The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Vista \Vis"ta\, n.; pl. Vistas. [It., sight, view, fr. vedere,
   p. p. visto, veduto, to see, fr. L. videre, visum. See
   View, Vision.]
   A view; especially, a view through or between intervening
   objects, as trees; a view or prospect through an avenue, or
   the like; hence, the trees or other objects that form the
   avenue.
   [1913 Webster]

         The finished garden to the view
         Its vistas opens, and its alleys green.  --Thomson.
   [1913 Webster]

         In the groves of their academy, at the end of every
         vista, you see nothing but the gallows.  --Burke.
   [1913 Webster]

         The shattered tower which now forms a vista from his
         window.                                  --Sir W.
                                                  Scott.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

vista
    n 1: the visual percept of a region; "the most desirable feature
         of the park are the beautiful views" [syn: view,
         aspect, prospect, scene, vista, panorama]