Cat from Dubrovnik {Croatia}

Writer Jennifer Deborah Walker – co-author of the travel books Lonely Planet Global Coffee Tour, Lonely Planet Around the World in 80 Food Trucks, Lonely Planet Global Distillery Tour, and many others – was in Dubrovnik a few years ago covering the Game of Thrones filming locations for an article (Dubrovnik represents King's Landing in the show). She was walking along the walls of the city and spotted this handsome Lannister Lion looking very regal. He was a more than willing to model and ended up being on the cover photo for the article.

Photos by Jennifer Deborah Walker

 

Cats from Porto Venere {Italy}

Porto Venere is a picturesque little town with a small port in Liguria in the northwest of Italy. It's part of what is often referred to as the Gulf of Poets.

The area was the favorite destination of such writers as Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley, D.H. Lawrence, George Sand, Henry Miller, and Virginia Woolf.

Byron supposedly lived in a cave in Porto Venere and often swam 7.5 kilometres to visit the Shelleys near Lerici.

Just like the nearby Cinque Terre, the houses of Porto Venere are a colorful mix of pinks, yellows, and blues. It's a joy to explore the small alleyways where the locals live.

Many of the locals have cats. They treat them really well, unlike in many other towns in Italy where cats are often neglected. But in Porto Venere, no matter which alley you turn into, there's almost always a happy cat around the corner to greet you.

On Via A. Colonna 13, you'll find a one-year-old white cat called Frida. She adores tourists and comes over for cuddles whenever someone approaches (her owners say she's way friendlier with tourists than with them). She only comes out at night and walks on a leash attached to a cable that runs the length of the street. Apparently, she escapes without a leash, and because she's deaf, she might get herself into trouble. Chances are you'll instantly fall in love with little Frida.

Another 'regular' is the tabby that guards an AirBnB situated on Via Vittoria 12. She's constantly outside, sleeping on the cushions next to the front door or next to the many plants that adorn the porch. Not a single tourist passes by without giving this cat a good ruffle.

  

 

Even the shops have (well-fed) cats.

The only cat of Porto Venere that seems to be less fortunate is an elderly white cat that often visits the trattoria Tre Torri, hoping to get some scraps from the visitors.

Photos: Vanessa Morgan & Eric Valette (photos 3, 10, 11, 17)

Cats from Manarola {Italy}

In Liguria in the northwest of Italy lies a UNESCO World Heritage Site called Cinque Terre, a coastal area that is comprised of a national park and five villages (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare). 

Cinque Terre is a beloved tourist destination, but it's also popular with cats, most of which can be found in the colorful alleyways that are winding up the hillsides. Of all the five villages, Manarola is the one that houses the largest number of felines. 

Text and photos: Vanessa Morgan

Cats from Torcello {Italy}

When I grew tired of walking on Venice's main island, I decided to visit nearby islands using the regular boat service. On a one-hour ride to Torcello Island, we passed by Burano Island with its colorful houses standing side by side.

At Torcello, we disembarked and were led from a narrow walkway to a canal that flowed by two churches at the island's center. In the distance, I heard cowbells. 

I looked around for the source of the sound, but I could see no cows and no bells. Then, I noticed that a woman who had been on the boat was carrying a bell and ringing it methodically. She accompanied the clanging bell with shouted bits of song. Until we reached a small plaza, she continued singing and clanging. Suddenly, in the center of the plaza, a pack of stray cats appeared.

At the cats' arrival, the woman stopped singing and, working with a friend, offered food to the cats. After satisfying the large group, she again took up the bell, appealing to other strays to come to dinner and not miss their meal. At noon, the bells of the church joined those of the woman, tolling for noon and for the joy that the woman found in feeding her cats. As the bells peeled across the island, I too experienced a sense of happiness and well-being, knowing that there were people with the goodness to care for strays.

On the boat ride back, I thought about the cats and the mysterious bells. I felt as if both the cats and I were granted some release by the sound of the bells.

Text and photos: The Cats of Venice by Shin Otani

Cats from Madrid {Spain}

The Buen Retiro Park, also known as El parque del Buen Retiro, is a green oasis in the heart of Madrid. Locals visit this popular spot to walk along the lake, to look at the street artists, to admire the numerous sculptures and monuments, to play a game of petanca, or to attend some of the many events that are held there throughout the year. But there's another reason why you want to add the Buen Retiro Park to your bucket list: it is the home of more than 400 (!) community cats.

Some of the cats have always lived in the park, while others have been abandoned by their humans.

The cats of the Buen Retiro Park are taken care of by the volunteers of the organization AGAR (Asociación de Amigos de los Gatos del Retiro). Since 2008, this organization has not only been feeding the cats, but they have also been involved in TNR (trap-neuter-return), medical care, and vaccinations. Some of the Retiro cats have even found a forever home thanks to the organization. They are self-funded, though, so financial help is always welcome.

Now that you know that Madrid is home to a cat park, don't you want to go there and befriend all the kitties?

Photos by Sobi