Archive for 'Must See Attractions'

"Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life"

So opens Shakespeare's beloved and impossibly famous play Romeo and Juliet, immediately and firmly setting the location as Verona in the first two lines and forever cementing it as one of the world's most romantic destinations (so enamoured was the playwright with the town, in fact, he also set another play, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, there as well!). However, aside from this incredible claim to fame, there are plenty more reasons to find a villa in Veneto and pay a visit to Verona while on a romantic getaway in this exceptionally beautiful part of the world...

Many people throughout the world are fascinated by abandoned places, by ruins, by underground passages and caverns as there is just something inherently intriguing about these empty, ancient, and no longer used spaces. Seemingly untouched by the outside world, though no longer as they once were and once looked, they are both steeped in history and removed from the passing of time. Furthermore, these places manage to be both eerie and beautiful at the same time.

Such places are often made more appealing by the contrast with the bustling of the busy cities above or around them in which they are located. Take, for example, the hauntingly lovely and truly impressive Piscina Mirabilis, a giant ancient Roman cistern that is located on the north-west side of the Gulf of Naples, not far from the daily hustle and bustle of daily life in the electric city of Naples. For those who are interested in such things and those who simply enjoy getting off the regular beaten path for tourists and taking in truly remarkable sights, this is a must-see if you have found a vacation rental in Campania and are exploring the region.

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!

Sicily has a landscape that is not only often breathtakingly beautiful but is also full of lots of surprises and magical hidden gems. One particularly special example of this is the Gorges of Alcantara. A wonderful protected area near Taormina, this landscape of black volcanic walls in the typical prism shape that is characteristic of rocks formed from cooling lava and cut through with channels of gem-coloured waters, is an incredible feast for the eyes and a perfect place for photographers and those who love the great outdoors and the endless wonderful forms of nature. Come to trek, explore, swim, have a little bit of an adventure, and wonder at the great beauty of the world around you. Just browse our luxury villas in Sicily and our vacation rentals in Taormina to get planning your trip to this astounding natural gem to see it with your own eyes!

Located between Messina and Catania, this 50km long river channel is full of unique and unusual natural features. There is actually no one agreed upon origin tale for the Gorges of Alcantara, though there have been many hypotheses throughout the years. What we know for sure is that an outstanding lava eruption from Mount Etna flowed into the area in prehistoric times but what exactly happened next is still subject to study and debate. According to one theory, the glowing mass split due to internal tensions during the consolidation phase, though the heterogeneous structure of the rocks does not back this up. Another theory posits that the two branches of lava flow were recombined at the site of the gorges and surrounded a mass of much colder soil, which caused an abnormal cooling of the flow and saw it lose heat so quickly that it would have given off the crystalline material present in the magma. The movement of the river Alcantara through the area over thousands of years would have then dug away at the earth in the area, giving rise to the incredible canyons of the Gorges of Alcantara.

If you're looking for a wonderful sun holiday destination, then a luxury villa in Sicily is a perfect option. Boasting incredibly hot and sunny summers, a unique and diverse cultural history, a rich cuisine, a striking landscape, and lots of truly amazing beaches, this slice of paradise on earth has all that you could ask for for an idyllic summer getaway.

Then, off the western coast of Sicily you will find the three Isole Egadi, also known as the Aegadian Islands or Egadi Islands in English; Favignana, Levanzo, and Marettimo. While not as famous as the dramatic and volcanic Aeolian Islands or as chic and exclusive as Capri, this group of Sicilian Islands have their own perfectly laid-back appeal. Expect smaller crowds of international tourists (this is one of those spots Italians have largely kept to themselves), better value for your money, stunning azure waters and excellent swimming and diving spots, and lots of surprises along the way – all of it making the Egadi Islands and ideal place to spend some time if you have found a luxury villa in Sicily and are exploring this part of Italy.

The Archipelago of the Egadi, in addition to the islands of Favignana, Levanzo, and Marettimo, is also home to the islets of Formica and Maraone. There have been archaeological findings indicating the presence of people on the islands dating back to at least the Paleolithic era and prehistoric cave paintings suggest that these islanders have always lived with, and by, the sea. To this day, fishing remains a core industry on the islands, though overfishing in previous eras has lead to a great decline in the numbers of fish in the waters surrounding the Egadi and in the value of the industry to the local area. The islands have also gone through many different rulers and changes throughout the centuries. They have been a key Carthagian stronghold, a stepping-stone of the Arabs in taking control of Sicily, owned by Genovese bankers, and then a branch of the lucrative tuna empire owned and run by the Florio family in the 19th century, until they finally became a part of the Italian state in 1937.