Archive for 'Southern Italy'

The story of Pompeii is somewhat familiar to most. It was one of two flourishing Roman towns (the other being Herculaneum) at the foot of the volcano, Vesuvius, when it erupted in 79AD. The towns were covered in ash and lava and buried under the earth until they were properly excavated from the 18th century onwards. From that moment onwards, Pompeii, in particular, became the object of international fascination as it saw the preservation of life thousands of years ago. Not only was the architecture, art and lifestyle of the time frozen but an instant in time remained paused for later generations to view and learn from. Unique and captivating, the two sites continue to draw millions each year.

Potato and pizza sounds like a crazy combination, right? Yet, it is a classic recipe from Apulia, in the south of Italy. As it can be shaped and topped and refrigerated up to 12 hours before baking, it is also really handy to prepare for a tasty dinner or lunch when you know that you're going to be busy later. Just allow it to return to room temperature and you can pop it in the oven – it's really that simple. In fact, the whole recipe is fairly simple and easy to follow. Try it for yourself and then get a taste of the real thing on a sunny day during a holiday to Apulia. Find a luxury villa in Apulia and taste the delicious dishes the state has to offer while living it up in the lap of luxury.

The cathedral of Amalfi is located in the city's main square. As with many churches in Italy, it has ancient origins but has been rebuilt or renovated countless times throughout the centuries. This building, however, is one of the most memorable churches you will visit in the country. Approached by a sweeping stone stair and with a polychromatic Arabic-inspired exterior, which speaks to the heritage of the area, it has an immediate impact on the viewer. If you are a fan of architectural gems perched by the sea, then Amalfi is just the place for you.

Find a holiday home on the Amalfi Coast and have you breath taken away by the sights and surroundings.

Pizza evolved from flatbread dishes made in Naples in the 18th and 19th centuries. The archetypal flavour, Margherita, also comes from that part of the country and its origins are steeped in local legend. Supposedly, it was first made in 1889 when the Queen of Italy, Margherita, was visiting. The tale goes that the Royal Palace of Capodimonte commissioned Neapolitan pizzaiolo, Raffaele Esposito to produce a dish for the queen. He made three options and the queen favoured the one with tomatoes, basil and Mozzarella, recalling the colours of the Italian flag. The pizza was then named for the queen and continues to bear her name to this day. Though the legend has been disputed by scholars and recent research, the dish remains popular all over the world. However, the best place in the world to try it has to be in Naples itself. Find a villa with pool in Campania, visit Naples, give the real deal a try and be ruined for pizza outside of Italy forever more.

Sorrento Cathedral was built in the 11th century and then rebuilt in the early fifteenth century in the Romanesque style. Since then there have been multiple bouts of rebuilding and restoration up to 1924 when the entire façade was rebuilt. It is located in the centre of this beautiful seaside town, near the main street, Corso Italia. Open daily and free to visit (though donations for the upkeep of the church are welcomed and encouraged) it is an exceptionally lovely Italian cathedral which offers a moment of quiet reflection during your trip as well as representing several different periods in the history of Italy's art and architecture. Find a villa with pool in Sorrento and wile away days wandering the coastline, exploring the city and seeing the sights!