Archive for 'Tourist Attractions'

Italy is a land with boundless riches when it comes to cultural heritage. The wealth of art and historical monuments is endless with sites and objects of major international importance dating from pre-history to the present day. One of the periods for which she is most well-known is the time of the Romans. Their control of vast swathes of the world lasted for hundreds of years and their power and longevity ensured that much remains of their life and times, particularly in Italy, their base of operations and homeland. Pompeii, Herculaneum and Rome itself are the most famous sites but other parts of Italy are also imbued with rich sights.

The Basilica di San Nicola (or Church of St Nicholas) in Bari, is so beautiful that, once you have found a luxury villa in Puglia you might have been drawn there magnetically anyway. However, the name actually suggests another reason for you to visit this extraordinary building, especially at this time of year. That reason is that the church is dedicated to, and the final resting place of, St. Nicholas of Myra: i.e. Santa Claus. If you're holidaying in Puglia over the Christmas period, it is an absolute must to drop by and pay your respects to the man that has brought such joy to millions of children around the world – maybe don't tell the kids who is buried there, though!

We've already discussed some of the works of art left by great Venetian Renaissance master Titian around Venice but there are many more examples to consider. In fact, you could spend days just following his trail all around the majestic city. This is actually a rather good way to explore the buildings of Venice that might not otherwise make it on to your itinerary. It might seem like a trip to Italy features too many visits to churches and that one church is very much the same as another but this is not the case. These are not merely religious buildings but great works of art with limitless joys and secrets to bestow should you look a little more closely. Popping in to see a Titian on display gives you an opportunity to also take in some of the most beautiful parts of the city and some of her loveliest buildings. Just find a vacation rental in Venice and get exploring!

Titian, or Tiziano Vecellio, is one of the greatest artists to ever come out of Venice. Although, while he is celebrated as a big player in the Venetian Renaissance, he was actually born in Pieve di Cadore. However, he came to be an instrumental figure in Venetian art and many of his works still remain in that great city. If you want to see the city in a different way, why not follow his art around Venice? Many works occupy churches and cost nothing to visit, plus you'll see a lot more of Venice and some beautiful church interiors as you go about finding them. Just find a holiday rental in Venice and use our list to locate some of Titian's hidden gems in the city.

The Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park was created in 1990, but steps towards its creation actually began all the way back in the 1960s. Its holdings are impressive with over 32,000 hectares being protected by the National Park.

The park takes in territories from fifteen different municipalities, in the Val Belluna, north of the centre of the Piave Valley.

It is the most visited national park in all of Italy and with good reason.