Archive for 'Venice'

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.

The Venice Biennale is an annual event that takes place in the city of Venice in Italy and is, on alternate years, an art exhibition and then an architectural exhibition, with art being on odd years and architecture on even years. It is an international showcase of the best and brightest design talents from all around the world and attracts around 300,000 tourists from all over the globe to Italy. If you have always wanted to visit the city, now is a great time to book a Venice vacation rental and to head to the city to experience the 58th edition of the Biennale International Art Exhibition. Entitled, “May You Live In Interesting Times,” it will be open to the public until the 24th of November 2019 and was inaugurated on the 11th of May. Venice and the wider Veneto region always have abundant charms to offer but with the Biennale taking place, it is all just that much more colourful, exciting and fascinating.

Over the past few weeks, we have talked a lot about weddings in Italy: about what you need to know, finding a wedding planner, necessary paperwork, some of our prettiest villas that are set up for hosting weddings, Italian wedding traditions, and more. However, if you have always wanted to escape to Italy for your dream wedding and haven’t quite settled on an exact destination, we’re here to help. We have compiled a list of five of the best wedding destinations in Italy where you will get to enjoy wonderful surroundings, beautiful wedding photos, and a location that is already on most people’s bucket lists as it is; why not kill two birds with one stone and tick one of these beloved destinations off your travel list and get married there too? So, if you are planning on getting married in Italy, read on and choose the right destination wedding location for you!

1. Venice

Beautiful, romantic Venice is considered one of the best travel destinations in the world for lovers and for good reason. It retains an Old World charm that is unmatched and elegant and its unique positioning on the lagoon and its canals add to the feeling of being far from everyday life. For weddings, it is ideal as there is bundles of charm plus the amenities and conveniences of a big city. There are plenty of churches and other places to potentially get married in, lots of places to stay for both you and your guests, and endless restaurants, bars, venues, and more to entertain said guests. Just browse our vacation rentals in Venice and get to planning a picture perfect wedding in Venice, one of the most utterly romantic and timelessly lovely cities in the world.

Over on the Tuscany Villas blog we have previously discussed the Negroni cocktail and its origins. While the exact details of said origins are disputed and their are many versions of the tale, the most popular attributes it to the Caffè Casoni (now called Caffè Giacosa) in Florence in 1919, when a Count Camillo Negroni asked the bartender, Forsco Scarselli, to strengthen his favourite cocktail by adding gin rather than the normal soda water to an Americano. To this, an orange garnish rather than the typical lemon garnish of the Americano, was also added and, soon, the cocktail became a favourite at the bar.

If you have found a private villa in Venice, you'll likely have imagined traversing the canals, visiting beautiful churches, sipping coffee in a picturesque piazza, and more but lack in specific attractions to visit beyond St. Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace. There are plenty of wonderful museums to visit in the city but one of the best and easiest to visit if you have already made your way to St. Mark's is the Correr Museum, or Museo Civico Correr.