Archive for 'Curiosities'

Some travellers are not content with doing what everyone else does on holidays. They don’t want the standard photos or to line up for hours for famous attractions or to mill in crowds of people. Instead, they want to explore, get off the beaten tourist path, and see beyond the brochures and Instagram to find the hidden gems that a destination has to offer. If you have found a vacation rental in Liguria and are exploring this beautiful coastal region of Italy, then we recommend heading to one beach, in particular, and not because it is a popular tourism spot but, rather, because of something that lies beneath the waves…

Noli, a pretty seaside town around 50km from Genoa, in Liguria, is home to a rather fascinating garden. This may seem like a bold claim in a country like Italy where there are endless beautiful gardens belonging to ancient estates, hidden amongst winding streets in city centres, housing incredible works of art and rare blooms, and much more besides but this garden is truly worth being set aside as something extra special. Why, you may ask? Well, for one thing, it’s an underwater farm. That’s something you don’t see every day, that’s for sure!

In the last few years, an incredibly interesting castle reopened to the public after being abandoned for half a century, close to a decade of restoration, and millions of euros were poured into the project. With almost a thousand years of history, the Rocca Sinibalda is an astounding fortress located in Latium, 50 miles north of Rome. Positioned majestically on a rocky outcrop that overlooks the Turano Valley, the castle-fortress is first noted in records with the building of a classic Norman stronghold by Count Sinibaldo, the governor of the Sabina area, in the 11th century. It is an extraordinary place, steeped in history and culture, stuffed with artistic gems, with a unique architectural character, and countless stories of scandal and mischief held within its walls. So, if you’re interested in art, architecture, pretty castles, or a little bit of historic gossip, then this fascinating place is a must see for those who have found a holiday rental in Rome or a vacation rental in Latium and are planning on exploring the wider region.

While the Rocca Sinibalda looks like a typical and romantic medieval fortress from a distance it is, in fact, far more interesting and complex than that. It has several names, for one thing. One of its names, the “Castle of the Eagle”, refers to the unusual shape of the building: in addition to the expected bastion walls, battlements, and lookout turrets, there are also sixteenth century additions that make the whole thing vaguely “eagle-shaped”, including the two wing-like bastions jutting out at the rear and the pointed “beak” at the front of the building, which overlooks the town below. Another named attributed to the castle is the “Castle of Metamorphoses” and the plaque by the main entrance declares it to be the “Castle of Invented Destinies.” Each of these names refers to different periods and incidents from the history of the building, with the Metamorphoses coming from a series of 16th century wall paintings and grotesques inspired by Ovid’s myths of transformation that is located in the reception rooms of the piano nobile.

Italy is home to lots of unique culinary delicacies and specialities. Many are familiar to most people around the world and are readily available abroad but there are some that are somewhat lesser-known gems yet to be discovered by a wider international audience. One such item is bottarga, known as “Mediterranean caviar,” or as the “truffle of the sea”, which is made of salted, cured fish roe, typically of the grey mullet or the bluefin tuna. While similar products are actually made in Japan, Korea, and Egypt, the Italian iteration, with which we are concerned today comes from Sardinia but is also made in Sicily and Calabria. It is rather expensive and harder to source abroad so it is best to try as a treat during your travels if you have found a vacation rental in Sardinia, a holiday rental in Sicily, or a rental in Calabria.

When it comes to outdoor adventures, there are many that suit only one time of year; beaches are most enjoyable in summer, hiking is most pleasant in spring and autumn. However, some outdoor adventure destinations are set up to suit different purposes and are an excellent idea no matter when you visit. Take, for example, Mottolino Fun Mountain, set high in the Italian Alps above Livigno. This adventure park adapts to the time of year and is a ski area or a bike park, depending on the season. So, if you have found a vacation rental in the Northern Italian Ski Region and want to have a holiday in the Italian Alps, no matter what time of year you are going, you will find that there will be adventures to be had at Mottolino Fun Mountain. Explore the stunning landscape of the Italian Alps while having fun outdoors!

From early June to late September (check the Mottolino website for exact dates on any given year, as they can vary), the park is a bike park that offers fourteen different routes for people at various ability levels, a jump area, a slopestyle area, an air bag to practice jumping and tricks, and a north shore area – where you can test your balance and try your first jumps. Opened during the 2005 MTB World Cup, the bike park has quickly become a meeting point for all downhill and freeride mountain bikers from all over Europe. Inexperienced riders can also come and enjoy the thrills too, however, as you can rent all of the items and safety equipment that you might need and there are trained guides from the Freeride Bike School who can come along with you to discover the Mottolino Bike Park trails. Plus, the range of trails for beginners and pros makes it easy to learn and progress.

When one thinks of art in Italy, it is the grand heritage of art that first comes to mind. One pictures the museums stuffed with works by the likes of Botticelli, Titian, and Caravaggio, the grand churches with art pieces and frescoes by the likes of Michelangelo and da Vinci, and elegant palaces and villas that bring together works by endless lists of talented artisans and artists under one roof. This long-standing history and wealth of cultural heritage is, of course, to be found in Italy, but it is not all there is to offer. It might be hard to imagine at first but Italy is also home to incredible works of art that are outside these lauded institutions, works of art that anyone can enjoy at any time of day and for free. That is to say, it is home to some rather special pieces of street art.

This street art is incredibly varied in size, age, style, and more. Some pieces are even centuries-old and other pieces are being added all the time. Some are by unknowns and some are by some of the most famous names in art history. If you are planning a trip to Italy and are interested in art, be sure to also spend time outside galleries, keeping your eyes peeled for street art surprises as you explore. If you are looking for some particular highlights to specifically set aside time to visit, then these are some of our top street art picks around Italy.