Archive for 'Pretty Views'

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.

Rome is already the kind of destination that endless people have on their bucket list and dream of visiting at least once in a lifetime. As the major stop on the Grand Tour, a practice by which British and European nobles set out for months or years to travel and take in Europe after finishing their studies, Rome has also historically been one of the world's major tourism destinations since even before mass tourism was established and there are plenty of good reasons for that. It is undeniably an astounding centre of western art and incredible creations from the time of the Ancient Romans to the present day. History is wherever you turn, there are famous landmarks dotted throughout, and there is a truly endless list of things to see and do. In fact, it has been estimated that one would need several years of unbroken excursions throughout the city to visit all of the Eternal City's attractions. However, if you don't have years and years to spend on travelling and you're looking for some good reasons to finally plan that vacation in Rome today then here are just five excellent traits that make it a perfect holiday destination and that might sway you into action...