Archive for 'Southern Italy'

Lecce, often known as the “Florence of the South”, is a stunning Baroque city with an incredibly preserved and lovely historic centre that is located in Apulia, in the south of Italy. It is a cultural and artistic gem that has to be seen to be believed. Just find a luxury villa in Apulia and visit it for yourself.

In the previous article, we noted some of the wonderful religious Baroque buildings that can be admired in the city and while there are dozens more that one could mention, there are also many other types of structures and works to be seen, beyond those used for worship.

However, in saying that, it would be remiss of us not to, at least, mention the church of Santa Croce Church; one of the most famous and extraordinary buildings in the entire city, with its iconic Hellenistic façade and rose window.

Lecce is a beautiful and historic city in Apulia, in the south of Italy. While it is over 2,000 years old, with origins dating to before the Trojan War, it is mainly known as a Baroque city,. Defined by the many Baroque architectural monuments that dot the city, it has been lent the nickname, "The Florence of the South". Home to a malleable, golden type of limestone that is perfect for carving and sculpture, the Baroque of Lecce is florid and exuberant and incredibly stunning. One of the loveliest cities in Italy, it is a must-see for architecture enthusiasts. Just find a luxury villa in Apulia and come explore this magical city for yourself.

While tracing the exact origins of any stylistic movement is practically impossible, Bishop Luigi Pappacoda's arrival to the city in 1639 can be considered a key moment in the establishment of Lecce's flourishing Baroque period.

In the last post of this series, we really have saved the best for last. Italy is a beautiful holiday destination and is a country rich in art and culture and fine cuisine but it also has a stunning landscape that perfectly facilitates adventure. If you are a fan of extreme sports, in particular, it is an ideal destination and these are some more of the places you need to check out.

5. Polignano a Mare

Polignano a Mare is a town and comune on the coast of the Valle d’Itria, Apulia that is perched atop a 20m limestone cliff, overlooking the Adriatic. It is also often home to one of the legs of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series and was again this year on the 23rd of July. The cliffs are a huge part of the identity of the town and make the perfect place for the competition. Athletes dive directly from a private roof-top terrace and must proceed through a private living room in order to reach the platform, set 27m above the Adriatic Sea.

If you are looking for something a little bit different to do in Italy on your next vacation, look no further as we have compiled a list of some of the most adventurous and exciting things to do in the county: extreme sports in Italy.

1. Calcio Storico

This extreme sport is exceptionally Italian and, therefore, the best extreme sport to pick for those seeking a thrill in Italy. Il calcio storico fiorentino is a precursor to soccer that is played annually during the third week of June in Florence. Quite unlike the game that we are all familiar with, calcio storico is a brutal, violent sport intimately interconnected with the city's history, rivalries and codes of honour. It is more like a blend of soccer with rugby and boxing. It is also a rather unique experience. While you can't participate yourself, watching this thrilling and brutal sport makes for an exciting outing – if you can stomach it!

Italy and food are pretty synonymous, right? Most people who have found a vacation rental in Italy and are planning their trip will be researching galleries, museums and attractions to visit but they are likely to also be impatiently awaiting all of the delicious meals that they have in store. While there are countless foods to be tried while in Italy, not to mention local specialities, there are some foods that are must and should not be missed while there. Even foods you may have tried plenty of times before can taste completely different in Italy and in a very, very good way.

1. Pizza

Pizza is an obvious choice but an important one. I am not a crazy pizza fan, personally, but there really is something completely different about the pizza in Italy. It's lighter and crispier and just tastier, overall.