Archive for 'Northwest Italy'

Palazzo del Te is a 16th century villa in Mantua though the title of “palace” does seem more accurate as it is unbelievably grand and combines aspects of palace and villa architecture and function. It has also been called the “greatest of all Mannerist villas”. This astounding building was designed by Giulio Romano, the most gifted of Raphael's students, for Federigo Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua, son of the famous Isabella d'Este and famous in his own right as one of the most cultured and learned off all Renaissance patrons of the arts. A villa suburbana, it was built in the countryside close to the city to take advantage of the fresh air and more rural pursuits without having to venture too far away. Why not find a holiday rental in Lombardy and pay a visit to Mantua and the villa for yourself?

Monte Isola is a town and commune in Brescia, Lombardy. However, it is a little bit different to a lot of towns in Italy and a little more special as it is an island on Lake Iseo. In fact, it is actually the largest lake island in Europe. The town and its setting are both beautiful and this area is less swamped by tourist crowds than many of the other lake districts in Italy. Little known outside Italy, it’s smaller than the likes of Lake Como but is quieter and more charming. If you’re looking for a holiday full of lakeside pursuits, water sports, beautiful surroundings and the chance to get well and truly away from it all, then Monte Isola is the place for you! Just find a holiday rental in Lombardy and spend some time exploring this hidden gem of a town.

This year, Mantua, the artistic lesser-known gem of Lombardy, is to be the Italian Cultural Capital. Milan may be the biggest metropolis of the region but, for 2016, Mantua is to be the cultural hub of Lombardy. The city was selected from a shortlist of ten by a judging panel of experts appointed by the Minister of Cultural Heritage and beat out other contenders such as Aquileia, Como, Ercolano, Parma, Pisa, Pistoia, Spoleto, Taranto and Terni.

An official UNESCO World Heritage Site, birthplace of Virgil, ancient Roman poet par excellence, and former seat of the Gonzaga family and Renaissance excellence, Mantua truly is a cultural hub for history buffs, art-lovers, architecture aficionados and music fans alike. If you're interested in witnessing some of the special events planned this year, why not find a vacation rental in Lombardy and spend some time in Mantua?

The Monumental Complex of Priamar (“stone by the sea”), which is often known simply as Priamar Fortress, is a sixteenth-century fortress which is located in the port town of Savona. It stands on the rock that hosted the first Savona settlement and the medieval core of the city. This monumental building has undergone many changes over the years and has been put to use for a variety of purposes. Today, it is an important museum and cultural centre in the city. Art lovers, history buffs, military enthusiasts, kids and architecture fans alike will all take something away from a visit to this attraction. Just find a vacation rental in the Riviera Ligure area and enjoy this stunning structure and the beautiful town in which it is located.

Lucedio Abbey was built in 1123, when a large area of swampy land was given to Cistercian monks by the Marquis of Montefract. The monks set up a monastery on this site near Trino and made a success of cultivating rice there. However, there were darker events happening beneath the surface of this seemingly ordinary monastery. Lucedio has attracted ghost-hunters, teams of paranormal experts and television crews from all over the world and still has a certain morbid appeal. Believers and sceptics alike will be terrified and fascinated by the tale of the monastery so find a vacation rental in Piedmont and set out to explore this horrifying site.