Archive for 'Museums & Galleries'

A certain reputation makes many overlook Naples as a holiday destination but if you have found a vacation rental in Campania and are spending time exploring the area then it is worth remembering that by writing off the city entirely, there is a rich wealth of history and culture that you will be missing out on. Naples is full of architectural gems, stunning churches, and incredible museums thanks to its long and diverse history and the influence of so many different countries and civilisations on the city throughout the centuries. One such example of a truly phenomenal cultural gem is the Cappella Sansevero, a church that boasts one of the most extraordinary sculptural collections in Italy and in the world. There are few other places in the globe where you could hope to stumble upon an outwardly innocuous church that is so full of masterpieces as this.

Located on Via Francesco de Sanctis 19, in the historic centre of Naples, the Cappella Sansevero (also known as the Cappella Sansevero de' Sangri or Pietatella and properly named the Cappella di Santa Maria della Pietà or Church of Santa Maria della Pietà) is a 16th century chapel that is home to incredible examples of Rococo sculpture by many of the leading artists of 18th century Italy.

If you are interested in a picture-perfect historic setting, excellent eateries and an especially rich culinary tradition, pretty boutiques and streets, and art and culture, then the incredibly lovely city of Bologna makes for an ideal holiday destination. However, if you have found a vacation rental in Emilia Romagna and are planning trips to Bologna to experience the history and tradition then be sure to also keep an eye for the contemporary gems on offer in the city as well. For while the streets still reflect Medieval roots and the museums are generally filled with great works of art from times gone by, there are some incredible places to see the most cutting-edge and engaging works of art that deal with the most important issues of our times. One such place to see contemporary art in Bologna is Fondazione MAST, an international cultural and philanthropic institution that brings exhibitions focusing on art, technology and innovation to the city.

The MAST (or Manifattura di Arti, Sperimentazione e Tecnologia) Foundation was established in 2013 to encourage creativity and entrepreneurship among younger generations and to work in collaboration with other institutions in order to support economic and social growth in Bologna. In addition to a diverse and rich cultural program of events including art exhibition, conferences, presentations, film screenings, musical events, and educational workshops for children and teenagers that are open to the general public, there are also a variety of corporate welfare services, including a corporate restaurant, nursery school and wellness centre that are integral to the foundation’s mission statement of making an open place in which every citizen can access learning and the arts. This is not some elitist cultural institution but, rather, a space for the growth and well-being of all people.

In the previous post, we mentioned the incredible city of Bologna and all that it has to offer a visitor who has found a vacation rental in Emilia Romagna and wants to explore her capital. Not only is it a foodie’s paradise with an impossibly rich and delicious culinary tradition, it is also a cultural hotspot where both past and present bring fascinating things to the table. Bologna is home to amazing churches, architectural gems, art galleries, museums, and more and is an excellent place to take in beautiful objects both manmade and natural and to learn more about the world that we live in. One particularly fascinating place in which to do so is the Giovanni Capellini Museum.

Located on via Zamboni, the Giovanni Capellini Geological Museum, or Museo Geologico Giovanni Capellini, is connected to the university museum system Alma Mater Studiorum of the famous and ancient University of Bologna and reflects the incredible legacy of the university by being a rather excellent and special gem. As the university is one of the oldest in the world, it has also allowed this museum to accumulate a rather extraordinary collection over a long period of time, almost five hundred years. This collection boasts more than one million items including rocks, plants, fossils, giant dinosaur skeletons, a Mammoth skeleton, other prehistoric animals, and more.

The elegant seaside city of Syracuse is one of the most beautiful holiday destinations in Sicily and boasts medieval streets, Baroque piazzas, lemon trees spilling out all over, golden light, deep blue seas, lovely cafes, pretty boutiques, and more. Once the largest city in the ancient world, it is steeped in history and culture, as well as being a looker. For those looking to holiday in Sicily and who like both urban settings and seaside getaways, a vacation rental in Syracuse offers a wonderful combination of days on the beach, a cosmopolitan selection of eateries and stores, and a great wealth of things to see and do.

One of the highlights of the city’s range of tourist attractions has to be the Museum of Leonardo Da Vinci and Archimedes Syracuse. It offers an intriguing, educational, and fun museum experience and is dedicated to the life and work of Leonardo Da Vinci and Archimedes of Syracuse.

Catania is Sicily’s second city and a rather special gem in Italy. Overlooked by Mount Etna (and by a lot of travellers, unfortunately), it is a picturesque cityscape that is a little rough around the edges but in the most rugged and charming of ways. It is filled with architectural beauties, cultural and historical riches, Baroque piazzas, grandeur that is crumbling just a little, famously vibrant markets full of famously delicious food, hip bars, excellent museums, abundant energy, bargains, and surprises. If you have found a vacation rental in Sicily and you are exploring the wider island, it is a must-see. Or, if you are looking for a holiday destination within Sicily, Catania, which is often overlooked in favour of the capital of Palermo, is a wonderful and unexpected delight. Browse our vacation rentals in Catania here.

There is lots of see and do in the city and lots of unique charms to be uncovered so, if you’re heading to Catania, keep an eye out for these highlights…