Archive for 'Venice'

In our last article, we outlined the unique nature and particular charms of the Italian interpretation of Christmas markets, before outlining some of the best of the best around the country. In addition to those examples in Rome, Florence and Milan, we have compiled a list of some more of the finest Christmas markets around Italy, should you have found a vacation rental in Italy and be planning on spending the festive season there.

Verona is a very famous Italian city and UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site best known for its connection to Shakespeare's most tragic of lovers. However, come Christmas, it gets a German makeover when a large Christkindlmarkt opens in Piazza dei Signori. Made up of wooden stalls with over 60 exhibitors selling handicrafts, decorations, regional foods, and German specialties, it usually opens late November through to December 21st.

Venice is known globally as one of the most romantic cities in the world and is hugely popular as a honeymoon destination. The absence of road traffic, the characteristic gondola rides, pretty squares, beautiful polychromatic stone buildings, soft light, historic atmosphere, good food and wine all make for a rather romantic and special experience that one cannot find replicated anywhere else in the world. When people fall in love with the city, it is for good.

Romance pervades the entire city and gives it a distinctive atmosphere but one particular activity that heightens this has to the galleon dinner cruises that take place on the Venetian lagoon. It is the perfect way to see a little of the city while enjoying good food and soaking up the romantic atmosphere, all at the same time. Just find a vacation rental in Venice and you can spend a magical evening going back in time, dining and taking in the spectacular surroundings.

In the previous post, we discussed the fascinating character that was Peggy Guggenheim and mentioned how her career and collection began. Her collection went from a great support to contemporary artists of the 20th century, and a driving force to pushing forward the artistic scene of the time, and private thing of immense beauty and prestige to a leading museum in Venice. In her own lifetime, Guggenheim opened the collection to the public during summer months and, in her final years, donated it to the art foundation established by her uncle and backer of the Guggenheim in New York. It was then converted into a museum and is now open year-round to anyone visiting the beautiful city of Venice. Just find a vacation rental in Venice and you can explore this little artistic gem and all that is held within.

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.