Archive for 'Tourist Attractions'

  

Pantheon
Here are some more of the architectural gems that Rome has to offer, just find a holiday rental in Rome and begin exploring!

3. Pantheon

The magnificent Pantheon is a beautifully preserved temple dating back to 117AD. Built under Emperor Hadrian in honour of the ancient Roman pagan gods, it was given to Pope Boniface in 608 AD by the Byzantine emperor Phocas and was used as a church thereafter. It is a building of ingenious design and construction that was far ahead of its time. The soaring Dome, in particular, is immensely impressive. Inside, the church is richly decorated with paintings, stone carvings, statues and frescoes. Located in the Piazza della Rotonda in Rome, it is open Monday to Saturday 9am to 6.30pm and Sun 9am to 1pm.     Read More

  

Ruins of Torre Argentina
Rome is a city that is very much defined by her architecture. In fact, the Colosseum, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and St Peter's are probably the very first thing to come to mind when one thinks of the city. While defining monuments becoming shorthand for a city is not at all uncommon, Rome has just so many that are incredibly iconic and well-known all over the globe. Here are some of the other architectural gems of Rome that you need to check out once you have found a holiday rental in Rome.

1. Torre Argentina

Torre Argentina is a fascinating architectural gem that is both a historic ruin and one of the largest cat sanctuaries in the whole world.     Read More

  

Raspberries
In our final installment in this series, we have a few more things that you can do for free in Florence. Once you have decided to visit the city and have found a luxury villa near Florence, you will probably start planning out your trip and figuring out where you want to go and what you want to do. These options don't skimp on fun but will help stretch out your budget.

Orsanmichele is a market building which became the church of the craft and trade guilds in the fourteenth century. The exterior was made extremely ornate by the guilds, who each wanted a sculpture of their patron saint to adorn the façade. Today copies of these works are what you see on the outside and inside, on the first floor, a museum houses some of the original sculptures. The church is open daily from 10am to 5pm and the museum is open on Mondays at the same times.     Read More

  

Rose
Once you find a luxury villa near Florence and begin exploring the city, trying out the restaurants, visiting the galleries, shopping a little and touring all of the attractions, you may find that the cost of everything begins to quickly add up. If you want to keep having the time of your life, without scrimping on fun or experiences, then check out our series on things to do for free around the city that will leave you with a little extra cash in your pocket.

The Rose Garden in Florence is the perfect oasis of calm, quiet and relaxation. It brings together art from Belgian artist Folon, roses and stunning panoramic views across the city and, best of all, it's completely free to visit and is open from morning until nightfall. Only open to the public year round for a few years now, it is a little-known gem and a must-see for anyone visiting the city. The garden is home to a collection of 400 different varieties of roses, 1000 botanical varieties, lemons, and other plants, a Japanese garden and sculptures by the artist Folon dotted playfully here and there.     Read More

  

Pinocchio by CLET
Continuing on from our last article, we have rounded up even more activities that cost nothing and can be enjoyed while exploring Florence, in order to help your holiday budget stretch a little further and give you one less thing to concern yourself with. Wandering around the city and just taking it all in, alone, is a worthwhile way to pass the time that will leave you satisfied and feeling like you've experienced the best of Florence. However, to add to this and enhance your experience further, here are some places you can stop off and specific areas of the city that you can visit. Just find a luxury villa near Florence and get exploring its hidden nooks and crannies - you're bound to discover the most extraordinary things.

As you wander around, you should also keep an eye out for some charming works of art on the streets. CLET, a French artist living in the city, adds a sense of whimsy and fun to the streets of Florence by transforming ubiquitous city street signs into discrete works of art with his removable stickers.     Read More