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Are you looking for a special destination for your next summer holidays? Milano Marittima is the ideal solution if you are a family with children or a group of young friends seeking fun in this world of entertainment! Glamour pubs, fantastic events, comfortable beaches, natural wonders and cultural initiatives are just some of the infinite opportunities offered by this charming seaside locality, which will surely render your stay an unforgettable experience. What is popularily known as MiMa is a lovely toiurist destination located on the Adriatic coast, not far from Ravenna. Famous for its beautiful pine grove dominating the seaside promenade, it has become a renowned località attracting millions of Italian and foreign visitors every year. The buildings of this "garden town" perfectly integrate with the surrounding vegetation, guaranteeing tranquillity and quiet to all its guests. While the ones who love relax have the occasion to enjoy the pleasing pine trees' shadow from the balcony of a luxurious accommodation in front of the beach, party-goers will be dancing in the best disco clubs of Italy having fun during the best holiday of their life. The best period to visit MiMa is certainly summer, when the city becomes livelli and full of unmissable events. It is better to book the stay in advance, or to visit this locality in June or September, as high-season months are very requested and crowded. Still in Summer, nightclubs host the best-known international DJs and organize some sensazionale parties. Do not miss a night in the famous Pineta by Visionnaire, a classy club with a an elegante design inviting many VIPs. Villa Papeete is another must-do in in Milano Marittima, as this 19h century villa immerse in the green is an exclusive location with a matchless charm offering shows, live music and concerts. But first, remember to start the evening in the most adequate way! Everybody stop in a central street bar before going to the clubs, as thousands of people gather here every night to have a good "aperitivo" together! Caino Fashion Club, Vanquish or Zouk Santana are just some of the nice pubs you will find along your way. However, Milano Marittima is not just for the youngest visitors! Inside the century-old pine wood, you will find the modern "Terme di Cervia", a termale centre where couples and families decide to spend a realxing day out. Kids will also love the exciting Butterfly House, where they will be left with their mouth open in front of the explosion of colors of the wonderful animals. Do not forget to walk inside the splendid Natural park and to visit the thrilling adventure park called "CerviAvventura", where children and adults can have a great fun! And, last but not least, a day in Mirabilandia park will make your kids live the experience of a lifetime! Are you ready to plan your trip to Milano Marittima? hurry up and book now Villa Guidi or one of our charming properties for rent in Emilia-Romagna! © Alice Pilastri
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Among the numerous travel destinations that we have recommended one of the most beautiful and unmissable for the summer is certainly Greece. If you decide to spend a holiday outside of Italy, Greece and its islands are the most spectacular places in the Mediterranean and the most suitable for all needs and tastes. This ancient, beautiful destination offers a stunning cultural heritage, as well as relaxing beaches to visit in summer. In Greece, there are also infinite places to choose for a great family holiday, as children can have fun in safety in some of the best Mediterranean localities. Let's discover together the best islands to visit with children in Greece and choose where to spend your next summer holidays! We are here to give you advice on the most beautiful, economical, fun and relaxing places for your well-deserved summer break. Crete offers various nice opportunities for families, both for its accommodations and for the beautiful localities. The pink beach of Elafonisi, the splendid Balos lagoon are just two of the countless places to see, which also include historic towns like Candia, the museum of Heraklion or the ancient palace of Knossos. In this island full of history, you will find some suitable beaches for children near the main tourist areas, such as Herakleio, Chania and Malia. If you want to discover more about Crete, read our useful travel tips in the blog article! A holiday on the island of Corfu offers a variety of activities for everyone. As well as being a wonderful island, it is child-sized and an ideal place for a family holiday. The beaches are equipped and comfortable, the seabed degrades gently, and the temperature is mild. Moreover, getting to Corfu by ferry or airplane is very easy and comfortable. The best places to go with children are the beaches of Avlaki and Glyfada, two equipped white beaches with crystal clear water, Agios Giorgios, Stefanos Beach or Paleokastritsa, an impressive beach by families on holiday. Are you curious to discover the most charming places to see in Corfu? Read our exclusive article about the top 7 tourist destinations! Are you ready to discover Greece? Check out our holiday rentals Crete or Corfu to spend an unforgettable holiday with your beloved ones! © Alice Pilastri
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You probably did not know that Corfu hided a beautiful ghost town. With no inhabitants, Old Perithia has turned into an abandoned place in the middle of nature chosen by many people for a unique Greek getaway. Time in Old Perithia has stopped around 40 years ago and today it is considered Corfu’s best-preserved and oldest heritage. Awarded as a “heritage protected” in “a designated area of beauty”, this is certainly a place that deserves at least a visit if you are staying in the wonderful island. Why don’t you spend a day far from the wonderful beaches and Greek tavernas to discover the real, authentic spirit of the island? Surrounded by an incredible silence, in older times it was a populous and charming village made of stone houses and iconic churches. Once, it was inhabited by more that 1200 people and has flourished basing its economy on vines and agriculture, as the immense countryside framing its walls was suitable for this kind of activities. However, 40 years ago the last inhabitants abandoned the city seeking fortune away during a positive economic period, leaving Old Perithia forever. Now, a city tour turns into a magnificent time-travel. You will pass next to old ruins and walk on grassy roads stumbling into some imposing stone palaces which beauty was not lost with the passing of centuries. Their walls still present frescoes and decorations, recreating a wonderful Venetian atmosphere, and the cozy houses that were once so warm and friendly still look charming. Above all, the churches are particularily fascinating, as their position in the village seems chosen to protect it from foreign attacks. Actually, even the localization of Old Perithia aimed to avoid pirates’ menaces and made it a safe place to hide and install. The settlement developed on the side of a mountain invisible from sea and unreachable by land. Today, it has become a nice tourist destination and some restaurants and bars have opened to offer some delicious local specialites. This is certainly an unmissable opportunity to discover one of Corfu’s nicest and oldest corners! Plan your visit and do not forget to book one of our charming holiday rentals in the region, like Villa di Giovanni! © Alice Pilastri
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If you are looking for charming locality in Corfu for your next vacation, Kassiopi is the ideal destination for you. Relaxing, beautiful and immersed in the vegetation, this seaside town is a magic place that will make you explore the local culture in a unique way. Kassiopi is a traditional fishermen village located in the northern part of the island of Corfu. It is now a vibrant tourist destination with two wonderful beaches that attract many visitors with their stunning beauty. Born as a small coastal town, during the Roman Empire Kassiopi was a flourishing village where economy was totally based on fishing. Later, it enlarged the dimensions of its picturesque centre and featured a lovely byzantine castle that still partly exists. Kassiopi was not born as a touristic town. Situated in front of Pantokratos Mount, it is surrounded by a beautiful vegetation and still conserves the typical simplicity of the rich Greek culture. Of course, an excellent period to visit Kassiopi is summer to enjoy its three nice beaches! The first stony trait of coastline is equipped with facilities and offers various activities like water-ski or scuba diving that will make you live a memorable experience. The other two beaches are smaller but present some charming scenarios adorning them. The things to do in Kassiopi never lack. As it’s become a popular vacation locality, it offers numerous cafés, pubs and good restaurants of local cuisine where you can taste some Greek specialities. In the afternoons, you can enjoy a bike tour or a wonderful mini-cruise to discover the secret spots of paradise along the coast. How can we not mention the great events and festival organized in Kassiopi? Easter is definitely an excellent occasion to visit the town and to take part to its festivals, while August 15th and May8th are two important religious festival not to be missed. Are you ready for your trip? We suggest choosing the wonderful Villa Armonia to enjoy your stay to the fullest, as this beautiful villa located 2 km far from the town centre guarantees an unforgettable stay to all its guests. © Alice Pilastri
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Crete is a magical island considered one of world’s best holiday destinations. Also called “Megalònisos”, meaning “Great Island”, its territory is so large that it might also be considered as a country itself. Its amazing localities satisfy everyone’s needs: art, culture, history, natural wonders, beautiful beaches and a lively nightlife are the highlights of a trip to this charming Mediterranean gem! Discover more about Crete and follow our useful travel tips to spend an unforgettable time on this Greek island! Centuries ago, Crete was the main centre of Minoan civilisation, which flourished until a natural disaster that made Achaeans and Dorians dominate the island. After a long period of Classical Greek civilisation, Crete was occupied by Romans and became an important Christian site. After various centuries of wars and battles, Crete was finally united with Greece in 1913. Crete is divided in four regional units. Chania’s capital presents a wonderful old town to discover on a tour, Rethymno offers many popular attractions to see, in Lasithi you can find the charming coastal town of Agios Nikolaos, while Heraklion is a treasure of art and history. When is it the best period to visit Crete? Even though this island presents an unbelievable charm in each period of the year, summer months are surely great to enjoy warm temperatures and get suntanned on the nice sandy beaches. However, this high-seasos is always accompanied by crowds of tourists that will not make you appreciate your stay to the fullest. Here is why we suggest visiting Crete between May and June, when the weather is already very agreeable. What to see in Crete? This island is famous for its numerous Minoan excavations, presenting some inestimable ancient ruins and works of art. An example is the wonderful palace of Knossos (discover more about this attraction here), the sites of Phaistos or Agìa Trìada. Many of these findings are now conserved in some museums, like the splendid Heraklion Archaelogical Museum, which is one of the largest and most important of the whole Greece. Looking for a holiday rental? Choose among our villas for rent in Crete! © Alice Pilastri
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The Mediterranean region always stuns everybody with its lovely coastlines and views. There is no better way to discover its beauties than visiting its wonderful islands with the one you love the most, as you can enjoy a romantic getaway to its best-known localities. Cannot decide which island is perfect for you and your partner? Take a look at our top holiday destinations for couples to spend a very good time in one of Europe's best destinations! - Kefalonia, Greece Kefalonia’s atmosphere is wildly romantic. This jewel of the Mediterranean is waiting for you to be discovered and appreciated in its unbelievable charm. Its landscapes are stunning and its hidden corners of paradise guarantee a relaxing and memorable holiday to each couple. If you love nature and you would like to discover some nice folkloristic Greek traditions, this is definitely the destination for you. - The Balearic Islands, Spain : Yes, it might be very hot and crowded in the high season here. But how can you renounce to those beautiful panoramic view and dreamy beaches? Ibiza, Mallorca and, most of all, Menorca and Formentera are wonderful holiday destination for couples. Wouldn’t you like to have a romantic vacation where you can also party in the world’s best clubs and pubs? You and your partner can have the best time of your lives here. Looking for a holiday rental? Choose among our villas for rent in the Balearic Islands! - Capri, Italy Located in Southern Italy, Capri is an adorable islet with picture-perfect scenarios. Its glowing sea cave called Blue Grotto is a magic place to reach with a private boat, while the Faraglioni Archway is a beautiful place that will leave you speechless. Couples from all around the globe decide to visit this locality together, some of themto celebrate their wedding or honeymoon. Looking for a holiday rental? Choose among our villas for rent in Campania! - Folegandros, Greece Not so popular, but still one of the most beautiful, Folegandros enchants with its white town streets and stunning landscapes. The islands is filled with typical Cycladic buildings and natural beauty, made of splendid sea views and picturesque scenarios. - Santorini, Greece Santorini is a dream. Its famous sunsets are the unique protagonist of the holiday, as sun rays reflect on the beautiful white house walls creating splendid atmospheres. Thisis definitely one of the most popular destinations for couples in Greece, and it’s not difficult to understand why. Beautiful to be discovered by land and by sea going on a memorable private boat tour to visit its secret hidden corners of paradise. Looking for a holiday rental? Choose among our villas for rent in Santorini! - Crete, Greece Crete is the largest Greek island and it’s one of the best for a romantic vacation. It offers some of the most superb beaches of Europe and an incredible treasure of art and culture that will enrich your Greek experience making it unforgettable. A lively nightlife, an incredible variety of activities and a delicious offer of local food will delight you and make you live one of the nicest times you’ve ever had. Looking for a holiday rental? Choose among our villas for rent in Crete! © Alice Pilastri
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Where to find the best panorama of Florence? At Piazzale Michelangelo, obviously! This splendid terrace built in the 19th century is a balcony overlooking the historical centre of this town. Its architect was Giuseppe Poggi, who wished to celebrate Michelangelo Buonarroti dedicating to him the name of his artwork. The square had to host all his masterpieces, but the project was soon abandoned. However, a copy of his best-known statue, the David, was exposed in the centre of it to honor the Florentine artist. From this wonderful window, you can spot all the famous monuments of Florence from an original perspective that will certainly surprise you, leaving you speechless. Santa Croce Church, Uffizi Galleries, Vasari Corridor, Palazzo Vecchio and the imposing Brunelleschi Dome dominate the city's skyline, embellishing its charm. Both by day and by night, the Piazzale offers some unique emotions to all its guests. It's a dream location where you can spend some very romantic moments together with the person you love. Do not forget to bring a camera to shoot this special day! How to get there? It's possible to reach the Piazzale climbing the staircase from Piazza Poggi. It's a quite long and tiresome walk, but the panoramic view will surely be worth it! Otherwise, there are two bus lines run by ATAF (12, 13) that connect the city centre with the square, making it easy to get there comfortably. It might be inconvenient to use the car, as parks are limited and this area is always very crowded. Moreover, the Piazzale offers some fantastic events you cannot miss! In occasion of New Year's Eve celebrations, it hosts a big stage where the major Italian artists perform all night long, while September is the period of "Gelato Festival", an important international contest dedicated to the best Italian ice-creams. What are you waiting for? Start planning your trip to Florence and book one of our properties for rent in the city centre to turn your dream into reality! © Alice Pilastri
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Santorini’s fame comes before any description. It is probably one of the most iconic Mediterranean islands and its glimpses come to mind when it is time to talk about Greece. This volcanic island emerging from the Aegean Sea presents unique landscapes and stunning sunsets that add a wonderful touch of romanticism to a lovely holiday with the beloved one. But which are the best things to do in Santorini? There are activities you cannot skip to do and places you absolutely need to visit before returning home full of regrets. Discover them with us! If you are looking for a holiday rental in Santorini, don't forget to check Villa Dreams and Lighthouse Villa, two charming properties that we rent on this island. 1) Watch the Sunset in Oia Oia is a small but very charming village located north that mixes tourist attraction with traditional atmospheres. Its sunset are stunningly beautiful and will leave you speechless. The perfect spots to watch the sun go down is the Byzantine Castle, Akrotiri lighthouse, Santo Winery or at a romantic restaurant. 2) Spend a day at the beautiful beaches What’s better than spending a hot summer day at the beach? Santorini offers various beaches with different features that fit the need of every visitor. While Red Beach is wild and colorful, Perissa Beach is very frequented , White Beach can only be reached by sea and Kamari Beach presents an endless trait of fine white sand. You just need to choose your favorite and relax. 3) Take part to a delightful Wine Tour One of the things that distinguish Santorini is its unique viticulture, that differs from any other around the globe. It is not a holiday without a glass of wine, right? And why not choosing an incredible 18-Greek wine tasting in the famous Santo’s Winery? 4) Visit an archaeological excavation site The western coast of Santorini presents the wonderful archaeological site of Akrotir. Here, an ancient Minoan civilization was discovered, after being buried for centuries under the ashes of a 15thcentury BC eruption. Don’t miss it! 5) Discover the beauty of Fira Fira is Santorini’s largest town and certainly the most visited by tourists. Its attractions are countless: spend some time shopping in the numerous boutiques of have a coffee in a panoramic café! Then, continue your tour between picturesque churches and don’t forget to take some gorgeous photographs. 6) Hike to the top of Santorini Volcano This island presents a famous “caldera” born from volcanic activities. Get the most out of your experience and try to hike to the top of the volcanic island of Nea Kameni that you can find in this area! You will spot smoking craters, lava formations and beautiful landscapes that you will not be able to see in any other place. Also, the panoramic view will be worth the long walk! © Alice Pilastri
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Greece is a beautiful country conserving a valueless artistic and cultural heritage. The first findings of Ancient Greek Art date back to 1000 BC, when the Cycladic and Minoan civilizations started developing. Later, they gave birth to Western classical art in the subsequent Geometric, Archaic and Classical periods. In each of these historical ages, Greek artists produced some of the most wonderful masterpieces every created by mankind. We can mention the imposing Parthenon, the Pergamon altar, the bronze statue of Zeus or the Doriphorus to give you a small idea of how beautiful some of these works were, ad still are. If you have planned a trip to Greece, you will probably be happy to know that most of these masterpieces are conserved in museums open to the public! Tourists can admire the perfection of Classical art on a memorable tour inside the halls of some of the most important museums of this country, which exhibit many of the artefacts found during the excavations in the archaeological sites. Do you wish to know where you can see some of the best-known Greek art masterpieces? Check out the top 6 museums to visit at all costs in Greece and enjoy your culture trip! Also, we added some useful travel tips about the holiday rentals you might book to get the most out of your stay. 1) The Acropolis Museum in Athens Right next to the stunning Acropolis of Athens and its Parthenon, you will find one of the most beautiful museums on earth. This modern building made with glass and iron first opened its doors in 2009, substituting the previous museums. Its 14000 square metres host thousands of valuable artefacts found excavating the Acropolis area. Sculptures coming from the Erechteum, marble columns, a fantastic reconstruction of the original Parthenon with its decorations and a lot of other surprises will leave you speechless! 2) The Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Santorini In the city of Fira, you are invited to visit the wonderful Museum of Prehistoric Thera, where you can admire some of the most important artefacts of the Minoan civilization. The amazing frescoes and unique paintings will show you a new facet of Greek art that was probably unknown to you! Looking for a holiday rental? Choose among our villas for rent in Santorini! 3) Heraklion Archaelogical Museum in Crete This is one of the largest Greek museums and it conserves some inestimable works of Minoan art. Its splendid artefacts cover a period of time of more than 5000 years and most of them date back to prehistory. If you're staying in Crete, don’t miss it! Looking for a holiday rental? Choose among our villas for rent in Crete! 4) Archaelogical Museum of Delphi It's in Delphi that the legend tells that lived the famous oracle who predicted the future. The objects found in the historic Delphic sanctuary are conserved in the amazing Archeological Museum found in the Area of Fokida. Its statues, metopes, remains of ancient temples and funerary objects found in century-old graves form one of the best collections of Greek art in the world. 5) National Archaeological Museum of Athens The National Archaeological Museum located in the capital is the largest permanent art exhibition of Greece. Its halls conserve more 10000 pieces of art dating back to ancient times. Famous masterpieces such as the Kouroi, the Dypilon Vase and the famous Mask of Agamemnon are all shown inside its glass showcases: are you ready to see them with your own eyes and get charmed by their beauty? 6) Archaeological Museum of Olympia The splendid Museum of Olympia contains some important masterpieces coming from the site where the first Ancient Olympic Games took place. In addition of these, you will find the well-known Nike of Paioinios and the stunning ornaments coming from the Temple of Zeus. © Alice Pilastri
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Did you know that the labyrinth of the Minotaur is not just a simple legend? It’s in one of Crete’s main towns, Knossos, that you can spot what might be the mythical maze that housed the half-bull, half-man Minotaur. Knossos was the centre of Minoan civilisation and the most important archaeological site dating back to Bronze Age. This city was an important political, religious and economic centre that exploited the close river to develop its trades. The beautiful Palace of Knossos was built on top of the hill where it was believed that Zeus was hidden by his mother Rea to save him from its father Cronus, who wanted to devour him. With its 20000 square meters, 1300 rooms and 5 floors, it is the biggest Minoan building ever built. Further to its largeness, the palace surprises for the variety of materials used and the beautiful still-existing decorations that adorn its areas. The best-known wall paintings found in Knossos are the “Bull Jumping” and “The Prince of Lilies”, which colors are still stunningly intact. Another interesting part of the building are Queen’s Baths, which present a modern sewage pipe system and some wonderful decorations. The first site excavations were conducted by Minos Kalokerinos of Herakleion in 1878 and they were continued in the 1920s by a famous English archaeologist called Sir Arthur Evans. The complicated planimetry of a building where it was almost impossible to get orientated suggested that Knossos could be the place that had inspired the popular Minotaur legend. The story tells that the maze was ideated by Dedalus, who was helped by his son Icarus in its realisation. As it was extremely intrigated , both of them were imprisoned by it and could only escape flying away, using the wings that Icarus had just finished building. The project was commissioned by Minos, King of Crete, to enclose the frightening Minotaur inside it. This monster with a half-bull, half-man body was born from Pasiphae, the king’s wife, and a white bull sent by Poseidon that made her fall in love. The wrath of King Minos induced him to oblige Athens, that had just been defeated in war, to send 7 girls and 7 boys in the labyrinth each year, to feed the monster. One day, Theseus arrived in Crete hiding himself in the group of kids and fell in love with Ariadne, the king’s daughter. With the help of Dedalus and Ariadne’s thread, Theseus killed the Minotaur and found the way out of the labyrinth. Are you ready to dream inside this magic palace? Plan your visit and get charmed by the beauty of this site! Full-tickets cost €15 while reduced ones cost €8 and you can easily reach the Palace from the main cities of the island. If you are looking for a lovely accommodation to rent for your stay in Crete, we suggest one of our charming holiday rentals in Crete. © Alice Pilastri
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