Archive for 'Tourist Attractions'

If you were considering booking a vacation rental in Lombardy and were hoping for some spectacular less obvious gems in the region beyond its famous capital, Milan, and beloved Lake District then you are very much in luck. While those two destinations alone are more than enough reason to plan a holiday in Lombardy as soon as possible, there is much more to the region, many surprises and wonderful treats and fantastical beauties. For example, as this northern region of Italy abuts the Alps and Switzerland, it is an ideal place to go if you want to weave some excursions to those famous peaks and stunning landscapes while also enjoying days in the most cosmopolitan part of the already ever-chic Italy, fun by the lakes, the wonders of Italian cuisine and culture, and much more besides. Simply get in the car early some morning and head to the town of Tirano where you will find the most extraordinary adventure awaiting you and then return back to a lovely villa with pool in Lombardy with incredible lake views at the end of the day afterwards...the best of all worlds in one wonderful trip!

There are endless reasons to find a vacation rental in Milan as it is the fashion capital of Italy, a cosmopolitan gem full of incredible bars and restaurants, home to some rather extraordinary architectural feats both very old and very new, boasts some brilliant museums and attractions, and more. However, for those who are interested in the life and work of one Leonardo Da Vinci there are particular attractions in town that will appeal and a long list of traces of the artist-inventor all over the city that are just waiting to be discovered. One can easily spend a whole holiday just following his trail and seeing how he is still felt all over Milan today.

Why is Milan home to such an array of buildings, monuments, places, artworks, and more that are connected to the Tuscan-born Da Vinci, you may ask? Well, that is because the city was his home for two different periods during his lifetime, from around 1482 to 1499 and then again from 1508 to 1513. While his Last Supper in the monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie is, undoubtedly, his most famous extant piece in the city, Da Vinci worked on all sorts of projects while in Milan, particularly for Ludovico Sforza who later became Duke of Milan and to whom Lorenzo de’ Medici sent the Renaissance master as an ambassador. 

A vacation rental in Venice means a holiday full of stunning surroundings, excellent food, plenty of boat trips, and endless cultural gems to visit, view, and absorb. And, like so many other ancient and great cities, Venice really does boast a truly endless list of incredible architectural gems, wonderful museums, astounding churches stuffed full of amazing works of art, private galleries, temporary exhibitions, cultural festivals, beautiful palaces, and much more besides to discover. Some, of course, are more famous than others but a less celebrated gem located in a very prominent position in the city is the National Archaeological Museum of Venice, which is right on the beloved and iconic Saint Mark’s Square. This brilliant museum is beautiful, boasts truly fascinating and wonderful collections, and affords visitors a prime viewing spot over the often crowded Saint Mark’s Square. You will likely already find yourself in this piazza at some point over the course of your holiday in Venice so be sure to make a point to also set aside some time to go and explore the National Archaeological Museum – you will not be disappointed!

A stack of white-washed buildings atop a hill, cut through by the occasional domed roof rises like a pile of dollhouses just inland from the coast of Apulia, a maze of alleys and staircases unfolding throughout, palm trees rustling in the sea breeze, lush green fields stretching all around the city limits, and the impossibly blue sea glittering in the background: this is the utterly picturesque city of Ostuni, also known as La Città Bianca, the White City. Historic (its founding dates back to 600 years before Christ), charming, picture-perfect, and almost untouched by time, a vacation rental in Ostuni is just the thing for those who have been considering a holiday in Apulia and want to be near the sea, get a taste of the rich history and culture of the region, enjoy the distinctive architectural heritage of Apulia, take in incredible views, and have plenty of bars and restaurants to stroll down to in the evenings and shops to browse during the day. The best of all worlds, Ostuni combines Apulia’s quaint charm with all of the amenities and necessities one might require from a city. While not quite a city break to rival Milan or Rome in terms of scale or choice, it is, however, an ideal urban destination for those who like to take things easy, slow their pace, and just really enjoy the best things in life: good art, good food, good people, and good surroundings. What more could you possibly ask for from a vacation in Italy? 

So, if we, and the city, have caught your attention, then read on for our guide to what to see, do, and eat if you are considering booking a villa in Ostuni...

There are lots of wonderful walks located all across Italy so that, no matter your fitness level or interests or time constraints, there will probably be something perfect for you. Whether you are merely wandering and admiring the pretty surroundings of a palace garden or you are undertaking a proper trek through Alpine trails or across the famously beautiful Tuscan island of Elba or something in between, a vacation rental in Italy means plenty of opportunities to enjoy a nice stroll. However, if you are particularly interested in fascinating, almost alien, somewhat exotic, impossibly beautiful landscapes as surroundings then there is nothing for it but to find a villa in Apulia. The whole region of Apulia is known for being gorgeous but we reckon it deserves even more praise as a holiday destination and, in particular, as a destination for those who enjoy hiking and exploring. There is much to see and do in the region but one of the loveliest and most magical trails that one could possibly undertake while on vacation in Apulia has to be the Sentiero delle Orchidee, or Path of the Orchids. Come and stretch your legs, take in the delicate and incredibly stunning blooms, enjoy the scent, take in the other surroundings, and forget about the rest of the fast-paced modern world for a nice chunk of time during your holiday...