Archive for 'Southern Italy'

The Jonian Dolphin Conservation is a Taranto-based marine life conservation institute and organisation that studies dolphins, whales, and more in the Ionian Sea and the Gulf of Taranto. Specialised in studying environmental impacts on marine life, how marine mammals communicate, and protecting various species, it is an extraordinary organisation doing great work. However, it is not only their work with the creatures but also their outreach program to the public and schools that make it a particularly wonderful organisation and one of the top places to visit when you are in Italy. Those interested in aquatic life can actually join the crew on day-trips and this is an incredible and truly magical experience that is a must for those who have found a vacation rental in Apulia.

You will need to book well in advance as places often fill up for the entire summer so book your holiday in Taranto today and secure your spot on an outing with the Jonian Dolphin Conservation during your stay in the area!

If you have found a vacation rental in Naples, there is one museum in the city that you really cannot afford to miss. The Cappella Sansevero, or the Cappella Sansevero de' Sangri or Pietatella, is a chapel located on Via Francesco de Sanctis 19, in the historic center of the city that is home to incredible works of art by some of the leading Italian artists of the 18th century. It is a source of pride of Naples and is stuffed to the gills with some of the most beautiful art pieces and objects that one could ever expect to lay eyes upon. Both church and museum, this little gem is a true reflection of the heritage of extraordinary works of religious art in Italy.

Dating back to 1590, the chapel was originally built by John Francesco di Sangro, Duke of Torremaggiore, as he recovered from a serious illness as a private chapel in the gardens of Palazzo Sansevero, the family's noble residence. It later became a family burial chapel and was connected to the palace until 1888.

Today, the Cappella Sansevero is a public building and home to incredible masterpieces like the famous Veiled Christ, which is famous for the extraordinary tissue-like quality of the marble. Created by Giuseppe Sanmartino in 1753, who was a young relatively unknown Neapolitan artist at the time, it is now the most famous piece and the focal point of the collection, located at the centre of the nave of the chapel. Intensely realistic and emotional, it dramatically evokes the reality of the dead Christ's suffering and body; showcasing a swollen vein still pulsating on the forehead and wounds from the nails of Crucifixion on the hands and feet.

The hot summers and rich and verdant soils in Apulia make for the perfect conditions to grow and make some delicious wines and, as a result, there are lots of wineries and producers in the region. For a long time, the region was not known for making particularly high-quality wines however, in recent years, there has been an active effort to correct this and some highly regarded producers have cropped up. Among them is Antica Enotria, a vineyard located a few kilometres from the Gulf of Manfredonia. If you have found a vacation rental in Apulia and want to spend a day sampling great local wines and learning more about the production process, it is an excellent option.

The region of Apulia is filled with lots of charming little coastal settlements and, among them, the cute seaside town of Avetrana is a lesser-known gem. You can't find any tourist pages about it in English and it is not particularly primed for tourism, in general but this is a bonus rather than something that detracts from its charms. It is an authentic place, well off the beaten tourist path, and remains largely untouched by the outside world. You won't find endless things to see and do but you will discover an incredibly pretty town to have a wander around, some great beaches, and some surprises along the way. If you have found a vacation rental in Apulia and are looking for somewhere to spend a day, it is a great place to escape from real life for a little while and fall in love with the coastal Italian way of life...

Termoli is a pretty seaside town on the coast, overlooking the Adriatic, in the small region of Molise in the south of Italy. It was once a fishing port but, today, is better known as a quaint resort town that is populated by some striking fortifications and winding streets and little alleys. If you have found a vacation rental in nearby Campania or a vacation rental in Apulia and are looking for a great place for a beach day, it also boasts lots of nearby options to choose from. So, come and discover everything that the charming town of Termoli has to offer.

There are several free beaches in the area but the long Beach of Sant’Antonio, is the best equipped for visitors and prepared for tourism with bathing facilities, umbrellas, loungers, showers, campgrounds, eateries and more. The sand here is perfectly soft and golden and the sea is an impressively rich blue shade. It is also both a Blue Flag and Green Flag beach, the latter being an accolade given only to child-friendly beaches. With the town and the Castello Svevo as a scenic backdrop and the loveliness of the beach itself, it is a picture-perfect spot that the whole family can enjoy, stress-free.