Archive for 'Events'

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.     Read More

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.     Read More

Valentine's is just around the corner and less than a month away and, if you want to make that special someone really happy, why not book a romantic getaway for two? Flowers fade, chocolates get eaten, and gifts come and go but the memories made on a holiday will last forever and ever. Plan a truly incredible trip and unforgettable surprise and browse our incredible vacation rentals for two in Italy today....

From cute little apartments in small towns to pretty flats in grand historic buildings in famous cities like Florence and Pisa, from units on grand country estates to a rustic villa built just for two, from sea views to central city access, from modern to traditional...we have a little bit of everything no matter your tastes or the type of holiday you want to plan.     Read More

Last April, as the famously beautiful gardens of Florence – amongst them the Boboli Gardens, Iris Garden, Rose Garden and more – came into bloom, a new kid appeared on the block in the form of the temporary Tulip Garden.

Located in the grounds of the Castello dell'Acciaiolo park, the sprawling garden was planted with around 200,000 tulips of 70 different varieties and opened to the public from the beginning of April to the 22nd. Entry cost 3 euro a person and allowed visitors to wander and pick and bring home two tulips, with additional tulips picked counted at the end and charged at a euro a piece and all of the fees going towards the maintenance of the park. Such was the success of last year's edition, that the planting of another garden of tulips of the same scale and kind was announced and begun last Autumn to be opened once more in Spring 2019.     Read More