Archive for 'Curiosities'

Variations on April Fool’s day are celebrated in different cultures around the world but the most strangely named is likely Italy's iteration, “Il Pesce d'Aprile,” or April's Fish. Celebrated on the first of April, it, too, involves playing practical jokes on friends, family, and those around you and, supposedly, has very ancient origins.

While it is traced to the 16th century, Il Pesce d'Aprile became popular in Italy in the 19th century, some time between 1860 and 1880, beginning in Genoa among the upper echelons of society. The odd-sounding name is actually not that strange at all and is linked to the zodiac symbol for the day and the fact that everything that happens on the day is supposedly related to the abandon of the Pisces constellation from the Sun though another origin story claims it results from the traditional prank for Pesce d'Aprile being taping a cutout of a small fish (pesciolino) to someone's back.

There are many interesting traditional festivals that take place all over Italy from foodie delights to heart-in-your-mouth horse races, costumed parades to wild parties. However, among them all, there is one that stands out as, perhaps, the most unique, bizarre, interesting and entertaining. This, of course, has to be the Palio della Rana. Taking place in the town of Fermignano in Le Marche, not far from Urbino, this festival features multiple events and celebrations including an annual race that takes place each year on the Sunday following Easter. While the Palio di Siena is one of the most famous horse races in the world, this is probably the most famous frog race in the world. Yes, you read that correctly, it is a frog race and if you want to experience it for yourself, you need only find a vacation rental in Le Marche and plan to be there on time for the big event!

The Palio della Rana festival was born as a result of the town's independence from the rulers of Urbino in the 18th century, warranting major celebrations and new traditions. Among those new traditions that were created at this time, the frog race emerged. It involves representatives from the 7 contrade of Fermignano (Cà L’Agostina, Calpino, La Pieve, La Torre, San Lazzaro, San Silvestro and Santa Barbara), each clad in traditional clothing and wearing different colours, compete for the title of champion. Specialists inspect the frogs before and after the race to ensure there is no foul play and each frog is placed on a wheelbarrow, underneath a basket.

While it might sound a bit strange or macabre, if you have found a vacation rental in Rome and are planning on spending a Valentine's break in the city, then you have to make time to go and see St. Valentine's skull...

Or, what, at least is claimed to have been the skull of St. Valentine. The tricky part is that there were two saints by that name in Italy at the same time (around the 3rd century AD) and a third in North Africa. After the creation of a feast day for St Valentine on the 14th of February by Pope Gelasius I in 496, the stories of the three seem to have merged together and by the 14th century this singular entity had become a patron saint of lovers, who (according to the newly created mythology) had helped early Christian couples marry in secret.

Bikes are a pretty central fixture of Italian life and the visual character of the country from the image of Audrey Hepburn speeding, carefree, through the streets of Rome, to the iconic scenes of a man and his son desperately combing the streets for his stolen bicycle in, “The Bicycle Thieves.” You may have even imagined cycling through the historic streets of an Italian city or the open countryside. That can be readily achieved but if you're a serious cycling and bicycle enthusiast and want to learn more about the history of it in Italy or experience more cycling related activities, then you'll also find lots to see and do. If you have found a vacation rental in Milan, for example, you need to make time to head to Bianchi Café & Cycles.

You would be forgiven if Japan was the first place that came to mind when you were talking about cat cafés but if you are a cat lover who has found a vacation rental in Milan then rejoice, as the city is home to its very own kitty coffee shop; the Crazy Cat Café. Full of feline friends, delicious treats and feline-friendly menu options, this highly Instagrammable cafe has become a firm favourite amongst those in the know and really is a must-see if you love cats.

Located very centrally, on via Napo Torriani, the café was opened in the October of 2015 and is home to a clowder (yes, that is the collective term for cats, though “clutter”, “glaring” and, “pounce” are all also used) of rescue cats that have been adopted and taken care of by the owners. The first and only such establishment in Lombardy, it has taken a Japanese idea and adapted it to the tastes and pace of Italians.