Archive for 'Lombardy'

When it comes to outdoor adventures, there are many that suit only one time of year; beaches are most enjoyable in summer, hiking is most pleasant in spring and autumn. However, some outdoor adventure destinations are set up to suit different purposes and are an excellent idea no matter when you visit. Take, for example, Mottolino Fun Mountain, set high in the Italian Alps above Livigno. This adventure park adapts to the time of year and is a ski area or a bike park, depending on the season. So, if you have found a vacation rental in the Northern Italian Ski Region and want to have a holiday in the Italian Alps, no matter what time of year you are going, you will find that there will be adventures to be had at Mottolino Fun Mountain. Explore the stunning landscape of the Italian Alps while having fun outdoors!

From early June to late September (check the Mottolino website for exact dates on any given year, as they can vary), the park is a bike park that offers fourteen different routes for people at various ability levels, a jump area, a slopestyle area, an air bag to practice jumping and tricks, and a north shore area – where you can test your balance and try your first jumps. Opened during the 2005 MTB World Cup, the bike park has quickly become a meeting point for all downhill and freeride mountain bikers from all over Europe. Inexperienced riders can also come and enjoy the thrills too, however, as you can rent all of the items and safety equipment that you might need and there are trained guides from the Freeride Bike School who can come along with you to discover the Mottolino Bike Park trails. Plus, the range of trails for beginners and pros makes it easy to learn and progress.     Read More

Lake Garda is a major attraction for anyone who has found a vacation rental in any one of the three regions in which it has shorelines. Just find a villa in Trentino, a holiday rental in Lombardy, or a vacation rental in Veneto and come explore this famous beauty and all that it has to offer; from water sports to boat tours, from drinking a glass of wine while enjoying sunset over the lake to picnicking at scenic spots, from exploring different historic villas dotted around the various islands and lakeside villages to hiking around trails located all over the area, and much more besides. If you are interested in hiking, in particular, you are in luck. There are lots of interesting trails to choose from and the most incredible backdrops to enjoy while you’re out there hiking. One of the best routes to explore is the Strada del Ponale.     Read More

There are many lovely and scenic parts of Italy. It is an incredibly beautiful place with a very varied landscape from the Alps to Mediterranean shores and everything in between. However, one of the most famously beautiful parts of Italy is the area in and around Lake Como, which has solidified its popularity as a holiday destination. In particular, the Parco della Val Sanagra, is a wonderful protected natural park that lies in this area. If you have found a vacation rental in Lombardy and are looking for somewhere to hike, breathe in the cleanest of fresh air, admire the beauty of nature, and enjoy a relaxed and healing natural setting, then it is absolutely ideal.     Read More

Last March, I flew to South Korea for a trip, which takes about 24 hours from Ireland, all in. My game plan was to line up a range of recent Oscar-winners and watch all the movies that everyone was buzzing about in one go. Upon finding my seat, I met my two seat-mates, a very sweet elderly Korean couple who took a liking to me as I was raised Catholic and they were returning from a month long pilgrimage around religious sites in Europe. The lady asked me to help her with her screen and I spent a while trying to find something for her to watch in Korean or with subtitles. Surprisingly, there was very little for her to choose from so we eventually gave up. This, however, meant that she turned to look at the screen I had turned on and began watching it with me. I was very painfully aware that a religious granny was observing me watch, “Call Me By Your Name.” I had heard enough about the movie to guess when scenes she might not approve of were coming and, as I feared their approach, I paused the film, leaving it on a still of the idyllic town in which it is set. I began fumbling around with my things as I had become aware that she was slowly falling asleep, and I waited it out for it to happen. As her eyes got heavy, she looked away from the screen and to me and smiled, “What a beautiful place,” she said in Korean, moments before she fell asleep.     Read More