Archive for 'Must See Attractions'

Venice's lovely canals are lined with famously beautiful churches, palaces, and architectural gems, many of which contain all sorts of incredible surprises - particularly astounding works of art. As such, if you are considering your next getaway and you happen to be a bit of an art-lover looking to go museum-hopping then doing so via boat while on vacation in a holiday rental in Venice is just the thing for a truly memorable and magical experience. Discover the endless museums inside palaces where noble families once lived and the churches elaborately adorned with paintings, sculptures, and decorative elements by some of the greatest artists in the history of the world. Take in key pieces of ancient art and the most cutting edge examples of contemporary movements. Enjoy carefully curated experiences and impossibly rich collections. Do all of this and more, with a art-lovers break in Venice on your next vacation!

Of course, while there are endless different institutions and venues to visit all over the romantic city of Venice, one of the newest and coolest art spaces among them has to be the Fondazione Prada in the Ca' Corner della Regina (or Palazzo Corner della Regina).

Opened in May of 2021, the Fondazione Prada took on a space in the building back in 2011 for their Venetian branch of their art program and then spent years restoring their various rooms meticulously before opening them as an engaging and fascinating new art venue in the city. Also home to the History Archives of the Contemporary Art Exhibition of the Biennale di Venezia, this incredible 18th century building is a lovely and striking place in which to display and observe exhibitions.

Despite being one of the most industrialised and densely populated areas of Italy, if you have found a villa in Lombardy you will quickly discover that it is in no short supply of natural wonders alongside its endless manmade delights and surprises. Here you will find Italy's beloved Lake District that is one of the country's most sought-after tourist areas and is a wealth of incredible scenery, lakeside palaces, pretty little towns, excellent hiking opportunities, and brilliant water sports facilities – it is no wonder that Hemingway, Goethe, and DH Lawrence all fell in love with, and wrote at length about, the area. And the Alpine peaks of the region are a further natural blessing of indescribable beauty and a resource that affords the facilities for a rich range of outdoor pursuits.

The region's capital, meanwhile, is one of the world's major fashion destinations, Milan, and there are plenty of other charming towns and cities around the region. However, one of the most interesting among them is, no doubt, Mantua. This city, once ruled and shaped by the powerful Gonzaga family for almost four centuries, is full of extraordinary architectural gems, works of art, and an immensely rich cultural and historical heritage. It is, however, also home to one of the most wondrous examples of where nature and man have come together to make something truly exceptional and stunning: the Isola dei Fiori di Loto (or Lotus Island).

Florence, as an important art and design centre of the world and the famous birthplace of the Renaissance, is a destination that has long attracted some of the most renowned and important artists throughout history. If you, too, have found a luxury villa in Florence, and are spending time in the city, you may want to follow in the footsteps of some of these greats to, perhaps, soak up some of their inspiration and genius. A great way to do this is to grab coffee or a drink or a bite to eat in one of the city's famous and iconic coffee houses in which great minds used to (and often continue to) convene. One such example of this kind of hallowed venue is the Caffè Concerto Paszkowski in the city's famous Piazza della Repubblica in the historic core of Florence.

Declared a National Monument in 1991, the Caffè Concerto Paszkowski was an important literary café that attracted key Italian writers and thinkers such D’Annunzio, Soffici, Papini, Montale, Saba, and Pratolini at the beginning of the 20th century. A lovely and centrally-located place to take a rest and grab a coffee while exploring the historic streets and endless sights of Florence, it continues to be a hub of culture to this day and hosts live music regularly as well as special events such as conferences, fashion shows, literary evenings and more.

A villa on the Amalfi Coast means access to endless beautiful seaside towns, pretty beaches, and charming spots with incredible views over the coast. It is an innately scenic part of Italy and the world and if you're fond of wonderful panoramas and visiting impossibly picturesque attractions then it is a great option for your next holiday in Italy. Among all of the lovely things to see and places to visit in the region, however, one of the most magical of all has to be the Giardino della Minerva in the town of Salerno. Browse our vacation rentals on the Amalfi Coast and get planning your trip today to take in this gorgeous garden and the infinite list of other beautiful attractions in the area.

The Giardino della Minerva (or Minerva's Garden) is a rather special botanical garden located on a high terrace that boasts sweeping views over the city of Salerno and out over the coast. Found in the medieval core of the city, in an area that was once known as the Plaium Montis, the garden traces its roots all the way back to the 12th century and is a very special gem that is now open to the public to be enjoyed for its educational, aesthetic and therapeutic qualities.

If you find a luxury villa in Veneto and are exploring the region, you'll have endless options of things to see and do from visiting the stunning and famous cities of Verona and Venice to spending days enjoying the outdoor pursuits of Lake Garda, and much more besides. However, many people do not realise that the region is also home to an incredible safari park and zoo where many different endangered species of flora and fauna are given a good home. If you are an animal lover and you are planning a trip to this part of Italy, then be sure to set aside some time to visit the wonderful Parco Natura Viva.

Located in Bussolengo in the Province of Verona, the Parco Natura Viva was founded back in the 1960s by Veronese architect Alberto Avesani and his wife Giorgia, who transformed their land from agricultural use into a wildlife area. They began by gathering local fauna to be bred and by protecting and preserving the biodiversity of the area with the idea of eventually opening the park to the public. This came to pass in June 1969 and the park was initially opened as the Parco Zoo del Garda, stretching over ten hectares that would later become the current so-called Fauna Trail.