Archive for 'Tourist Attractions'

Italy is a country famous for her cinema and contributions to the silver screen throughout history. She has produced incredibly talented writers, directors, and actors, as well as movies. One of the places that these films were made was in Cinecittà Studios, a complex famous for hosting major international productions for almost 80 years, the “Hollywood on the Tiber,” in Rome. However, as times changed, the studio became less profitable in its original form and they had to switch things up and diversify a little, which was how Cinecittà World, an amusement park on the same site, was born. If you are interested in fun and film and are planning on finding a vacation rental in Rome and exploring the city, this might be an interesting spot to pencil into your itinerary.

The Cinecittà Studios were opened in 1937, having been built by Benito Mussolini in an abandoned lot on the Via Tuscolana in Rome. At its height, 350 films were produced on the site a year and Hollywood productions flocked there to make their movies, including classics like, “Ben-Hur,” and, “Cleopatra,” a few years later. Increasingly, however, movies were made outside of studios, on streets and out in the real world, and fewer and fewer big productions came to the studio. From 350 films per annum, the number decreased to only a dozen or so and the studio suffered budget deficits, on average of about $6.8 million a year. Commercials and television productions began to make up the majority of projects shot in the studios and the days of the Hollywood on the Tiber ended.

Lake Garda is a major attraction for anyone who has found a vacation rental in any one of the three regions in which it has shorelines. Just find a villa in Trentino, a holiday rental in Lombardy, or a vacation rental in Veneto and come explore this famous beauty and all that it has to offer; from water sports to boat tours, from drinking a glass of wine while enjoying sunset over the lake to picnicking at scenic spots, from exploring different historic villas dotted around the various islands and lakeside villages to hiking around trails located all over the area, and much more besides. If you are interested in hiking, in particular, you are in luck. There are lots of interesting trails to choose from and the most incredible backdrops to enjoy while you’re out there hiking. One of the best routes to explore is the Strada del Ponale.

We have written about Marmore Falls previously in the context of adventure. However, if you have found a villa in Umbria and are planning on heading to this fascinating attraction, there could be another objective on the agenda: romance. Sure, there is plenty of adventure to be had in the area – canyoning (traversing the mountain by ropes, sliding on toboggans and diving into pools below), canoeing and trying out hydrospeed (a flotation device you hold on to and which allows you to be flung about on the current of the river) – but it is also an exceptionally beautiful place, built for strolls, holding hands, and admiring the incredibly romantic surroundings.

Marmore Falls is actually an ancient man-made waterfall in Umbria that was created by the Romans in 271 BC. One of the tallest waterfalls in Europe and the tallest man-made waterfall in the world, it is surrounded by lots of hiking trails and is a lush and scenic spot that is incredibly lovely, like something plucked from the pages of a fairytale; impossibly green plants draped over the rocks and cave openings, regular rainbows seen over the falls, the relaxing sound of rushing water, and, of course, Il Balcone degli Innamorati (or the Balcony of Lovers).

The Museo Nazionale del Cinema (National Cinema Museum) in Turin is an extraordinary place. Housed inside the distinctive Mole Antonelliana, a 19th-century architectural gem designed by architect Alessandro Antonelli that dominates the skyline of the city, the museum is a fascinating exploration of the history of cinema and is an impressive museum experience. For those who have found a vacation rental in Turin and who are planning on exploring the city, it is a great place to wile away some time, especially away from hot sunny days in summer and rainy days throughout the year, and learn something new about the silver screen. For movie lovers, it is an absolute must.

Opened in 1958, the museum was originally housed in the Chiablese Palace but, sadly, had to be closed in 1985 due to safety concerns about the building. In 1992, the Maria Adriana Prolo – Museo Nazionale del Cinema Foundation was founded and talks were begun about reopening a cinema museum in the city. Luckily, they found the perfect location, the stunning Mole Antonelliana, and the National Museum of Cinema of Turin was opened to the public in August 2000.

Trentino is a northern region of Italy, set amongst Alpine backdrops, lush valleys, rolling hills, wide pastures, and little villages that is, undoubtedly, utterly picturesque and completely lovely. However, there are particular corners of Trentino that are especially beautiful and magical and that should be sought out by anyone who has found a vacation rental in Trentino and is thinking about exploring the region. One of those little gems is Arco Castle, a romantic ruin that sits majestically atop a cliff and surveys the surrounding landscape. Come and stretch your legs by hiking to the castle, admire the incredible panoramic view from the top, and explore this stunningly lovely ruin.

Perched over the plain of the River Sacra, just at the point at which it widens, Arco Castle (Castello di Arco) dominates the skyline of the area and is an iconic structure in the landscape. It is the symbol of the town of Arco and a beloved memento of times past. While its exact origins are somewhat steeped in mystery, we know that it existed at least after the year 1000 AD. The area has been inhabited since before the Middle Ages and it is thought that the castle was originally built by the people, only to be later taken over by the local nobles.