Archive for 'Pretty Views'

If you are interested in colours that seem too vivid to occur in the real world and picture-perfect views, there are several contenders for spots to visit that meet these requirements all around Italy. However, there is one sight in particular that makes us want to hop on the next plane and go see it with our own eyes right now: the Place Moulin Dam.

Also known as the Lago Place Moulin or the Lac de Place-Moulin, it is located in the Aosta Valley, in the very north of Italy, amongst the Italian Alps. This is an incredibly scenic and beautiful part of the world, in general, with lots to see and a landscape that rewards the more adventurous traveller. This emerald gem, nestled amongst the Italian Alps is a particularly stunning find. If you have found a vacation rental in the Aosta Valley and are exploring the area by car or bike, we recommend that you make this one of your pit stops on your road trip across one of the most scenic landscapes in the world.

Sorrento is a beautiful gem of a town on the Amalfi Coast. Facing out onto the bay of Naples, it is perched atop a cliff, boasting sweeping views over the coast, at the base of which there is a busy marina. This stacking of the town gives it that distinct and picture-perfect look that lots of the towns in the area have: glittering water with bobbing boats topped by rows of colourful buildings. The charming old town is a warren of little streets and alleys that are lined with pretty historic buildings but amongst all of the pretty parts that make up this picturesque town, one of the most charming and unmissable sights and sites is the Chiesa di San Francesco and its lovely cloister. If you have found a vacation rental in Sorrento and you are exploring the town, be sure to duck in for a moment amidst your holiday wanderings and fun and enjoy a spot of tranquillity in the most fairytale-like of settings in Italy.

Located in the historic centre of the town, in Piazza Francesco Saverio Gargiulo, right next to the Villa Comunale Park, this 14th-century church with said iconic cloisters abutting it is famous for its Arabic portico and interlaced arches, which are interwoven with flowers, plants, and ornamental trees. The beautiful space is also often filled with birdsong, particularly in spring, as it is very popular amongst feathered locals.

Capri is one of those famously gorgeous places that people are just dying to see with their own eyes. If you have found a vacation rental in Capri and are busy exploring the island, once you have walked around a bit, you may want to see it all from above as well, to take in a sweeping view over everything at once. In this case, you’ll need to head to Monte Solaro, the highest and most panoramic point on the island, which offers views over the whole of the Gulf of Naples, glimpses over the Gulf of Salerno on clear days, and also takes in many of Capri’s famous landmarks at the same time.

There are two different options to surmount Monte Solaro, depending on your inclination, energy, preferences, fears, and the day in question: you can hike to the top or you can take the famous Anacapri Chairlift.

At 589 meters above sea level and at the top of a steep trail, the hike up to the pinnacle of Monte Solaro isn’t the most difficult in the world by any sort of stretch of the imagination. It is a well-marked trail that rewards viewers with lovely views the whole way up and can be completed in around an hour. Beginning at Piazza della Pace in Anacapri, behind the cemetery, it is a straightforward climb up that anyone who is relatively fit should be able to complete without much difficulty.

Lake Garda is a major attraction for anyone who has found a vacation rental in any one of the three regions in which it has shorelines. Just find a villa in Trentino, a holiday rental in Lombardy, or a vacation rental in Veneto and come explore this famous beauty and all that it has to offer; from water sports to boat tours, from drinking a glass of wine while enjoying sunset over the lake to picnicking at scenic spots, from exploring different historic villas dotted around the various islands and lakeside villages to hiking around trails located all over the area, and much more besides. If you are interested in hiking, in particular, you are in luck. There are lots of interesting trails to choose from and the most incredible backdrops to enjoy while you’re out there hiking. One of the best routes to explore is the Strada del Ponale.

We have written about Marmore Falls previously in the context of adventure. However, if you have found a villa in Umbria and are planning on heading to this fascinating attraction, there could be another objective on the agenda: romance. Sure, there is plenty of adventure to be had in the area – canyoning (traversing the mountain by ropes, sliding on toboggans and diving into pools below), canoeing and trying out hydrospeed (a flotation device you hold on to and which allows you to be flung about on the current of the river) – but it is also an exceptionally beautiful place, built for strolls, holding hands, and admiring the incredibly romantic surroundings.

Marmore Falls is actually an ancient man-made waterfall in Umbria that was created by the Romans in 271 BC. One of the tallest waterfalls in Europe and the tallest man-made waterfall in the world, it is surrounded by lots of hiking trails and is a lush and scenic spot that is incredibly lovely, like something plucked from the pages of a fairytale; impossibly green plants draped over the rocks and cave openings, regular rainbows seen over the falls, the relaxing sound of rushing water, and, of course, Il Balcone degli Innamorati (or the Balcony of Lovers).