Archive for 'Northwest Italy'

Italy's Lake District – comprised notably of Lake Garda, Lake Como, and Lake Maggiore – is one of the country's most desirable upscale resort locations. Here you will find pretty lakeside towns, wonderful scenery, excellent hiking trails, brilliant water sport facilities, and endless things to see and do in the most magical of settings. However, if you're interested in all of these traits and getting a little bit off the beaten tourist path, then we recommend actually foregoing these better-known destinations in favour of the lesser-known but no less lovely Lake Orta. A favourite getaway of the wealthy and cosmopolitan set of Milan, locals have largely kept this absolute gem to themselves but it can (and should) be readily visited if you have found a vacation rental in Lombardy and you happen to be looking to experience the delights of the Italian lakes without busloads of other tourists to contend with.

Despite being one of the most industrialised and densely populated areas of Italy, if you have found a villa in Lombardy you will quickly discover that it is in no short supply of natural wonders alongside its endless manmade delights and surprises. Here you will find Italy's beloved Lake District that is one of the country's most sought-after tourist areas and is a wealth of incredible scenery, lakeside palaces, pretty little towns, excellent hiking opportunities, and brilliant water sports facilities – it is no wonder that Hemingway, Goethe, and DH Lawrence all fell in love with, and wrote at length about, the area. And the Alpine peaks of the region are a further natural blessing of indescribable beauty and a resource that affords the facilities for a rich range of outdoor pursuits.

The region's capital, meanwhile, is one of the world's major fashion destinations, Milan, and there are plenty of other charming towns and cities around the region. However, one of the most interesting among them is, no doubt, Mantua. This city, once ruled and shaped by the powerful Gonzaga family for almost four centuries, is full of extraordinary architectural gems, works of art, and an immensely rich cultural and historical heritage. It is, however, also home to one of the most wondrous examples of where nature and man have come together to make something truly exceptional and stunning: the Isola dei Fiori di Loto (or Lotus Island).

The stunning coastline of Liguria is known as the Italian Riviera and is, understandably, home to lots of excellent beaches. So, if you browse our villas in Liguria and are planning a vacation in the region, you will have endless options of beaches to choose from. As with all beaches in Italy, you will find quite a bit of variation in the styles and amenities of the strands in Liguria: from free beaches to beaches that you need to pay to use; options with umbrella and lounger rentals, showers, bathrooms, and more to natural and untouched beaches with little to no amenities; popular hot spots to hidden gems; access for animals or not; beaches fronting towns and boasting snack bars and beach clubs to stretches of coast in more romantic and remote locations. Depending on your own preferences and needs, some of these options will be more appealing to you than others. If you are in the market, however, for a strand fronting a town with lots of facilities, a buzzing beach club, and access for furry pals, then you could find no better option in all of Liguria than Baba Beach. This pet-friendly beach is exceptionally pretty and boasts lots of amenities, ensuring that you and your four-legged friends can enjoy perfectly relaxing days at the sea.

For many, the novelty of simply having the time and freedom to sit out and watch the world go by while enjoying a meal or a coffee or a glass of wine is one of the best parts about being on holiday. While seeing famous landmarks and trying out new and interesting activities is all well and good, truly relaxing and having some proper down time to unplug and unwind is key to a good vacation. There are, of course, particular spots that are especially well-suited to this kind of leisurely relaxation such as markets, town squares, seafront promenades, and more. Or, if you have found a vacation rental in Lombardy, along an impossibly picturesque canal lined with restaurants and bars.

Liguria is home to the Italian Riviera, a stretch of the coast that boasts some of Italy's most beautiful beaches and, as a result, it is an especially popular holiday destination. However, in addition to having lots of options for days of fun and sun at the beach, a villa in Liguria also means enjoying incredible fresh seafood and plenty of delicious local specialties including mushroom pie and mussels stuffed with cheese and herbs; visits to exclusive holiday resorts such as the luxurious and star-studded Portofino; wonderful walks and hiking routes along the coast where you can enjoy the scent of the sea and endless lemon groves that permeates the air or in the Ligurian Alps where you'll take in some of the most extraordinary views in the world; wandering the picturesque towns of the famous Cinque Terre; trips to villages famous for witch trials, inspiring Monet, annual carnival celebrations, and more; and, of course, time exploring the stunning and elegant capital of the region, Genoa. Genoa is an incredibly beautiful gem with an old town full of pretty winding little streets among tall old buildings, palaces, museums, and architectural feats. Among all of the wonderful things to see and do in the city, however, if you have found a villa in Liguria and are spending the day in Genoa, then a visit to the Palazzo Reale is a must.