Archive for 'Museums & Galleries'

If you have found a luxury villa in Florence, one key attraction that you have probably already added to your list is the Uffizi Gallery, or Galleria degli Uffizi, in Piazza della Signoria. One of the oldest and most famous art museums in Europe and the world, the Uffizi was originally begun under Vasari for Cosimo I de' Medici in 1560 as an office building.

More and more space was dedicated to the display of artworks over time until that became its primary function and in 1765, it was officially opened to the public access. It is now famous for its collection of works by writers, artists and scientists and, particularly, for its Renaissance art collection with works by the likes of Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Cimabue, Botticelli, Giotto, Van der Weyden, Durer, Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Artemisia Gentileschi and Rembrandt.

Once you have found a holiday rental in Naples and are exploring the lovely and historic city of Naples, you will find that there is an endless list of castles, architectural gems, cultural attractions and tourist sights to visit. However, one of the most fascinating and beautiful among all of these has to be the Coral Jewellery Museum. Lovers of jewellery, design and shiny things will, of course, find plenty to interest them but the collection is lovely enough to keep anyone intrigued.

The International Museum and Library of Music in Bologna is a rather extraordinary gem. Not only is it home to a rather exceptional and vast collection of books, paintings and musical instruments, but it is also an incredible beauty and a well-run and friendly place to visit and spend time.

People enthuse over everything from the audio guides to the peacefulness of the library, the frescoes to the quality of the collection. Just find a holiday rental in Emilia-Romagna and spend time in this pretty museum, taking in Italy's rich musical history.

Opened in 2004, the International Museum and Library of Music is split between two locations. The museum is located in the Palazzo Sanguinetti, in the city center and the library is located inside the convent of San Giacomo Maggiore, alongside the G.B. Martini music conservatory.

Troubled, gifted and dramatic, Caravaggio is as intriguing as his groundbreaking work. The great Baroque artist was lost to history for a while but was incredibly famous in his own lifetime and is now considered one of the greatest artists of his age once more. While he was born in Milan and spent his relatively short life all over the country (a portion of it on the run), Rome remains one of the best places to see his work. Despite his controversial life, the Church was a big supporter and important patron throughout his career and, as such, much of his work still exists in Rome. Just find a holiday rental in Rome and seek out these examples.

1. Boy with a Basket of Fruit, c.1593

Located in in the Galleria Borghese, this work dates to when Caravaggio was newly arrived in Rome. The model was his friend, the Sicilian painter Mario Minniti, who was around 16 years old at the time. A kind of genre painting, it displays Caravaggio's ability to paint everything from flesh and hair to fabric and fruit.

Once you find a luxury villa near Florence and begin exploring the city, trying out the restaurants, visiting the galleries, shopping a little and touring all of the attractions, you may find that the cost of everything begins to quickly add up. If you want to keep having the time of your life, without scrimping on fun or experiences, then check out our series on things to do for free around the city that will leave you with a little extra cash in your pocket.

The Rose Garden in Florence is the perfect oasis of calm, quiet and relaxation. It brings together art from Belgian artist Folon, roses and stunning panoramic views across the city and, best of all, it's completely free to visit and is open from morning until nightfall. Only open to the public year round for a few years now, it is a little-known gem and a must-see for anyone visiting the city. The garden is home to a collection of 400 different varieties of roses, 1000 botanical varieties, lemons, and other plants, a Japanese garden and sculptures by the artist Folon dotted playfully here and there.