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The Grand Tour - travel in Italy in the 18th century

The Grand Tour of Switzerland encompasses several top attractions and myriad new ways to absorb all the local flavors.

Take a foodie tour of Italy through 31 unique food experiences from tip to toe— an Italy bucket list for foodies, from food tours and cooking classes to wine tastings, unique foods, Italy food festivals, and factory tours.

Italy is an incredible country to explore! However, with so many beautiful Italian cities to choose from, it can get tricky when choosing which to visit. - 11 Very Best Things To Do In Genoa, Italy - Travel, Travel Advice - Europe, Genoa, Italy - Travel, Food and Home Inspiration Blog with door-to-door Travel Planner! - Travel Advice, Travel Inspiration, Home Inspiration, Food Inspiration, Recipes, Photography

The Grand Tour - travel in Italy in the 18th century

The European Grand Tour was the rite of passage of young English aristocrats that was all the rage during the 17th and 18th centuries.

20 amazing things to do in Positano, Italy. A town on the Amalfi Coast with lots to see and do. Includes map, activities, attractions & more.

Explore some of Europe's most iconic vacation destinations.

Sex, lies and copperplate – the tradition of the grand tour, and how it brought European knowledge, culture and style to Britain Words by Roísín HANLON The Grand Tour could be described as a sort of…

The Grand Tour - travel in Italy in the 18th century

Step into the glamour of Lake Como’s past when you tour these grand villas. Secluded and pristine, Lake Como has been a favorite Italian retreat for millennia, attracting wealthy types who want privacy, space, and beautiful views. The Y-shaped lake in the northern Lombardy region, about an hour north of Milan, first thrived under Julius Caesar, who named the lake Larius (a name you’ll still see about the lake region today) and made it a popular destination for powerful Romans. Over the centuries to follow, powerful families and politicians built themselves lavish villas on the lake’s shores, simultaneously showing off their wealth while creating a private space for pleasure. The lake’s extravagant villas became a tourist destination in the 18th century, when European elites began taking the “Grand Tour” of Italy’s picturesque sights. Artists like Percy Bysshe Shelley, Franz Liszt, and Lord Byron were inspired by the contrast of these stately villas against the wild nature of the Alps. Towering colonnades, manicured gardens, and gleaming marble shine from the edge of the lake. One of the best ways to see these gorgeous structures is from the lake, as the grandest villas were constructed to show their best face to the water. But to get a taste of Lake Como life in days gone by, make sure to take time to tour around at least one or two of these grand buildings, many of which are now open to the public as museums or hotels. Be sure to check visitor hours and restrictions before planning your visit, as some are only open on select days or times, or only by guided tour. Villa Carlotta Via Regina, 2, Tremezzina This stately 17th-century residence-turned-art museum was built by Milanese politician Giorgio Clerici II as a monument to his power as president of the Senate. Its next owner, Gian Battista Sommariva, added the garden that make this villa one of the lake’s most stunning today, spanning nearly 20 acres of citrus trees, 150 varieties of rhododendrons and azaleas, English roses, and more. Inside, art works from mostly 19th-century artists including Canova and Hayez are on display, as well as the perfectly preserved apartments of Princess Charlotte of Prussia, who lived here in the mid-19th century. Villa d'Este Via Regina, 40, Cernobbio Originally built in the 16th century for Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio, this villa was a meeting point for politicians and thinkers during his lifetime, but fell into decay after his death. Eventually revived, it was converted into a five-star hotel in 1873, which it remains to this day. While a stay here is the height of luxurious villa living, non-guests can still visit to sip an aperitivo on the terrace at Bar Canova, enjoy the green marble-lined spa, or simply stroll the 25-acre grounds. In addition to the gorgeously landscaped gardens, you can visit the mock fortresses built by one owner, a Napoleonic general, so he could stage his own battles, and the mosaic-lined grotto complete with a 17th-century statue of Hercules casting Lichas into the sea. Villa del Balbianello 22016 Tremezzina, Province of Como It’s easy to see why this graceful, airy 18th-century estate is one of the lake’s most visited destinations; you might recognize the covered loggia, cypress trees, and manicured gardens from Casino Royale or Star Wars Episode Two: Attack of the Clones. Built for Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini, this uniquely placed villa is surrounded by water on three sides, jutting out into the lake itself. Inside is a museum dedicated to the collection of previous owner Guido Monzino, an eccentric millionaire, explorer, and alpinist, showcasing antiques and artifacts from all over the world as well as the equipment used for the first Italian expedition to Mount Everest. Book your tickets in advance, as the number of daily visitors allowed here was recently reduced from 2,000 to 1,200. Villa Monastero Viale Giovanni Polvani, 4, Varenna The nearly mile-long garden of this villa fringes the lake’s shore with flora from all over the world: African and American palm trees, citrus, and fragrant oleander, among others. Originally established as a convent in the 13th century, it was converted to a private residence in the 17th century and renovated over the following years, leading to a charming overlap of styles and eras in the art and architecture of the house. Indoors, a museum showcases the constant evolution of the property over nine centuries, while the sprawling botanical gardens are primarily thanks to one owner, German industrialist Erich Walter Jacob Kees. Villa Bernasconi Largo Alfredo Campanini, 7, Cernobbio Away from the lakefront but no less spectacular, Villa Bernasconi sits in the center of the town of Cernobbio as a monument to the region’s history as a producer of fine silks, commissioned by a local textile magnate. Built in the expressive art nouveau style of the turn of the 20th century, its exterior is richly ornamented with a relief of mulberry leaves, silkworms, and moths, along with a banded pink floral mosaic. The museum inside is innovative and interactive, using historical artifacts and multimedia content to illustrate the history of the local silk trade.

Die Grand Tour of Switzerland vereint die Highlights zu einem einmaligen Reiseerlebnis quer durch die ganze Schweiz mit dem Auto oder Motorrad.

Shall I ever forget the sensations I experienced upon slowly descending the hills, and crossing the bridge over the Tiber; when I entered an avenue between terraces and ornamented gates of villas, …

How to spend one day in Perugia? Explore the highlights with these things to do in Perugina in a day from Baci chocolates to an underground city.

The Sicily and Italy tour travels all Italy including Rome, Portofino, Cinque Terre, Lakes, Venice, Florence, Amalfi Coast, Puglia, Sicily.

17-Day Italy Tour from Rome to Sorrento, Venice, Italian Lakes and Florence

Hou je van ultieme vergezichten? Ben je een outdoor-fanaat? Of trekt Zwitserland je sowieso? Dan hebben we iets heel tofs voor je! De Grand Tour of Switzerland.

The Island of Capri may be famous and it may be crowded in summer, but don't let that put you off - this is one of the world's greatest destinations.

Things to do in Assisi The ancient town of Assisi lies only a twenty-minute train ride from Umbria’s capital, Perugia. Known as the birthplace of Saint

Top things to do in Capri Italy and how to see the best of Capri island in one day. Featuring a map and lots of practical tips for your visit. Find out!

Get inspired by our Italy train itinerary. Explore Italy's best loved cities like Rome, Venice, and Florence with Eurail!

Fun facts about Orvieto Italy, the city perched on a cliff, 1000 feet above the valley below. This ancient town has much to offer.

If Academy Award winner The Great Beauty (La Grande Bellezza) made you long for a visit to Rome, we thought you might enjoy these pictures of the main locations chosen by Sorrentino to shoot his movie. If you have not watched the film yet you can find it here. If you are planning to come to Italy to visit each of these amazing locations, you can join other fans of the groundbreaking film on a tour of a series of locations of La Grande Bellezza.

The Grand Canal of Trieste runs from the ocean into the heart of the beautiful city of Trieste, Italy. This medium sized town in Italy, on the border of Slovenia was one of the unexpected highlights of our trip and proved to be as lovely to look at as it was hospitable. -Once again Mapped (see properties on the right hand side) for your viewing pleasure.

Van de 16e tot halverwege de 19e eeuw maakten jongemannen uit welgestelde gezinnen op weg naar de volwassenheid een 'Grand Tour of Europe'. Hoe zag Europa er in die tijd uit?

There’s something special about travelling Europe during the spring. To celebrate the return of warmer weather and longer days, we created a list of some of our favourite spring train routes.

Limited time in Italy? This 10 day Italy itinerary takes in three major cities and allows time to enjoy a few day trips too. See the best of Italy by train!

Praiano, Italy, is a small town on the Amalfi Coast located between Positano and Amalfi. It’s the least touristy spot on the Amalfi Coast and therefore, in my opinion, the best place to stay. Here’s a recap of our time there along with my accommodation, restaurant, bar, and activity recommendations!

One day in Capri itinerary. How to plan the perfect Capri day trip from Sorrento, Naples, Positano with maps and helpful tips.

Located in Sorrento (Sorrento Historic Centre), Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria is minutes from Piazza Tasso and Sorrento Lift. This 5-star hotel is within close proximity of Sedile Dominova and Piazza Sant'Antonino.

Terrace of Infinity, Villa Cimbrone, Ravello, Italy

Whether you want to learn about Italy's history, taste its fine food or sample its wine, a guided tour is the best way to see it all. Browse the best Italy tours.

Road trip de 10 jours en Sicile : que voir en sicile, quand partir en sicile. tout savoir avant de partir en Sicile. Notre guide pratique.

Navigate Europe's most popular routes without making reservations or traveling on crowded trains. Read more to discover scenic alternatives for your journey.

If you're looking for an epic cultural escape for 2024, consider Melbourne Australia for your next bucket list getaway.

L'itinéraire parfait pour visiter Venise en 3 jours. Que faire et voir à Venise en 3 jours + Où dormir + Tous mes conseils