Archive for 'Localities'

We've already discussed some of the works of art left by great Venetian Renaissance master Titian around Venice but there are many more examples to consider. In fact, you could spend days just following his trail all around the majestic city. This is actually a rather good way to explore the buildings of Venice that might not otherwise make it on to your itinerary. It might seem like a trip to Italy features too many visits to churches and that one church is very much the same as another but this is not the case. These are not merely religious buildings but great works of art with limitless joys and secrets to bestow should you look a little more closely. Popping in to see a Titian on display gives you an opportunity to also take in some of the most beautiful parts of the city and some of her loveliest buildings. Just find a vacation rental in Venice and get exploring!

Cassoeula (also known as Cazzuola, Cazzola and Bottaggio) is a typical winter dish composed of cabbage and pork which is popular in Northern Italy and Lombardy, in particular. With a rich, strong flavour, it is the perfect, comforting dish for cold winter months.

There are several accounts of the origins of the dish, as is often the case with Italian specialities. However, one associates it with the celebration of St Anthony the Abbot on January 17th, which coincided with the end of pig slaughtering season. The parts of the pig used in the dish were those that could be immediately used after it was slaughtered and the better cuts were hung to improve the flavour of the meat. Another story states that the dish traces its roots back to 16th century, Spanish-ruled Milan. In this version of the origin story, the dish was taught to a Milanese girl by her Spanish lover, an army officer. She then served it to the noble Milanese family that she worked for and it was extremely well-received, soon gaining recognition and popularity.

An unassuming and rather unflashy building both inside and out, Harry's Bar in Venice has, however, housed and birthed some famous names; Hemingway was a regular and it is the birthplace of the world-famous Bellini cocktail. Despite a lack of obvious signs of greatness, there are touches that let you know that you're somewhere special. 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. An institution of the city, it was named a national landmark by the Italian government in 2001. Find yourself a vacation rental in Venice and you can walk in the footsteps of some of the greatest writers and figures in history, all while enjoying a bite to eat and a good drink.

The Bellini is on almost every cocktail menu in the world and is one of the world's most beloved alcoholic beverages. It was born in Venice in Harry's Bar sometime between 1934 and 1948. Its inventor was Giuseppe Cipriani, founder of Harry's Bar, and it was so named due to its typically distinct pink colour (depending on ingredients used, this can vary in hue) which reminded him of the toga a saint wore in a painting by 15th-century Venetian artist Giovanni Bellini. The drink started as a seasonal speciality at Harry's and later became popular at the bar's New York counterpart. Once fresh white peach purée could be shipped constantly to both locations, it became a year-round favourite.

The Island of Garda – also known as the Isola del Garda, Isola di Garda or Isola Borghese – is the largest island on Lake Garda. It has been inhabited for thousands of years, going back to Roman times. After being used by pirates for years, it came under the control of the monks of St Zeno of Verona. It then shifted hands many times over the years. The current villa, the Villa Borghese-Cavazza, which occupies the island was built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is occupied by the Cavazza Counts who inherited the island in 1927 and still live there today.