06 May 2014 Springtime: Italy’s “Secret Season” in 5 Luxury Villas

Italy in Spring! Smart travelers in Italy have long known that the spring season is a delight. The summer throngs have yet to arrive, the air is filled with the scents of blossoming flowers, and soft spring breezes usher winter out. Myriad outdoor activities offer a great look at the wonderful variety that epitomizes Italian culture.

If you decide to travel to Italy in spring, you for sure must adapt to the most relaxing activities of the country in this period: taste a true Italian gelato (Italian for “ice cream”) while you do a “Passeggiata” (Italian for “outdoor walk”). Or you could also plan an outdoor trip in one of the many amazing and breathtaking places in Italy. 

A superb way to enjoy spring in Italy is to plan a stay at one of the fascinating villas listed below.

Tenuta del Granduca – In scenic Capalbio, Maremma, a gorgeous spot to take a spring break in Italy, the gracious villa has a private pool and modern amenities and services to keep travelers comfortable. Near Capalbio is the magical Garden of Tarot Cards, highlighted by the fantastic Tarot sculptures of Niki de Sante Phalle.

Villa Daphne – The Villa Daphne, at Porto Santo Stefano, is dramatically perched overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, with private beach access and easy connections to the beautiful Isola del Giglio. The villa provides a restful respite from springtime revelry. Typical of many traditional spring celebrations in Italy is the annual Easter Sunday procession, through Porto Santo Stefano, when the risen Christ is carried to the shore and the seas are blessed.

La Tortorella – Sitting above Lake Garda, the panorama from La Tortorella is a perfect complement to the style and comfort that is the signature of the villa. Guests can relax in front of the fireplace after a day spent enjoying the charms of Lake Garda.

The Garda-Trentino racing season opens with the April regatta that will speckle the lake with the sails of more than 1,000 youthful helmsmen. Spectators line the shores, enjoying their gelato as they cheer on their favorite sailors in this long-standing week event.

Villa Lario – The sparkling new Villa Lario, near the town of Bellagio, offers guests roomy comfort and ultra-modern convenience for their stay at Lake Como, one of the best places to travel in spring. Wi-fi and satellite service are available, and you can even book your own chef!

A perennial springtime favorite is the markets in Lecco. Vendors set up their booths on the promenade fronting Lake Como, and strollers shop for crafts, florals and all kinds of goodies. And, speaking of strolling, a cultural phenomenon, the passegiata, has grown up around the social after-work stroll shared by citizens of communities large and small. Join right in, the passegiata is open to all, and the best time is springtime, with its wonderfully balmy temperatures and the enthusiasms of the locals: this is one of many little social niceties that define the Italian spirit. 

Antica Masseria – The Antica Masseria, in Modica, was a watchtower in ancient times. Recently completed renovation of the 20-hectare holding includes wonderful walking paths, a modern pool and even a vegetable garden for the private use of guests.

This portion of Sicily is home to Sicilian Baroque architecture, which was the final flourishing of the Baroque period. Walking through Ragusa, Modica and Scicli will evoke the feel of those lavish days, with stone masks and “putti” adorning many buildings.

A Italy travel in spring isn’t complete without Easter commemorations and processions, and Sicily is closely tied to its religious background and history. Easter processions meander through villages like Noto and Modica, and the town of Ferla, near Syracuse, has a wonderful fireworks display on the evening of Easter Saturday.