Archive for 'Tourist Attractions'

If you're interested at all in contemporary architecture or design or you're just fond of seeing the most unique and unusual things that a city has to offer while on holidays, then Milan has the perfect thing for you. The Bosco Verticale, or Vertical Forest, is a highly unique building in Milan which was only finished and opened last year. It is a pair of high-rise buildings which are made up of 27 storeys with cantilevered balconies planted with 900 trees and more than 2,000 shrubs and bushes. The effect is astonishing, two lush structures emerging from the earth and towering (the taller being 112 metres in height) over the surrounding buildings.

In the idyllic beauty of Sicily, you will find Syracuse, a historic and lush city and province. There are plenty of wonderful things to do to pass your time on a trip to Syracuse but one of the most distinctive sights in the area is the Ear of Dionysius, or Orecchio di Dionisio, a very particular cave set within the Stone Quarry of Paradise, or Latomia di Paradiso. The cave was named by the great, and troubled, Italian Master, Caravaggio and given due to the lingering presence of a ghost.

Italy is utterly inundated by beautiful, fairy-tale castles in the most picturesque of settings. Yet, in the Aosta Valley, or Valle D'Aosta, in the north-west of Italy, there is one that particularly stands out and must be among the most lovely. Saint-Pierre Castle in the town of Saint-Pierre rises above the rest of the town on a little rocky outcrop at the centre of the valley. It is the first thing that your eyes are drawn to upon entering the area and offers wonderful views all around. The castle itself looks like something pulled right from the pages of your favourite childhood tale or from the frames of a Disney movie. If you find a vacation rental in Valle D'Aosta, you can stop by the charming little town and see this dream-like building for yourself.

Dragons seem to be all the rage once more due to the immense popularity of the Game of Thrones book and television series but did you know that a cathedral in Italy claims to house a bone from the rib cage of a dragon?

It seems bizarre and unlikely but it's true, the Cathedral of Saint Leucio in Atessa in Abruzzo, Italy, has a dragon rib on display inside the church. Of course, there is a reason for this, a legend about the local area which is still told to this day. Find a villa with a swimming pool in Abruzzo and make the pilgrimmage to this unique relic and stunning cathedral for yourself.

In our last article, we introduced you to the incredibly beautiful Padernello Castle in Brescia, Lombardy. Stunning to behold, set in the charming little village of Padernello and with a rich history and abundant legends such as that of the Dama Bianca, it's a site that is steeped in Italian culture and tradition. However, it is not some outdated relic of the past but, rather, has become an important part of local contemporary life through educational programs with local schools, public events, exhibitions and by hosting a popular farmer's market. We have already covered the past but the castle's present also merits discussion, in particular, the culture of engaging the public with art and food in the castle.