Archive for 'Must See Attractions in Italy'

Leonardo da Vinci famously spent years in Milan working under the Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza, painting, designing floats and pageants for special occasions, creating equestrian monuments for the city, and more. His mark, therefore, can be felt in various spots all throughout the city to this day and those who find a villa in Lombardy and visit Milan or those who book a vacation rental in Milan itself who have a penchant for all things Leonardo and the Renaissance, will find plenty to intrigue them from museums to artworks. However, the most unique trace of Leonardo that remains in the city today has to be Leonardo’s Vineyard.

Venice is famously beautiful for her iconic canals but also for the incredible buildings reflected in the waters of the lagoon and set against this unique landscape. Those who find a vacation rental in Venice should take time to really pay attention to the sumptuous architectural gems that abound throughout this magical part of Italy...

Not only are many buildings in Venice constructed in strange and specific ways to fit the topography of the city but they are also a wonderful blend of styles and influences due to its location, which was once the, “gateway to the East”. Peoples from all over the world have come to, and passed through Venice, for centuries upon centuries and brought ideas and knowledge with them.

Most likely, if you are booking a villa in Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, you’re going to want to visit some of her famous museums. Among the list of extraordinary art institutions of the city that are stuffed with masterpieces by many of the most famous names in the history of art, the Uffizi Gallery stands out as probably the must-see example. Of course, you may want to visit more and other galleries and museums throughout your vacation in Florence but this is certainly the best-known option and for good reason. Sprawling, beautiful in its own right, boasting amazing views over the city from its terrace, and full of outstanding works, it is an important tourist attraction for any art-lover coming to the city. Set aside a few hours, make sure you’ve had a snack and something to drink beforehand, and then come dive in so you can put a little dent in the astounding collections of the museum.

The stunning landscape of rolling hills and lush greenery of Tuscany is an innately inspiring place that can border on seeming unreal or like paradise, particularly the gorgeous Orcia Valley. In fact, if you find a villa in the Orcia Valley, you will easily see how beautiful it really is and understand why it was chosen for two very famous and pivotal scenes in Ridley Scott's Oscar-winning masterpiece, Gladiator. An enduring icon in the cinematic world over the past two decades, it was set in Ancient Rome but was filmed in locations across England, Morocco, and Malta, reconstructions of Ancient Roman cities and landmarks, and Tuscany's enchanting Orcia Valley.

Several of Italy’s regions are known for their lush and pastoral landscapes and, among them, Umbria's is one of the most picturesque. Made up of rolling green hills, towering peaks, and lush meadows, it is at its loveliest between May and July, when the countryside goes into full bloom. So, get browsing our vacation rentals in Umbria and come see it for yourself!

The most cinematically stunning and breathtaking part of the entire region during this time of the year is the Piani di Castelluccio, also known as the Plain of Castelluccio. Like something from a scene in the Sound of Music, this ethereal beauty seems almost too remarkable to be real. Composed of three distinct sections, this plain stretches out and becomes one massive and colourful tapestry of flowers.