5 holiday destinations for cat lovers

Cat lovers, mark your calendars: August 8th is International Cat Day. Created in 2002 by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the event invites cat lovers to celebrate felines around the world.

But in case you miss out on doing anything on the day, at these destinations cats are celebrated all year-round.

Aoshima, Japan

Off the coast of Japan, the tiny island of Aoshima is only 1.6km long and is largely populated by cats. The island’s feline residents outnumber humans six to one (although it should be mentioned that there are only about 15 full-time residents on the island). A group of cats were originally brought to the island to deal with the rodents that plagued the fishing community and since then have taken over the island with their population growing steadily each year.

A trip to Aoshima is best done as a day trip from the mainland city of Matsuyama. APA Hotel Matsuyamajo-Nishi is just a 15-minute walk from the JR Matsuyama Train Station where you can start your journey to the island.

Santorini, Greece

The largest of a small group of islands that make up the municipality of Santorini, the eponymous island is famous for its blue and white architecture. But start exploring and you’ll quickly see that the island also has an impressive feline population. Cats on the island are cared for by residents and visitors alike and there are several organizations dedicated to helping to support their health and well-being. Plus, if you fall in love with a little Santorini cat while on your holiday, there are organizations that facilitate out-of-country adoptions.

In the village of Imerovihli on the island of Santorini is the Vasilicos. Built in the traditional Santorini style, this property has a pool with ocean views.

Istanbul, Turkey

During the Ottoman empire, the Sultans of Istanbul welcomed cats to the city knowing that they would keep it free of vermin. Over the years, the street cats became a welcome fixture, treasured as both workers and companions to residents. Today, the care of these cats is up to the city’s residents, who leave food and water out for them as they roam the neighbourhoods.

If you want to get up close and personal with some of these kitties, be sure to make a trip to the Beşiktaş neighbourhood. Here, you’re pretty much guaranteed to see a group of them playing the neighbourhood rock garden. The W Istanbul Hotel Bosphorus is located in the Beşiktaş, making it a great home base for all of your cat-spotting adventures.

Houtong, Taiwan

Though it used to be a coal mining community, Houtong has reinvented itself as a cat lover’s destination. This remote village in Northern Taiwan is home to more than 200 cats, which draw a growing number of visitors each year. For your best chance of spotting these cats, head outside of the village’s busy centre and stroll around the riverside path. Here, you’ll spot felines napping under benches and along the ledges of the aptly named ‘cat bridge’.

The easiest way to get to Houtong is from Taipei Station, which the Okura Prestige Taipei is located just 800 metres from.

Rome, Italy

Tourists aren’t the only ones who flock to Rome – the city’s population of stray cats also seek refuge at the city’s many ancient ruins. In the Largo di Torre Argentina, a square containing some precious remains of temples and Pompey’s Theatre, there is a cat sanctuary called Torre Argentina. Visitors to the Torre Argentina sanctuary will have opportunity to learn about the ruin’s history while bonding with the cats over your shared love of Roman history. You can even bring them home with you as the sanctuary facilities adoptions both within and outside Italy.

Located just beside Torre Argentina, Terrace Pantheon Relais is highly rated among guests interested in food, history, and sightseeing.