Archive for 'Curiosities'

  

Friday, December 16, 2016
Witch
America has Salem and Italy has Triora in Liguria.

This charming town's appearance does not belie its troubled and bloody past and will forever be interconnected with witches and witchcraft.

It all goes back to 1587, when bad weather and a bad harvest lead locals from the town to speculate as to what was causing all of their misfortune. They came to the logical conclusion: it had to be the fault of witches. The rest, as they say, is history.

Find a holiday rental in Liguria and you can uncover this disturbing and fascinating history for yourself, all while enjoying the delightful town that Triora is today.     Read More
Posted in: Curiosities, Legends, Liguria, Localities, Must See Attractions, Northwest Italy, Small Towns, Tourist Attractions

  

Thursday, December 8, 2016
Carpino, in Puglia, is within a two hour drive of the busy international airport Bari but is probably not a name that many are very familiar with. Yet, each summer, thousands descend upon this little town for an incredible music festival: the Carpino Folk Festival.

The setting could not be more perfect or picturesque with the sun shining overhead, kissing the white-washed buildings, open piazza, cobbled lanes and buzzing crowds, excited to take in the music and festivities.

Down below, the lovely Lake Varano, olive groves, beach resorts and Gargano National Park all stretch out like a painting. The whole thing makes for an incredible atmosphere that can not be replicated elsewhere.     Read More
Posted in: Apulia, Curiosities, Must See Attractions, Southern Italy, Tourist Attractions

  

Friday, November 25, 2016
Christmas gifts
Christmas is celebrated differently in every country and each country has various different traditions that are unique and special. If you have found a vacation rental in Italy and are planning on spending the festive season there this year, then you might want to learn a little about what you can expect from an Italian Christmas. Here are five things you need to know about Christmas in Italy.

1. Santa is a Witch.

Befana is a good witch whose name comes from the Roman dialect's pronunciation of the Italian "epifania" (or Epiphany). Long ago, the three wise men stopped into Befana's house on their way to Bethlehem. She was such a nice hostess that they invited her to come with them to find the newborn Jesus. She initially declined their offer but changed her mind and packed up some toys that had belonged to her deceased child and set out after them.     Read More
Posted in: Central Italy, Curiosities, December, Events, History, Latium, Legends, Tourist Attractions, Umbria

  

Thursday, November 24, 2016
Santa skiing
Cortina d'Ampezzo is a fashionable ski resort town located in the Veneto region of Italy, just a two hour drive from Venice. The area has been a winter sports mecca since the 1930s and even played host to the first Italian Winter Olympic Games in 1956. Known as the “Queen of the Dolomites”, it is one of the best-known ski resorts worldwide and hosts international sports events annually such as the Alpine Ski World Cup, the Tour de Ski, ice hockey and curling championships, and Cortina Winter Polo. It is also stunningly beautiful, with plenty of restaurants and cafes in town offering delicious food, a vibrant nightlife and good shopping. However, in addition to this, it is home to a rather unique Christmas tradition.     Read More
Posted in: Activities, Curiosities, December, Events, Must See Attractions, Northeast Italy, Skiing & Winter Sports, Veneto

  

Wednesday, November 23, 2016
A Bunch of Santas
Città di Castello is an ancient town in the Tiber Valley that is still largely surrounded by town walls dating back to the 16th century. It has a long history of being attacked, destroyed, rebuilt and being passed from ruler to to ruler.

Yet, despite this, it is still a historic and pretty town where many stunning buildings have been preserved such as the Palace of the Podestà, with its baroque facade dating back to 1686; the Town Hall, built in the Gothic style with an elegant portal and windows with two lights; the Gothic Cathedral, built on the site of a Roman temple; and St. Mary Maggiore, dating back to the Gothic era but adorned by a Renaissance facade.

The Municipal Pinacoteque, meanwhile, is home to works of art by Raphael, Signorelli and Domenico Ghirlandaio, as well as many other works by artists of the Umbrian, Tuscan and Marche schools.     Read More
Posted in: Activities, Central Italy, Curiosities, December, Events, Local Customs, Must See Attractions, Umbria, Water Sports