Archive for 'Pretty Views'

The coast of Liguria is dotted by incredible seaside cities and towns and beaches and is a wonderful place to go if you are a sun-lover or water baby. However, one of the most singularly picturesque swimming spots of all (and that truly is saying something in this utterly stunning and photogenic part of Italy and the world) has to be the lovely Baia Cannone. Located in Portofino, near the world-renowned and beloved Cinque Terre, this gem is an absolute must-see for those who have found a villa in Liguria and who are looking for the best places to cool off, splash around, swim, lay out with a good book, or simply sit back and admire the impossible beauty of your surroundings.

Beach-lovers of the world will discover that a villa in Apulia is definitely in order as there is truly an astounding array of the most exceptional beaches and seaside beauties to be explored and enjoyed across the region. However, in particular, if you head to the province of Salento, to the very south of Apulia, you will find a rather impressive selection of some stunning naturally-occurring swimming pools that have been carved out of the cliff-sides and coastlines of the area by the sea and wind and geological phenomena. We have previously mentioned the impossibly lovely Grotta della Poesia, which was named among the most beautiful natural pools in the world by both National Geographic and CNN Travel, but another charming example is the Piscina Naturale di Marina Serra, or the Marina Serra Natural Pool.

Those who love pretty beaches and impossibly picturesque swimming spots will rather quickly discover that if they find a villa in Liguria, there are endless options of both to choose from in the immediate vicinity. Browsing through our blog, you will see lots of posts in which we highlight particular beaches, beach clubs, and coastal areas and in which we compile lists of some of the best of the best among them. However, if you're after a swimming spot that might not have a massive sandy beach on which to lay out but that is steeped in history and is a perfectly scenic gem in which to cool off while exploring the Porto Venere area, then we highly recommend a visit to the stunning Grotta di Lord Byron.

Despite being one of the most industrialised and densely populated areas of Italy, if you have found a villa in Lombardy you will quickly discover that it is in no short supply of natural wonders alongside its endless manmade delights and surprises. Here you will find Italy's beloved Lake District that is one of the country's most sought-after tourist areas and is a wealth of incredible scenery, lakeside palaces, pretty little towns, excellent hiking opportunities, and brilliant water sports facilities – it is no wonder that Hemingway, Goethe, and DH Lawrence all fell in love with, and wrote at length about, the area. And the Alpine peaks of the region are a further natural blessing of indescribable beauty and a resource that affords the facilities for a rich range of outdoor pursuits.

The region's capital, meanwhile, is one of the world's major fashion destinations, Milan, and there are plenty of other charming towns and cities around the region. However, one of the most interesting among them is, no doubt, Mantua. This city, once ruled and shaped by the powerful Gonzaga family for almost four centuries, is full of extraordinary architectural gems, works of art, and an immensely rich cultural and historical heritage. It is, however, also home to one of the most wondrous examples of where nature and man have come together to make something truly exceptional and stunning: the Isola dei Fiori di Loto (or Lotus Island).

Imagine, if you will, perfectly white, soft sand meeting crystal-clear, sparkling depths that range in hue from azure to deep green depending on the day. Oh, and on those sands, looking out into that impossibly beautiful sea, is a group of beige, cream, and tan cows, all laid out and enjoying the beach.

This is the picturesque sight that you can reasonably expect to behold for yourself should you find a vacation rental in Sardinia and plan a day at the truly singular and unique Spiaggia di Berchida, or Berchida Beach, located near Siniscola in the Province of Nuoro in East Sardinia.