Ferdinando

See the beautiful sight of the Castelli di Cannero on an Italian vacation to Lake Maggiore in Piedmont. These two castles were built on small islets on the lake and are located just off the shore from Cannero Riviera. Choose from a charming range of villa rentals in Piedmont where you can relax and unwind after entertaining days at Lake Maggiore.

These once majestic fortresses now lay partly in ruins and were built between the 11th and 12th centuries. They are among the most iconic sites on Lake Maggiore and talks are ongoing about restoring the larger castle for tourism purposes.

Paying a visit Santa is a must for kids in the run up to Christmas and, if you have found a vacation rental in the Lake Maggiore area, you will be presented with the unique opportunity to see him on his very own boat!

According to local legend, Santa Claus has arrived in Milan at the end of November each year since 1400 to deliver toys and gifts to each child in the city. Next, he is said to hop on his boat, leave the city, and head up the Navigli and Ticino River to make his way to Lake Maggiore. He visits all of the lakeside towns before stopping and settling in the village of Intra until Christmas.

The Fattoria del Toce is a farm with an agricultural park that is dedicated to education and knowledge. Officially recognised and supported by the governing bodies of the Piedmont region, the farm was founded in 2002 and introduces visitors to local plant varieties such as camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons, as well as trees like maples and ancient olive trees, and, of course, some adorable farm animals such as the 43 different breeds of rabbits, various breeds of poultry and some endangered creatures, too. Popular throughout the year for families, schools and tourists, it is especially wonderful over the Christmas period and is a wonderful place to spend a day if you and your family have found a vacation rental in Piedmont and are looking for some festive fun!

If you want to see something truly breath taking then a vacation in Lombardy at Lake Lugano will bring you face to face with the majestic Monte San Giorgio! This huge mountain rises up from the shoreline of the lake to form an unusual shape.

Stay in a charming vacation rental in Lombardy where you can visit Monte San Giorgio and other enticing attractions of the region.

It lies between the borders of Lombardy and Switzerland and earned itself a rightful place on the 2003 UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

A visit to the Palazzo Borromeo on Lake Maggiore in Piedmont is a truly unique experience. The palace takes up the entirety of the island, Isola Bella, on which it is located and boasts stunning sights inside and out.

Previously, the island was a barren rock and home to a small fishing village. Construction of the palace was begun in 1632 by Carlo III Borromeo, who named the island after his wife, Isabella, and continued by his sons. The extensive gardens were constructed from earth brought over on boats to cover the rocky terrain and completed by Carlo IV, his nephew.

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011, the intriguing collection of 111 archaeological sites scattered across the Alps is a fantastic tourist attraction to visit on your next Italian vacation!

These pile dwellings of the Alps are shared between Italy, Germany, France, Austria and Slovenia. Nineteen of them rest in the northern Italian regions of Lombardy, Veneto, Piedmont, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Trentino Alto Adige.

The sites of these unusual settlements are always located close to water and the oldest of them are located by Lake Varese in Lombardy.