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

Cat from Vela Luka {Korčula}

Korčula is a small Croatian island, about 2,5 hours away from Dubrovnik. Tourists often go there to explore the caves, to see the dense forest and pretty beaches, or to enjoy the sounds of folk music while strolling through the alleys of Vela Luka. Like the mainland, Korčula is teeming with community cats, most of which are well cared for. They are familiar with people and don't mind some petting and playing.

Photo by vvicca

Cat from Wailea {Maui}

The five crescent-shaped beaches and staggering views over the Pacific Ocean turn the luxurious resort community of Wailea in South Maui into idyllic postcard heaven. Just like the rest of the island, Wailea is abound with stray cats, most of which come out in the evening when the barbecues are fired up, hoping to get their share of the meals. The kitty on the picture above is one of the many stray cats that hang around the Fairmont Kea Lani resort.

Photo: Mac Jahn

Cats from Cadaqués {Spain}

The Spanish resort town of Cadaqués is famous for its whitewashed houses, its canopies of wilting wisteria, and its large number of cats that take up residence in the picturesque little alleys.

Although Cadaqués is a popular place with Catalans, "the pearl of the Costa Brava" hasn't yet succumbed to mass tourism and has retained an air of authenticity. As such, the cats enjoy their afternoon nap without being disturbed by the tourists who usually prefer to lounge in the sun with a drink and tapas near the beach.

Photos by vvicca