Archive for 'Tourist Attractions'

America has Salem and Italy has Triora in Liguria.

This charming town's appearance does not belie its troubled and bloody past and will forever be interconnected with witches and witchcraft.

It all goes back to 1587, when bad weather and a bad harvest lead locals from the town to speculate as to what was causing all of their misfortune. They came to the logical conclusion: it had to be the fault of witches. The rest, as they say, is history.

Find a holiday rental in Liguria and you can uncover this disturbing and fascinating history for yourself, all while enjoying the delightful town that Triora is today.

Continuing on from our last article, this piece will discuss some more of our picks for the Seven Wonders of Italy.

The Cathedral of St. Ambrose is a building in Lombardy with roots going as far back as the tenth century, though the present structure dates to the sixteenth. It is the seat of the Bishop of Vigevano and the current building was commissioned by Duke Francesco II Sforza in 1530.

Dedicated to St. Ambrose, it was designed by Antonio da Lonate and thought it was begun shortly afterwards, work was not completed until 1612.

With beautiful painted interiors, a newer Baroque façade and a famous treasury and museum inside, it is a typical Italian cathedral in many ways.

Santa is familiar to all of us. He's that jolly, ruddy-cheeked, bearded gentleman that delivers presents to all the children in the world on Christmas Eve. His origins as a Turkish saint may be less familiar to some and his evil counterpart, Krampus, probably even less so.

While Santa Claus is all things comfy and nice, Krampus is a literal demon. He is pictured with big curling horns, dark hair and fangs and comes equipped with a chain and bells that he lashes about, along with a bundle of birch sticks meant to swat naughty children. His aim? Well, it sure isn't to deliver lovely gifts or, even, lumps of coal. No, Krampus has little sympathy for the bad kids. He doesn't try and teach them a lesson or the error of their ways, he merely hauls them down to the underworld.

The name Krampus is derived from the German word “krampen”, which means claw. Said to be the son of Hel in Norse mythology, he was created as a counterpart to kindly St. Nicholas and is part of a centuries-old Christmas tradition in Germany. According to folklore, Krampus purportedly shows up in towns the night before December 6, at night known as Krampusnacht, or Krampus Night. December 6, meanwhile, happens to be Nikolaustag, or St. Nicholas Day, when German children look outside their door to see if the shoe or boot they'd left out the night before contains either presents (a reward for good behavior) or a rod (bad behavior).

Krampus, as a legend, and the celebrations surrounding his existence, were long suppressed by the Catholic church as pagan traditions. However, in recent years, Krampus has reared his horned head once more and is becoming increasingly popular. He has been featuring in popular culture more and more, being referenced in television shows, videos and movies. In fact, a whole movie was made based on the legend and released last Christmas.

If you are curious about Krampus, there are even towns in Italy, such as Pontebba, that have celebrations dedicated to the beast. Just find a vacation rental in Friuli Venezia Giulia and indulge a creepier festive tradition this Christmas. If you are curious about the celebrations themselves, be sure to read on to our next article to learn more!

There is absolutely no lack of things to see and do in Italy. The food is almost universally delicious, the shopping is great, it is home to some of the best beaches in the world and natural delights, and is rich beyond belief in historical, cultural and artistic gems. However, it is also home to many strange and incredible sights that could be called the “Wonders” of Italy. Here are just seven that we have picked out. Here are the Seven Wonders of Italy.

The Temple of Valadier doesn't look real but like something from a fantasy novel. Perched just inside the Frassassi mountain caves in Genga, Le Marche with views across an amazing landscape, it seems like a mythical temple or the home of some magical creature. It is actually a neoclassical church which was built in 1828 for Pope Leone XII, set inside the fantastical Frassassi cave system, which is made up of crags, stalagmites and stalactites, and has a theatrical and breath-taking appearance. To visit just, find a holiday rental in Le Marche and spend a day exploring this special place.

Food is one of the things that makes many choose Italy as a holiday destination. The culture of dining, of spending hours eating and enjoying the company of your fellow diners, no technology infringing upon the experience, is something that appeals to residents of countries where this has died in favour of busy schedules and convenience. Plus, good food is never far away or hard to find and Italian cuisine is, by and large, a comforting, hearty style that developed from peasant dishes. However, if you want to try something a little different, why not supplement your Italian dining experiences with a trip to the best restaurant in the world?

Osteria Francescana is located in Modena and does not offer a typical Italian dining experience by any means. It is, however, somewhere that should make foodies excited. Just find a villa with pool in Emilia-Romagna and book a table well in advance to try it out for yourself.