Porta Venezia

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...

If you book one of our amazing villas in Lombardy and come to enjoy the incredible beauty of this lush and charming region of Italy, there are all sorts of pastoral delights and little towns to explore but it is also well worth heading to the capital of Milan for a day-trip.

A city that is filled with excellent museums, wonderful restaurants, chic bars, architectural gems aplenty, and much more besides, but many will know it primarily as a major fashion capital of the globe and a key destination to seek out and bring some of that distinct Italian style home with them. Certainly, for shopping, it is a hard place to beat!

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.

Love Taylor Swift? (Who doesn’t?!) Going to attend one of her European dates? Well, why not make a real trip of it by booking an amazing villa in Europe to enjoy a getaway either side of the intense excitement of the concert!

We have lots of amazing properties to choose from all over Europe but if you’re specifically booking a Taylor Swift trip then here are our properties that align with some of the stops along her Eras Tour dates for 2024…

So, you’ve booked your villa in Italy and you are excitedly planning what you are going to see and do during your vacation but what about the most important thing? What are you going to eat on your holiday in Italy? Well, to help you out, we have compiled a list of at least one of the key dishes, wines, products, or treats per location that you should make a point to sample in Italy based on your destination in question. So, consult our list and start planning a delicious getaway today...

Amalfi Coast

You’ve booked a villa on the Amalfi Coast and you’re lazing about by the sea, soaking up the sun, and generally taking things slow so the seafood is, of course, a must! Cetara’s anchovies, scialatielli (a shorter kind of spaghetti) topped with a variety of shellfish, and risotto with all kinds of seafood are all good options. Plus, be sure to enjoy incredible local wines like those from Ravello and keep things light by cleansing your palate with sorbet made from the area’s famous lemons before finishing meals with a glass of their beloved limoncello!