Archive for 'Must See Attractions'

As mentioned in the previous post, the Vatican Museums of Vatican City in Rome are one of the most incredible museums in the world. The largest dedicated floor space of a museum in the world, it is home to a varied collection that encompasses Renaissance masterpieces (such as the Sistine Chapel), architectural gems, Egyptian artifacts, Ancient Greek and Roman statuary and much more besides. There is a reason that it is the most visited museum in Italy, one of the most visited museums in the world and garners over seven million visitors a year: it is a truly astounding place. Just find a vacation rental in Rome and check out our guide to helping you plan a visit.

There is so much to see that you cannot possible do it all in one visit (or even many). Instead, narrow down your list to a few key attractions and sections by browsing some of the most important parts of the museums below!

The Vatican Museums make for the largest exhibition space in the world, with over 1400 rooms dedicated to Renaissance arts, Catholic Church history, as well as some interesting Etruscan and Egyptian collections. The 100 galleries that constitute the museums are loaded with papal treasures that were accumulated over the centuries and include the Sistine Chapel, ancient Greek and Roman sculptures like the “Laocoön” and “Belvedere Apollo,” and the frescoed “Stanze” by Raphael.

Located in Vatican City, a state within the city of Rome, the museums are an immense cultural treasure that you could spend years visiting and still find more to see. However, if you have found a vacation rental in Rome and are only able to dedicate a day or more to the museums, architectural gems and attractions of the Vatican, read on. We have compiled a guide to the museums to help you get started and plan your visit!

The Civic Aquarium of Milan (Acquario Civico di Milano) is Milan's charming – and rather unique – aquarium. The third oldest aquarium in Europe, it was built in 1905 for the Milan World Fair and is the only building to survive from the event to this day.

Located at the edge of Sempione Park, Milan's largest public park, it is housed in a beautiful Art Nouveau period building that features elaborate sculptural details, friezes and hand-painted tiles.

The facade of the aquarium is further enhanced by a statue of Neptune, the Roman god of water and the sea, created by sculptor Oreste Labò. Small but beautiful and certainly one of the most unusual and special museums that we have ever seen, it is a must-visit for those who have found a vacation rental in Milan and are planning a trip to the city.

Theme Parks aren't everyone's cup of tea but those who love them really love them and, for kids, they make for a magical day out. Lake Garda is already an excellent playground for children and adults alike with an endless list of activities to choose from; from wining and dining to sailing and other water sports, hiking and exploring local attractions to fishing and lazing by the shore.

As if this wasn't all enough, there is also Gardaland, a theme park and resort on the south eastern banks of Lake Garda.

With different sections of the park decorated according to different periods of history and parts of the world, as well as flights of fancy from worlds that have never existed and imaginings of outer space, there is a magical (and photogenic) world to be explored; from a submerged continent to the rapids in the heart of the jungle and pirate ships to supersonic jets.

If you have found a vacation rental in Milan and are planning on spending time in the city, there is lots to see and do. However, we'd like suggest something that might not have already featured in your plans heavily, or at all: a visit to Milan's Planetarium.

The Civic Planetarium “Ulrico Hoepli” of Milan is an institute for communication and education in astronomy and related sciences like physics and astronautics. It is the largest and most important planetarium in all of Italy. Located on the edge of the Gardens of Porta Venezia, in the Porta Venezia district of Milan, a stone's throw from the Natural History Museum, it was established in 1930. Designed by architect Piero Portaluppi for Ulrico Hoepli, an editor and publisher, who donated it to the city upon its inauguration.