Archive for 'Piedmont'

Isola San Giulio is a beautiful little island located on Lake Orta in the Northern Italian region of Piedmont. Perfectly picturesque, it is a wonderful sight that must be seen with your own eyes to be believed and paints an image similar to the famous island of Bled in Slovenia. If you have found a vacation rental in Piedmont, it is a must-see.

Gorgonzola is one of the world's oldest blue-veined cheeses and is a DOP certified food that is largely produced in the northern Italian regions of Piedmont and Lombardy. The name comes from Gorgonzola, in Milan, which is said to be the birthplace of the cheese, though this is now disputed. It is a crumbly, soft cheese that can have a mild or sharp taste, depending on its age, and is made of unskimmed cow's milk, to which starter bacteria and the spores of the mould Penicillium glaucum are added. The whey is then removed during curdling and the result is aged at low temperatures and ripened for at least three to four months. The iconic its greenish-blue marbling that distinguishes Gorgonzola was not always a feature and was added in the 11th century.

The Battle of the Oranges is probably one of those events that you have heard tell of plenty of times during your childhood, seen mentioned in books or discussed in passing on television shows but you might not actually know the whole story or what it actually is before. Well, never fear, we're here to inform you about this rather fascinating and unique annual event in Italy…

The Historical Carnival of Ivrea, which culminates in the famous Battle of the Oranges, is a festival that takes place in February each year in the town of Ivrea. The battle itself lasts three days and really does involve oranges.

If you have found a vacation rental in Italy and are planning your trip, you probably have certain images and ideas in mind. No doubt, you are most likely looking forward to a different pace of life, relaxing and taking it easy and the best thing for that? Italian wine, of course! Just imagine it, sitting out in one of our stunning rentals, a glass of wine in hand, a setting sun and a wonderful view to enjoy.

For those interested in learning more about Italian wine, tasting it and finding some of the best wine to bring home, just take a look at our list of some of the best wineries and vineyards in the country that are open for visits, tours and tastings!

The Museo Egizio in Turin is the only museum, other than the Cairo Museum, in the entire world that is dedicated solely to the display of, and informing the public about, Egyptian art and culture. It has one of the largest collections of Egyptian antiquities in the world, with over 30,000 pieces in the collection, and receives close to a million visitors each year. One of the most unexpected and intriguing attractions in Italy, it is one more reason to find a vacation rental in Piedmont and make your way to the charming city of Turin.