Le Marinaresche

Many towns and cities in Italy have famous annual celebrations for their patron saint’s day that are rooted in centuries of tradition. These celebrations usually involve some religious ceremonies through processions and masses as well as other kinds of commemorations but they have evolved throughout the ages to become larger parties and events that even non-believers and those of different faiths can enjoy as well. Filling historic centres with colour, excitement, sound, great food and wine, music, excellent parties, and all sorts of special events, these saint’s day celebrations make for a particularly special time to be in a place.

Venice is no exception to this and the romantic city is all the lovelier when it celebrates Saint Mark on the 25th of April each year. So, if you were considering booking a vacation rental in Venice and were wondering when you should go, then you might think about coming to celebrate with locals and tourists alike this spring!

Venice has been famous as a city of impeccable craftsmanship for centuries. Admittedly, today, it can be harder to find such carefully handcrafted pieces as cheaply produced copies flood gift stores and markets but, if you go looking, you can still find exceptional quality goods. From the renowned Murano glass, to Burano lace, to intricately crafted masks, and beyond, there are an array of crafting traditions still alive in the city. So, if you book one of our vacation rentals in Venice, be sure to go searching for the real thing when shopping for souvenirs – and, if you’re travelling in October, then you can head to the Salone dell’Alto Artigianato Italiano (or Italian High Craftsmanship Fair) to find everything in one handy spot! 

If you love bright, beautiful surroundings then a vacation in Italy is sure to delight. Not only is it a vibrant country full of art, lush landscapes, and colourful characters but it is also home to several towns that are famous for their picturesque looks in bright hues. For perfect spaces to lift your spirits and to act as dreamy backdrops for vacation pictures of a lifetime, these are the most colourful towns and areas to visit during a holiday in Italy!

One of the best parts of adjusting to the Italian lifestyle on a nice, lazy, relaxing holiday in Italy, is adopting the dining practices of this famous foodie destination. From multiple courses with most meals, to dining over the course of hours and chatting late into the evening with pals, to wine with lunch – there are many elements that are not uncommon (though not necessarily daily for everyone all the time) practices and make for an ideal basis for a vacation full of rest and relaxation. Another of our favourite foodie traditions from Italy that we think everyone should adopt where possible? Going for an aperitivo before your meal, sitting out in a sunny piazza, catching up with your companions and people-watching, and enjoying a spritz and some snacks. Certainly, if you’ve been dashing about to see and do as much as you can on holiday in Florence or on vacation in Rome or in any other Italian destination, it’s the ideal way to unwind, rest your feet, and begin rehydrating before your big evening meal.

The question, then, is what spritz you should go for because, while the Aperol Spritz is the most famous option, there are other ways to go. Here are our favourite Italian tipples for a perfect aperitivo moment on vacation in Italy...