Archive for 'Top 10 Lists'

Michelangelo is one of the most famous artists in the western world, as has been the case since early on his career and will probably always be true. Born in the fifteenth century, he was a Florentine sculptor, painter, poet, architect and engineer who was prodigiously talented, an incredibly hard worker, devoted to his art to a fault and the true definition of a Renaissance man. His work is now scattered across the globe but Florence and Rome remain the best places to see his work – Rome nudging just ahead.

You'll never be short of something to do in Italy but you might be struggling to find something a little more unique, a little different to all the more tourist-orientated or obvious choices. Well, look no further.

We've gathered a small selection of fantastic observatories in Italy for you to choose from. Italy actually has quite a large amount of observatories which are open to the public and abuzz with events and educational programmes – really, what else would you expect of Galileo's homeland?

Venice is well-known for her canals but the buildings that sit atop the man-made piles and islands are also one of her most precious gems.

If you're looking for a slightly different way to experience the city, why not follow this quick and easy itinerary of just five of the many buildings you need to see if you ever find yourself in Venice?

While you're at it, find a luxury villa near Venice to do the trip in true style.

Michelangelo once said that he didn't create sculptures but, rather, freed beings from within blocks of stone. He is known for breathing life into rock. Yet, another great sculptor managed to bring believability to stone so that it seemed to move and live.

This was Gian Lorenzo Bernini, an Italian architect and artist born in Naples and who predominantly worked in Rome. Throughout the city there remains a trail of his masterpieces that truly must be seen to be believed.

Why not find a villa with a pool near Rome and spend a day following Bernini around that greatest of cities?

Immerse yourself in the home of opera music across the beautiful land of Italy! Opera music has flourished for over four centuries here and its origins were somewhat unprecedented.

During the 16th century in Florence, a group of poets, composers and scholars called the Camerata recreated what they believed were the ancient traditions of Greek drama.

Stay in a holiday rental in Florence where you can learn more about the revolutionary Camerata and attend a range of opera performances throughout the city!