Archive for 'Tourist Attractions'

If you have found a vacation rental in Emilia-Romagna and you are a foodie, you’re in luck as there are lots of delicious local treats, eateries, products, and more to get acquainted with over the course of your stay in the area. However, if you are seriously into food and you are looking for a rather unique foodie experience in Italy then you might want to head 20 minutes out of Bologna to FICO Eataly World, a food theme park located just outside of town on a 20-acre plot that was previously home to a fruit and vegetables market.

None of this, however, has to be simply passive. This is a theme park and there are various “rides” involved. Attend one of the 30 events or 50 classes per day that are held in various classrooms, theatres and learning facilities dotted around the park, ride around on three-wheeler bikes specially designed for the park by the Italian bicycle company Bianchi to explore the grounds, meet and pet the animals in their pens, take the mini train around, watch dogs go truffle hunting, go on a guided tour with one of the park’s “biodiversity ambassadors”, sample products, and much more besides. There is lots to do!

Some travellers are not content with doing what everyone else does on holidays. They don’t want the standard photos or to line up for hours for famous attractions or to mill in crowds of people. Instead, they want to explore, get off the beaten tourist path, and see beyond the brochures and Instagram to find the hidden gems that a destination has to offer. If you have found a vacation rental in Liguria and are exploring this beautiful coastal region of Italy, then we recommend heading to one beach, in particular, and not because it is a popular tourism spot but, rather, because of something that lies beneath the waves…

Noli, a pretty seaside town around 50km from Genoa, in Liguria, is home to a rather fascinating garden. This may seem like a bold claim in a country like Italy where there are endless beautiful gardens belonging to ancient estates, hidden amongst winding streets in city centres, housing incredible works of art and rare blooms, and much more besides but this garden is truly worth being set aside as something extra special. Why, you may ask? Well, for one thing, it’s an underwater farm. That’s something you don’t see every day, that’s for sure!

In the last few years, an incredibly interesting castle reopened to the public after being abandoned for half a century, close to a decade of restoration, and millions of euros were poured into the project. With almost a thousand years of history, the Rocca Sinibalda is an astounding fortress located in Latium, 50 miles north of Rome. Positioned majestically on a rocky outcrop that overlooks the Turano Valley, the castle-fortress is first noted in records with the building of a classic Norman stronghold by Count Sinibaldo, the governor of the Sabina area, in the 11th century. It is an extraordinary place, steeped in history and culture, stuffed with artistic gems, with a unique architectural character, and countless stories of scandal and mischief held within its walls. So, if you’re interested in art, architecture, pretty castles, or a little bit of historic gossip, then this fascinating place is a must see for those who have found a holiday rental in Rome or a vacation rental in Latium and are planning on exploring the wider region.

While the Rocca Sinibalda looks like a typical and romantic medieval fortress from a distance it is, in fact, far more interesting and complex than that. It has several names, for one thing. One of its names, the “Castle of the Eagle”, refers to the unusual shape of the building: in addition to the expected bastion walls, battlements, and lookout turrets, there are also sixteenth century additions that make the whole thing vaguely “eagle-shaped”, including the two wing-like bastions jutting out at the rear and the pointed “beak” at the front of the building, which overlooks the town below. Another named attributed to the castle is the “Castle of Metamorphoses” and the plaque by the main entrance declares it to be the “Castle of Invented Destinies.” Each of these names refers to different periods and incidents from the history of the building, with the Metamorphoses coming from a series of 16th century wall paintings and grotesques inspired by Ovid’s myths of transformation that is located in the reception rooms of the piano nobile.

Tuscany is home to the Apuan Alps, a mountain range nestled between the valleys of the Serchio and Magra rivers, not far from the Garfagnana and Lunigiana areas. It is a beautiful part of the world that boasts even more beautiful views over the picturesque and distinctive landscape of Tuscany. Monte Sagro then, is a mountain in the Apuan Alps, overlooking the city of Carrara, that is one of nine main peaks in the range and an excellent place to go hiking if you have found a vacation rental in Carrara and want to get some fresh air and stretch your legs.

Located closest to the sea, in the northern part of the mountain range, Monte Sagro means holy or sacred mountain and there are several theories as to how this name first originated. According to one theory, the mountain is said to have been a sacred place for the ancient Liguri tribe, along with Monte Bego, which is located at the modern border between France and Italy. It is thought that these Ligurian-Apuan people, with Pliny the Elder noting this belief, believed the mountain to be home to a generous god who was prone to blessing them with rain. Other ideas about how it became a sacred mountain include its grandeur simply attracting such a name, or the idea that its particularly elegant pyramidal shape warranted the title, or because it was one of the main sanctuaries of the ancient Ligurian-Apuan people and allowed direct visual communication with Monte Penna, another important mountain for the local tribes. All of these theories come from the same period and all suggest that, though we do not know which one is exactly right (or if it might not actually be a combination or blend of these reasons), this grand and imposing mountain, usefully positioned for communication and for attracting clouds and rain, has long captured the imagination of those who saw it.

When it comes to outdoor adventures, there are many that suit only one time of year; beaches are most enjoyable in summer, hiking is most pleasant in spring and autumn. However, some outdoor adventure destinations are set up to suit different purposes and are an excellent idea no matter when you visit. Take, for example, Mottolino Fun Mountain, set high in the Italian Alps above Livigno. This adventure park adapts to the time of year and is a ski area or a bike park, depending on the season. So, if you have found a vacation rental in the Northern Italian Ski Region and want to have a holiday in the Italian Alps, no matter what time of year you are going, you will find that there will be adventures to be had at Mottolino Fun Mountain. Explore the stunning landscape of the Italian Alps while having fun outdoors!

From early June to late September (check the Mottolino website for exact dates on any given year, as they can vary), the park is a bike park that offers fourteen different routes for people at various ability levels, a jump area, a slopestyle area, an air bag to practice jumping and tricks, and a north shore area – where you can test your balance and try your first jumps. Opened during the 2005 MTB World Cup, the bike park has quickly become a meeting point for all downhill and freeride mountain bikers from all over Europe. Inexperienced riders can also come and enjoy the thrills too, however, as you can rent all of the items and safety equipment that you might need and there are trained guides from the Freeride Bike School who can come along with you to discover the Mottolino Bike Park trails. Plus, the range of trails for beginners and pros makes it easy to learn and progress.