Archive for 'Localities'

Peggy Guggenheim's life and career are key to the history of 20th century art and she dedicated half of her life to protecting the art of her time. Today, one of Venice's best museums bears her name. It is based on the collection she established and, eventually, began to open to the public seasonally. She was ahead of her time in her attitudes towards collecting art, and to life and left behind an extraordinary tale and a fantastic museum for Venice. The museum is, of course, a must for art-lovers visiting the city once they have found a holiday rental in Venice. However, it will also be of interest to those taken in by fascinating characters from history as Peggy was exactly that; fascinating.

The Rossini is a cocktail which comes from Venice and is a highly popular variation on the Bellini. Although it is one of many variations, this one is particularly rich and sweet and is a brilliant, lovely red colour.

Veneto is known for her capacity for inventing delicious alcoholic beverages like Aperol Spritz and Campari Spritz. The region is also known, however, for its Prosecco di Valdobbiadene and the Venetians invented a lot of Prosecco-based drinks, in particular, as a result. Both the Bellini and its cousin, the Rossini were born in the area in and around Venice and use Prosecco as a base. The Bellini was invented in Harry's Bar which remains open as an iconic Venetian haunt and the perfect place to grab a cocktail once you've found a vacation rental in Venice. The waiters still dress sharply in dinner jackets, the simple décor retains early twentieth century charm and, above all, the food and drink is legendary. The bar's founder, Giuseppe Cipriani, invented the Bellini sometime between 1934 and 1948 and named it thusly due to its unique pink colour which reminded him of the toga worn by a saint in a painting by 15th-century Venetian artist Giovanni Belllini. While the Bellini is made with Prosecco and peach purée, the Rossini is a variation made with strawberry purée in place of the peach and is named after Gioachino Rossini a famous Italian composer.

If you're planning a brunch, having a cocktail party or just fancy a treat this evening, here's how you make this delicious cocktail.

For whatever reason, it seems as if almost all the world's favourite cocktails come from Venice. Perhaps, it is because the city has always seemed to magnetically draw artists and writers to it and, as we all know, many a creative type has been known to be fond of a drink. Or, maybe, it is because the city has ever been one of the most glamourous destinations in the world where the rich and famous go to enjoy the surroundings and the good life; particularly, the fine dining and the drinks that inevitably are paired along with the food. Either way, it seems that the clientèle of bars in Venice have always been a discerning lot and, due to this, it has kept the city's bartenders on their toes. Certainly, it just adds to the long list of reasons to visit the city so why not find a holiday rental in Venice and try out one of their legendary bars such as Harry's Bar? If it was good enough for Hemingway then you'll surely enjoy it!

This environment seems to have encouraged great creativity and Venice, in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, was the birthplace of many drinks which went on to become standards in bars around the globe. One cocktail from the city that you are likely to be unfamiliar with, however, is the Sgroppino which is basically a boozy smoothie – sounds good, right? Made with lemon and smooth and icy cold, it's often seen as the perfect Summer cocktail. However, it is also a brilliant palate cleanser which can be used to help enhance a delicious meal. Its origins are uncertain but it is said to have once been used as a digestif by Venetian nobility – intrigued? Here's how to make it for yourself.

Once you've found the perfect holiday rental in Milan and are enjoying the city, you must make time to try Campari, an alcoholic liqueur for which the city is well-known. It was invented by Gaspare Campari in the nineteenth century in Novara but was first produced on a large scale in Milan. Milan is also where Gaspare settled down with his family. He also opened the legendary bar, Caffè Campari, in the city. It was here that the Americano was born.

“Americano” probably brings coffee to mind but it is also the name of an IBA Official Cocktail composed of Campari, sweet vermouth and club soda which was first served in Caffè Campari in the 1860s and was invented by Gaspare Campari. Originally, it was known as the “Milano-Torino” due to Campari (from Milan) and vermouth (from Turin) being its main ingredients. Supposedly, the name was changed when Italians noticed its popularity among Americans in the early 1900s.

The drink is also well-known as the first ordered by James Bond in the very first novel in the series by Ian Fleming, Casino Royale. He also discusses it in the short story, “From a View to a Kill.” Very easy to make and satisfying to drink, it's easy to understand its enduring popularity.

Ravello is a southern Italian town on the famous Amalfi Coast, perched high above sparkling azure seas and with stunning views across the water. It has long captured the hearts of many and is often included in lists of best holiday destinations, lesser-known Italian gems and beautiful towns. In fact, many of the town’s biggest fans have been artists and writers, such as D.H. Lawrence and Virginia Woolf, who became so enamoured with the place that they have spent extended periods in the town or have lived there. Why were they so taken by the town? Well, it offers the perfect mix of culture, relaxation, delicious food, luxurious accommodation and stunning views. In fact, Gore Vidal once described the panorama here as “the most beautiful in the world.” If you want to take in the most beautiful panorama in the world for yourself, just find a vacation rental in Campania and spend some time in the stunning town of Ravello.