Italy
Holiday apartments, homes and villas (3)

The last eruption was in 1944 and the most famous was AD 79 when Pompeii was destroyed. Today you can hike to the top of Mount Vesuvius in Campania where the wind carries the scent of history from the ocean and nearby Naples.

Campania looks across the Tyrrhenian Sea toward the enchanted islands of Procida, Ishia, and Capri. Mountains, verdant valleys, lush plains, and a compelling coastline are connected with modern rail, air, and motorways.

The people are connected through art, food, wine, sports, music, and festivals. Avellino is the place for hazelnuts, fabulous cherries, and distinctive wines. Visitors to the Sanctuaries of Montevergine, San Gerardo a Maiella, or the Lancellotti Castle are delighted to sample regional specialties like the caciocavallo cheese of Montella and the black truffles of Bagnoli Irpino.

Campania's most famous vino is Lacryma Christi, or "Tears of Christ". It's produced on the lower slopes of Mount Vesuvius and can be found in local grocery stores. The birthplace of the Pizza lies in Naples and was first created to honor Queen Margaret in 1889.

You can explore Naples with a brightly colored gelato in one and bag of delicious pastries like zeppole, baba, or struffoli in your backpack. Visit the oldest sword school in Italy which is the only place you can earn the "Master of Swords" title. Sailing and water polo are held in near the same esteem as football (soccer) and you can visit the ancient sailing clubs of Circolo Savoia or Canottieri Napoli in Naples.

The Bell Tower of the Salerno Cathedral rises above the city that created the oldest university in Europe. The medical knowledge harnessed here was the marvel of the Middle Ages. Today, over 40,000 students add vitality to Salerno, the port, the local sports scene.

Live the life of a local with all the modern conveniences while paying respect to a cherished history. You can slow down and enjoy the special small touches that surround you in Campania.

Renaissance roots run deep in Marche where a prideful people have passionately preserved timeless castles, fortresses, and ancient architecture. Over 180 km of Adriatic coastline is dotted with a variety of beachside excursions.

From the black truffles of the heavily treed mountain area of Ancona to the brodetto (fish stew always made with 13 species of fish) on the coast, there is a taste of Italy for every visitor.

Over 1,400 people dressed in Renaissance regalia participate in a historical parade in Ascoli Piceno. Afterwards there will be jousting and jesting at la Quintana, which is a tournament that features 6 knights running a challenge course where they try to hit a puppet imitating a warrior.

Expect to be invited to share huge platters of charcoal-grilled meats that include salt-cured ham and many varieties of pork delicacies. Tasty stuffed pigeons and rabbit cooked in fennel are a specialty throughout the region.

Regional beverages are best savored with companions as you picnic your way through Macerata. The province encompasses two protected parks, the Natural Reserves Abbadia di Fiastra and Torricchio.

The home of native composer Gioacchino Rossini is near the exquisite Palazzo Ducale in Pesaro. Today it is a museum that hosts the original instrument used by Rossini and is kept company by prints, manuscripts, and paintings.

Sipping a cold beverage at the Piazza del Popolo is a fun spot to people-watch. An open air café in the main square allows you to admire the sparkling fountain decorated with tritons and sea-horses. Pesaro is a large city but the historical landmarks are clustered making it possible to see the remarkable sights in one day.

A holiday to quench your artistic thirst is waiting at Urbino where the definition of Renaissance art and culture has been captured for the ages. The fairytale twin towers of the Palazzo Ducale contain a gallery of countless masterpieces spread through 27 rooms. Today Urbino is filled with scholars and students from around the world that crave the highly specialized teaching at their prestigious university center.

Lazio contains the beating heart of Italy. You can travel the Province of Rome across the flat lands of the Tiber Valley, visit the sea, or explore the mountains of Tolfa and Monti Sabatini. You may become infatuated with the people and countryside but it is nothing compared to Rome.

Over half the population of this region lives in and around Rome. Here you will learn the meaning of "love at first sight" over and over again. Contemporary life swirls around the world's greatest monuments. Cigar smoking priests, backpacking students, tour groups, and locals add to the cacophony of culture that assaults all your senses.

There is a reverence that clings to the ancient architectural masterpieces. The uniqueness of the Vatican, the grandeur of St. Peter's Basilica, and the Pantheon are standing realities created from visions long vanished.

Think about a luxurious 2-3 hour meal enjoyed on a square outside of a wonderful restaurant. Try to digest the presence of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. Imagine the city gathering to cheer the gladiators in the Colosseum. The speeches that vibrated in the Roman Senate and stirred the hearts of politicians and people hang in the air.

The Sistine Chapel by day and cutting edge entertainment at night would astound the citizens of early Rome. Today's Italy embraces the past and the present with enthusiasm.

There is an ultra modern nightlife that is a magnet for the outlandishly dressed to the hip elite. There is a musical palette that ranges from classic to contemporary. There is something for everyone after a day of museums and monuments waiting in Rome after dark.

Tradition says that if you toss a coin over your shoulder in the Trevi Fountain, you will return to Rome. Reality tells us that your heart will always lead you back to Rome.

Liguria confirms that the world is not flat. One of Italy's small regions, Liguria is a thin ribbon along the coast connected to France. Some towns are stylish imitations of Cannes or Monaco minus the gilding. Desolate coastal beaches are bonded to bustling ports where sweet smells of lemons, pines, and almonds are mixed with luscious sunlight and azure ocean water.

Genoa owns the perfect perch on the Italian Riviera and holds the title of Italy's prime seaport. Schoolchildren around the world know this city as the birthplace of Christopher Columbus but may not be aware of it maritime and art heritage. Piazza De Ferrari is Genoa's main square and a spectacle not to be missed. The square is the bull's-eye of Genoa shouldering the modern center and the historical neighborhood.

Discover the new world of tasty dishes as the Genovese have wonderful ways with tripe, anchovies, salt cod, cuttlefish stew and marinated fish dishes. The signature dish of Liguria is pesto, the simple yet delicious paste of basil, garlic, pine nuts and pecorino. For puddings, try the delicious rice cakes with a whiff of rosewater.

Living in Imperia is a definite must for the outdoor sports person. Hikers, mountain bikers, and rock climbers encounter a wide range of challenges here. Water sports attract windsurfers, divers, and people that love to sail and water-ski. After a day of golf or horseback riding there is the massive indoor water stadium called Piscina Felice Cascione. You can meet some of the best water polo players in the world at this site.

La Spezia is the perfect spot to examine all things nautical. From the naval museum to the Gulf of Poets there are ships and watercraft of all imaginable shape and size. Trains from Genoa travel through tunnel after pitch black tunnel and burst into sun splashed mountainsides on their way to La Spezia.

Liguria is the small region with enormous surprises where newcomers are welcomed and every outing produces new joys.

Some people suspect the Italians invented eyeglasses so no would miss the dazzling scenery of the Lombardy region. Less than 15 minutes from the City of Brescia is the Ronchi where most of the city's produce is supplied.

Assembled here are fragrant orchards, carpet meadows, quaint farm homes, charming villas and extravagant restaurants. A drive to the Ronchi provides a magnificent view of Brescia and the hugging countryside. Along the way you will encounter numerous trattorias that at first glance appear as unassuming restaurants but serve the finest foods and drinks.

Auto enthusiasts make a point to observe the roaring Mille Miglia car race that begins and ends in Brescia.

From the days of the Roman Empire, travelers have sought relaxation at Lake Como. Deep, cold water is the backdrop to the postcard town of Bellagio that sits prominently between the two southern forks of this famous destination lake.

Mark Twain described his first impressions of Lago di Lecco in "Innocents Abroad". Standing here soaking up the site of ancient red roofed buildings, it is not difficult to imagine Twain's "open barouche" and "wild, boisterous driver" as he marinated in the wild mountain scenery and the town of Lecco.

Lecco offers an irresistible opportunity to travel via cable car to Piani d'Erna where you will enjoy a high altitude view of the shimmering lake and towering Alps.

In 1881, the English author, Samuel Butler wrote: "It seems the Italians cannot gaze on a high place without the desire to place something at the top, and nowhere have they done it more elegantly than at the Sacred Mount of Varese".

Picture yourself walking the two kilometer, sacred cobblestone path on Mount Olona. You will pass by 14 chapels created from the 1400s to 1700s on the Via Crucis as you make your way to the Sanctuary of Santa Maria on the Mount.

Lombardy inspires reflection and deprives you of no sensation. Imagine calling this home for a little while and collecting memories that never fade.

The second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, Sardinia is also Italy's second largest island. Local festivals on Sardinia have ingredients from conquering cultures. They reflect the influence of invaders that include Byzantines, Romans, Arabs, Carthaginians, and Phoenicians.

The modern day invasion is by tourists on ferries or airlines, eager to absorb the fascinating history and recreational pursuits offered on the island.

The Indiana Jones in you will be impressed with the Grave of Giants or exploring Olbia's landmark monument, The Nuraghe of Cabu Abbas. Trade adventure stories at one of the many lounges or seafood restaurants crowding the main town square. The Piazza Regina Margherita is bursting with internet cafes, bars, and street performers.

A unique experience waits in Cagliari, the capital city, where a cosmopolitan atmosphere has drawn visitors for decades. Cutting edge technology and pampered attention are mainstays along the beautiful and crowded sandy beaches.

The Marina area of Cagliari is picture perfect and robust. Artist studios, cafes, shopping, and restaurants somehow blend with the ancient in perfect proportion.

Take an extra roll of film to the Torre Dell'Elefante where you will find two white towers remaining and at the base is the expertly sculpted elephant that fostered the name of the monument. This was the site of many beheadings during the rule of the Spaniards.

The Cathedral of Santa Maria was constructed in the 13th century and has been updated many times. Imagine standing where others labored so hard hundreds of years ago and an hour later you are checking your email at a popular internet café.

The old quarter of Sassari guards evidence of past civilization everywhere. You can feel the medieval karma in traditional restaurants and ancient architecture. Sassari is the second largest city on the island and deserves a few days of comfortable inspection.

Sharing day to day life with the locals is an experience that leads to many "behind the scenes" quests the average tourist may not uncover. Who knows what friendships are waiting to be formed on Sardinia.

What is the best magic trick in all of Italy? It's probably the one where all unfair stereotypes of Sicily disappear within moments of meeting the people that live here. The vineyards rival those of Tuscany, thick olive groves crowd the emerald meadows, and the aroma of pungent citrus and fruit trees fill the air. The scenery is framed by rocky, silvery mountains and a bottomless indigo sea.

The broad streets of Catania feature two huge street markets and a few majestic palaces. The Ursino Castle was a coastal fortress until the shoreline was falsely extended by volcanic eruptions from nearby Mt. Etna. Two Roman amphitheaters that together could have held 7,300 spectators are now visited by curious tourists with a penchant for the past.

Messina residents evacuated to the surrounding countryside during allied bombing in 1943 and the empty town was called "The City of Ghosts". Today you can stride the stone streets in the footsteps zealous knights and royalty long vanished. Richard the Lionheart, traveling to the Crusade, stopped to worship in a cathedral in 1190 and some of the original portions remain.

Palermo is possibly one of the most chaotic cosmopolitan cities in Italy. Some say that a visit to Sicily is incomplete without immersing yourself in Palermo, "a city that permits one not just to know this island but to begin to understand it". Shopping and dining are favored in the city center where you can sample the various culinary delights or stroll contently with a flavored ice or pastry. Ceramic keepsakes and original jewelry are prized here. All of this is against the backdrop of a fascinating historical setting worthy of thorough exploration.

Syracuse or Siracusa is on the Ionian coast and is the city of Archimedes, Pindar and Aeschylus. This modern city embraces it's mythological and historical past. Check out the Temple of Apollo, circa 565 BC and stop at the Maniaces Castle before you continue to the original Greek settlement of Megara Hyblaea.

A sensational holiday in Sicily is unavoidable for those with a joy for life, history, and organized frenzy.

Tuscany invokes mental montages that truly live up to your romantic expectations. There are few places on Earth that can make you feel completely insignificant and at the same time seem to share intimate secrets with just you.

Brick walls and red pottery accent the city of Arrezo where nearly 1,000 antiquarians converge every month to exhibit their wares at the antiques fair.

Florence, the Capitol of Arts, is an overwhelming compilation of awesome treasures. A common national saying is, "ars longa, vita brevis" which means "art is long, life is short" and reflects the Italians devotion to leisure activities.

The noble city of Grosseto turns back the hands of time and you can nearly see the Etruscan vessels gliding across Lake Prile. Centuries of history cloak the formidable citadel where the fortress dominates your view. The modern harbor town of Livorno rings with echoes from centuries long forgotten with an unmatched collection of churches beloved for their artistic and historical story.

The mild climate in Lucca is considered ideal for a winter holiday. Lucca has a purposeful mix restaurants, bars, homes, and shops along their charming, narrow, medieval streets. Superb car, bus, and rail connections put the most popular Tuscany destinations within easy reach of Lucca.

Treat yourself to Massa Carrara which is home to "the red palace" which is a reference to bright red exterior of the Duke's Palace in Massa. This is where the precious, world renowned Carrara marble is mined in the Apuan Alps.

Galileo stood before the Leaning Bell Tower near the world famous Piazza Uomo in Pisa. Can you imagine a conversation with him today? Pistoia is a perfect choice for living quietly in a town guarded by trees but within easy access of popular tourist destinations. Here you will learn the meaning of the "moon in the well".

Prowl the pastry shops of Prato to pick up biscotti, cantucci, and almond cookies to accompany of bottle of classic Vin Santo on your travels through Tuscany to the gem called Siena. The splendor of the 13th century permeates this town built on three hills and centered in the clutches of fabulous vineyards.

Twice each summer there is a wild horse race called the Palio, held on a dangerous course that has claimed the lives of both horses and riders over the years. It has the elements of history, tradition, fierce rivalry and humor.

Legend records that the Tuscan Islands sprung from the pearl necklace worn by Venus, the goddess of beauty. Myth says the pearls fell to the Tyrrhenian Sea when she broke the necklace and created the 7 islands that compose the Tuscan archipelago.

Swimsuits are the uniform among the islands where every conceivable diversion is available. From the influence of exiled Emperor Napoleon on modern Elba, to plundering pirates and penal colonies, there are enchanting, unchanged places to visit. The islands attract the both the scientific and the social minded as you trade your hectic life for an unhurried mind on holiday floating in the emerald sea.

Umbria is mystical, mysterious, and obscure. Living in this landlocked region whose rollicking hills are adorned with watchtowers, fortresses, and castles is a potpourri of unexpected distractions. The first drops of the majestic Tiber River are formed here. It is in the quiet hill towns that a world reputation has been forged for creating the finest ceramics anywhere.

Use a bike rack on the auto and pack sturdy walking gear to discover Umbria. In Amelia you can explore the "Cave of Bones" where the ancient fossils will make you feel young again. Spirituality is the hallmark of the holy city of Assisi.

A muted majesty surrounds the priceless artwork in the fabulous basilicas in the city. There is a national celebration honoring the Patron Saint of Italy accompanied by much song and folk dancing. Cascia Norcia Valnerina is the place for festivals from spiritual to spectacles and a terrific spot to gorge on black truffles, lamb recipes, and fruits.

In Citta di Castello a tour of the weaving, lace, and embroidery factories is an interesting interlude. The first printed copy of the Divine Comedy was produced in Foligno in 1472. Each year the city conducts the "Celebration of Dante" to mark the occasion.

Antique fans will flock to the established markets of Gubbio year round but the town overflows when they put on the annual Race of the Candles. This truly wacky, madcap, and amazing race is one of most famous festivals in the world.

Travelers reach the old town center of Orvieto via the funicular lift or using a positively devious matrix of escalators and lifts that have been carved from the rock at Campo della Fiera. Umbria will teach you that Perugia is for chocolate lovers, that the highest waterfall in Europe is Marmore near Terni, and why Spoleto is a famed international cultural center.

Legend says that Hercules, son of Jupiter, built Todi which has become a favorite of medieval lore buffs. This monument rich town sits precariously atop a rocky hill and attracts crowds on the weekends.

In Trasimeno, life revolves around Lake Trasimeno, one of the most sought out lakes in all of Italy. Lake Trasimeno is just another magnificent choice for a self catering holiday rental, where the water laps at the shore holding vintage villas, enchanted castles, archaic ruins and dramatic villas.

It's possible to lust for Venice while you fall in love with the region of Veneto. To many people the tempting towns and small cities across the flat landscape are remembered as unfocused. They are seen as a blur as they try to get to Venice as rapidly as possible. Once you discover the treasures that lie within sight of the Alps among the colorful vineyards, you may find there is a holiday to be had in paradise.

Lake Garda cuddles with olive and lemon groves and you can witness the snow-capped Alps mirrored on its shining surface. Decompress in the thermal waters of Abano or observe a chess match played with costumed humans in tiny Marostica. In Verona you can forget about Romeo and actually stand below Juliet's famous balcony and proclaim your love of Shakespeare.

The city that makes you want to believe in "Once Upon A Time" and "They Lived Happily Ever After" is Venice. Truman Capote once said: "Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go".

Many people are surprised that Venice is poised on 117 islands in a lagoon and bound by an intricate canal system. Transportation in this 1,500 year old, car-banned, city of love is via foot or boat.

An overweight, colorfully dressed, gondolier singing in the shadows of buildings that have stood for hundreds of years is a snapshot of romance. When nearby gondoliers join in the chorus of "Bese me mucho" you may be truly impressed.

A cheerful spirit of expectancy will help you navigate the crowded cobblestone streets as you stumble upon one world-class landmark after another. One of the world's most stunning squares is the genuine marbled St. Mark's Square. The Basilica of San Marco and the Doge's Palace keep watch over the square that has for centuries marked the city center.

Popular stops fueled by ice cream, famous wines, and delicious entrees are the Bridge of Sighs, Casanova's Cell, and the Giant's Stairway with the enormous statues of Neptune and Mars. The list of diversions in Venice is endless and the city itself is boiling with people, music, and scents as old as the fabled monuments that will be in your pictures.

Drench yourself in Venice but consider living in the Veneto countryside for an emotional and romantic adventure that you will savor forever.