Photo by admin

First of all, a rented villa offers much more space than a hotel at a much lower price. Most villas are airy and well maintained. Some even have terraces where you can have open-air meals or just sit down and enjoy the view all around you. Others come with a pool where you can take a relaxing swim or entertain guests and friends.

Renting a villa during your cheap holiday in Italy will also offer you the privacy that you cannot get at a hotel. You can have peace and quiet and you can be sure that you won’t be bothered by the crowds especially during the peak season.

If you love to cook, then a villa is perfect for you since it is equipped with a working kitchen and other comforts of home. You will be able to have the foods that you are used to at a much lower price. This will also give you the chance to explore the local markets and get to know the local people. When you stay in a villa on your cheap holiday in Italy, it is basically living in your home away from home.

So if you are just in looking for some accommodation in Italy, think about this tip!

The post Benefits of renting a villa for your cheap holiday in Italy appeared first on Europe Explored.

It is certainly the biggest sporting celebration of Košice, when the whole city turns into a marathon atmosphere. The preparations of the exciting street circuit starts already few weeks in advance. Those of you who are not so brave to run all the 42 km long track, may try the half marathon in the length of 21 km or mini-marathon in the length of 4.2 km. The marathon includes also companies’ run and 20 km long races for skaters, wheelchair users and handbikers. In addition to the main competition there is a rich cultural program, so the visit is also suitable for non-runners.

You can register for the run during the whole year and the registration fee is €30-€50 (depends on the time of registration). You can do so online on the official website of Košice Peace Marathon (at least a week in advance) or personally – the last opportunity to register is this Saturday.

Organizer offers very cheap accommodation in student hostels or you can use the overnight services of one of the many hotels in Košice.

So if you still don’t have plans for this weekend, then come to the most beautiful city in Slovakia and enjoy unforgettable experiences.

View The oldest marathon in Europe starts this weekend in Košice, Slovakia in a larger map

The post The oldest marathon in Europe starts this weekend in Košice, Slovakia appeared first on Europe Explored.

Basilica di San Francesco, Assisi, Umbria, Italy by Jim Linwood

The town stretches along one side of Monte Subasio. A typical feature of Assisi are picturesque houses decorated with pink geraniums, narrow winding streets, small squares with fountains, a number of churches and other monuments from pre-Christian times. Visitors to Assisi can enjoy tranquility, comfort and cleanliness.

St. Francis of Assisi was born here in 1181 and later founded the Secular Franciscan Order. But the city has a much longer history. The city was inhabited already in around 1000 BC. From the Roman period there have been preserved several sights: city walls, forum, where is now the Piazza delle Commune, an amphitheater and the Temple of the Goddess Minerva where is now the church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva. From the original temple only the front face with 6 columns have been preserved.

Most sites, however, comes from the Middle Ages, when the city experienced its greatest prosperity, and was several times under papal jurisdiction. Among the most important monuments from this period are:

• Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the Franciscan monastery which were built in 1228 – 1253. The Basilica was badly damaged by an earthquake of 26 September 1997 – where four people died inside the church
• Pilgrimage Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, built in 1569
• the Cathedral of San Rufino, built in 1140 – 1253
• Basilica of Santa Chiara from 1257
• Santo Stefano – one of the oldest churches of Assisi

In Assisi there are much more beautiful religious buildings, which are definitely worth seeing. The main square of the city is already mentioned Piazza delle Commune, which was formerly the Roman Forum. Assisi is dominated by the medieval Castle of Rocca Maggiore, built in 1367 by Cardinal Albornoz. There is also the smaller castle in Assisi which was built much earlier, in the Roman era. However, only small part has been preserved and only three towers are open to the public.

The city offers to the visitors lots of cultural events. Most renowned festival is Calendimaggio, which is held here every year in early May. It presents the medieval way of life where you can see many actors of theater and dancing crews. Since 2000, the town of Assisi, is UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today there are living about 27.000 people.

In the city neighbourhood you can reach following destinations:

• Urbino – about 73 km
• San Marino – about 97 km
• Montefiore Conca – about 91 km
• Rocca fortress – about 97 km
• the Leaning tower of Vernazzano – about 45 km
• Orvieto Cathedral – about 57 km

The post Assisi – the city of the peace in Italy appeared first on Europe Explored.