Archive for 'Tourist Attractions'

La Vigna di Leonardo (Leonardo’s Vineyard) in Milan is, as you may have guessed from the name, a vineyard that used to be owned by Leonardo da Vinci. Given to da Vinci by Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, in 1498, during the artist's tenure in the city and while the Duke was his main patron, it was very precious to him and something he maintained even after leaving the city. Da Vinci actually came from a family of winemakers and was a haven that he returned to after long days of working on projects such as the last Supper in the nearby convent of Santa Maria della Grazie. Today, it is open to be toured by the public and provides a fascinating insight into the great Renaissance man's private life. If you have found a vacation rental in Milan, it is a wonderful and unique attraction to make time for in your itinerary.

Cervara di Roma is a tiny village in the province of Rome, in the region of Latium, Italy. As of 2017, it had a population of just 444 people. However, despite its small size and number of inhabitants, the town has a lot to offer. Perched dramatically, high up on a cliff in the Monti Simbruini Regional Park, it is picturesque in the way that such mountain villages in Italy tend to be but it is also unique in that it has become an open-air gallery that has attracted painters, sculptors, poets, and other artists over the centuries. If you have found a luxury villa in Rome and are exploring the wider region, seeking out interesting and unusual attractions, well off the beaten tourist path, hidden gems, and singularly intriguing places, then look no further than Cervara di Roma.

The Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo sul Gargano, or Il Santuario di San Michele Arcangelo, often simply referred to as “Monte Gargano”, is a Catholic church and sanctuary located on Mount Gargano in northern Apulia. A UNESCO-awarded World Heritage Site as part of a group of seven Longobard sites in Italy, it is an old and historic building that is both beautiful and fascinating.

As the oldest shrine dedicated to the archangel Michael in Western Europe, it has been an important pilgrimage site since the early Middle Ages and today it remains of religious importance but is equally of historic and artistic interest to tourists.

Winter is a great time of year to plan a visit to Italy – crowds are smaller, prices and availability are better, and the festive season brings its own unique charms – and we have written about great winter destinations around the country but we thought it might also be a good idea to spotlight some examples of the types of perfect cosy rentals in Italy that make for ideal winter getaway options. Whether you're looking for a city break and to be located right in the centre of the festive fun or you want to get away from it all with a perfectly idyllic mountain hideout, we have chosen some of our truly wonderful winter-appropriate vacation rentals in Italy.

1. Suite Casa Nova in the centre of Venice (From € 208 per night)

Sleeps up to 6, 1 bedroom, 2 bathrooms

Rimini's City Museum is an extraordinary gem that is much more than a little local history or a dusty little place, though the name might conjure such images. Opened in 1977, it is housed in an amazing former Jesuit monastery and additional buildings added over the years. In total, the whole building covers more than 3,000 square meters and consists of some 40 galleries, as well as areas dedicated to special archeological exhibitions. Both an archaeological museum and art gallery, it has incredible old objects that tell the history of the city, as well as a rich picture gallery that is spread over two floors, encompasses works from the 15th to the 20th century and boasts works by famous Renaissance names such as Giovanni Bellini, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Simone Cantarini, Giovanni Battista Costa, and Guido Cagnacci. Costing less than ten euro to enter, it is both an excellent cultural gem and quite the bargain. As such, it is a key attraction to pencil in to any trip once you have found a vacation rental in Rimini.