Archive for 'Museums & Galleries'

Venice's lovely canals are lined with famously beautiful churches, palaces, and architectural gems, many of which contain all sorts of incredible surprises - particularly astounding works of art. As such, if you are considering your next getaway and you happen to be a bit of an art-lover looking to go museum-hopping then doing so via boat while on vacation in a holiday rental in Venice is just the thing for a truly memorable and magical experience. Discover the endless museums inside palaces where noble families once lived and the churches elaborately adorned with paintings, sculptures, and decorative elements by some of the greatest artists in the history of the world. Take in key pieces of ancient art and the most cutting edge examples of contemporary movements. Enjoy carefully curated experiences and impossibly rich collections. Do all of this and more, with a art-lovers break in Venice on your next vacation!

Of course, while there are endless different institutions and venues to visit all over the romantic city of Venice, one of the newest and coolest art spaces among them has to be the Fondazione Prada in the Ca' Corner della Regina (or Palazzo Corner della Regina).

Opened in May of 2021, the Fondazione Prada took on a space in the building back in 2011 for their Venetian branch of their art program and then spent years restoring their various rooms meticulously before opening them as an engaging and fascinating new art venue in the city. Also home to the History Archives of the Contemporary Art Exhibition of the Biennale di Venezia, this incredible 18th century building is a lovely and striking place in which to display and observe exhibitions.

Milan is famously a fashion capital of the world but it is also, as the largest city in Lombardy and a city with a long and complex history, a great cultural centre that is home to some amazing museums and galleries. If you an art-lover who has found a villa in Lombardy and you are planning a trip to Milan while in this part of Italy then be sure to set aside some time for at least one of these amazing cultural gems between your shopping, people-watching, visiting excellent bars and restaurants, and exploring the various attractions of the city. Of course, there are many different options to choose from and all have their own unique attractions and charms but one that is definitely worth considering is the fascinating Ambrosian Library or Biblioteca Ambrosiana.

When one thinks of Venice, they tend to imagine scenic surroundings, stunning buildings, elegant meals, drinks in stylish bars, museums and churches full of incredible works of art, romantic getaways, and exciting masked revelries. However, like any other place in the world, the city has its dark side too. Ghost tours are incredibly plentiful here for a reason and if you have found a villa in Venice and are interested in the more factual macabre side of this beautiful place then there is a relatively recent addition to her selection of fascinating museums that you must see: Venice Secrets.

Sardinia has been touched by all of the different civilisations and occupants that have made their home on this beautiful island and, as a result, it is dotted with stunning churches, incredible castles, ancient temples, pretty palaces, striking landmarks, and much more besides. However, if you have found a vacation rental in Sardinia and you are interested in her most intriguing historical gems, then you definitely need to pay a visit to the Giants of Mont'e Prama.

The Giants of Mont'e Prama are a series of massive, ancient stone sculptures that remain from the time of the Nuragic civilisation, which was a civilisation on Sardinia that lasted from the 18th century BCE (or during the Bronze Age) until the Roman colonisation of the island in 238 BCE (though some claim the civilisation actually lasted until the 2nd or, even, the 6th century AD). Named for the nuraghe, or tower-fortresses, that they built across the island, the Nuragic civilisation has left us no written records. What does remain, however, are some impressive monuments, including some 7,000 of the towers for which they were named and the fascinating Giants of Mont'e Prama, among other intriguing reminders.