Archive for 'Castles & Palaces'

The stunning Fénis castle in Aosta Valley is one of the country’s most famous fortresses. It is a huge structure, built in a classic castle layout and attracts many thousands of tourists each year. In fact, it looks like a castle that came right out of a children’s storybook!

Stay in a beautiful holiday villa in Aosta Valley and witness all that this gloriously scenic region has to offer! Fénis castle dates back to the 1100s and began taking the shape of the castle visitors can see today when many additions and reinforcements were added in the 14th century.

In the capital city of Rome there is the majestic Castel Sant’ Angelo, also known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian. This huge cylindrical fortress is located in Parco Adriano and was built by order of the Roman emperor Hadrian as an elaborate family tomb for him and his descendants to be interred.

In later years it came under the ownership of Vatican City and was used as a residence and hideaway of popes.Stay in beautiful holiday rental in Rome where you can spend a few days exploring all the treasures this city has within its hold.

The spectacular crescent shaped town of Portofino stretches along a scenic sheltered bay of Liguria and is one of the trendiest holiday destinations in Italy! Less than 25 kilometres from Genova and under forty kilometres from the famous UNESCO awarded Cinque Terre, Portofino has held its own in terms of drawing in large crowds of tourists and has just as much to offer by way of attractions.

Stay in a stunning villa in Liguria close to the coast and spend a few days visiting Portofino and other gems hugging the sea line here.

The buildings lining the port of the town are a melody of bright colours, all adding to the quaint charm of this fishing port. Restaurants close to the water’s edge offer a superb selection of freshly caught seafood transformed into incredible dishes that must be tasted to be believed!

Located in Pavia province in Lombardy is the delightful town of Vigevano. This old artistic town is well known for its artisan crafts and agriculture. The two main economies here are shoemaking and rice growing. Check out some fabulous villas with guest reviews in Lombardy where you could book a stay and visit Vigevano for yourself!

Begin your tours of Vigevano in its stunning Piazza Ducale, a Renaissance square designed by Bramante in the town centre.

Renowned as one of the finest piazzas in Italy, the Piazza Ducale is rectangular in shape and was originally built to be a noble forecourt to the Castello Sforzesco. See the beautiful old cathedral that frames one side of Piazza Ducale built in a decorative Baroque style. It houses some splendid artworks inside worth seeing.

Come to the picturesque town of Venaria Reale near Turin city in Piedmont where a splendid palace began construction in 1675.

The Palace of Venaria was once the home of royalty and is counted among the vast UNESCO site encompassing the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy.

Stay in a beautiful vacation rental in Piedmont where you can easily travel around to see the glorious attractions of this beautiful region!

A wealthy Duke called Charles Emmanuel the Second commissioned the architect Amedeo di Castellamonte to build him a lavish palace as he needed a base from which to conduct his hunting expeditions nearby.