Tag: https://www.turismoroma.it/en

Asia, Caribbean, Countries, Europe

The day the world’s cats are feline good

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Moggieday, Moggieday, so good to me, and with apologies to the Moggies and Papas, today is the day the world’s cats are feline good.

And we have animal activist Coleen Paige to thank for pushing to have a national day for cats in 2005.

To go along with  National Dog Day in  2004 (see, you can love both), and National Puppy Day in March 2006.

Now, we’ve all been there on our travels when we’ve had kitties cuddle up to our legs and made us feel welcome.

So on this, National Cat Day, indulge us while we share some puss pics from our travels.

How Bazaar

Turk that: Sleepy cat in Istanbul

Istanbul: And our feline friends in Istanbul are the type of learned bunch TS Eliot would take to.

As we found out when we went shopping in the most historic and enchanting row of stores and stalls in this magical city on the Bosphorus.

Where you’ll find moggies sprawled out over books on the counter… cat lit if you like.

The Catmino

Cat on the prowl: In Tenerife

Tenerife:  And when you need someone to show you the way then you could do worse than follow the cats.

Because they know their way around, of course.

Mind you this furball in Tenerife knew better than to take to the open paths in the baking hot sun of our CaminoWays trek back in the day.

Furza Italia

Hello kitty: On the Via Francigena

Rome: Moggie mia… you’ll spot your gatti Italiani because of their swagger.

As they amble past you on your 100km walk from Lazio into Rome on your Via Francigena.

I guess that’s why they call Rome the Eternal Kitty.

Desert cats

Just desert: Kitty fun in Jordan

Jordan: Now we all know about the camel, the ‘ship of the desert’.

But our furry low-maintenance feline friends we found on our G Adventures adventure are adaptable to any terrain.

And they make a better sleeping companion under the stars in the Wadi Rum.

The Cattybbean

Fur he’s a jolly good fella: Kitty fun in Barbados

Barbados: And we all know that the cat rules the roost, or at least that’s how it is here where the mother-in-law’s moggie Mishka is on holiday.

And it is certainly the case in St Nicholas Abbey, ancestral home of the Cumberbatches (yes those Cumberbatches).

Where I had to give way on my Bajan Scottish odyssey because the top cat on the island is this furry fella.

 

Countries, Europe, Sport, UK

Euro the best Italia

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The old joke goes that the Scot loves two teams, Scotland and whoever plays England. But I’d add to that Euro the best Italia.

The European Championships kick off tonight in Rome with Italy and Turkey facing off.

And whereas my world used to be small now I can count friends from all over the globe (including a wife from England)!

Mussolini’s boy scout

Il Duce: Benito Mussolini

The delayed Euros will be spread across Europe but today the Olimpico Stadio in Rome holds centre stage.

As it did for the octogenarian Italian whom I met at breakfast in my hotel at Trastevere with his American wife.

Over pastries and espresso Lorenzo shared his memories of parading with his boy scout group in front of Il Duce, Benito Mussolini.

I had mentioned that I had passed the Stadio Olimpico on my march into Rome.

Roman gods

Travel god: At the Olimpico

It was a welcome diversion at the end of my 100km walk from Viterbo in Lazio on the Via Francigena.

I’d actually intended to enter Rome via one of the Seven Hills, where I’d been told that I would get the best view of La Citta Eterna.

Mussolini had better smarts so didn’t need a guide pack for his March on Rome!

Il Duce loved his calcio and oversaw (interfered with) the victory of the Azzurri at the 1934 and 1938 World Cups.

And calcio still runs through the family with Romano Mussolini Jnr signing recently for Lazio.

Momma Mussolini

Missy Mussolini: Alessandra Mussolini

The Mussolinis have, you’d be unsurprised to hear, an interesting history.

Benito’s youngest son Romano, a pianist, is Junior’s grandson.

And Junior’s Momma wouldn’t be your traditional image of Italian matriarchy.

Alessandra is a former actress (Sophia Loren’s niece you see), Playboy cover girl and politician.

La Donna Alessandra’s party? Forza Italia.

Which is the clarion call of the Tifosi who follow the Azzurri.

Of course, patriotic expressions, symbols, games and flags have since the days of the Caesars been the playthings of dictators.

Forza Italia

The Pantheon of the greats

So whether you’re Italiano or an Italianophile then rasp your Forza Italia with pride.

And a small aside here. I love Turkey too and will be rooting for them as well.

Off and running: The Olimpico

So that’s us off and running and I’ll be marking my connections with other countries too.

That way I figure I can’t lose.

Euro the best Italia

And the rest!