Archive for 'Pretty Views'

When travelling to different destinations around the world, there are certain activities that may seem a little cliché but there is often a good reason as to why they became so common and standard in the first place. Trying different things, looking for authentic and lesser-known gems, and peeking past the more stereotypical tourist attractions to find more is all well and good but trying to be too cool can be exhausting. Sometimes, it is simply nice to embrace the obvious and to tick them off your bucket list. It is worth just throwing yourself into things, especially if they are once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Take, for example, a vacation in Venice in one of our incredible Italy Villas: you may or may not be back in this magical city, why not indulge in a gondola ride? Sure, it’s very touristy but it is a unique and romantic way to explore the city's canals and is one of the most iconic experiences in Venice.

There are certain unbelievably famous tourist attractions that a large percentage of travellers will want to take in if they end up in specific destinations like the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, the Giant’s Causeway, the Grand Canyon, the Louvre, the Acropolis, the Colosseum, Mount Fuji, the Sydney Opera House, Christ the Redeemer, the Hollywood sign, et cetera. Of course, some will be content enough to glimpse these landmarks from afar and some of these attractions cannot even actually be approached but for those that can and want to visit such places and attractions, a big question quickly arises: when?

The when of it all is extremely important as such spots are often incredibly busy and who wants to deal with stress of crowds and queues on vacation?

Say, for example, you find a villa in Tuscany and you want to see the iconic and world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Well, you don’t want to waste a huge chunk of your trip waiting around, do you? To make the most of your time on vacation in Tuscany and to enjoy an outing to this beloved landmark, here are our tips on the best time to visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa:

Ostuni, known as the, "White City," or, "Città Bianca," in Italian, is located in the heart of Apulia. Comparable to Greece’s Santorini, it features distinctive white buildings stacked on a hilltop overlooking the region and the coast a short distance away. While the town is wonderful in many ways and boasts lots of incredible attractions, its visual appeal and iconic architecture is one of the primary elements that attracts visitors from all around the world. Book one of our villas in Ostuni today and you will have the opportunity to explore and appreciate the city's striking architecture up close for yourself on your next getaway.

The town's impressive white buildings are truly stunning, especially when viewed from afar, but it isn’t just about visuals. The caustic limestone that was used in the construction of the Old Town and then whitewashed was considered an important health measure used during the Middle Ages to help combat plagues by, “reflecting,” the, “bad airs,” that people of the time believed caused the illness. While our understanding of disease has become more advanced, the whitewashing does actually have antibacterial properties and really is thought to have helped reduce illness in the city to a degree. 

Villa Deli is a truly magic and perfectly-located vacation rental on the Amalfi Coast that is positioned right in the centre of Positano, directly overlooking the town and the beautiful bay below. If you have been dreaming of a holiday on the Amalfi Coast, then this incredible property is probably exactly what you have been picturing in your fantasies. Make the most of these stunning surroundings and enjoy stylish and cosy interiors while exploring all that this famous stretch of the Italian coastline has to offer. 

Famously lovely Lake Como is one of the impossibly scenic lakes that makes up the area sometimes known as Italy’s Lake District. Along with the other lakes stretching across this area of Northern Italy (including Lake Maggiore, Lugano, Iseo, and Garda), this beautiful body of water is dotted with islands that house some extraordinary attractions and is surrounded by picturesque shoreside villages and towns as well as impressive peaks and lush greenery and forests. Those interested in taking in beyond gorgeous scenery and in having all sorts of lovely places to explore will find no shortage of wonderful things to see and do but those who find a villa in Lake Como should also slow down, take in deep breaths of that clean and sweet lakeside air, and generally just appreciate the magic all around them. While there are plenty of incredible hiking routes to try out, historic villas to discover, gardens to admire, islands to seek out, concerts to attend, water sports to enjoy, and much more besides, we also suggest taking your time and merely wandering about some of those charming towns, admiring the beauty that abounds all around. One of the prettiest villages in which to do just that is Varenna.