Archive for 'Pretty Views'

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!

The island of Sardinia is a part of Italy but also has its own rather distinct culture, history, and charm. For those who love Italy and Mediterranean getaways but who are looking for something just a little bit different, it is the perfect destination: a luxury villa in Sardinia will ensure a holiday experience boasting the strong culinary traditions (don't try ordering a pizza in a restaurant before 7pm), incredible natural beauty, ancient ruins, Spanish remnants and influences, and the endless list of things to see and do on the island.

The Sardinian capital of Cagliari, equally, is uniquely distinct and lovely. Home to around 155,000 inhabitants, Cagliari is a university town and an ancient archiepiscopal district that is divided into four quarters: Castello, Stampace, Marina and Villanova. The historic core of the city is the district of Castello, which is one of the most picturesque Old Towns in all of Italy and the kind of place where one should aim to get a little lost in order to have a proper wander and to soak up the unique atmosphere of the place. If you're taking the time to really see Cagliari then you really should come to explore the wider avenues and winding little roads, the pretty little squares framed by colourful houses, the lines of washing strung between buildings, the medieval gates and historic buildings, and the views out over the harbour in this picturesquely ancient part of the city.

In Italy, in some places you will find that there are both regular areas on beaches and paid sections where there are more facilities on offer including umbrellas, loungers, toilet and changing facilities, snack bars, and more. Some or all of these amenities can be available on regular, unpaid beaches and then there are some beaches that do not have paid areas at all but they are quite common and can be found all over Italy. For many, the certainty of being assured of a nice spot on the beach, of having all of the various accoutrements of a comfortable day on the beach without having to drag them all around with you, and the ease and convenience of all of this make it very much worth spending the cash. However, not all paid beaches are made equal. Some are particularly beautiful and some are particularly luxurious. While it does not fit in the completely luxurious category but is extremely convenient and one of the best and most scenic beaches on offer in the Cinque Terre, the Bathing Resort Il Gigante Monterosso Al Mare is a noteworthy paid beach in Liguria.

Bathing Resort Il Gigante Monterosso Al Mare is located in the picturesque town of Monterosso al Mare, which is one of the five towns that make up the beloved and famous Cinque Terre in Liguria. If you have found a vacation rental in Cinque Terre or a luxury villa in Liguria and are looking for the perfect place for an idyllic day on the beach, you have lots of different options to choose from but this gem is one of the more popular examples.

Rome is positively stuffed full of architectural gems, great artistic masterpieces, fascinating ruins, and museums overflowing with incredible objects to explore and browse and, if you have found a luxury villa in Rome, you will find that you have a rather endless list of things to see and do in the capital of Italy. However, for those interested in parks, gardens, garden design, plants, and peaceful strolls, there is one absolute must-see among these other compelling tourist attractions: the gardens of the impossibly lovely Villa Borghese.

The Villa Borghese is an architectural gem in its own right and is also home to a wonderful art museum, the Galleria Borghese, but the grounds on which it is located are also something rather special. The third largest park in the city, home to lots of wonderful architectural follies, and a wonderfully manicured space that is perfectly designed for wandering at your leisure, surrounded by the beauty of nature, in the midst of this ever-bustling city, it boasts a lot of boons and attractions all in one location.

While there are lots of incredible traditional tourist attractions to seek out if you have found a luxury villa in Florence and are spending some time exploring the city, it is also a great place to wander around. Wandering semi-aimlessly is always a great way to get to know a new place and Florence, in particular, really rewards visitors who explore her streets as the incredible grandeur of her architecture and the impossible wealth of things to see and do mean that it is a true feast for the eyes. From grand old palaces where the nobles of Florence would stay when they weren't in their country homes on estates located throughout Italy and many of which now house excellent museums of art, fashion and more, to stunning churches and religious buildings like gilded jewellery boxes that are stuffed with amazing works of art and meticulously handcrafted objects. From gardens overflowing with blooms, to wonderful restaurants and cafes and bars (that have existed for centuries in some cases), to plazas offering incredible views over the city and filled with fountains and statues by history's most famous artists, the city is just full of abject beauty and wonder. If you are wandering around the city, one particular plaza (and one of the prettiest) that you will likely encounter is the Piazza della Repubblica.