Archive for 'Must See Attractions'

The city of Palermo, in Sicily, is a stunning place that is full of Arab-Norman architectural gems, elegant churches and palaces, fascinating attractions, and more. If you have found a vacation rental in Sicily, a visit to Palermo is highly recommended and, while you're in the area, you should also make your way to the nearby seaside resort of Mondello. It is just a short drive from the centre of the Sicilian capital and is more or less a suburb of the city. While often very busy as it is a famously beautiful beach, it is just that, famously beautiful, and, therefore, worth visiting. You'll find both locals and tourists alike, enjoying the turquoise waters, soft sands, and pretty surrounding neighbourhood featuring Liberty-style villas built in the early 20th century.

Long and curving, topped by powdery white sand, sloping down to the crystal clear turquoise sea, dotted by pastel-coloured changing cabins, full of families, groups of elderly ladies, teens bunking school, the beach is both a beautiful place and a culture in its own right. Beloved for generations and very much part of local life, it is a lively and bustling place with plenty of character and a great atmosphere.

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!).

If you have found a vacation rental in Campania and want to spend some time exploring the city of Naples, you were probably expecting to stay above ground. However, doing so would make you miss out on one of the most extraordinary attractions that the city has to offer, the Catacombs of San Gennaro. These incredible passageways are an astounding sight to behold and a must for anyone who really wants to experience all that Naples has to offer.

Located in the northern part of the city, on the slope leading up to Capodimonte, under the Rione Sanità neighbourhood of Naples, the catacombs can be readily found today by heading to the entrance at the large church of Madre del Buon Consiglio. Spread over two levels, called San Gennaro Superiore and San Gennaro Inferiore, the catacombs are often referred to as the “Valley of the Dead” and date back to the 3rd of 4th century, though are likely built over older pre-Christian burial sites.

The Jonian Dolphin Conservation is a Taranto-based marine life conservation institute and organisation that studies dolphins, whales, and more in the Ionian Sea and the Gulf of Taranto. Specialised in studying environmental impacts on marine life, how marine mammals communicate, and protecting various species, it is an extraordinary organisation doing great work. However, it is not only their work with the creatures but also their outreach program to the public and schools that make it a particularly wonderful organisation and one of the top places to visit when you are in Italy. Those interested in aquatic life can actually join the crew on day-trips and this is an incredible and truly magical experience that is a must for those who have found a vacation rental in Apulia.

You will need to book well in advance as places often fill up for the entire summer so book your holiday in Taranto today and secure your spot on an outing with the Jonian Dolphin Conservation during your stay in the area!