Archive for 'Campania'

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.

We have discussed some of the famous cafés in Italy that are steeped in history and the country's unique coffeehouse culture before, such as Venice's famous and beautiful Caffè Florian, which dates back to the 18th century. There are plenty other such establishments dotted around the country and, if you're headed further south, don't worry because a particularly beloved example will be near at hand if you have found a vacation rental in Naples.

The Caffè Gambrinus is a historic institution located in the centre of Naples, on Piazza Trieste e Trento, in the rear of the Palazzo della Prefettura. It was named for Gambrinus – a legendary “tipsy figure of joviality” whose name has been commandeered by plenty of brands and establishments around Italy – and founded in 1860 by Vincenzo Apuzzo. The city's oldest and most venerable café in the city, known to have welcome the likes of Oscar Wilde and Gabriele D'Annunzio, it was a meeting site for intellectuals and artists for centuries and is now an elegant spot to grab coffee or a drink, depending on the time of day, or food, depending on your budget.

As we may have mentioned before, the Amalfi Coast really is the ideal holiday destination. If you discover a perfect villa rental on the Amalfi Coast, it is the gateway to a vacation filled with fun, sun, sea, charming coastal towns, exceptional views, a rich historical and cultural heritage and more. Why not do as so many have before and come discover this wonderful part of Italy for yourself and fall madly in love?!

To help you get started in planning your trip, we're continuing our list of just five of our excellent rentals in the area...

3. Villa Deli (4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, available from €250 per night)

Who wouldn't like to wake up to views like these, right?

The stunning Amalfi Coast is an increasingly popular tourist area and it's easy to see why. An incredible stretch of land in the region of Campania of the south of Italy, it was awarded a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its breath-taking beauty and rich natural diversity in 1997. Scattered with quaint little towns, boasting excellent beaches and even better views, it is a truly unforgettable place. We have some excellent villas in the area so, if you've always wanted to spend a perfect holiday in the area, why not browse our picks of five of the best of best among them:

1. Rusella (3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, available from €149 per night)

This charming and colourful property was renovate this year and is located less than 2km from the sea in Massa Lubrense, 8 km from Sorrento.

Ravello is a southern Italian town on the famous Amalfi Coast that is perched high above the ocean and boasts a panorama that Gore Vidal once described as “the most beautiful in the world.” It is a refined, polished town that has Roman and Medieval roots and reflects a diverse range of historic styles in its architectural identity. However, one of the town's most beautiful buildings is a far more recent addition.