Archive for 'Architectural Gems'

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.

Last March, I flew to South Korea for a trip, which takes about 24 hours from Ireland, all in. My game plan was to line up a range of recent Oscar-winners and watch all the movies that everyone was buzzing about in one go. Upon finding my seat, I met my two seat-mates, a very sweet elderly Korean couple who took a liking to me as I was raised Catholic and they were returning from a month long pilgrimage around religious sites in Europe. The lady asked me to help her with her screen and I spent a while trying to find something for her to watch in Korean or with subtitles. Surprisingly, there was very little for her to choose from so we eventually gave up. This, however, meant that she turned to look at the screen I had turned on and began watching it with me. I was very painfully aware that a religious granny was observing me watch, “Call Me By Your Name.” I had heard enough about the movie to guess when scenes she might not approve of were coming and, as I feared their approach, I paused the film, leaving it on a still of the idyllic town in which it is set. I began fumbling around with my things as I had become aware that she was slowly falling asleep, and I waited it out for it to happen. As her eyes got heavy, she looked away from the screen and to me and smiled, “What a beautiful place,” she said in Korean, moments before she fell asleep.

Chiostro del Bramante, as the name may suggest, is an architectural gem by the Renaissance master, Donato Bramante. The main architect employed by Pope Julius II, and the only one to rival Michelangelo, he was an extremely talented architect. The Chiostro is the cloister of what was originally a monastery complex commissioned by Cardinal Oliviero Carafa around 1500.

Today, the building has a different use, as a cultural centre used for various purposes, but this remarkable central structure remains unchanged despite this. It is still a harmonious space made up of elegant geometric lines and perfect proportions, according to Renaissance ideals, which revived classical Greek and Roman aesthetics. Light, bright, airy, and an oasis of calm, it is free to visit and just steps away from the famous Piazza Navona. If you were considering spending time in the city, be sure to browse our luxury villas in Rome, and then carve out some space in your schedule for a trip to this extraordinary space.

Roca, also known as Rocavecchia or Roca Vecchia, is an archaeological site and area along the Adriatic Sea in Salento, between San Foca and Torre dell’Orso, that is known as one of the most beautiful stretches of coast in Italy. It is made up of a rocky coastline marked by a series of coves and little beaches, underwater canals, swimming holes, and more, with some of the most picturesque and unique geological features and stunning spots you'll want to hang out at all day, as well as plenty of fascinating leftovers of human activities from throughout the centuries. If you have found a vacation rental in Apulia and are looking for places to swim, explore, and have fun and impossibly beautiful settings, you'll find plenty of options here.

Being able to boast a Blue Flag and a 5 Sails, which is flag awarded to the most beautiful beaches by the Italian environment protection agency of Legambiente, means you have some pretty excellent beaches but these aren't just your cookie-cutter pleasant and clean strands. These magical inlets are special and unlike anything you have seen before.