Archive for 'Parks & Gardens'

The Phlegraean Fields or Campi Flegrei is an area that encompasses land all along the west of Naples, by the bay. The name means “burning fields” and comes from the fact that the area often smokes and sizzles in a remarkably dramatic and hellish way. This area is volcanic in nature and, while none are technically active, there is plenty of seismic activity in the area and it has been hugely affected by its volcanic history.

Vesuvius may be the only active volcano in continental Europe but the Phlegraean Fields' Solfatara is a good place to see some of the effects of volcanism up close. Here you can actually go inside the crater and see its fumaroles (steam vents), boiling mud and ground that's hot to the touch. Solfatara is, in fact, just one of the extraordinary sights that the Phlegraean Fields has to offer and really has to be seen to believe. If you feel like getting in touch with Dante on your next trip to Italy, just find a holiday rental in Campania and see what the Inferno might just look like.

The Medieval Village in Turin is a very special tourist attraction, the likes of which cannot be seen anywhere else. While you will find villages, towns and cities all across Italy that have medieval quartres or centres, they have all been altered to some degree by the passing of time and progress. The Medieval Village, placed in Valentino Park, however, is an unchanging glimpse into the past. Built in the 19th century, it may not actually be authentically medieval but it is a very faithful, perfect replica of a 15th century Piedmontese Village and the closest thing you will get to actually travelling back through time and space. For history lovers or those merely intrigued by novelty, the “village” is a beautiful architectural feat in a city of architectural feats that is sure to delight. Just find a vacation rental in Piedmont and you can spend a pleasant day exploring the city of Turin and this hidden curiosity.

Sicily is an exceptionally beautiful place, this is a well-known fact. The pace of life, blue skies, charming villages, rich historical sites, rugged coast and crystal clear seas are all celebrated features of the island and its natural beauty is well-regarded. However, the most stunning scenery on the island is found in the Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve. Created in 1981 as the first nature reserve on the island, it is located West of Palermo, just after Castellammare del Golfo.

Here the rugged coastline is at its most spectacular and has been shaped by the sea, creating coves, grottos and sculptures in the hard limestone cliffs. Stretching 7km along the coast between the lovely little village of Scopello in the east to near San Vito Lo Capo in the west, it covers more than 1600 hectares and is an unspoiled, natural stunner with plenty to see and do and beaches plucked right from your dreams.

The Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park was created in 1990, but steps towards its creation actually began all the way back in the 1960s. Its holdings are impressive with over 32,000 hectares being protected by the National Park.

The park takes in territories from fifteen different municipalities, in the Val Belluna, north of the centre of the Piave Valley.

It is the most visited national park in all of Italy and with good reason.

If you're interested at all in contemporary architecture or design or you're just fond of seeing the most unique and unusual things that a city has to offer while on holidays, then Milan has the perfect thing for you. The Bosco Verticale, or Vertical Forest, is a highly unique building in Milan which was only finished and opened last year. It is a pair of high-rise buildings which are made up of 27 storeys with cantilevered balconies planted with 900 trees and more than 2,000 shrubs and bushes. The effect is astonishing, two lush structures emerging from the earth and towering (the taller being 112 metres in height) over the surrounding buildings.