Exclusive Places to Visit, Things to do and Experiences in Italy, Greece, Spain and Croatia

The Tower of Pisa is a monument that everybody is able to recognize seeing a picture of it. Along with the Colosseum, it is one of Italy's symbols and it appears in the "New 7 Wonders of The World” list because of its incredible beauty. This white leaning tower that seems to fall to the ground at any moment is located in Piazza dei Miracoli, next to the famous Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, to the Baptistry and to the Camposanto. If you are staying in Tuscany, you cannot miss the occasion to visit this unique place! What about its history? The construction was started in 1173 by architect Diotisalvi, who also designed the Baptistry. However, the work was not carried out before 1350 because of the various delays and problems that emerged. The building reached a 56 m height and it arose next to the Cathedral, as it was its bell tower. In fact, the tower's interior is formed by two halls called "Sala del Pesce", as it contains a low relief representing a fish, and a bell room including seven ancient bells. The exterior is decorated with eight floors of loggias with columns and blind arches, built using the white marble of Carrara. But why does the Leaning Tower...lean? What makes this monument unique is its inclination. Is it an architectural virtuosity or a simple human mistake? Actually, the correct answer is the second one. The soil under this heavy construction was sandy, clayish and not solid enough to support it, so the tower started to sink. This is why the works have been suspended over and over again and the attempts to solve the issue were vain. The 19th and 20th century restoration works did nothing but worsen the situation, which was finally stabilized in 1999-2001. This “tower that leans and leans but will never come down" is one of the most visited Italian monuments: book your ticket and visit it during your next stay in Pisa! The entrance ticket costs 18€ and online booking costs €10. You will have the opportunity to enter this beautiful building, to climb its 300 steps staircase and to admire a spectacular panorama from its top! Are you looking for a holiday rental in Pisa? Choose one of our properties near this town and spend a dream holiday in Tuscany! © Alice Pilastri

The profession of the barber belongs to other times and it seems that the 21st century does not leave any room for it. However, it is such a pity that this ancient job disappears from our society., as it would take centuries of history away and delete an exceptional Italian tradition. The first barbers appeared in Ancient Rome, when these “tonsor” working for the rich dealt with beard cuts and hair stylings. It was a solemn ritual that introduced teenagers to the adult age, but it soon developed some coiffure fashion trends which were followed by Emperor like Neron or Traian! In the following centuries, the barber's figure started to affirm itself in Italian society, in which it worked as a hairstylist, barber, advisor, dentist, surgeon, psychologist, beautician and much more! His boutique's customers felt like home, as it was a relaxing and cozy place where they could chat with other gentlemen. These "men with razors" also diffused in England, especially in London, in Western Europe and even in the USA after the 19th century. Thanks to some ingenious entrepreneurs who love Italian tradition, many modern "barberie" have been opened. One of these is the “Blues Barber Shop”, a store in Via Cimabue, 36 in Florence which is managed by a Sicilian family coming from Marsala. It is a spacious shop designed in a 1930/1940s style, decorated with white and green stripes and with wonderful black leather armchairs. The longtime experience in this field mixes with the passion for blues music, which is the background of your pleasant hair-styling, beard cuts and face treatments sessions with first-quality products by "Proraso". Take care of yourself, discover this ancient tradition, book a session inside an Italian barbershop and make an amazing gift to your beloved gentleman in occasion of Father's Day! If you are looking for a property for rent in Florence, we suggest checking our villas and apartments in this city and choosing your favorite! © Alice Pilastri

Sardinia is a paradise island with beautiful beaches that have nothing to envy to the caraibic ones. After a short flight or ferry-boat trip, you will arrive to a stunning place which has been often rewarded by companies such as “Touring Club Italiano” for its cleanliness and splendor. While the inner region of Sardinia presents arid landscapes and wonderful rests of ancient "nuraghi", the coastline offers some famous tourist destinations that will turn your holiday into a real daydream. Charming panoramas, sunny days, relax and fun: is there something better than this? We selected the best beaches in Sardinia for you: visit them during your stay, follow our travel tips and start planning your holiday! Book one of our properties in the region and spend the best vacation of your life: we suggest checking our luxury villas along Costa Smeralda and Costa Paradiso and to choose your favourite! 1. La Maddalena Archipelago The beautiful islands forming this northern archipelago conceal some stunning beaches: La Maddalena, which is the biggest island, offers the beautiful beach of Punta Tegge, colored with white sand and cliffs with pink shades, or the famous beach of Budelli. You have certainly heard about this magic "pink beach", where the sand is embellished by some wonderful shades that render it one of the most original and colorful places of the world! On Caprera Island you will have the opportunity to visit Cala Coticcio, where the colors of Mediterranean scrub mix with crystal-clear waters and with the historical heritage of Garibaldi 's stay in the region. 2. Sassari's Province In the North-West of the island you will visit some amazing beaches like the immaculate Castelsardo coastline or the award-winning beach of “La Pelosa” in Stintino. This is one of Italy's best beaches and its rich vegetation grows a few steps away from the clear blue water, right in front of Asinara and La Pelosa sea stacks. 3. Alghero Alghero is the perfect summer destination: natural wonders, stunning beaches and a great nightlife make it a popular place where young groups spend their vacations! The best beaches are located along “Riviera del Corallo” and we suggest those of Lampianu, Bombarde, Porto Ferro and the beautiful "Spiaggia dei Capriccioli". 4. Santa Teresa di Gallura Santa Teresa di Gallura is the northernmost town of Sardinia, located in front of Bonifacio's Mouths. The charming beach of Rena Bianca presents a dazzling white beach colored with some coral fragments and can be reached easilyfrom the main roads. Instead, Cala Spinosa's waters and granitic rocks are illuminated by a thousand shades that can be admired during an exciting scuba diving! We also recommend going to the magnificent beach of Rena Majore in Agientu, where black cliffs create some splendid contrasts with the white beach and the azure reflections. 5. Costa Smeralda Costa Smeralda is the summer destination par excellence, chosen by VIPs and by luxury and fun lovers. The beaches we suggest to visit are Piccolo e Grande Pevero, Cala di Volpe, Principe and Romazzino! 6. Cagliari's Province The South of Sardinia presents countless paradisiac places: Su Giudeu beach in Chia presents a long coastline of white sand with a splendid island in front of it, Solanas/ Sinnai beach is perfect for scuba divers, while Scoglio di Peppino beach in Castiadas is a magical locality with a transparent sea. Visit the charming town of Villasimius and spend one day at Punta Molentis, at Teulada-Tuaredda or at Porto Giunco, where you can catch sight of some pink flamingos! 7. The Gulf of Orosei The Gulf of Orosei is located on the Eastern side of the island and conceals some incredible natural wonders, like Cala Goloritzé, Cala Luna beach in Baunei, Cala Sisine and Cala Mariolù. The tropical waters carress an immaculate beach with some golden sand dunes that really deserve a visit! 8. Carbonia-Iglesias's Province The Western part of Sardinia is less frequented by tourists, but still presents some beautiful beaches that need to be seen! We suggest visiting Monti Russu beach or Cala Domestica in Buggerru, offering some small and quiet bays. 9. San Teodoro This locality near Olbia is so beautiful that it got the name of "Sardinia's Haiti"! The beach of Cala Brandinchi presents some white sand dunes and a luxuriant pine grove, while La Cinta and Isuledda beaches offer some breathtaking panoramas. © Alice Pilastri

Etna is the largest volcano in Europe, a popular tourist destination in Sicily and an important center for scientific research that allows thousands of geologists and volcanologists to collect their data. The contours of its shape stand out on the blue sky and dominate cities like Catania, Taormina e Acireale, which are some charming centers in Western Sicily. The Mount reaches a height of 3343 m., it has been included in UNESCO's “World Heritage List” in 2013 and it is admired by countless visitors since more than 3000 years. Mount Etna has always been celebrated for its incredible beauty, connected to the uncontrollable power of Mother Nature and its ability to destroy everything at any time leaving no chance to escape. In fact, it is an active volcano whose mouths always let a plume of smoke spill out and eruptions are frequent. The numerous lava flows also modified the territory, creating a unique and peculiar environment. “Etna Natural Park” presents some small inhabited centers, green woods, steep stone walls, arid areas, perpetual glaciers and many smoking mouths scattered along the mount's slopes. This is the ideal destination for travelers who love sports and natural excursions, as it offers dozens of different activities! The trekking trails are many and they sensitize on the necessity to protect this special environment. Both beginners and expert athletes will be invited to visit some incredible places, such as Valle del Bove, a volcanic depression with deep canyons, or Grotta del Gelo, a cave with perennial ice. The Park can be visited in every period of the year and it is suitable for cycling, mountain climbing, trekking and ski lovers: actually, the snowy mount's peak welcomes thousands of skiers from December to April and it offers long trails and efficient ski-lifts! Moreover, it is right in this area that some important competition have taken place, like some recent “Giro d’Italia” editions. Look at the amazing panoramic views from the top of the volcano and take a picture to the landscapes colored with citrus groves, infinte woods, vineyards and with the wonderful shades of the Sicilian sea. If you are lucky, you will also have the occasion to watch one of its eruptions, to look at its burning slopes and at the sky lighting up with beautiful lava gushes! Organize your trip and book one of our villas for rent near Mount Etna! We suggest our Taormina Suite! © Alice Pilastri

In these days, the magnificent Uffizi Gallery inaugurates its new halls dedicated to Caravaggio and other 17th century painters. It is the perfect occasion for you to finally organize your visit! Follow us inside the most beautiful museum of the world and plan your visit in the best way! The building was built in 1560-80 by Giorgio Vasari and it was commissioned by Cosimo I de’Medici. Initially, it had to house Florence's administrative and judiciary offices and it included a corridor linking the palace with Palazzo Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti, which was called “Corridoio Vasariano”. The first idea of setting up a real museum belonged to Grand Duke Francis I, who commissioned a splendid "Tribuna" conserving Medici family's treasures and a charming loggia on the last floor. In the following centuries, the Medici carried on this project but it was mainly during the period of Lorraine dominion that Uffizi Gallery enriched itself with hundreds of works of art. Nowadays, it conserves some extraordinary collections of ancient sculpture, Medieval paintings and Renaissance masterpieces made by Raffaello, Botticelli, Michelangelo or Beato Angelico. The Uffizi Gallery offers more than 45 halls: you will need a whole day to visit every section of it, but it is certainly worth it! Relax, do not rush and enjoy the beauty of every detail found in the paintings. Look at the masterpieces and admire their perfection to feel some incredible emotions that you will not find in any other place! However, if you do not have a lot of time to spend here and you wish to know which are the halls you absolutely need to see in this museum, do not worry: follow our travel tips and read our short guide! First of all, we suggest entering in Hall no.2, which is dedicated to 13th century art and to the splendid Madonnas belonging to Giotto, Cimabue and Duccio di Buoninsegna. Then, go to Hall no. 5/6 to see the main International Gothic's works, like "Adorazione dei Magi” by Gentile da Fabriano, and to Hall no. 7, which hosts the beautiful “Sant’Anna Metterza” by Masaccio and Masolino and the “Battaglia di San Romano” by Paolo Uccello. Do not miss Halls no.10/14, which are dedicated to magnificent works by Botticelli such as "The Birth of Venus" or the "Spring": these are the protagonists of the museum, which attract visitors coming from all parts of the world! Hall no. 15 conserves the splendid "Annunciazione” by Leonardo da Vinci, Hall no.35 presents the famous “Tondo Doni” by Michelangelo, while Halls no.57/58 hosts the wonderful Mannerist work called "Madonna delle Arpie” by Andrea del Sarto. Raffaello's masterpieces are in Hall no. 66, Hall no.83 is dedicated to Titian, while Hall no.90 presents works by Caravaggio. End your tour walking along the beautiful corridor on the last floor, where you will find dozens of ancient statues and a charming ceiling with a "grottesche" decoration! The opening hours are 8.15AM-6.50PM from Tuesday to Sunday, while tickets cost €8/€4. However, we suggest booking your ticket online before the arrival paying an extra of €4, in order to avoid queues and long waiting times. If you are looking for a holiday rental, choose your favorite one among our numerous villas in Florence! © Alice Pilastri

Famous museums, adventure parks, beautiful zoos, incredible swimming pools, dark caves to explore and many other amusements are what makes Tuscany a perfect region to choose to spend a vacation with children! The wonders of this region are hidden behind every corner and between its breathtaking landscape you will find some fantastic spots to visit with those you love the most. Follow us in our journey across the best attractions for children in Tuscany, book one of our properties and start planning your holiday in the region! 1) The Beaches and Amazing Events of Versilia The localities of Lido di Camaiore, Forte dei Marmi, Tonfano and Viareggio are all connected to each other with a comfortable bike path and with a pedestrian road, where kids can play and run in total freedom and safety. If the weather is hot, they will be welcome to play in one of the "Children Beaches" equipped with games right in front of the sea. Once you are here, do not forget to visit the famous "Cittadella" and "Museo del Carnevale" in Viareggio and take part to the magnificent Carnival parades taking place in February! And where to sleep? Book our Villa Oliveta! 2) Pistoia: the Historical Center, Pinocchio's Park and the Zoo As Pistoia offers innumerable activities to the youngest visitors, it has been awarded as a "children-friendly city" by UNICEF. Museums, theaters, natural parks, ancient palaces and the well-known "Giardino Volante" are some ideal places to visit with kids, as they mix their fun with learning. Other destinations for children are Pistoia's zoo, where they can meet giraffes, tigers and hundreds of other animals coming form all parts of the world, and the famous "Pinocchio's Park" in Collodi. In this incredible place created in honor of the cartoon character, children can see the real Gold Coin Tree, the Field of Miracles and the charming "Butterfly House”, inhabited by many colorful butterflies! 3) A Family Tour Inside Florence's Museums Discover the splendid Florentine museums through some exciting interactive tours that will fascinate kids and adults! Palazzo Strozzi offers a guided "family tour", while Palazzo Vecchio organizes an itinerary called “vita di corte”, which is suitable for kids between 4-7 years old and includes some secret passages and hiding places. The treasures hidden inside the old town center can be unveiled with one of the "family tour" explorer's kits, which will turn your visit into an exciting treasure hunt along some of Italy's best roads. If you wish to visit some museums, we also recommend “Museo Galileo Galilei”, “Museo dei Ragazzi” in Palazzo Vecchio or “Bottega dei ragazzi” inside Istituto degli Innocenti, where you can enjoy some interesting tours! 4) Feel the Adrenalin in the Best Amusement Parks of Tuscany Those who love fun and strong emotions will not be disappointed! Spend one day in “Cavallino Matto” park in Donoratico, which offers dozens of attractions, games and restaurants in a shadowy ambiance that adapts to the warmest days. In summer, do not forget to spend an afternoon inside one of the Acqua Villages located along the coast and enjoy their water slides and pools! And where to sleep? Book our Villa Giulia Follonica! 5) Natural Parks and Adventure Trails If you prefer to spend a day surrounded with nature dedicating to relax, we recommend visiting the beautiful “European Fauna Park” in Poppi, located between Arezzo and Florence, or to the magnificent "Il Gigante" adventure park in Vaglia (FI). here, right in the middle of a luxuriant wood, you will find a large area with seven paths for adults and children between the trees! And where to sleep? Book our Casa La Fonte! 6) Discover Caves and Underground Tunnels In Tuscany, there are more than 1500 caves and its underground tunnels extend for kilometers. Start your exploration and discover the hidden beauties on Elba Island, which is a perfect destination for holidays with kids and offers beautiful tunnels inside the "Parco Minerario dell’Isola D’Elba”. You can also visit Val di Cecina, where you will be surprised by the power of Earth watching its geysers! If you are staying in the province of Lucca, we also suggest visiting the splendid "Grotta del Vento” and the region of Antro del Corchia, which hides more than 60 kms of incredible underground paths. And where to sleep? Book our Villa Il Nido! 7) Lucca: Bike Tours and "Lucca Comics and Games" Lucca is a charming town to be visited riding a bike in total safety. Rent a tandem or a bike with child seat and ride along the road on top of the historical city walls with your children or visit the "Museo del Fumetto"! You can also participate to the amazing “Lucca Comics and Games” festival, which welcomes thousands of cosplayers and the best-loved movie characters: the atmosphere is special and the city gets very crowded! And where to sleep? Book our Villa Flavia! © Alice Pilastri

Few Italian Regions are diverse like Tuscany, which can really offer some unforgettable experiences in whichever period of the year to all its first-time visitors. Further to the sweet hills covered by cypresses and sunflowers, further to the magnificent Dome of Florence or the Leaning Tower, further to the splendid beaches of Elba Island and to the immense nature of Maremma, there is much more to discover! Maybe not all of you know it, but wintertime is the period for thousands of skiers to go to the best Tuscan ski slopes to spend an exciting weekend out or to organize a special ski trip here! Right when the snow starts to fall, Tuscany becomes a renowned destination for sport tourists and for all those who love snow activities. Discover which are the best destinations and start planning your next winter excursion!! 1) PISTOIA APPENNINES It is probably the best-loved ski trail in Tuscany and it is near Pistoia, not far from the border with Emilia-Romagna. Abetone mountain reaches a peak of 1388 m and it offers a school-camp for children and some trails for expert skiers, which are equipped with some efficient ski-lifts. In the neighborhood, there are also Le Regine, Pulicchio and Val Di Luce trails, which are just perfect for adrenaline lovers as they offer black, red and blue tracks! You can reach higher peaks visiting Alpe Tre Potenze, La Selletta, Libro Aperto and Monte Gomito, which offer the famous "Zeno" trails designed by the ski champion Zeno Colò and some amazing panoramas to admire from the top. Those who love snowboarding will be also able to challenge each other racing on these long slopes branching off the woods And there is more to come: visit the two snow parks equipped with obstacles to try some exciting jumps or go to the ring-shaped trail for cross-country ski! Well, this is certainly a place that will not disappoint you! And where to sleep? Book our Villa Lugliano! 2) LUNIGIANA Lunigiana offers a single ski trail called "Zum Seri", but its beauty deserves to be seen at least once. The panoramic sight from the top extends as far as the eye can see over snow-clad woods, reaching the waters of Mar Ligure in the sunniest days. Children, families and all kinds of skiers are welcome to try these rails even if the snow hasn't fallen in large quantities, thanks to the numerous snow cannons. In total, the trails cover 12 kms and the fun is absolutely guaranteed! And where to sleep? Book our Villa Saida! 3) GARFAGNANA Lucca's province includes the well-known region of Apuan Alps and the area of Careggine plateau, Passo delle Radici and Casone di Profecchia. Give a try to cross-country ski, Alpine skiing, snowboard or finally take the decision of learning to ski in this rail, which is particularily suitable for first-timers. The wonderful panoramas with woods, mountains and parks covered with snow will make your experience even more pleasant! And where to sleep? Book our Villa Il Nido! 4) MONTE AMIATA Even Southern Tuscany can offer some fantastic emotions on the snow! Right in the middle of one of Europe's largest beech woods, you will find a 10 km-track for Alpine ski, a 10 km-track for nordic ski and various school-camps. The most audacious visitors choose this destination to hurtle on the famous rails that have hosted various international competitions and European championships. The charming landscapes near Monte Amiata are the ideal place to be discovered by those who love natural excursions and hiking trails, while history aficionados can seize on a visit to some splendid Medieval villages. And where to sleep? Book our Villa Castiglione! © Alice Pilastri

Perugia is a town where culture, history, music and art mix with each other to form an incredible ambiance. This Medieval fortified "borgo" can be visited in a single day and it always leaves its visitors speechless in front of its beauty. Young students who attend its ancient university and tourists coming from all parts of the world crowd the historical center at every hour of the day to admire the splendid monuments and to enjoy its amazing events. We are in the middle of Umbria, not far from some of its main cities like Gubbio, Foligno or Orvieto. Etruscans, Romans and other ancient populations inhabited this region, but it was especially during the Middle Ages that Perugia reached the peak of its splendor thanks to the making of many beautiful buildings and works of art. But what are the best things to see in Perugia? Our must-see attractions list starts with the wonderful "Fontana Maggiore" in Piazza IV Novembre, built by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano between 1275 and 1278. Two pink stone basins are decorated with three nymphs, some bronze figures symbolizing the legendary foundation of the city and two scenes inspired by Aesop's fables. Get ready to be charmed by its beauty! We also suggest visiting the splendid Cathedral of San Lorenzo, which is the main city dome built in honor of the patron Saint in 1345-1490, or the so-called Oratorio di San Bernardino, a Franciscan chapel built in stone and polychrome marbles. Another thing to see is the "Rocca Paolina", commissioned by Pope Paul III to Antonio da Sangallo il Giovane. This majestic symbol of papal authority was destroyed when the region was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy and today there is nothing left but the cellar. Explore these dark tunnels and discover the mysteries of Perugia! The journey in the city's depths continues climbing down the stairs of the famous Etruscan Well built in 300 BC, which is 37 meters deep. Do not forget the fantastic museums that Perugia offers to its guests! Palazzo dei Priori hosts the Collegio del Cambio, presenting frescoes by Perugino and Raffaello in some of its halls and the beautiful Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria, where you will have the possibility to admire the famous masterpieces by Pinturicchio, Duccio di Buoninsegna, Perugino and Piero della Francesca. Also, he gluttons will not be disappointed by Perugina House of Chocolate and by the sweet tasting at the end of the visit! Choose this town as your next holiday destination in Central Italy or decide to stop here during your road trip between the wonders of Umbria! Do not forget to taste some local specialties like the “faraona alla leccarda”, which is a guinea-fowl with chicken livers, spices and white wine, or the “torta al testo”, a simple salty "schiacciata" seasoned with tidbits like truffles. Start planning your trip, book one of our villas in the region and take part to its incredible events like “Umbria Jazz” festival in July or ”Eurochocolate” festival taking place in October. © Alice Pilastri

It is one of the must-sees of Rome, a masterpiece of Renaissance art, one of the most important Christian places and the most magnificent work by Michelangelo. We re talking about the Sistine Chapel, a stunning hall built next to St. Peter’s Basilica hosting Pope’s conclaves since the 15th century. Let the colorful frescos take your breath away and organize your visit to spend some unforgettable moments surrounded by pure beauty! The opening of the Chapel dates back to 1483, under Pope Sixtus IV. In the following years, artists like Pinturicchio, Ghirlandaio, Cosimo Rosselli and Botticelli painted the middle tier with the “Stories of Moses and Jesus” inspired by the Old and New Testament. Some of the scenes are “The Trials of Moses”, “The Temptations of Christ” or the famous “Delivery of the Keys” made by Perugino. The inferior tier presents a simple decorations with some fake curtains. Another artist who worked in this site was Michelangelo, who received the commission from Pope Julius II in 1508 and concluded the project in 1512. His frescoes cover the whole surface of the vault, for a total of 1200 square meters. The central scenes follow the iconographic project proposed by Egidio da Viterbo, who chose to represent the Stories of the Genesis in nine boxes. Each scene is framed by a fake marble architecture where four young “ignudi” are leaned on. The best-known among these is certainly the “Creation of Adam” portraying Adam in the act of touching God’s finger to be instilled by the Holy Spirit. The lateral scenes represent Sybils and Prophets, which are soothsayers of Christ’s arrival, as well as Jesus’s ancestors and some miraculous events in favor of Jewish people. The beautiful bodies of the “ignudi” are some masculine nudes symbolizing humanity in its numerous forms of physical beauty. These figures have a great expressivity, they assume complex positions and they celebrate the most important divine creation, which is man. It was still Michelangelo who painted “The Last Judgement” between 1536 and 1541 behind the altar of the Chapel. In order to prepare the wall, the artist used a tilted bricks’ coverage to avoid the deposit of dust and to allow a better sight of the masterpiece from the bottom. He then chose to make a “good fresco” based on blue lapis which illuminate the work in a unique way. The azure background is crowded by many bodies which spin and circle around Christ. Inside the lunettes, the artist portrayed some angels with no wings who carry the symbols of Passion. The numerous figures have complex positions, intense facial expressions and a desperate pathos, especially in the case of the souls destined to Hell. However, the fresco received a lot of critics because of the iconographic anomalies and the presence of too many naked bodies in a sacred place. Michelangelo’s justifications were of no use and, in occasion of the Council of Trento of 1564, an artist called “Braghettone” was charged to censure the scene covering all the naked bodies. Visit the splendid Sistine Chapel! As it is part of the Vatican Museums, you will have the opportunity to buy a ticket that also allows you to visit its wonderful halls. The full-price ticket costs €17, the reduced ticket costs €8 and there are discounts for students, schools, pilgrims and families. Do not forget to have a look to our properties in Rome and choose your favorite!

It is one of the most-visited Italian monuments and certainly one of the most unique. Castel del Monte stands out on top of a hill 540 m high and its majestic aspect is visible from a distance. White, enormous and impressive, this building has an incredible beauty that you absolutely need to see during your stay in Apulia. We are near Alta Murgia National Park, about sixty kilometers far from Bari and thirty minutes far from the sea of Bisceglie and Molfetta. The castle's position is intentionally isolated in order to satisfy the Medieval defensive necessities, but it is easy to reach using the main regional roads. Castel del Monte was built by Frederick II of Swabia in 1240 using calcareous stone. Actually, the Empire's capital was moved from Palermo to Foggia in 1223, therefore the monarch had started promoting many important architectural projects in Apulia. Its exemplarity, the perfect harmony of its shape and the union between Northern European, Muslim and classical stylistic features have been officially recognized by UNESCO, that included the Castle in its “World Heritage Sites” in 1996. In fact, the building presents a peculiar octagonal shape, with eight corners, eight towers and eight one-hole windows on the first floor. The number 8 is repeated in the inner courtyard shape, which is decorated with blind arcades and by some beautiful marble statues. Unfortunately, many of the decorations found inside this castle have been lost throughout the years or have been moved to some museums, such as the "Pinacoteca Provinciale di Bari". However, it is still possible to admire the rests of some wall frescoes, floor mosaics or the two famous anthropomorphic shelves inside Torre del Falconiere. The original function of the building is still uncertain. Some affirm that it was exclusively defensive, some that it served for political representation, while others highlight how it has also been used as a prison or as location for important ceremonies, such as the wedding of Frederick's daughter. There are many symbols hidden inside this wonderful castle. The octagonal planimetry forms an intermediate shape between the circle and the square, which represent the sky and the land. Moreover, it has a strong relation with the light, which exalts its corners in every moment of the day, especially in occasion of the Autumn and Spring Solstices, when the sun rises exactly in front of the entrance door. Organize your visit to Castel del Monte and let it impress you with its beauty! The entrance ticket costs €7 or €3,50, there are discounts for large groups and it is possible to book a guided tour. Are you looking for a villa for rent in Puglia? Check out our luxury holiday rentals in the region and choose the one that suits you best.