Archive for 'Parks & Gardens'

Capri is a great natural beauty full of endless tourist attractions to choose from but it is also a wonderful place to go hiking. If you have found a villa with pool on the Amalfi coast and are planning a trip there, be sure to set aside some time to enjoy the great outdoors, the excellent hiking routes and the incredible views.

Via Krupp is considered to be one of the prettiest roads in the world and is a distinctive area to go walking in Capri. Reopened in June 2008 after a 30 year restoration, it can be found by heading to Capri's Piazzetta Umberto I, heading along Via Vittorio Emanuele to Via Matteoti before reaching Via Krupp. The lovely Gardens of Augustus and the Carthusian Monastery are at the top of the trail and the pretty Marina Piccola is at the bottom – the perfect spot for a tipple or a dip in the ocean.

Sometimes, the very best thing to do while on holidays is to do very little of anything at all. Sometimes, it is better to merely stop, take in your surroundings, truly enjoy them and the moment and relax.

Genoa is one of the most incredibly lovely cities in the world and, while there is plenty to see and do, just taking it all in and enjoying all it has to offer, the feeling of it, is recommended. Wonderfully, the city happens to have a perfect spot to do so. An ideal viewing spot to take in the whole blanket of stunning buildings, parks and neighbourhoods laid out below, that is not a high-rise but a quarter of the city.

Just find a villa in Liguria and see it for yourself.

The Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli, or "Indro Montanelli Public Gardens" were formerly known as the Giardini Pubblici and Giardini di Porta Venezia but were renamed after journalist and writer Indro Montanelli in 2002. A major and beautiful historic city park in Milan, in the Porta Venezia district, it was established in 1784 and is the oldest city park in Milan. The Gardens have grown in size and have had important buildings and institutions added to them over the years, such as the Natural History Museum and Planetarium, and a zoo that has since been closed down. As such, the park is a great tourist destination for the Gardens themselves and the other attractions that now live on the grounds as well. Once you have found a luxury villa in Lombardy and are exploring the city, the Montanelli Gardens really are a must-see.

Rome is a city that is very much defined by her architecture. In fact, the Colosseum, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and St Peter's are probably the very first thing to come to mind when one thinks of the city. While defining monuments becoming shorthand for a city is not at all uncommon, Rome has just so many that are incredibly iconic and well-known all over the globe. Here are some of the other architectural gems of Rome that you need to check out once you have found a holiday rental in Rome.

1. Torre Argentina

Torre Argentina is a fascinating architectural gem that is both a historic ruin and one of the largest cat sanctuaries in the whole world.

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.