Archive for 'Castles & Palaces'

Apulia, nicknamed the ‘heel of Italy’s boot’ is a stunning coastal region in the south of the country. This charming place is a haven of history, tradition and culture. Tourists have a wealth of man-made and natural attractions to explore when they come here for a sunny vacation.

Stay in a pretty villa in Apulia on your next Italian vacation and get ready to enjoy a superb time!

Sail around the Tremiti Islands off the Apulia coast and soak of the sun’s rays along one of many Blue Flag awarded beaches here.

Enjoy a few hours of exhilarating wind surfing or wakeboarding to get the adrenaline pumping or simply sit in the cool shade of an outdoor restaurant table along the coast and admire the sheer beauty of the glittering ocean.

Visit the smallest region in Italy, Aosta Valley! Tucked into the north-west of the country, between France and Switzerland, this little gem is often overlooked by holiday makers but it has a lot to offer by way of sporting activities, natural beauty and charm. A mountainous land, Aosta Valley is home to Mont Blanc which is the highest mountain in Europe!

Stay in a cosy holiday rental in Aosta Valley where you can base a fantastic exploration of this northern region.

Challenge yourself to many types of mountain climbing travels throughout the year or simply head up in a cable car at the ski resort of Courmayeur to see the magnificent snow tipped peaks of Aosta Valley.

Visit the stunning 19th century Miramare Castle, situated on the Gulf of Trieste in Friuli Venezia Giulia. This mesmerising coastal castle was built between1856-1860 for Austrian royalty; the Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian and his wife.

Ornately furnished in true aristocratic style in the interior, tourists would delight at a tour around this beautifully preserved haven of wealth and beauty!

Stay at a sea view holiday villa in Friuli Venezia Giulia where you can experience the very best of what the Adriatic coast has to offer!

Explore the mesmerising site of Castel del Monte in Apulia, 13th century castle built on a scenic rural hill near Andria in the south-eastern region of Apulia. It was built in 1240 by the son of Constance of Sicily, Emperor Frederick II.

This beautifully preserved fortress once held lavish moral furnishings and expensive furniture which was unfortunately later stripped in the 18th century by greedy thieves and by officials for re-use in nearby buildings.

This unique building even makes an appearance on the Italian one cent euro coin!

The city of Verona is a hugely popular spot in the region of Veneto. A more relaxed destination than the lagoon city of Venice, Verona offers tourists a vast and rich archive of superb architecture, art and cultural heritage to explore. It’s been awarded a UNESCO World Heritage Status for its well documented places of interest and frequently hosts thrilling opera performances, festivals and lively markets!

The famous English playwright and poet, William Shakespeare clearly had a great love for the city as three of his plays are based in Verona; ‘The two Gentlemen of Verona”, ‘The taming of the Shrew’ and probably his most famous ‘Romeo and Juliet’

Those wishing to stay close to Verona for a few days have a lovely choice of holiday rentals near Lake Garda which is within a couple of hours from the city. Here holiday makers can enjoy the best of the scenic Lake Garda and then travel into Verona for an exciting day of exploration!