Archive for 'Pretty Views'

Bellagio is a unique and charming town located on the shores of Lake Como in Lombardy. Known variously as the “pearl of the lake” and the “most beautiful town in Italy”, it is a popular ferry stop along the lake so, if you're exploring the area, you're likely to find yourself in the town at some point if you have found a vacation rental in Lake Como.

The village is a pretty cluster of winding old cobbled streets and alleys, picturesque houses and sweeping vistas over the lake from the surroundings hills. Bellagio is also particularly famous for its two villas and gardens; Villa Serbelloni and Villa Melzi. Both are worth visiting for their lovely gardens but the incredibly maintained and grandiose gardens of Villa Serbelloni are an especially great spot to visit as it is perched above the town and offers wonderful views. Visits are by guided tour only and places are limited, so head to the Bellagio Tourist Office to try and get your hands on some as soon as you arrive in town!

Villa Monastero is an eclectic villa that is built in the Nordic style and located not far from the pretty village of Varenna on Italy's beautiful Lake Como. Originally the site of a 12th century Cistercian convent that was eventually closed by a papal bull in the 16th century, it became a private estate a couple of years later and passed through various hands over the years.

The eclectic style that it is known for today can be attributed to 19th century alterations and rebuilding under architects Emilio Alemagna, Achille Majnoni, and Enrico Citterio. Home to a botanical garden, a museum, a convention centre and some exceptional views, the whole place is a wonderful spot to spend some time relaxing on Lake Como.

Just find a vacation rental in Lake Como and discover its many charms, Villa Monastero being just one of them.

Cilento is a region of Campania and is part of the national park of Parco Nazionale del Cilento, Vallo di Diano e Alburni along with the Vallo di Diano and the Monti Alburni. The park was actually founded in 1991 in order to protect the territory of Cilento from the area being built up or from being damaged by mass tourism and was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998.

One of the most unspoiled and beautiful regions of Italy, it remains largely off the radar for most tourists and is a great spot to explore if you're looking for something a little more relaxed and quiet. Just find a vacation rental in Campania and get a little closer to nature.

Come and explore the wild and rugged Cilento Coast where there are plenty of hidden gems like the incredible Cape of Palinuro. Palinuro is dotted with sea caves and is home to Italy’s most extensive cave system.

Cefalù must be one of Italy's most beautiful seaside towns. It boasts incredible beaches, beautiful Arab-Norman architectural gems and a wonderful scenic setting amongst rocky outcrops and lush greenery. Furthermore, it presents a dreamy palette of honey-coloured stone facades, terracotta roofs, golden beaches and gilded church interiors, rich blue waters and skies, and vibrant greenery.

No wonder, then, that director Giuseppe Tornatore chose it as a location for scenes in his famous and beloved film, “Cinema Paradiso”; it really is like a slice of paradise. If you want to experience it for yourself, just find a vacation rental in Cefalù.

The perfect spot to get well and truly get away from it all, the pace of life is slow, ideal for wandering around and just enjoying yourself. You can simply take in the harbour, with its bobbing brightly coloured boats, hang out on the sandy beaches, get lost in the winding Mediaeval streets, pop into the little shops located all over or you can check out some of the city's various attractions.

There is no shortage of beautiful towns and villages in Italy. Picturesque towns that look like something ripped right from the pages of a storybook or like a postcard come to life are scattered all across the country.

Made up of historic buildings, winding streets, great views and scenic surroundings, these little gems are the perfect place to well and truly get away with it all and experience the unique culture of Italy. One of the most beautiful among all of these lovely towns is the village of Novara di Sicilia in Sicily.

Located around 70 kilometers from Messina, the town is steeped in legend. Built where the Nebrodi mountains and the Peloritani mountains meet, it is fabled to have been inhabited by the Cyclops. Today, sadly, there are no mythological creatures to be found but there is still plenty to discover in this incredibly pretty town.