Archive for 'Venice'

If you have always dreamed of a luxurious experience of the stunning and singular city of Venice then you should definitely browse our luxury villas in Veneto and plan a trip to the city. And, if you're looking to continue the luxury then we recommend heading to T Fondaco dei Tedeschi by DFS. This is a place where you can not only shop designer brands and high-end products but you can also go and take in one of the best views over the city. Best of all, the incredible things on sale in this stunning mall (located inside a historic former post office building) are also duty-free, making luxury just a little bit more affordable!

The Aperol Spritz is more than just a drink in its native Venice, it is an institution and, in recent years, it has become a beloved alcoholic beverage the world over that is just the ticket on summer days. Tart, refreshing, and easy to make, it is the perfect drink to make and enjoy while relaxing during a sunny evening. While a trip to Venice is still a little time away yet, you can bring a little bit of Venice to you by making yourself a Spritz from the comfort and safety of your own home.

Born in 1800s Venice, while the city was part of the Austrian Empire, the predecessor to the Aperol Spritz was the Austrian Spritzer, which was originally a combination of equal parts of white wine and water and was invented by the soldiers, merchants, diplomats, and employees of the Habsburg Empire who were not used to the high alcohol content of Italian wines. As a result, they would ask for some water to be sprayed (“spritzen”, in German) into the wines to make them lighter and it eventually became a drink in its own right.

As we all try and remain home as much as possible to keep ourselves and our loved ones and others safe and to try and help our struggling healthcare systems, many are in search of different activities that one can do from the comfort and safety of their own homes. We have previously written about some incredible museums in Italy that can be visited virtually online including the Uffizi, the Vatican Museums, the Capitoline Museums, Venerada Biblioteca Ambrosiana, and the Museo del Novecento but there are many more excellent examples to keep you entertained as you stay at home and look forward to a time when travel to Italy is possible once more. Here are just five more museums in Italy that you can visit virtually right now!

Christmas markets have quickly become one of the most desirable travel experiences out there. They have existed in some parts of the world for centuries but, in the last few years, many are making family and personal traditions of going and getting in the Christmas spirit at a highly atmospheric and seasonal Christmas market before the chaos of the season well and truly kicks in.

There are some destinations that are famous for their Christmas markets with the Germanic examples being seen as the optimal experience. However, don’t immediately dismiss and look past other Christmas market destinations around Europe, which also have lots to offer by way of fun and festivity. One destination that many don’t think of is Italy but this is a mistake as Italian Christmas markets perfectly combine delicious treats, amazing handmade gifts and souvenirs, and the prettiest of surroundings from hilltop Tuscan villages, to Alpine towns, to some of the world’s most beautiful cities.

Among these, lovely Venice is actually quite the hidden gem, boasting lots of excellent markets to choose from and the most incredibly picturesque setting. Just find a vacation rental in Venice today and get planning a quick pre-festivities getaway to come explore these various Christmas markets this winter!

The Lagoon of Venice is made up of a whopping 166 little islets, all of which are home to special gems and surprises that are just waiting to be discovered. Of course, in a city so diverse and unusual and ancient, there is a great wealth of history and nestled amongst the defining events and larger moments, there are tales of ghosts, ghouls, goblins, and more. There are ghost tours of the city that can be done, famously haunted buildings, and much more besides but there is also an entire islet in the lagoon that is a spooky destination considered to be one of the most haunted places in all of Italy. If you’re looking for a spot for a creepy and spooky mid-term break or October getaway, then look no further than Venice! Just browse our vacation rentals in Venice and get planning your trip today.

Said haunted islet is Poveglia Island, located between Venice and the Lido in the Venetian Lagoon. First mentioned in writing in the early 5th century as a safe haven from invasions by Alaric the Goth and Attila the Hun during the decline of the Roman Empire, though it is though to have been inhabited since as early as 2,000 BC, it has gone on to be used for various purposes throughout the centuries. In the 14th century, residents were removed and it was made into a military outpost to secure the lagoon and during the Bubonic Plague (in the 16th and 17th centuries), it was a mass burial ground for the contagious dead and a place where the ill were quarantined. Anyone who showed signs of the illness was whipped away from their families and sent to the island. If they were better after 40 days of quarantine, they could return home but few ever did. Thousands of bodies were incinerated on the island.