Archive for 'Parks & Gardens'

We have already talked about the romantic city of Verona and how it makes for a perfect holiday destination built for two this week. As the location of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, it is home to countless love stories both fictional and real but it is also just exceptionally pretty, the kind of place made for wandering hand in hand. To come and fall in love with this city and more deeply with each other, just browse our vacation rentals in Veneto and plan a trip to Verona during your stay.

If you are in the area, you might also consider heading to the Villa Mosconi Bertani. This beautiful neoclassical country house is a stunning gem that reflects the strong tradition of such incredible villas and this style of architecture in the region and is also home to astounding gardens and an excellent winery. It is the perfect place to spend the day surrounded by splendour and getting to know the delicious wines of Veneto.

First built around 1735 for the Fattori family, the villa was constructed over a pre-existing 16th century wine cellar and a site that dates back to settlement during the time of the Ancient Romans. It was not completed under the Fattori family and was purchased in 1769 by the Mosconi family who finished the job and added an incredible eight hectare English-style Romantic garden. Under the Mosconi family the wine business was also expanded and became one of the largest cellars at the time in Northern Italy. After an initial glowing period in the 19th century as a centre for cultural and intellectual figures, the villa fell into neglect and disrepair in the 20th century. Thankfully, it was bought and saved by the Bertani family who run the winery to this day.

The island of Capri, in Campania, is an impossibly and famously beautiful island that boasts incredible beaches, upscale eateries and bars, pretty boutiques, great parties, and amazing views. There is lots to see and do but if you have found a vacation rental in Campania and are heading for a day trip to Capri then there is one spot that you definitely have to pencil in to your itinerary: the Gardens of Augustus.

Originally known as Krupp Gardens, this botanical garden was established by the German industrialist Friedrich Alfred Krupp in the early twentieth century when he came to the island to build a home for himself. Located close to the Certosa di San Giacomo, the garden is made up of a series of terraces that overlooks the Via Krupp on one side and the Bay of Marina Piccola on the other. It was renamed the Gardens of Augustus in 1918 and is today a must-see for anyone visiting Capri.

Milan, the beautiful fashion capital of Italy and regional capital of Lombardy, is a chic, metropolitan gem that is a must for anyone who likes excellent museums, impossibly cool boutiques, headquarters for famous fashion brands, stylish residents perfect for people watching, elegant and trendy cafes, bars, and restaurants to hang out in, a vibrant nightlife, and much more besides. It is the epitome of a chic urban destination and if you find a vacation rental in Milan itself or visit on day trips from a holiday rental in Lombardy, you will quickly be able to see for yourself exactly why it continues to hold its title as one of the most fashionable cities in the world. However, as you dart around to see and do all that Milan has to offer, you may need a bit of an oasis of calm to retreat to for a while and catch your breath before carrying on. If so, Sempione Park is a perfect choice: a vast and beautiful park in the centre of the city!

Emilia-Romagna is a Northern region of Italy that is among the most developed regions of the country but is also steeped in history and boasts an incredibly rich culinary heritage. The capital of Bologna is home to Europe's oldest university, San Marino boasts scenic coastal views, Modena is home to a beautiful cathedral and famous museums with rich collections and the region has given the world Parmesan, Bolognese sauce, Lambrusco wines, Balsamic vinegar, and more. The landscapes are lush, the cities chic and metropolitan, the towns historic and pretty, and the heritage well worth diving right into. So, if you’re looking for a holiday destination in Italy, a vacation rental in Emilia-Romagna is a great idea.

For those among you that are particularly interested in pretty views and nice walks, if you were thinking on heading on a day trip to the lovely city of Bologna, then you need to head to the Villa Ghigi Park. Located on a hill slope just south of the city, just outside Porta San Mamolo, the park is made up of 28 hectares and boasts some of the most extraordinary views over Bologna. Opened to the public in 1975, the Villa Ghigi Park perfectly typifies the hilly landscape of Emilia Romagna and captures a taste of what you can expect of the geography of the whole region.

The city of Milan, metropolitan gem that it is, boasts much to see and do within the city from museums to excellent shopping to incredibly stylish eateries to going out in search of excellent street art. However, if you have found a vacation rental in Milan and are spending time in the city, you might want to take a day to get out into the countryside, escape city life, get some fresh air, and enjoy a different side and different charms to Italy. If so, then you should head to the beautiful Villa Visconti Borromeo Arese Litta in Lainate, which is twenty kilometers north-west of Milan. An easy day trip, this stunning villa and its extensive and incredible gardens are well worth seeing for yourself and make a nice break from the hustle and bustle of Milan.

Built between the 16th and 18th centuries, originally for Count Pirro I Visconti Borromeo, with work beginning in 1585, the villa and gardens at Villa Visconti Borromeo Arese Litta bring together the work of many famous architects, artists, and artisans of the time, including the architect Martino Bassi, sculptors Francesco Brambilla Il Giovane and Marco Antonio Prestinari, painters Camillo Procaccini and Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli (known as Morazzone), Agostino Lodola and Giovanni Battista Maestri (called “il Volpino”).