Archive for 'Pretty Views'

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.

There are some places that are so cinematically beautiful and impressive it is hard to believe that they are real, that they haven't been perfectly put together to appear on a screen or page. Imagine, for example, a stunningly pretty Italian palace that looks strikingly like a perfect little doll's house, surrounded by gardens heavy with the smell of roses, filled inside with lyrical sculptural works by Canova, and overlooking the tranquil waters of the beloved and lovely Lake Como...sounds too good to be true, right? And, yet, this is a real description of the utterly idyllic Villa Carlotta in Tremezzina. One of Italy's most charming and wonderful examples of a historic villa (which is saying something as there is no shortage of stunning villas in Italy!), this incredible architectural gem is a must-see for those who have found a vacation rental in Lombardy and who are exploring the most beautiful nooks and crannies of Lake Como.

The Villa Carlotta traces its origins to the rise of the Clerici family from rural origins to successful silk merchants in the 16th century due to the efforts of Giorgio Clerici. His sons then furthered the wealth and status of the family with Pietro Antonio Clerici being made a Marquis and Carlo becoming the owner of several palaces in Milan and Brianza. Carlo's son, also named Giorgio Clerici, was also a marquis and then became a senator in 1684 and was nominated as President of the Senate in 1717. It was he who decided to establish a country estate on ancestral lakeside land at Tremezzo and its first iteration was completed in 1695. His great grandson Anton Giorgio Cerici then completed the villa in 1745 but died with little money left to the estate after sinking major investments into the Palazzo Clerici in Milan. Unusually, we do not actually know for certain who the architect of the villa was.

Right along the border between the famously picturesque, rolling green landscapes of Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, you will find the Appennino Parmense Orientale, a chain of mountains located in the Eastern part of the Province of Parma. For those who have found a vacation rental in Emilia-Romagna or a vacation rental in Tuscany and who are looking to go hiking during their stay in Italy, it is definitely a place to take note of as it boasts lots of different routes and incredible views. Whether you are an experienced hiker, a hobbyist, or a budding photographer looking to simply dip your toes in the water and get some great shots, whether you want to stretch your legs or have an adventure, whether you have a whole day to spend or just hours, you'll find a trail (or a part of a trail) that will suit your needs in this part of the world. However, if you're particularly interested in pretty scenery and breathtaking views, then there is one section of the mountain range that we would recommend: Monte Sillara and her twin lakes that offer an extraordinary panorama right over the surrounding landscape, right out to the islands of the Tuscan Coast and to Corsica on the clearest days.

The famous, “heel,” of Italy and the most south-eastern part of the country is the region of Apulia, a place in which life is slower, there are two long strips of coastline framing the land that boast endless lovely beaches, large tourist crowds are absent and have yet to discover or descend on the area, and the landscape is beautiful, clean, and bountiful. This is where you will find some of the cleanest beaches in the Mediterranean, little fishing villages where you'll get some of the best and freshest seafood in the world, more than a tenth of all of the wine production and half of the olive oil production in the country, marvelous ancient Greek and Roman ruins, stunning cathedrals, and an endless list of outdoor pursuits to choose from. If you're interested in tradition, getting off the beaten tourist track, and staying active and having adventures, there is no doubt that Apulia is the destination for you!