Archive for 'Northwest Italy'

Mont Blanc stands on the French-Italian border between the Val d'Aosta in Italy and Chamonix in France. It is the tallest mountain in the Alps and most only admire its immense beauty from the surrounding resorts. However, it is not actually that difficult, comparatively, to reach the summit. One should take in its majesty as a whole from a distance but actually reaching its towering peaks is a completely different experience. If you want to discover this great natural beauty for yourself, just find a vacation rental in the Val D'Aosta and pencil in some time for the mighty mountain that several countries fight to lay claim to.

For those less mobile, less actively inclined or who might be a little worried about undertaking this behemoth, fear not! You can take the cable cars from Courmayeur to Chamonix and take in the fantastic views en-route.

Lake Maggiore, or Lago Verbàno, is a large lake located on the south side of the Alps and is both the second largest lake in Italy and the largest in southern Switzerland. Divided between the Italian regions of Piedmont and Lombardy and the Swiss canton of Ticino, it is a popular holiday area and a beyond scenic destination that is bound to take your breath away. It is often considered the most beautiful lake in Italy and is known locally as “Verbena” for the flowers that grow abundantly at its shores. The towns that skirt the lake, meanwhile, are no less lovely and are picturesque places full of wonderful food, charming buildings, boutiques and a cosmopolitan atmosphere. If you are looking for a holiday that combines an Alpine getaway with lakeside pursuits, that would be wonderful no matter what time of the year you choose to visit and that offers stunning surroundings, look no further. Just find a luxury villa in Lombardy or a luxury villa in Piedmont and begin exploring the incredible Lake Maggiore.

Milan is one of the great fashion capitals of the world, this is a well-established fact. For many, Italy and Milan are both synonymous with style and glamour and, as such, a visit to either is bound to involve some bout of shopping.

If you have found a luxury villa in Lombardy and are planning a trip to Milan, there is one destination, in particular, that you need to keep in mind: the Quadrilatero d’Oro district. It has long been considered one of the world’s most important centres of fashion and is home to Milan’s most exclusive stores.

The Quadrilatero d’Oro (or ‘The Golden Rectangle’) is the name given to a tangle of streets located just north of the Duomo. It is often classed as one of the chicest and most expensive streets in the world.

Genoa is a wonderful beauty, filled with architectural gems and hidden treasures. In fact, the built and historical worlds of Genoa are probably what make it most appealing to residents and tourists alike.

Among the stunning buildings in the Old Town, there are the system of 42 Palazzo dei Rolli buildings that have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites and, among these, one of the most interesting is the beautiful Palazzo Bianco.

For sipping on rooftop cocktails at sunset, wandering pretty gardens in the afternoon or taking in famous artworks in the morning, it is a perfect one-stop location with everything you could need for a lovely day out. Just find a villa in Liguria and pay a visit to this extraordinary spot for yourself.

Genoa is a great unsung hero that many often don't hear much about. It does not seem to garner the endless lines and lines of press that are published about other Italian cities every day but it should. It is a wonderful beauty, filled with architectural gems and hidden treasures. Its history is rich and its cultural heritage is fascinating. Even its graveyard is a stunner.

Among all the sights and attractions, however, one stands apart. It is hard not to notice the Biosfera by famous architect Renzo Piano. Just find a villa in Liguria and pay a visit to this extraordinary structure for yourself.

Renzo Piano was the 1998 Pritzker Prize winner and is probably best known for his controversial design of the Centre Georges Pompidou but is a prolific architect that his left his stamp all over the world. Piano was actually born in Genoa in 1937 and comes from a family of builders.