Archive for 'Castles & Palaces'

Bellagio is a unique and charming town located on the shores of Lake Como in Lombardy. Known variously as the “pearl of the lake” and the “most beautiful town in Italy”, it is a popular ferry stop along the lake so, if you're exploring the area, you're likely to find yourself in the town at some point if you have found a vacation rental in Lake Como.

The village is a pretty cluster of winding old cobbled streets and alleys, picturesque houses and sweeping vistas over the lake from the surroundings hills. Bellagio is also particularly famous for its two villas and gardens; Villa Serbelloni and Villa Melzi. Both are worth visiting for their lovely gardens but the incredibly maintained and grandiose gardens of Villa Serbelloni are an especially great spot to visit as it is perched above the town and offers wonderful views. Visits are by guided tour only and places are limited, so head to the Bellagio Tourist Office to try and get your hands on some as soon as you arrive in town!

Villa Monastero is an eclectic villa that is built in the Nordic style and located not far from the pretty village of Varenna on Italy's beautiful Lake Como. Originally the site of a 12th century Cistercian convent that was eventually closed by a papal bull in the 16th century, it became a private estate a couple of years later and passed through various hands over the years.

The eclectic style that it is known for today can be attributed to 19th century alterations and rebuilding under architects Emilio Alemagna, Achille Majnoni, and Enrico Citterio. Home to a botanical garden, a museum, a convention centre and some exceptional views, the whole place is a wonderful spot to spend some time relaxing on Lake Como.

Just find a vacation rental in Lake Como and discover its many charms, Villa Monastero being just one of them.

Cefalù must be one of Italy's most beautiful seaside towns. It boasts incredible beaches, beautiful Arab-Norman architectural gems and a wonderful scenic setting amongst rocky outcrops and lush greenery. Furthermore, it presents a dreamy palette of honey-coloured stone facades, terracotta roofs, golden beaches and gilded church interiors, rich blue waters and skies, and vibrant greenery.

No wonder, then, that director Giuseppe Tornatore chose it as a location for scenes in his famous and beloved film, “Cinema Paradiso”; it really is like a slice of paradise. If you want to experience it for yourself, just find a vacation rental in Cefalù.

The perfect spot to get well and truly get away from it all, the pace of life is slow, ideal for wandering around and just enjoying yourself. You can simply take in the harbour, with its bobbing brightly coloured boats, hang out on the sandy beaches, get lost in the winding Mediaeval streets, pop into the little shops located all over or you can check out some of the city's various attractions.

The beautiful crescent-shaped town of Portofino stretches along the coast of Liguria on the Italian Riviera and is one of Italy's most wonderful, exclusive and famous seaside destinations. It is a picturesque village that is filled with a cluster of colourful buildings hugging the port, boats and yachts bobbing in the harbour, and tourists wandering the streets and eating fresh food at tables overlooking the water.

If you have found a luxury villa in Liguria, it is an ideal place to spend some time unwinding and enjoying the unique atmosphere of the town. While there, one of the must-see highlights is the lovely Castello Brown.

Castello Brown is perched on a rocky outcrop above the town, which overlooks Portofino and is surrounded by picturesque hanging gardens. While it is now a house museum, its very prominent and strategic location in the town clearly indicated its original function as a practical defensive structure.

The coastal city of Bari in the region of Apulia, is a lively and beautiful city in southern Italy. Divided into two main quarters, the old town and the modern part of the city, it is a pretty and cultured city with lots to see and do. If you have found a luxury villa in Apulia and are planning a trip to the city, make sure to check out the Palazzo Fizzarotti, which is a stunning architectural gem in this cultural hotspot of a destination.

Palazzo Fizzarotti is, surprisingly, a Venetian Gothic style building but it is located on the opposite side of the country on the Corso Vittorio Emanuele, in the historic center of Bari. It was built in the late 1800s and early 1900s and was designed by architects Bernich and Corradini.