Archive for 'Northeast Italy'

Lots of people like to follow their favourite characters on their fictional journeys through destinations and then shadow those footsteps themselves in real life. Think of Bloomsday in Dublin, each summer, that sees fans from all over the globe come to follow Joyce’s protagonist Leopold Bloom around the city. Recently, another Irish author has given us yet another engaging and fascinating protagonist whose journey we can chart with Maggie O’Farrell’s fictionalised novel about the life and death of Lucrezia de' Medici, Duchess of Ferrara, in The Marriage Portrait.

The celebrated and well-loved O’Farrell released the book in 2022 to great acclaim and immediately transported readers all over the world into the life of an incredibly young bride in Renaissance Italy. Certain liberties have been taken with the details of her life but the story is rooted in historic record and real events and places. Those, therefore, who have read and adored the book can pretty easily track Lucrezia’s path from birth to childhood to a rather nerve-wracking young married life in a strange court. In fact, many of the places in the novel are already key tourist attractions that one might already be planning on visiting if booking a villa in Florence and/or a vacation rental in Emilia Romagna. 

Castello Di Magnano is a truly unique property – a quirky and pretty little apartment with lots of character that is located inside a genuine castle! For those looking to vacation in Emilia Romagna who are after a 2-bedroom bargain of a property set within magical grounds and boasting some incredible views, then this is the ideal spot for you! 

Venice is, without a doubt, the most famous part of Veneto and one of the most famous cities in the entire world. However, the wider region of Veneto is incredibly interesting and lovely and much of it is largely untouched by the immense tourist crowds that descend daily upon the city. Made up of marshes, rolling green hills and vinyards, mountains, forests, nature parks, and a charming coastline, a vacation in Veneto has plenty more to offer beyond Venice – though a visit to that most romantic and fascinating of cities during your time in the region is also always a good idea!

Take the municipality of San Michele al Tagliamento, for example. It is likely a place many have never heard of before but if you find a villa in San Michele al Tagliamento, you will quickly discover that you have access to some gorgeous beaches, historic sites, fun activities for the whole family, some excellent wineries, some wonderful walking and hiking trails through the lush and picturesque landscape of this part of the world, a brilliant wellness centre in which you can perfectly unwind, a host of fun activities to enjoy with your family, and more. So, come and sample all that Veneto has to offer by basing yourself in a vacation rental in San Michele al Tagliamento and then heading out to explore all of the remarkable charms of this region that are close at hand. Among them, there are some particular highlights...

In addition to being close to all of the winter sports that you could hope to enjoy – from the classics such as skiing and snowboarding to the more adventurous options like paragliding and ice-wall climbing – choosing a vacation rental in Italy’s ski region means that you will also get to enjoy the unique charms and traditions of these gorgeous resort towns and villages. You’ll be able to enjoy hearty cuisines that have influences from all across the Alps, you’ll be able to attend amazing traditional Christmas markets in and around the holidays, you’ll get to enjoy the Italian take on the après-ski lifestyle, and you’ll do all of this in scenic and charming surroundings. The alpine towns of Italy boast those famous peaks and crags, snow-capped or covered, blanketed by firs, and dotted by other resorts as a backdrop and centres that feature pretty cabins plucked from the front of postcards and travel guides. Our holiday rentals in this part of the world are usually this very sort of picturesque and charming cabin, the perfect sort of place to really soak up the atmosphere of this magical part of the world. So, if you’re interested in a holiday in which you enjoy the outdoor pursuits of the winter wonderland outside and then have a warm and cosy and incredibly lovely cabin to return to each evening, if you want to sip on something warm and delicious as you gaze out at those picture-perfect landscapes, and if you want to make memories that will last a lifetime, then check out our guide to some of our prettiest cabins in Italy’s ski region...

To the north of Italy, the majestic and magical Alps line the top of the country and in various other spots throughout the different regions, there are less massive but impressive mountain ranges. Italy, therefore, is a wonderful holiday destination for those who love the various outdoor pursuits and incredible scenery of mountainous areas. In the spring, summer, and early autumn, there are endless excellent hiking and biking trails to be explored but as the weather grows colder, these same spots become ideal places to enjoy a wide range of winter sports. In fact, Italy is home to some of the best ski resorts in the world. So, if you are a fan of skiing, snowboarding, ice-skating, cross-country skiing, sledding, and more and you are looking to indulge in these activities this winter, then browse our villas in Italy’s ski region.

Among the different ski destinations within Italy, there are some great options to choose from depending on your interests, the sort of price point you might have in mind, the kind of group you are travelling in (solo, with friends, family, as a couple), et cetra.

For example, some of the best ski resorts and ski areas in Italy include: