Archive for 'Tourist Attractions'

A post shared by r1188 (@r1188) on May 21, 2018 at 6:54am PDT

Those in search of a cultural city that is also a bit of a hidden gem as a holiday destination, a vacation rental in Turin is a brilliant option or you could find a villa in Piedmont and visit the city on day trips. Either which way, no matter if you are admiring the city from its core or during brief flings, Turin is a lesser-known gem that makes for a wonderful place to spend some time. Boasting pretty streets and piazzas, a fascinating history, beautiful palaces and churches, and interesting museums and galleries, there is lots to see and do.

A post shared by @VincenzoPagoda (@vincenzopagoda) on May 12, 2018 at 4:51am PDT

When one thinks of Italy, they likely think of good eating, historic towns, incredible art, scenic landscapes and wonderful beaches. However, it's not all relaxing in pastoral settings, there is also adventure to be had! From theme parks and water parks to vast underground caves and rushing rapids, there are all sorts of thrilling activities to enjoy.

Sicily has a long history of having a succession of rulers from a variety of places and cultures. The island was especially influenced by the Islamic conquest of 827AD to 1091AD and the Norman rule of 1071 to 1194. The ideas introduced under these rules and Byzantine influences, led to a multi-ethnic culture that saw Western and Islamic cultures combined in art and architecture among other areas of culture. Palermo, in particular, beautifully reflects this meshing of cultures in her architecture and if you rent a luxury villa in Sicily and you can readily see it for yourself as you explore the city. In fact, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for precisely this reason.

Among the many beautiful Arab-Norman buildings in the city, there is San Giovanni degli Eremiti, an incredible five-domed church on a little hillside in the middle of a rather rundown neighbourhood. Dating to the 6th century, it was converted to a mosque after the Islamic conquest of Sicily and then made back into a Benedictine church in 1136. It was modified over the years but its medieval appearance was reinstated during restorations in the 1880s.

Picture this: You have taken the time off work. You've organised transport. You found someone to water your plants and take care of your dog. You've even found a perfect villa in Sicily. Now, all you have to do is plan what to do with the long, lazy days ahead. If you're looking for just a little bit of adventure and somewhere to cool off from the typical Sicilian heat, you might consider paying a visit to Etnaland.

Etnaland is Southern Italy’s largest theme park and combines thrill-seeking rollercoasters and rides with pools and waterslides. There are a whole host of different rides and slides to choose from including 25 water rides and 8,500 square metres of swimming pools and a theme park with five different themed areas. The rides include the Dark Kamikaze, Hydro Kamikaze, Stukas, Kamikaze, Twin Twister, Rafting River, Wild River, Big Foam, Red Cannon, Black Hole, Niagara Falls, Miniland, Etnaland Tower, The Storm, Drifting Karts, Eldorado, Love Lagoon, Hip Hop Coaster, Mini Tornado, Brave Kart, Crocodile Rapids, and Dragon River.

Atrani may be just one of the many stunning towns located along the Amalfi Coast but it is certainly one of the absolute loveliest – and that's saying something! It is made up of a tangle of little roads, a cluster of buildings, steep and romantic flights of steps, pretty little gardens, all perched on a cliff face high above the glittering waters of the sea. The smallest town in the whole of the Southern Italy, it is a perfectly formed little gem that is a must-see. Take a look at our villas on the Amalfi Coast and set aside some time to wander around this truly beautiful place.