Archive for 'Curiosities'

The Battle of the Oranges is probably one of those events that you have heard tell of plenty of times during your childhood, seen mentioned in books or discussed in passing on television shows but you might not actually know the whole story or what it actually is before. Well, never fear, we're here to inform you about this rather fascinating and unique annual event in Italy…

The Historical Carnival of Ivrea, which culminates in the famous Battle of the Oranges, is a festival that takes place in February each year in the town of Ivrea. The battle itself lasts three days and really does involve oranges.

One of the things that travelling foodies will want to do on any trip is to try local delicacies and dishes that cannot be found anywhere else. If you are one of the people in this number, then find a vacation rental in Sicily and head to Palermo. Pani ca meusa is a Sicilian street food that literally translates to "bread with spleen" and is a dish exclusively typical of Palermo.

The Museo Egizio in Turin is the only museum, other than the Cairo Museum, in the entire world that is dedicated solely to the display of, and informing the public about, Egyptian art and culture. It has one of the largest collections of Egyptian antiquities in the world, with over 30,000 pieces in the collection, and receives close to a million visitors each year. One of the most unexpected and intriguing attractions in Italy, it is one more reason to find a vacation rental in Piedmont and make your way to the charming city of Turin.

Nebida is a stunning Sardinian town on the coast that is known for its breath-taking natural beauty and bounty, hiking routes, popularity among tourists and fascinating ruins.

The waters around Nebida are crystal clear and perfectly blue, the sheer cliff-faces are romantic and terrifying and a warm breeze rolls in off the ocean, green hills rush down to white sands – it really is an exceptionally beautiful place and, then, what do you find amongst all this?

The Civic Aquarium of Milan (Acquario Civico di Milano) is Milan's charming – and rather unique – aquarium. The third oldest aquarium in Europe, it was built in 1905 for the Milan World Fair and is the only building to survive from the event to this day.

Located at the edge of Sempione Park, Milan's largest public park, it is housed in a beautiful Art Nouveau period building that features elaborate sculptural details, friezes and hand-painted tiles.

The facade of the aquarium is further enhanced by a statue of Neptune, the Roman god of water and the sea, created by sculptor Oreste Labò. Small but beautiful and certainly one of the most unusual and special museums that we have ever seen, it is a must-visit for those who have found a vacation rental in Milan and are planning a trip to the city.