Archive for 'Northwest Italy'

San Remo is Italy's answer to Monte Carlo or Las Vegas – but with a distinctively Italian twist and a more laid-back atmosphere. It is a sun-dappled Mediterranean resort on the Ligurian Riviera and is known as the City of Flowers for the colourful blooms that blanket the area in the summer.

With picture-perfect beaches, pretty streets, architectural gems and its famous casino, it is a charming resort town and one of the key tourist destinations on the Italian coast. Just find a vacation rental in Liguria and discover this magical town for yourself.

Founded in Roman times, San Remo was once a settlement called Matutia or Villa Matutiana and expanded greatly during the Middle Ages. After passing through different hands several times and eventually became a free town in the 15th century.

Continuing on from our previous two posts, here are more of our picks of our favourite vacation rentals in Italy with incredible views.

6. Pia

Pia is a cosy and stylish chalet, built in 2015 across three storeys that is located in the hamlet of Ciampei in the Italian Alps. Situated 6km from St. Martin in Thurn, it is a quiet, sunny place in the countryside with a stunning mountainous backdrop. The interior is beautifully decorated and it perfectly frames the incredible views outside. Sleeping 16, this is a great place for a luxurious ski break as a group, with all the mod-cons (WIFI, large flatscreen television and open-hearth in the living room, fully equipped kitchen, etc) and ski specific facilities such as a ski boot dryer, ski rental and a ski school nearby. Available from €984 per night, this modern ski chalet is a serious gem.

In our last post, we discussed the value of a good view and how it enriches any vacation, as well as showcasing just two of our incredible properties. Both of those properties had sea views and, while a sea view is always a good thing, there are plenty of others that are just as pleasing. Here are some more of our vacation rentals with incredible views in Italy, some with glimpses of the ocean but always with something lovely to behold, be that mountains, plains or lakes.

3. Villa Ponzano

This beautiful and fully renovated villa boasts an extraordinary panoramic view. Located high up on the hills of La Spezia, in a lovely sunny position, it is surrounded by a fully fenced garden, a private pool and large panoramic terrace, all of which overlooks the Gulf of La Spezia. The surrounding mountains, hills, valleys, medieval towns, the forested hillside and a glimpse out to the coast are all visible from the house. In fact, the view is so sweeping and majestic, with so much to take in, that one could spend endless hours on the terrace just breathing in the fresh air and enjoying it all.

A great view isn't necessarily key to a wonderful holiday but it helps and a terrible view can ruin an otherwise pleasant experience. Waking up somewhere new, far from home and daily concerns, welcomed by picturesque views, really helps in jump-starting the relaxation process. Luckily, we have endless properties across Italy with fantastic views to choose from. Here are just ten of our favourite vacation rentals with incredible views in Italy.

1. Grimaldi

This apartment is located in a historic villa that is a former castle of the family who reigned over Montecarlo. Set within an enclosed exclusive 20,000m2 estate that is just a short walk from the sea, it has panoramic views across the sea as far across as Cap Martin and the Principality of Monaco. The apartments have been carefully restored to retain their historic charm and character and all share the estate's plentiful facilities: the picturesque garden with various botanic rarities crossed by alleyways, terraced gardens, swimming pool and tennis court.

Baci di Dama are one of Italy's most famous and popular typical biscuits. The name literally translates to "lady kisses" and they first appeared in the pastry shops of Tortona, a small town in the province of Alessandria, during the second half of the 19th century. Baci di Dama di Tortona have been recently added to Piedmont's official registry of Prodotti Agroalimentari Tradizionali (traditional gourmet products) and are made with hazelnuts, which find their spiritual home in Italy in the region as they are most common there.