Archive for 'Northwest Italy'

Anyone who has ever see a picture of the Cinque Terre will recognise the colorful buildings clustered around pretty, boat-filled harbours, steep cliffs, impossibly blue waters, and lush countryside and Vernazza fits this image to a tee. In fact, it's likely the exact village featured in those images that you are calling to mind. Perhaps the most beautiful and characteristic of villages of the Cinque Terre, it is a small fishing town that was founded around 1000AD and is a must-see for anyone who has found a vacation rental in the Cinque Terre.

Paying a visit Santa is a must for kids in the run up to Christmas and, if you have found a vacation rental in the Lake Maggiore area, you will be presented with the unique opportunity to see him on his very own boat!

According to local legend, Santa Claus has arrived in Milan at the end of November each year since 1400 to deliver toys and gifts to each child in the city. Next, he is said to hop on his boat, leave the city, and head up the Navigli and Ticino River to make his way to Lake Maggiore. He visits all of the lakeside towns before stopping and settling in the village of Intra until Christmas.

A luxury villa in Italy is a great idea for those who love coffee as it is not hard to get your hands on an excellent brew throughout the country. However, if you have particularly specialised tastes or are a serious coffee lover and aficionado, then you need to head to a vacation rental in Turin and pay a visit to Orso Laboratorio Caffè.

This lovely little café is located close to Piazza Madama, on via Claudio Luigi Berthollet in the San Salvario neighbourhood. A real community and local spot, it boasts a warm and pleasant atmosphere of steady regulars interacting with the friendly staff members. Just grab a little table and a coffee take it all in!

If the Aperol Spritz is the drink of choice in Venice, then the Pirlo is its equivalent in many ways in Brescia. This beautiful city in Lombardy is a wonderful place to spend time, wandering the pretty streets, taking in the beautiful buildings, visiting the parks, museums and UNESCO awarded attractions and more. It is also the perfect place to grab a Pirlo, kick back and relax on your holidays. Just find a vacation rental in Lombardy, hit up the nearest caffe-bar and order the local speciality for yourself.

All this week on Italy Villas, we have been drooling over some of the most amazing villas and apartment rentals on our site that not only have wonderful pools but pools that boast truly extraordinary views. With picks for various purposes (family holidays, weddings, etc), price points, locations and more, there is something for everyone. To round out our list, here are the last of our picks of some of the best of the best...

8. Masseria Ilary (No long available)

Masseria Ilary is a beautiful six bedroom farm property located in the countryside near Ceglie Messapica, in Apulia. Surrounded by ancient olive trees and peace and quiet in a traditional area, the property consists of trulli, typical traditional Apulian houses, and another building. It is this attractive, historic and charming complex of buildings that forms the backdrop to this incredible pool.