Archive for 'Tourist Attractions'

If you have been thinking about planning a trip to Rome between now and next spring then we recommend getting there before the 11th of April 2021 in order to catch an incredible new exhibition that was opened almost a month ago in the Chiostro del Bramante. “Banksy – A Virtual Protest,” brings over 100 works by the world-famous English graffiti artist to Rome and showcases them in the stunning historic surroundings of the Chiostro del Bramante. An exhibition that sells out daily tickets easily, it is an absolute must for art-lovers exploring the Eternal City. Just browse our luxury villas in Rome and get planning a trip to see this exceptional showcase of Banksy's work and career for yourself.

While very few people actually know who Banksy is, we do know that he came up through the underground art world movement in Bristol, with his first street art pieces popping up around the city back in the early nineties. Since then, his identity has remained a closely guarded secret as graffiti is a crime but this same anonymity has allowed Banksy to tackle some of the most controversial subjects of his time freely and without fear and without the discussion being bogged down in the details of his personality and life. His work has taken on themes such as war, politics, social problems, police violence, corruption, the environment, and more.

Verona is already known internationally as a great city of romance in Italy as it was home to, perhaps, the most famous lovers of all time, Romeo and Juliet. In addition to this incredible claim to fame, the architecture of this charming town in Veneto is impossibly pretty and picturesque, adding to the thoroughly romantic ambiance of the place. Of all the lovely and romantic buildings in town, one of the best examples is the exceptionally charming Church of Sant'Eufemia, or Chiesa di Sant'Eufemia. If you have found a vacation rental in Verona and are spending time exploring the city then we highly recommend popping in for a visit to this wonderful architectural gem.

The Church of Sant'Eufemia is located right in the heart of the historic centre of Verona, over the site of a church that dates back to the 5th or 6th century. Various other buildings were placed over top throughout the centuries, with the foundation of the current church dating to the 13th century, when the ruling Della Scala family brought Augustinian monks to the city to build a monastery in what was then the Captains quarter of the city. Though they were brought to Verona in 1262, the necessary donations and funds had to first be gathered in order to pay for the construction of the new church and monastery. The bequest of Alberto della Scala, in particular, was integral in the funding and completion of the project.

The island of Sardinia is a part of Italy but also has its own rather distinct culture, history, and charm. For those who love Italy and Mediterranean getaways but who are looking for something just a little bit different, it is the perfect destination: a luxury villa in Sardinia will ensure a holiday experience boasting the strong culinary traditions (don't try ordering a pizza in a restaurant before 7pm), incredible natural beauty, ancient ruins, Spanish remnants and influences, and the endless list of things to see and do on the island.

The Sardinian capital of Cagliari, equally, is uniquely distinct and lovely. Home to around 155,000 inhabitants, Cagliari is a university town and an ancient archiepiscopal district that is divided into four quarters: Castello, Stampace, Marina and Villanova. The historic core of the city is the district of Castello, which is one of the most picturesque Old Towns in all of Italy and the kind of place where one should aim to get a little lost in order to have a proper wander and to soak up the unique atmosphere of the place. If you're taking the time to really see Cagliari then you really should come to explore the wider avenues and winding little roads, the pretty little squares framed by colourful houses, the lines of washing strung between buildings, the medieval gates and historic buildings, and the views out over the harbour in this picturesquely ancient part of the city.

The stunning Costa Smeralda (or, “Emerald Coast”) in Sardinia is famous for its beaches. These are some of the most truly beautiful beaches in Italy and in the world, characterised by crystal clear waters lapping white powdery sands and framed by lush vegetation. If you have found a luxury villa in Sardinia and are looking to spend time on a beach that seems too gorgeous to be real, then you need to make your way to this true paradise on earth. In particular, we recommend the beach of Poltu di Li Cogghj.

Poltu di Li Cogghj is today more often known as the Spiaggia del Principe, the, “Prince's Beach,” since it was famously chosen as the Ishmaelite prince Karim Aga Khan's favourite of all of the many beautiful beaches of the Costa Smeralda due to its especially fine white sands and its crystalline waters that range in hue from green to blue and gleam picturesquely, due to their shallowness and the flecks of granite among the sand. The prince's choosing of the beach as the best and the bestowing of this new title has seen the original name all but fall completely out of use, which is, perhaps a good thing as it rolls off the tongue less easily and given that it translates to the, “Port of Skins.” A rather less pretty name for a beach, it was so-named as the beach was originally used as a place for the loading of various local products but especially leather and leather goods.

In Italy, in some places you will find that there are both regular areas on beaches and paid sections where there are more facilities on offer including umbrellas, loungers, toilet and changing facilities, snack bars, and more. Some or all of these amenities can be available on regular, unpaid beaches and then there are some beaches that do not have paid areas at all but they are quite common and can be found all over Italy. For many, the certainty of being assured of a nice spot on the beach, of having all of the various accoutrements of a comfortable day on the beach without having to drag them all around with you, and the ease and convenience of all of this make it very much worth spending the cash. However, not all paid beaches are made equal. Some are particularly beautiful and some are particularly luxurious. While it does not fit in the completely luxurious category but is extremely convenient and one of the best and most scenic beaches on offer in the Cinque Terre, the Bathing Resort Il Gigante Monterosso Al Mare is a noteworthy paid beach in Liguria.

Bathing Resort Il Gigante Monterosso Al Mare is located in the picturesque town of Monterosso al Mare, which is one of the five towns that make up the beloved and famous Cinque Terre in Liguria. If you have found a vacation rental in Cinque Terre or a luxury villa in Liguria and are looking for the perfect place for an idyllic day on the beach, you have lots of different options to choose from but this gem is one of the more popular examples.