Last Supper
Posted in: Churches & Religious Buildings Localities Milan Museums & Galleries Tourist Attractions Travel Tips

The Last Supper, one of the most famous of da Vinci’s world-renowned masterpieces and one of the most instantly recognisable paintings in the history of the modern world, is located  on a wall in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. Despite the disastrous experimental method used in creating the work, the passage of time, damage inflicted during World War II, and inadequate restoration efforts in the 19th century, this iconic wall painting remains and is a must-see while you still can.


In the 20th century, an extensive 22-year restoration project to save the painting was undertaken, finally concluding in 1999. While this endeavour helped extend the lifespan of the piece, the damage remains severe. Nevertheless, visitors continue to flock to see this captivating and stunning work, with many returning time and again. If you have booked a holiday rental in Milan or even if you have just one day in Milan during your vacation in Italy, a visit to The Last Supper is an absolute must but here’s what you should know if you're planning a visit...

Santa Maria della Salute, exterior
Posted in: Architectural Gems Churches & Religious Buildings Localities Tourist Attractions Venice
The gorgeous city of Venice is truly just full of iconic and stunning bridges, palaces, churches and more, which line her famous canals and make up the city's distinctive skyline and elegant appearance. For those interested in architecture and design, it is an especially fascinating city but even your average Joe can appreciate the undeniably unique beauty of the wonderful feats of architecture that emerge from the lagoon. Taking it all in with one's own eyes is on the bucket list of many all over the globe as there truly is nowhere else in the world quite like it. To see it for yourself, why don't you browse our villas in Venice and get planning your own trip to this stunning and picturesque city in Italy?

One of the most famous of all the buildings that spring out of the Venetian Lagoon is the lovely Church of Santa Maria della Salute, meaning the Church of Saint Mary of Health. Located on the strip of land that is the Punta della Dogana, between the Grand Canal and the Giudecca Canal, in the Dorsoduro sestiere of the city, the church is visible when entering the Piazza San Marco from the water. The most recent of the so-called plague churches, it was begun in 1631 after a particularly devastating outbreak of plague in the summer of 1630 that devastated the population of the city, as a votive offering to Our Lady of Health in an attempt to beg help for city in freeing them from the deadly disease.