Archive for 'Main Islands'

The Orto Botanico, or Botanical Garden, in Palermo is a truly magical place and an idyllic space of calm and beauty to go and relax while exploring the city. If you have found a vacation rental in Sicily and are heading to Palermo to sightsee, taking in the incredible Arab-Norman architectural gems, beautiful churches stuffed with elaborate works of art, and excellent beaches, then you might welcome the lush gardens as a peaceful place to escape the heat and bright light of the sun in Sicily. For those exploring Palermo, the Botanical Garden really is a must-see attraction, located a few blocks from the seafront, bordering the Kalsa district, in the Villa Giulia park.

Created to study medical and agricultural plant species, the Botanical Garden is part of the University of Palermo, an important Italian academic institution, and a centre of scientific research that is, today, deeply involved in the study and conservation of the environment. Amongst the oldest modern centres of botanical studies in the globe, it was opened in 1795, and remains a vibrant and active centre of research to this day, as well as a wonderful tourist attraction. Neo-Classical structures based on designs by Trombetta, Marabitti and the famous Venanzio Marvuglia and sculptures like the two sphinxes flanking the steps leading to the main building by sculptor Vitale Tucciom, all add to the character of the garden and showcase its age and heritage.

There are lots of truly incredible beaches in and around the island of Sardinia. If you find a vacation rental in Sardinia you won't find excellent beaches in short supply. However, some are more famously perfect than others. Some of the island's beaches are especially powdery soft, some have bluer, more crystal clear water, some have more picturesque rock stacks and cliffs, some are less frequented, some are more kid-friendly, some are better for adults, and some are almost too beautiful to be real. No matter what you're looking for, there are all sorts of beaches to appeal to your needs on Sardinia.

One such beach is Cala Mariolu, on the eastern coast of the beautiful island of Sardinia. It is both especially pretty and boasts especially clear and vibrant turquoise waters. A little inlet that is framed by craggy limestone cliffs lined with lush green trees and vegetation, this strip of a beach is a mixture of golden sand that is dotted with small pebbles rounded and made smooth by the endless gentle lapping of the waves (though they can be painful for some to walk on so be sure to bring some footwear along the beach with you!).

With endless, impossibly green rolling hills, fields of flowers, more pleasantly cool weather, smaller tourist crowds, and lower prices, Spring is an excellent time to visit Italy. Hit up any of the cities and you'll find things a little slower and calmer than in Summer or head to the most popular destinations and you'll find it easier to book your rental and activities. All of which is a real bonus and takes a lot of the stress out of travel.

However, instead of simply choosing a destination that is a little bit more accessible and easy during the Spring months than the Summer, why not head to a destination that is actually also at its best during Spring?

These are the places in Italy that are at their loveliest and most charming over the next few months...

The landscape of Sicily is not soft and pretty but rather striking and beautiful. It is a fascinating thing; rugged, wild, untamed, formed by volcanic processes, dotted by intriguing towns with a multitude of cultural influences marking their architectural characters, hugged by a stunning coast that boasts some of the best beaches in the world. Those seeking a sense of adventure and something new and interesting at every turn will find themselves very much at home in this part of Italy. If you want a great place to trek, hike, cycle, swim, play, and explore, a vacation rental in Sicily is just the ticket.

In particular, we would recommend setting aside some time and heading to the island of Vulcano, 25 km north of Sicily, at the southernmost tip of the eight Aeolian Islands. As the name immediately suggests, this wonderful little island in the Tyrrhenian Sea is a veritable hotspot of volcanic action with several volcanic caldera and one of the four active volcanoes in Italy that are not submarine. However, it is not it that is named after volcanoes but, rather, the other way around, the word for “volcano” coming from the name of the island, which was derived from Vulcan, who was the Roman god of fire. In fact, in both Greek and Roman mythology, the island was a forge for gods, being the labelled as the private foundry of the Olympian god Hephaestus, the patron of blacksmiths, and the chimney of Vulcan's workshop, with earthquakes and explosions of ash thought to have been evidence of the god being busy making weapons for the war god Mars and his armies.

It will likely not come at any surprise at all that Sardinia, as an island in the Mediterranean, boasts many stunning beaches with impossibly blue waters, soft white sand, wonderful views, and lots of fun awaiting. One such example of an especially lovely beach is the Spiaggia di Bidderosa. This stretch of coast is a magical oasis, a technicolor dream and an excellent spot to spend a lazy day enjoying your stunning surroundings, the lapping sound of the waves, and the warm waters if you have found a vacation rental in Sardinia.

Near Orosei, a historic town on the east coast of Sardinia, is the Spiaggia di Bidderosa, one of the most popular beaches in the area and a well-preserved natural gem. Edged by more than 850 hectares of protected pine forests and dotted by five charming coves, this long beach boasts a truly enchanting setting. It also is perfectly located to make the most of the wonderful climate in this part of the Mediterranean, which ensures excellent weather and makes the beach a veritable paradise.