Archive for 'Tourist Attractions'

If you have always wanted to explore a Disney palace for yourself, then the Ducal Palace in Sassuolo, a Baroque villa located in the town of Sassuolo, near Modena, is one of the closest things to one in real life that you will find. Just find a vacation rental in Emilia-Romagna and spend a day wandering around!

Built on the site of an earlier castle from the medieval period, it came into the ownership of Niccolò III d'Este from the Della Rosa family in the 15th century and was rebuilt under Borso d'Este in 1458. In the early 17th century, the Duke Francesco I d'Este commissioned what is now the present structure and it was designed by architect Bartolomeo Avanzini.

The Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park was established in 1991 and covers a surface area of 150,000 hectares or 2,014 square kilometres. It is one of the largest parks in Italy, located almost entirely in the region of Abruzzo and is one of the largest protected areas in Europe. Composed of the mountains of Gran Sasso, the Monti della Laga and the so-called Twin Mountains, it is a diverse and beautiful area that is predominantly alpine plain but is dotted with vast pine, beech and birch forests, streams, waterfalls, ponds, prairies, pastures and pretty Middle-Age villages.

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Castello Sonnino, or Castello di Montespertoli, is a stunning castle on a wine estate next to a village called Montespertoli in the Chianti region of Tuscany, 20km south of Florence. Dating back as far as the 13th century, this 150 hectare estate has been the home of the de Renzis Sonnino family since the beginning of the nineteenth century. The arrival of Baron Alessandro and Baroness Caterina de Renzis Sonnino, with their children Virginia and Leone, in 1987, saw the estate transformed into the well-oiled machine that it is today and their conservative renovation work and “commitment to the protection of the historic-cultural heritage and the revival of the winegrowing activity” have made Castello Sonnino one of the most highly regarded wine producers in Florentine Chianti.

While Siena is, arguably, one of the most stunning cities in Italy, it is also not that well-known to many international travellers, which is a crying shame. With lots to offer and a beautiful Gothic veneer, it is a perfect holiday destination and in this and the previous post, we are counting down ten great reasons to find yourself a villa rental in Siena and get exploring the city ASAP!

6. The Stunning Piccolomini Library

Another great architectural gem, this beauty is on the grounds of the cathedral and can be visited at the same time! Just turn left about halfway along the length of the cathedral's aisle and you'll discover the library, built by Pope Pius III (a member of the powerful local Piccolomini family) in memory of his uncle and to conserve the rich collection of manuscripts that he had lovingly collected. Said collection never really made it to the library and the series of frescoes by Pinturicchio and his workshop are now the real stars of the show. Truly stunning and awe-inspiring, this is a must-see space.

If you need convincing, here are ten great reasons to find a villa rental in Siena and to get planning a trip to the city as soon as possible...

1. The Historic Centre

Incredibly rich and interesting historic centres are not uncommon all around Tuscany. However, the UNESCO awarded historic centre of Siena is one of the best preserved and most beautiful among them all. A Gothic masterpiece that was created in competition with Florence, the city largely reflects the period between the 12th and 15th centuries today. The city had substantial influence on art, architecture and town planning during the Middle Ages, both in Italy and elsewhere in Europe and is a true gem.