Archive for 'Pretty Views'

Italy is home to several regions and endless destinations that boast the most incredible scenery and delicious culinary delights that are born in picturesque and fertile landscapes. In particular, one of the most beautiful areas to visit if you want to fill your eyes and stomach with lovely delights has to be Piedmont. Positioned in the north-western corner of Italy, near the border with both Switzerland and France, this is a region that is overlooked by majestic Alpine peaks and is composed of rolling green hills, dense forests, endless and carefully manicured vineyards, pretty medieval towns, elegant cities, and lots and lots of amazing local culinary specialities. Just find a vacation rental in Piedmont and spend a glorious holiday in Italy eating well in the most picturesque of settings. Head to Cuneo for their rum-flavoured chocolates, discover Asti and Alba and their famous truffles, visit the town of Bra in which the Slow Food movement was born and indulge in it yourself, and be sure to pencil in some time to visit the Langhe Hills...

Langhe is the hilly part of Piedmont, the almost too pretty to be real area that you see pictured in guides and articles and postcards from the region most often. It is also one of the most wonderful gastronomic destinations in all of Italy and is where Barolo, Barbaresco, Dolcetto, and Nebbiolo wines were all born, where delicious cheeses can be procured at every turn, and where yet more delicious truffles can be scavenged and devoured. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014 due to its cultural landscapes and traditions in winemaking that date back centuries, this is one of the foodie destinations par excellence in Italy and, yet, for many international travellers considering their next vacation in Italy, it is a name that is not all that familiar. Despite this, we would argue that anyone serious about culinary travels in Italy should find a villa in Piedmont and plan a trip to the Langhe area to sample the cornucopia of wonders that await there. 

Breathtaking fields made up of bands of rich yellow, red, and blue blooms, swathed in early morning fog or golden light in the last rays of the day or sharp in colour under clear skies, snowy peaks in the background, winding little roads snaking past, the odd building in the distance or hilltop village perched overhead, a herd of sheep grazing nearby. This is the picture that one comes across should they venture to the area around Castelluccio di Norcia while on vacation in Umbria during the late spring and summer. Called the fiorita, or flowering, this magical annual phenomenon is truly extraordinary and quite the sight to behold. Those who love blossoms and who want to take in the incredible natural bounty and spectacularly vivid colours of this time of year should definitely plan a spring getaway in Italy and head to see this wonderful spectacle for themselves while exploring Umbria...

Sardinia is a destination famous for its incredible natural beauty and, in particular, the unbelievable array of stunning beaches that abound along her coastline. From long sandy stretches to hidden little coves, remote and untouched gems to well-equipped hotspots, popular hangouts to little slices of heaven that you might sometimes manage to have all to yourself, there are perfect beaches for all sorts of people and lots of different needs and preferences and all kinds of days at the sea while on vacation in Sardinia. However, among all of the picturesque beaches to choose from along the coast of Sardinia, one of the most beloved and most popular of all is Cala Brandinchi.

Located 7km north of San Teodoro and 2km east of the little village of Monte Petrosu, Cala Brandinchi is famous for its striking looks and vivid colours that have earned it the nickname (which it more than lives up to), “Little Tahiti.” Facing east and 700m long, this impossibly pretty beach boasts a soft and white sandy shore that contrasts sharply with the crystal clear and rich blue waters of the sea.

Many people have certain preconceived ideas of Naples and, as a result, choose to pass it up when they plan a vacation in Campania. However, if you come prepared and if you prefer destinations that are not in the least touristy, then a holiday rental in Naples or a day-trip to the town while spending time in a villa in Campania is just the thing. With a long and rich history, a wonderful cultural heritage, an authenticity that can often be lost in other destinations in favour of making those new to a place more comfortable, an incredible culinary tradition to indulge in, friendly locals, and much more besides, Naples has more than enough to entice visitors and endear itself to them. Grand in a charmingly slightly dishevelled sort of way, utterly full of character, and a beating heart of Italian life and heritage, there is far more to Naples than travellers of decades past might lead you to believe...

If you were considering booking a vacation rental in Lombardy and were hoping for some spectacular less obvious gems in the region beyond its famous capital, Milan, and beloved Lake District then you are very much in luck. While those two destinations alone are more than enough reason to plan a holiday in Lombardy as soon as possible, there is much more to the region, many surprises and wonderful treats and fantastical beauties. For example, as this northern region of Italy abuts the Alps and Switzerland, it is an ideal place to go if you want to weave some excursions to those famous peaks and stunning landscapes while also enjoying days in the most cosmopolitan part of the already ever-chic Italy, fun by the lakes, the wonders of Italian cuisine and culture, and much more besides. Simply get in the car early some morning and head to the town of Tirano where you will find the most extraordinary adventure awaiting you and then return back to a lovely villa with pool in Lombardy with incredible lake views at the end of the day afterwards...the best of all worlds in one wonderful trip!