Archive for 'Tourist Attractions'

If you have found a vacation rental in Naples, there is one museum in the city that you really cannot afford to miss. The Cappella Sansevero, or the Cappella Sansevero de' Sangri or Pietatella, is a chapel located on Via Francesco de Sanctis 19, in the historic center of the city that is home to incredible works of art by some of the leading Italian artists of the 18th century. It is a source of pride of Naples and is stuffed to the gills with some of the most beautiful art pieces and objects that one could ever expect to lay eyes upon. Both church and museum, this little gem is a true reflection of the heritage of extraordinary works of religious art in Italy.

Dating back to 1590, the chapel was originally built by John Francesco di Sangro, Duke of Torremaggiore, as he recovered from a serious illness as a private chapel in the gardens of Palazzo Sansevero, the family's noble residence. It later became a family burial chapel and was connected to the palace until 1888.

Today, the Cappella Sansevero is a public building and home to incredible masterpieces like the famous Veiled Christ, which is famous for the extraordinary tissue-like quality of the marble. Created by Giuseppe Sanmartino in 1753, who was a young relatively unknown Neapolitan artist at the time, it is now the most famous piece and the focal point of the collection, located at the centre of the nave of the chapel. Intensely realistic and emotional, it dramatically evokes the reality of the dead Christ's suffering and body; showcasing a swollen vein still pulsating on the forehead and wounds from the nails of Crucifixion on the hands and feet.

San Fruttuoso is a tiny little bay along the coastline of Liguria that is a truly magical place. It is completely tucked away, accessible only by boat or by foot, and, as a result, often goes unknown to most who have found a vacation rental in Liguria and are exploring the area. Overlooked by a beautifully preserved Benedictine monastery that is topped by a tower with a small dome and home to the hidden Christ of the Abyss, a spectacular bronze statue 15 metres under the water a few hundred metres away, it boasts two rather extraordinary attractions in a very small area.

The region of Apulia is filled with lots of charming little coastal settlements and, among them, the cute seaside town of Avetrana is a lesser-known gem. You can't find any tourist pages about it in English and it is not particularly primed for tourism, in general but this is a bonus rather than something that detracts from its charms. It is an authentic place, well off the beaten tourist path, and remains largely untouched by the outside world. You won't find endless things to see and do but you will discover an incredibly pretty town to have a wander around, some great beaches, and some surprises along the way. If you have found a vacation rental in Apulia and are looking for somewhere to spend a day, it is a great place to escape from real life for a little while and fall in love with the coastal Italian way of life...

While there is absolutely no shortage of things to see or do in Rome – in fact, there are lifetimes worth of activities to keep even immortal beings amused – there are reasons to venture further afield if you have found a vacation rental in Rome. Head to Tivoli, for example, and you will discover the truly extraordinary Villa Gregoriana. In fact, it is the least well-known of Tivoli's three ancient villas (all worth visiting) but it is, perhaps, the most scenic and beautiful of all despite this.

This natural park complex is made up of wooded parks, paths, waterfalls, grottoes and plant-life, all set at the base of an ancient acropolis, was commissioned by Pope Gregory XVI in the 1830s. It went on to attract both local nobles and artists from near and far, as well as becoming an important pitstop for international members of the nobility and gentry who were undergoing their Grand Tour (a practice of travelling all over Europe to take in major historic sites at the end of one's schooling) in the 19th century.

Termoli is a pretty seaside town on the coast, overlooking the Adriatic, in the small region of Molise in the south of Italy. It was once a fishing port but, today, is better known as a quaint resort town that is populated by some striking fortifications and winding streets and little alleys. If you have found a vacation rental in nearby Campania or a vacation rental in Apulia and are looking for a great place for a beach day, it also boasts lots of nearby options to choose from. So, come and discover everything that the charming town of Termoli has to offer.

There are several free beaches in the area but the long Beach of Sant’Antonio, is the best equipped for visitors and prepared for tourism with bathing facilities, umbrellas, loungers, showers, campgrounds, eateries and more. The sand here is perfectly soft and golden and the sea is an impressively rich blue shade. It is also both a Blue Flag and Green Flag beach, the latter being an accolade given only to child-friendly beaches. With the town and the Castello Svevo as a scenic backdrop and the loveliness of the beach itself, it is a picture-perfect spot that the whole family can enjoy, stress-free.