Archive for 'Must See Attractions'

Lots of people prefer to holiday outside of the peak tourism months and May is a great time to plan a trip to Italy as the real tourist crowds have yet to descend but the temperatures have begun to get rise in earnest, prices for flights and accommodation remain a little lower, and, as the season is just about to turn, you get the best of both spring blooms and beauty and summer fun. A luxury villa in Sicily, in particular, is perfect for a May getaway and if you are spending time in Sicily during the third week of the month there is one town that you should definitely visit, Noto.

Noto is a beautiful town with cinematic good looks that features UNESCO-awarded Baroque architectural gems and very pretty and typical winding little streets. In May, it becomes even more beautiful when the annual Infiorata di Noto festival takes place and the scent of flowers becomes heavy in the air. Infiorata happens in cities all over Italy in May and June and is a festival of floral art displays, with works of art created from flower petals to adorn city streets and historic buildings, but the Infiorata celebration in Noto is the most famous of all.

Hanami, or 花見, meaning, "flower viewing," is a traditional Japanese custom of enjoying the transient nature, and beauty, of flowers and is used to refer to appreciation of cherry blossom trees and plum blossom trees, although it most commonly suggests celebrations surrounding the blooming of cherry blossoms today. In contemporary Japan, hanami largely consists of outdoor parties and picnics that take place beneath the sakura during daytime or at night. As the blossoms only last for a week or two once they have bloomed the careful watching and waiting for them is a major preoccupation in Japan with the weather bureau announcing a blossom forecast between March and early May when the trees flower in different parts of the country. This has become harder to predict in recent years due to the effects of global warming but has become even more crucial to get right as millions of Japanese people and thousands of international tourists both descend upon the cherry blossom hot spots around the country each year and it acts as a major tourism boost for the country. While it might not quite boast the visual explosion of the hanami experience in Japan where there are thousands upon thousands of cherry blossom trees in various cities, towns, and countryside areas, Rome does actually have a well-established celebration of these beautiful blooms of its own each year and a wealth of cherry blossoms trees. So, if you want to experience a little slice of Japan and the beauty of these blooms while also enjoying everything that a spring getaway in Rome has to offer then browse our luxury villas in Rome and get planning your trip!

Rome, as home to Vatican City, the centre of the Roman Catholic world is, understandably, a wonderful place to spend Christmas. While Christmas Day itself and New Years Day see almost everything shut down bar some shops, restaurants, and hotels, the days around the holiday transform the already famously beautiful city into something altogether more special and magical. If you have been considering spending the Holidays abroad this year and you are looking for a suitable destination then why not browse our wonderful luxury vacation rentals in Rome? We have lots of chic and cosy properties located all across the city that would make for a perfect temporary home away from home where comfort, Italian style, elegance, pretty views and surroundings, and ready access to some of the most famous tourist attractions in the entire world all come together. Come with family members or loved ones, experience the magic and beauty of the Eternal City lit up and decorated for the season, and then return home to one of our incredible luxury rentals to warm up, spend quality time, eat, and make memories that will last a lifetime together!

There are plenty of reasons as to why Rome makes for an excellent Christmas destination but here are five of the most compelling in our opinion...

If you have been thinking about planning a trip to Rome between now and next spring then we recommend getting there before the 11th of April 2021 in order to catch an incredible new exhibition that was opened almost a month ago in the Chiostro del Bramante. “Banksy – A Virtual Protest,” brings over 100 works by the world-famous English graffiti artist to Rome and showcases them in the stunning historic surroundings of the Chiostro del Bramante. An exhibition that sells out daily tickets easily, it is an absolute must for art-lovers exploring the Eternal City. Just browse our luxury villas in Rome and get planning a trip to see this exceptional showcase of Banksy's work and career for yourself.

While very few people actually know who Banksy is, we do know that he came up through the underground art world movement in Bristol, with his first street art pieces popping up around the city back in the early nineties. Since then, his identity has remained a closely guarded secret as graffiti is a crime but this same anonymity has allowed Banksy to tackle some of the most controversial subjects of his time freely and without fear and without the discussion being bogged down in the details of his personality and life. His work has taken on themes such as war, politics, social problems, police violence, corruption, the environment, and more.

If you find a vacation rental in Sicily, you will likely find yourself in the capital city of Palermo at some point. Or you might find a vacation rental in Palermo itself. This incredible city is a melting pot of cultures and history with its stunning Arab-Norman architectural gems, rich and diverse cuisine, Italian traditions but uniquely Sicilian identity, and almost tropical weather. Like many cities in Italy, it boasts historic markets including Ballarò, Il Capo, Mercato delle Pulci, and Lattarini but one of the best-known and most beloved is La Vucciria. Extending between via Roma, La Cala, the Cassaro, along Via Cassari, Piazza del Garraffello, Via Argenteria Nuova, Piazza Caracciolo, and Via Maccheronai, within the Castellammare district, it was originally largely a meat market. In fact, the name comes from the word, “bucceria,” taken from the French, “boucherie,” meaning butcher's shop. Over time, it also became a market for the sale of fish, fruit, and vegetables and became a vibrant and integral part of the city. However, “vuccirìa," also means, “confusion,” in Palermo, which is rather fitting as the market is a place full of loud colours, scents, flavours, and voices all clamouring for attention.