Archive for 'Pretty Views'

Where would we rather be today? Probably in this naturally-occurring and utterly picturesque swimming pool on the La Spezia Riviera in Liguria, that's for sure! In this new series, we will be introducing unbelievably scenic spots that cleanse the soul just by gazing at them and have us looking forward to our next getaway, whenever that may be.

This week's pick, Punta Pineda, and more particularly the Bozi di Punta Pineda (Basins of Punta Pineda), is one of those rare instances of a hidden gem that has somehow remained largely that: a mostly hidden gem. In this day and age of Instagram blowing up once little-known beauties and making them hot spots to go, be seen, and be photographed, it can be rare to stumble upon magical places that have remained within the purview of largely only locals and those in the know. This gem on the Ligurian Coast has remained a place that only gets a little coverage in the media and almost exclusively only in the Italian media. On Instagram, the tagged images here are in the hundreds, rather than the thousands. So, it seems to remain a place you might just get all to yourself when you visit and even if you don't, you'll likely only encounter some locals rather than hoards of tourists. If you have always wanted to visit the area and take in its great beauty for yourself, including this hidden gem, just browse our vacation rentals in Liguria and get planning a trip of a lifetime!     Read More

Sicily has a landscape that is not only often breathtakingly beautiful but is also full of lots of surprises and magical hidden gems. One particularly special example of this is the Gorges of Alcantara. A wonderful protected area near Taormina, this landscape of black volcanic walls in the typical prism shape that is characteristic of rocks formed from cooling lava and cut through with channels of gem-coloured waters, is an incredible feast for the eyes and a perfect place for photographers and those who love the great outdoors and the endless wonderful forms of nature. Come to trek, explore, swim, have a little bit of an adventure, and wonder at the great beauty of the world around you. Just browse our luxury villas in Sicily and our vacation rentals in Taormina to get planning your trip to this astounding natural gem to see it with your own eyes!

Located between Messina and Catania, this 50km long river channel is full of unique and unusual natural features. There is actually no one agreed upon origin tale for the Gorges of Alcantara, though there have been many hypotheses throughout the years. What we know for sure is that an outstanding lava eruption from Mount Etna flowed into the area in prehistoric times but what exactly happened next is still subject to study and debate. According to one theory, the glowing mass split due to internal tensions during the consolidation phase, though the heterogeneous structure of the rocks does not back this up. Another theory posits that the two branches of lava flow were recombined at the site of the gorges and surrounded a mass of much colder soil, which caused an abnormal cooling of the flow and saw it lose heat so quickly that it would have given off the crystalline material present in the magma. The movement of the river Alcantara through the area over thousands of years would have then dug away at the earth in the area, giving rise to the incredible canyons of the Gorges of Alcantara.     Read More

If you're looking for a wonderful sun holiday destination, then a luxury villa in Sicily is a perfect option. Boasting incredibly hot and sunny summers, a unique and diverse cultural history, a rich cuisine, a striking landscape, and lots of truly amazing beaches, this slice of paradise on earth has all that you could ask for for an idyllic summer getaway.

Then, off the western coast of Sicily you will find the three Isole Egadi, also known as the Aegadian Islands or Egadi Islands in English; Favignana, Levanzo, and Marettimo. While not as famous as the dramatic and volcanic Aeolian Islands or as chic and exclusive as Capri, this group of Sicilian Islands have their own perfectly laid-back appeal. Expect smaller crowds of international tourists (this is one of those spots Italians have largely kept to themselves), better value for your money, stunning azure waters and excellent swimming and diving spots, and lots of surprises along the way – all of it making the Egadi Islands and ideal place to spend some time if you have found a luxury villa in Sicily and are exploring this part of Italy.

The Archipelago of the Egadi, in addition to the islands of Favignana, Levanzo, and Marettimo, is also home to the islets of Formica and Maraone. There have been archaeological findings indicating the presence of people on the islands dating back to at least the Paleolithic era and prehistoric cave paintings suggest that these islanders have always lived with, and by, the sea. To this day, fishing remains a core industry on the islands, though overfishing in previous eras has lead to a great decline in the numbers of fish in the waters surrounding the Egadi and in the value of the industry to the local area. The islands have also gone through many different rulers and changes throughout the centuries. They have been a key Carthagian stronghold, a stepping-stone of the Arabs in taking control of Sicily, owned by Genovese bankers, and then a branch of the lucrative tuna empire owned and run by the Florio family in the 19th century, until they finally became a part of the Italian state in 1937.     Read More

Hanami, or 花見, meaning, "flower viewing," is a traditional Japanese custom of enjoying the transient nature, and beauty, of flowers and is used to refer to appreciation of cherry blossom trees and plum blossom trees, although it most commonly suggests celebrations surrounding the blooming of cherry blossoms today. In contemporary Japan, hanami largely consists of outdoor parties and picnics that take place beneath the sakura during daytime or at night. As the blossoms only last for a week or two once they have bloomed the careful watching and waiting for them is a major preoccupation in Japan with the weather bureau announcing a blossom forecast between March and early May when the trees flower in different parts of the country. This has become harder to predict in recent years due to the effects of global warming but has become even more crucial to get right as millions of Japanese people and thousands of international tourists both descend upon the cherry blossom hot spots around the country each year and it acts as a major tourism boost for the country. While it might not quite boast the visual explosion of the hanami experience in Japan where there are thousands upon thousands of cherry blossom trees in various cities, towns, and countryside areas, Rome does actually have a well-established celebration of these beautiful blooms of its own each year and a wealth of cherry blossoms trees. So, if you want to experience a little slice of Japan and the beauty of these blooms while also enjoying everything that a spring getaway in Rome has to offer then browse our luxury villas in Rome and get planning your trip!     Read More