At Living Art, we believe that holiday is a luxury that everyone deserves. And we make it more luxurious for you. We work to provide you with a lavish and enjoyable holiday experience in the beautiful surroundings of Italy. Allowing you access to luxury villas and holiday homes in Italy, which are designed to ensure your maximum convenience and comfort, we provide you with a chance to indulge in the treats and delights of life.
We have ventured into real estate, making you available with a variety of luxurious and plush settlement and rental options, as you engage yourself in beautiful and vibrant culture and surroundings of Italy. The holiday rentals and luxury villas in Italy, that we offer are a state of the art structures, housing all the comforts of life to ensure that you enjoy a wholesome holiday experience.
Read MoreCheck out the localities before you start looking for a new property in Italy
Forte dei Marmi is a renowned resort and it is one of the symbols of Tuscany. Its territory extends for 9 sq. Km and it is close to Pietrasanta. In particular, Forte dei Marmi is linked to the world-famous tourism that from the nineteenth century contributed strongly to its development as a resort of fun. The city began to populate thanks to the marble trade in the 16th century, when Pope Leo X commissioned Michelangelo to build a road to transport marble from the Apuan mountains to the sea. In 1788 was built the Fort (Fortino), from which the city was named. The “Fortino" is the City symbol and it was built by Leopold I to protect the area and promote its urban settlement. In the beginning the Fortino was also used as a rematch of the precious marbles from the Apuane and waiting for boarding. Today it is the most important monument of Forte dei Marmi, located in the center of the city and home of the Museum of Satire and Caricature, the only institution of its kind. The museum represents a worldwide collection and a study center on satire and caricature. The collection includes original drawings, a video library and a media library. Another attraction of the city, near the beach, is also the Pontile, used in the past for the loading and unloading of marble blocks: built in reinforced concrete and 275 meters long, today offers an unusual glimpse of the mainland, with a panorama embracing the coast from Massa to Viareggio. Also interesting is the town hall of Forte dei Marmi, in Piazza Dante: a structure of the fascist era, characterized by a typical "M" shape, in honor of Mussolini; in front there is a beautiful Italian garden in Remembranza park. Instead, it dates back to the twentieth century the church dedicated to San Francesco overlooking the main square. Around the city there are also several statues and monuments, like some sculptures by Arturo Dazzi. In Via Matteo Civitali we find the Ugo Guidi Art Museum, with about 600 sculptures, drawings and temperas. But Forte dei Marmi is also famous for its luxury shopping: among Piazza Garibaldi, Via Roma, Via Mazzini and Piazza Dante, there is a wide choice of shops that offer the best Italian and foreign brands, from clothing to jewelery, from accessories to footwear. This is also associated with a vibrant and worldly nightlife, with the most famous and renowned Italian nightclub, the Capannina, inaugurated in 1929 and still in business. Worth a visit also the "Roma Imperiale" district with its ancient noble villas, including Villa Agnelli, Villa Antonietta and Casa Mann Borghese. In Vittoria Apuana there is Villa Bertelli, one of the most popular attractions in Forte dei Marmi. Built at the end of the nineteenth century as the site of a company that produced explosive mines for war use, it was converted into a hotel in the late 1920s, then closed in 1971. After decades of abandonment, the building was acquired by the municipality of Forte dei Marmi which, having restored it, has opened it to the public. Massarosa Massarosa is located in the northern part of Versilia, near Massaciuccoli Lake. It was an Etruscan and Roman settlement and since the 14th century it passed under the control of Lucca, till the Unification of Italy. The area is characterized by many charming villas dating back to the 16th and 19th centuries. The most famous is Villa Baldini, a neoclassical building, a forced residence of Paolina Bonaparte in the hundred days of imprisonment he had to suffer in 1815. In the surroundings, in Elici we find the Romanesque church of San Pantaleone, along the ancient route of Via Francigena and Montramito, home to a ruined castle. Lake Massaciuccoli then, is part of the Migliarino Natural Park, where there are suggestive walks among cane thickets. The villages around the town of Massarosa are characterized by medieval buildings and ancient churches and villas. In the northern part of the territory you will find Corsanico, a village with a beautiful views of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the church of San Michele; Mommio, a characteristic medieval village and Bargecchia, with the church of San Martino of Romanesque origin. All this area is covered with centennial olive trees that are the true symbol of Massarosa. Pietrasanta Pietrasanta extends between the Apuan Alps and the sea. It was built in the 13th century and the passage of the Via Francigena contributed to the development of the town, where there are numerous religious buildings, first of all the San Martino Cathedral of the 14th century, full of Romanesque marbles and frescoes, overlooking the main square, together with the Baptistery of Saint Giacinto, the Sant'Agostino complex, the monastery of S. Leone, the churches of S. Biagio, S. Nicola di Sala, S. Francesco and finally Palazzo Moroni, home of the Archaeological Museum. Pietrasanta is dominated by the Rocca di Sala, which rises on the historic center. In recent times, the town has become famous for the Botero sculptures that make a beautiful show on its streets.On the hills, we find the churches of Valdicastello and Vallecchia, two jewels of Christianity. Already in Valdicastello, the poet Carducci was born and his home is a museum today, while Capezzano Monte and Capriglia are other characteristic villages. Finally Marina di Pietrasanta is in the center of Versilia with its sandy beaches and the offer of nighttime entertainment. In Marina di Pietrasanta there is a beautiful pine forest known as Versiliana. Villa Versiliana is a residence dating back to the end of the eighteenth century and was born as a stately estate of the Marquis Ginori Lisci, who built the great central villa. Today, the grounds around the residence are a public park where cultural initiatives are organized throughout the year. The pine forest surrounding La Versiliana is also known for hosting the 19th century poet and writer Gabriele D'Annunzio. Art and culture dominate both the interior and exterior of the complex. In the park there are many appointments of the Caffè della Versiliana. Children can also have rich and creative experiences thanks to the activities of the "Versiliana dei Piccoli", which organizes artistic workshops and educational paths for children. The fulcrum of the park is the theater that every summer animates with the Festival of Versiliana. The event features a rich calendar of evening events related to dance, music and theater. Seravezza Seravezza is located in mountainous territory at the foot of the Apuan Alps. The medieval village was born for marble mining and marble work, and the marble still characterizes the village with the caves of Mount Altissimo and the cathedral of St. Lorenzo and Barbara of the 16th century. The Medicean palace, a fortress to control the marble quarries, was wanted by Cosimo I. Today it is home to the Museum of Work and Traditions of Historic Versilia. There are numerous villages around Seravezza, including Azzano, with its ancient Chapel, along the old road leading to Stazzema and Garfagnana, Corvaia, Basati, Riomagno, Querceta and Ripa. Stazzema Stazzema is the highest town in Versilia, at the foot of the Apuan Alps. Just outside the center is the church of Santa Maria Assunta, an ancient parish of the ninth century. In the village you will find the Clock Tower made in 1739 and the Carraia Fountain of the 16th century. The sanctuary of the Madonna del Piastraio rises in a forest and is an interesting building of the seventeenth century. To the north lies the church of Maria Santissima delle Nevi. Many are the hamlets, especially frequented by the many hiking trails that go up to the Apuane Alpes: Pruno, Cardoso, Terrinca, Levigliani and others. Visit Sant'Anna di Stazzema with the ossuary museum, place of fierce Nazi-Fascist killer. Torre del Lago Puccini Torre del Lago Puccini is located not far from Viareggio. An ancient tower, nowadays disappeared, named the town, which is famous for the composer Giacomo Puccini, who established here his residence for a long time, in what is today the villa “Giacomo Puccini”. In the villa, nowadays transformed into a museum, the master stayed for almost thirty years. The great musician's documents and memorabilia have been preserved to this day. The main attraction of the town are the fine sand beaches and the sea. Also nearby is Lake Massaciuccoli, where you can make interesting excursions. In the summer, Torre del Lago is enriched with shows and exhibitions in the Puccini Festival. Viareggio The city of Viareggio is a seaside and fishing town of Versilia, and it extends over three kilometers along the coast. Viareggio is considered the most famous touristic place in Versilia. Of recent origin, it developed only after the nineteenth century becoming an important shopping and touristic center. Rich families built in the 18th and 19th centuries large villas, mostly in Liberty style, on the main promenade of the seafront, such as Villa Puccini, Villa Argentina, Villa Crastan Arrighi, Villa Paolina. The most important monuments in Viareggio are grouped on the seafront that from the early 1900s gave rise to the liberty style in Viareggio. Also to see: Palazzo Bernardini; Palazzo Belluomini; Palazzo Paolina; Palace of the Citadel, which later became the hotel Vittoria. On the waterfront there are also historic hotels such as the Prince of Piedmont and the bathing establishments. But Viareggio is famous especially for its Carnival which, since 1873, is repeated every year according to tradition, with allegorical paperboard carriages, which are real works of art. The Civic Museums of Villa Paolina were born in 1822 and presently host exhibitions of various kinds throughout the year. Finally we have Villa Borbone, located in the center of a large estate, halfway between Viareggio and Torre del Lago. In the mausoleum chapel of the Palace are buried the sovereigns of Lucca and their descendants.
Lunigiana is a historic region between northern Tuscany and eastern Liguria. In antiquity, Lunigiana corresponded to the expansion of the old diocese of Luni, while today it corresponds to the Magra catchment area, which is administratively divided between the provinces of Massa Carrara and La Spezia. The Val di Magra, due to its geographical morphological characteristics and its location, has always been a transit country and a natural corridor between different areas, of which there are still visible contaminations that have had a strong influence on its history and organization of its territory. The area has had a strong characterization and a strong cultural unity since prehistoric times, as the famous "Lunigiana statues", which are kept in the Piagnaro castle of Pontremoli, still testify today: These are anthropomorphic sandstone sculptures between IV and I. millennium BC. The landscape is mountainous, the areas in the hinterland of the sea are green and pleasant. The village squares are extremely beautiful and of course the infinite number of castles and places with their medieval history. Here you run into a Dante Alighieri. Very traditional and exquisite culinary. Other areas - Pontremoli, Fivizzano, Aulla, Licciana Nardi, Villafranca and others
Lucca is a hospitable, orderly city with excellent cuisine. The two main streets of the city are Via Fillungo and San Paolino, now shopping and sociality streets, which recalculate the Roman decumans.
Massa is the capital of the province of Massa Carrara and extends north into the Lunigiana. One part - Marina di Massa - is by the sea with beautiful beaches, the other in the mountains. Besides Carrara, most of the marble is quarried and processed in Massa.
Carrara marble is the most famous marble in the world. It is about 30 million years old when the continental plates moved on top of each other, creating the Apuan Alps. There are around 50 varieties - the best known are probably Carrara bianco and ordinario. It was most likely used earlier than assumed - in the excavations at Luni marble parts were found in tombs from the 4th century BC. The next very well-known traces are from the Roman period - but probably the most important and best-known marketing agent for Carrara marble was Michelangelo, who not only looked for the best stone here, but also ordered and paid for it. The piece of rock then became David, who after the assassination attempt in the Galleria dell´ Accademia in Florence - also to protect him from environmental influences, with his copy on the piazza della Signoria. Today millions of tons are mined annually in Carrara, an entire industry has emerged. A very nice appreciation has only recently been thought up - a "White Marble Marathon" - confirmed last year for the first time, for this and next year. The nice thing about it - everyone can participate. So that it is not too difficult for anyone, three stages have been chosen - the White Marble Marathon is 42.195 km long and covers the entire route from Marina di Carrara via Massa and Marina di Massa to the starting point. The 21 km long “Half Marathon” always has the same starting point in Marina di Carrara, but instead of going back, it ends in Marina di Massa. For those who do not want (or cannot), there is the white 10km marble marathon, which you can take it easy and still bring a symbolic medal home. The White Marble Marathon took place on February 11 this year (2018) and has mutated into a real race, just like its organization. The route was completely closed. Shuttle buses between Marina di Massa and Marina di Carrara are available for all participants. The trail has restrooms and showers, water tanks topped up by local sponsor Fonteviva, refreshments at the end of the trail and, of course, medical help along the slopes. In short, the White Marble Marathon between Marina di Carrara and Massa, as well as the competition, is also a way to spend a morning of physical activity while having fun and visiting the beautiful territory.
The coast called Maremma, in southern Tuscany near to Follonica and Punta Ala, Castiglione to Monte Argentario, Grosseto, Albinia. Wide sandy beaches, pine trees in the hinterland. Many famous Tuscan wines grow here. High up in the hills about 800m o.v. Sea is the strip called Alta Maremma - here you will find a lot of vineyards, olive groves and medieval villages and towns, which are very popular, such as Pitigliano, Massa Marittima or Rocca Strada.In this environment, there is a ruined castle Sassoforte - in its place is a small village was built here The area around Grosseto The province of Grosseto is located in the extreme south of Tuscany, and its territory is characterized by very different areas: in the vicinity of the sea we have in fact the lush plain of the Maremma, while the hinterland is mainly covered by hills. Along the coast there are also natural reserves, with areas still wild and sparsely populated, where there are wild herds, deer, foxes and wild boar. Scattered on the surrounding hills instead there are ancient medieval villages. Capalbio The ancient village of Capalbio is easily accessible from the north and south along the Aurelia road. The visit of the historic center, not accessible to cars, starts from the arched door surmounted by the Medici coat of arms. The great door, in wood and iron, was closed in the past to sunset. We continue along the central Via Vittorio Emanuele II, skirting the walls that still preserve the original walkway of the soldiers and on the right, we arrive at the Arco Santo, above which is a marble portrait of Emperor Hadrian from the 2nd century. a. C. Continuing along the road we arrive to the church of San Nicola, dating back to the XII - XIII century; inside there are valuable Renaissance frescoes. Walking along Via Collacchioni we arrive instead at Piazza della Rocca, which is also the highest point of Capalbio. La Rocca is an "L" -shaped fortification dating back to the 15th century flanked by Palazzo Collacchioni, inside which the piano played by Giacomo Puccini during his stays in Capalbio is preserved. The inside of the Rocca is quite bare, but some rooms are finely decorated. In addition, the castle is now home to events and exhibitions. It is possible to go up to the terrace of the tower and from here to admire a wonderful panorama of the surrounding hills, all the way to the sea. From the Rocca you can reach the beautiful Piazza Magenta, a meeting place and setting for numerous cultural events, especially in summer. The very well preserved walls of Capalbio are able to convey all the old charm of a village of other times. Finally, just outside the walls there is the Oratory of Providence, with frescoes from the 16th century. attributed to Pinturicchio's school. Giglio CastelloGiglio Castello is a small hamlet located on the Island of Giglio, as well as the oldest inhabited center. The village, easily reachable by bus coming from the small port, is 400 meters above sea level and is surrounded by the massive medieval walls of the Rocca Aldobrandesca, built in the 12th century. To visit also the Church of San Pietro Apostolo. It is possible to admire the beauty of this place out of time along the characteristic streets of the village. It is also possible to go for walks along the path outside the walls, from which you can admire the surrounding landscape, which stretches from the island of Giannutri, Elba and Corsica. Pitigliano The charming village of Pitigliano is characterized by dwellings dug out of the tuff that blend with the rock on which they have built. Because of its small but ancient Jewish community, which has lived there for centuries, it is also known as the "little Jerusalem". The historic center is certainly one of the most interesting in Italy, with its ancient monuments built between the Middle Ages and the XVIII century. You can indeed visit the Orsini Fortress and Palazzo Orsini, as well as ancient buildings from the 1500s and 1600s. Here the atmosphere has remained intact over time. It is also possible to walk the fascinating "cave streets", very ancient Etruscan roads created by cutting the tuff rock. Sovana It is a fraction belonging to the municipality of Sorano and in the past it was an important Etruscan center. In the Middle Ages it became a rich and important city, as witnessed by the many religious and civil buildings present in this village, as well as by the Rocca Aldobrandesca, dating back to the 11th century, which can be admired at the entrance to the historic center. Time seems to have stopped in Sovana. Walking along the main street, you arrive in Piazza del Pretorio, where the main monuments are located: the church of S. Mamiliano (IV century BC), built on Etruscan and Roman remains, is the oldest religious structure in Sovana. You can also admire the Bourbon del Monte Palace, the church of Santa Maria (XII-XIII century), as well as the Loggia del Capitano, which houses the coat of arms belonging to Cosimo I de 'Medici. Finally there is Palazzo Pretorio (XII-XIII century) with the 9 coats of arms showing the names of the captains lived during the dominion of Siena and Florence. At the center of the square stands the Palazzetto Comunale with its bell tower. Porto Ercole Porto Ercole is a pretty seaside resort located near the Argentario Promontory, and is considered one of the most beautiful towns in Italy. Of Etruscan origin (like many other villages in the area), it has a characteristic small port and a historical center formed by a tangle of alleys and small squares that lead to Piazza S. Barbara, from which it is possible to have a beautiful view of the port. At the top of the village, in the old part of the town, there is also a church from the 1700s and the Rocca Spagnola (a castle). The latter, together with Forte Filippo and Forte Stella, is part of the fortifications built in the 16th century, still perfectly preserved today and from which you can admire wonderful views. Porto Ercole has developed in particular along the natural bay, where today there is a port that is still active and a beautiful promenade where you can walk and where bars and restaurants alternate with those that were once fishermen's warehouses. A curiosity: Michelangelo Merisi, known as il Caravaggio, died in Porto Ercole in July 1610 under still mysterious circumstances.
The Italian Riviera is full of romantic cities nestled on the coast. There you can marvel at one of the world's most beautiful coastal landscapes: the Cinque Terre Impressive cliffs with Mediterranean flair rise out of the sea. Around you greet pastel colored houses waiting to be explored. The Cinque landscape was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998. If you are visiting the Cinque Terre you should allow yourself as much time and rest as you need. This is the only way to get to know the charm of the colorful houses and their inhabitants in all their glory. Typical souvenirs from the Cinque Terre No matter where the path leads you through the Cinque Terre, you will encounter small shops. There you can buy typical Cinque Terre products, such as the Cinque Tere wine, Sciacchetrá the dessert wine, anchovies and of course the world-famous Ligurian pesto. The five villages of the Cinque Terre You will especially be captivated by the following five villages: Riomaggiore - romance is in the air Those who come to Riomaggiore will be overwhelmed by the romance that can be felt in many places. It is the result of years of hard work and willingness to survive on the part of the inhabitants. They created 1000 kilometers of stone walls to gain land from the mountains. Land where they cultivate the highly praised Cinque Terre wine today. Manarola - Ligurian idyll paired with Gothic influence Manarola consists only of a small bay and a hill that protrudes into the sea. After the city of Corniglia, Manarola with only 350 inhabitants is the second smallest village in the Cinque Terre National Park. The 14th century Gothic church of San Lorenzo is particularly worth seeing. Head to the waterfront or busy main street to see the Ligurian idyll with fishing boats and other memorabilia from the past. Corniglia - a pearl on a rock From the sea, the village of Corniglia appears like a pearl on a rock. There you can enjoy a beautiful view of the sea and the other four villages of the Cinque Terre on a terrace. Corniglia is about 100 m above sea level and has about 200 inhabitants. Vernazza - the most beautiful village in the Cinque Terre With only 950 inhabitants and a picturesque location, Vernazza has become the most beautiful village in the Cinque Terre. If you reach Vernazza on the cliff path from Monterosso, you can enjoy a spectacular view over the Cinque Terre. Stroll through the town center, it looks small at first glance, but very lively with small restaurants and cafés. Monterosso al mare - A place for active vacationers Due to its mild climate and clean air, Monterosso al Mare is a real tourist magnet at all times. Recreation seekers in particular come there for an active vacation. This is because Monterosso al Mare is blessed with a beach and crystal clear water. A wonderful combination to let your mind wander on hikes and Mediterranean food. A hike through Italy's most beautiful coastal landscape The most impressive way to explore the Cinque Terre landscape is via the Cinque Terre coastal hiking trail. It is one of the most famous Italian hiking trails. The footpath connects all five villages from Riomaggiore to Monterosso. Hiking trails with different levels of difficulty On your hiking trail you walk on narrow paths through olive and wine slopes. The coastal hiking trail may only be 15 kilometers long. However, this route is characterized by sometimes considerable differences in altitude. The paths between Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso are particularly challenging, so that a minimum of endurance and sure-footedness is an advantage. The Via dell Amore footpath between Riomaggiore and Manarola appears less strenuous. This can be seen as a boulevard and is very crowded in summer. Sturdy shoes are mandatory You cannot avoid wearing sturdy shoes, not even in summer. In the meantime, sturdy footwear is mandatory and will be punished with high penalties if you do not observe it. Best time to go to the Cinque Terre The pictorial beauty of the Cinque Terre is fascinating in every season. While the sea welcomes you with a cozy warmth until October, you can enjoy pleasant conditions for a tour of discovery when you arrive in the low season. The Cinque Terre is chosen by many travelers to Italy as a small stopover over several days. It is really relaxing when you stay in Vernazza on the beach. If you follow the twittering of birds and the sound of the sea with a glass of wine.
The Gulf of La Spezia, also the Gulf of the Poets (Golfo dei Poeti), is a wide and relatively deep bay of the Ligurian Sea. It is located in the easternmost section of the Italian region of Liguria and is named after the provincial capital La Spezia, which lies at the apex of the gulf.