillside estate in the town of Gardone Riviera.

The Vittoriale degli Italiani’s most famous inhabitant was the Italian poet Gabriele d'Annunzio who has left the biggest mark on the property to this day and under whom large expansion and reconstruction was undertaken. D’Annuzio is, today, a controversial figure, a talented writer and famous rogue who is considered a proto-fascist and was once a rival to Mussolini’s leadership of Fascist Italy.

Italy is beautiful in Spring; the countryside is lush, the cities less full, the queues outside tourist attractions smaller, the temperatures more pleasant, and the prices of things lower. It is a great time to plan a vacation to most parts of the country, however, there are some destinations that are particular lovely in Spring, at their best at this time of year. We began outlining some of these spots in the last post and will continue to in the next but here are two more to keep in mind...