Archive for 'Beaches'

Muravera is a village in the south of Sardinia that is a gorgeous coastal gem boasting an ancient history and some of the best beaches throughout all of Italy. With a tourism season (largely dictated by when it is warm enough for most visitors to brave dipping a toe in the sea) that stretches from the area’s beloved citrus festival in April to the beginning of Autumn as the cooler winter months approach, there are plenty of opportunities to plan a perfect getaway in this glorious part of the world. And, if you’re merely coming for the lovely landscapes, excellent hiking, and smaller tourist crowds, then you could readily book a villa in Muravera even outside this period. However, if you have chosen to book a vacation in Sardinia for her famously brilliant beaches then you really will find yourself spoiled for choice if you come to this part of the island. While Sardinia, as a whole, has lots of great beaches to choose from, the area in and around Muravera is home to some of the most picturesque strands that you could ask for, all picked out in stunning jewel tones. The Costa Rei, a 10km long stretch of beaches and resorts near Muravera that boasts a range of both free and private beaches, is a particularly spectacular part of this coastline and boasts strikingly clear waters and perfect white sandy beaches. So, pack your swimsuit and grab a towel and then come spend glorious days strolling along the beach, splashing in the water, snorkelling and getting the most out of those crystal-clear seas, making memories with your friends and/or family or even your beloved pet, taking incredible photos, bird-watching, and much more besides at the incredible beaches of Muravera on your next holiday in Sardinia!

Those who want to enjoy a slower pace of life, incredible weather, stunning surroundings, deliciously ripe food, flavourful wines, and picturesque scenes at every turn on their next vacation in Italy would be hard pressed to find a better option than a villa in Apulia. This southern region and heel of Italy’s, “boot,” often doesn’t get half the praise it deserves from international tourists but is, without a doubt, one of the most magnificent travel destinations in the entire country. There are endless reasons to visit and an infinite number of things to make you fall in love with the region but, to start you off, here are just ten excellent reasons to plan a vacation in Apulia today!

1. The Natural Beauty of the Region is Truly Extraordinary

Apulia’s landscape can be roughly divided into two areas: the lengthy coastline and the plains inland that make up over half of the region. Dotted by picture-perfect beaches, staggering and awe-inspiring rock formations, well-preserved and remarkable nature reserves, seas so blue that seem like they can’t possibly be real, and pretty and historic towns perched on remarkable rocky promontories, the 800km long coastline (the longest coastline of any mainland region in Italy) is immediately striking and appealing. However, while the good lucks of the coast are not to be missed and worth celebrating, the less well-known landscape of the plains of Apulia are also incredibly lovely. The flattest region of Italy, there is only a small mountainous area that is part of the Apennines and the rest of the landscape is largely made up of vast and lush hilly plains that are often blanketed in olive groves and vineyards. In fact, parts of Apulia can look quite like the more internationally renowned picturesque countryside of Tuscany but it is a bit more of a hidden gem and for those in the know. Certainly, no matter what part of the region you are wandering at any given time, a vacation rental in Apulia ensures that you’ll never be far from the next remarkable landscape to explore, enjoy, capture, and remember forever – the perfect surroundings for a holiday in Italy!

Sardinia is an island that is famed for its unique and distinct culture and its diverse and exceptionally beautiful landscape. In particular, it is home to a large number of incredibly pretty beaches all around its craggy and fascinating coastline. From long stretches to secluded little gems, there is a range of different types of beaches, all with their own particular charms, to discover. The area around the seaside town of Cala Gonone in the province of Nuoro to the east of the island, in particular, boasts some especially lovely examples of Sardinian beaches. Part of the Parco Nazionale del Golfo di Orosei e del Gennargentu (or the Gennargentu National Park), this part of the coast is famed for the quality of its waters and is a popular destination for tourists seeking sun and fun and relaxation as a result. The beaches immediately surrounding the town of Cala Gonone include the Spiaggia Centrale (or central beach), S'Abba Durche, Cala Luna, Cartoe, Osalla, Sos Dorroles, S'Abba Meica, Ziu Martine, and Cala Fuili. Among these then, Cala Fuili is particularly scenic and lovely and is an ideal spot to spend a day by the sea for those who have found a villa in Sardinia. 

Abruzzo is a region of Italy that abounds in stunning beaches. Its lengthy coastline is dotted by craggy cliffs, pretty little coves, wide sandy bays, a great wealth of different kinds of beaches to chose from, and many other spots that boast idyllic marine beauty. However, one of the most picturesque areas along the whole coast, that is a true must-see for anyone who finds a villa in Abruzzo and is looking to plan perfect days by the sea, is the Riserva di Punta Aderci, or Regional Nature Reserve of Punta Aderci. This utterly evocative and picture-perfect stretch of the Abruzzo coast with its homonymous promontory, was the first reserve to be set up in Abruzzo on the coast back in 1998 and is a gorgeous and wonderfully preserved gem that boasts some of the most truly extraordinary beaches in all of Italy.

Extending over 285 hectares and 5km along the coastline from the Punta Penna beach in the south to the mouth of the Sinello River in the north, this is an unspoiled and utterly remarkable part of the world that Vanity Fair ranked at the top of their list of the loveliest and cleanest beaches in the globe. Open to the public year round, with free access, it is a hub of natural beauty and potential activities and adventures. 

If you love a holiday on the Amalfi Coast but you are looking for something new, a little bit off the beaten tourist path, and with fewer tourist crowds to contend with during your vacation in Italy then we have to recommend the Cilento Coast. Located just around the corner from Naples and the Amalfi in the province of Salerno in Campania, the Cilento Coast is part of the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the Archeological Sites of Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula. It is, therefore, both an area of immense natural beauty and home to some truly incredible historical sites and cultural attractions. That it was made a UNESCO World Heritage in 1998 can come as no surprise and for those who find a villa in Campania and are looking for things to see and do in the region, it offers endless opportunities for beauty, leisure, and excitement. Whether you want to visit astounding ancient ruins perched on cliffs overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean, you want to hike through lush green surroundings that have remained perfect and untouched by man, you want to visit some of the most idyllic beaches in all of Italy, you want to zipline high over stunning valleys, you want to hang out on a boat and enjoy a lazy day bobbing on the water, or you want to indulge in classic local dishes made with incredible regional produce, then this is the place to go!