Archive for 'Localities'

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.

Paying a visit Santa is a must for kids in the run up to Christmas and, if you have found a vacation rental in the Lake Maggiore area, you will be presented with the unique opportunity to see him on his very own boat!

According to local legend, Santa Claus has arrived in Milan at the end of November each year since 1400 to deliver toys and gifts to each child in the city. Next, he is said to hop on his boat, leave the city, and head up the Navigli and Ticino River to make his way to Lake Maggiore. He visits all of the lakeside towns before stopping and settling in the village of Intra until Christmas.

Over on the Tuscany Villas blog we have previously discussed the Negroni cocktail and its origins. While the exact details of said origins are disputed and their are many versions of the tale, the most popular attributes it to the Caffè Casoni (now called Caffè Giacosa) in Florence in 1919, when a Count Camillo Negroni asked the bartender, Forsco Scarselli, to strengthen his favourite cocktail by adding gin rather than the normal soda water to an Americano. To this, an orange garnish rather than the typical lemon garnish of the Americano, was also added and, soon, the cocktail became a favourite at the bar.

If you have found a private villa in Venice, you'll likely have imagined traversing the canals, visiting beautiful churches, sipping coffee in a picturesque piazza, and more but lack in specific attractions to visit beyond St. Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace. There are plenty of wonderful museums to visit in the city but one of the best and easiest to visit if you have already made your way to St. Mark's is the Correr Museum, or Museo Civico Correr.