Archive for 'Architectural Gems'

The canals of Venice are one of her most distinctive and defining features. They are the first thing that comes to mind when that great city is mentioned and, while the gondola might be the most obvious way of traversing these waterways, bridges are also key to making your way around the city. As a result, these too, have become one of the city's iconic features with the likes of the Rialto Bridge featuring in endless postcards, family photos and movie scenes. Another of the most famous bridges in Venice, however, is the slight less well-known “Bridge of Sighs” by the Doge's Palace. In order to discover this intriguing piece of Venetian history and architecture for yourself, first find a holiday rental in Venice and then spend some time on her canals.

Villa d’Este, is villa in Tivoli which has one of the greatest Italian gardens in history and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It consists of fountains, nymphs, grottoes and water-driven mechanisms that produce visual effects and play music. The garden at Villa d'Este would go on to become a much-copied model for European gardens in the mannerist and baroque styles. Set within the landscape of Tivoli itself – surrounded by so much natural beauty, art and history with scenery rich in caves and waterfalls and ancient ruins such as Villa Adriana – Villa d'Este leaves an even greater impression on visitors. Just find a luxury villa in Lazio and spend a day at the villa getting a little lost, wandering, grabbing a bite to eat and taking in the incredible surroundings.

The San Carlo Opera House in Naples was built in the 18th century by King Charles of Bourbon who wanted his capital city to have a state-of-the-art theatre. A large and luxurious space with majestic architecture and perfect acoustics, it became known far and wide. Sadly, it was destroyed in a fire in 1816 but was rebuilt under the direction of architect Antonio Niccolini, who created the opulent building which stands on the site today. The San Carlo Opera House is among the oldest continuously active public opera houses in the world and puts together a dazzling season of opera, ballet and performances each year. If you feel like getting dressed up and experiencing the magic and luxury of a show at the theatre, or merely tour the stunning building, just find a holiday rental in Naples and stop by!

Italy is a land with boundless riches when it comes to cultural heritage. The wealth of art and historical monuments is endless with sites and objects of major international importance dating from pre-history to the present day. One of the periods for which she is most well-known is the time of the Romans. Their control of vast swathes of the world lasted for hundreds of years and their power and longevity ensured that much remains of their life and times, particularly in Italy, their base of operations and homeland. Pompeii, Herculaneum and Rome itself are the most famous sites but other parts of Italy are also imbued with rich sights.

Villa del Balbianello is an 18th century villa which is perched precariously and picturesquely over Lake Como. It is now owned by Fondo per l'Ambiente Italiano (FAI), private, non-profit trust which receives sites of historic, artistic and naturalist value and restores and opens them to the public so that everyone can enjoy them. A popular spot for weddings and tourists, it was built for Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini at the end of the 1700s. The décor which exists today, however, comes from its last owner, the explorer Guido Monzino. It has a rich collection of Chinese, African and pre-Colombian art, precious English and French furniture of the 1700s and a small museum with documents and mementoes of his expeditions.