Tag: Events

We previously published an article giving a brief overview of the historic regatta that occurs in Venice every first Sunday in September, but the colorful boats that participate in the regatta each year are certainly worthy of their own article. From the very beginning, boats are the true stars of this event thanks to the […]

In the Italian region of Umbria, fairs are common events and they have a rich history that dates back to medieval times.  The earliest fairs in this area were celebrations of Ognisanti (All Saints Day) at the beginning of November.  These fairs developed into bustling markets that allowed commerce between medieval towns to flourish, and […]

The Shroud of Turin is perhaps one of the most mystical images of all time. It was said to have been the cloth that covered Jesus of Nazareth upon his burial. First noticed in 1898 by a photographer who was shooting pictures of it, it clearly depicts an image of the crucifixion. Due to its […]

Relax And Smell The Roses…Plus A Million Other Flowers In Italy, everything is about beauty, art and celebration. In the second week of June, they all come together in the “Infiorata”, or Flower Festival, held in Genzano, which is just outside of Rome. It is a tradition that started in the 1700s, but it pays […]

Even though the 86th Academy Awards were this last Sunday, native Italians are still celebrating the success of The Great Beauty (2013) By Paolo Sorrentino. The exciting news that The Great Beauty (La Grande Bellezza) won the Academy Award for best foreign language film has been the top story news story in Italy since its […]

Ancient architecture, beautiful landscapes, and a thriving culture characterize Genoa. Although this diverse city is most commonly known as the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, there is much more to Genoa. As Italy’s largest seaport Genoa has drawn people to its quaint alleyways, historic churches, noble castles, monuments, and museums. Additionally, this historic city is also […]

Lamborghini, Ferrari, Pagani, and Maserati….just the names of these manufacturers can leave any car lover salivating. The thought of seeing these cars, touching them, and witnessing just how they are made could drive any enthusiast up the wall. Motor Valley in Emilia Romagna is where these Italian cars and their history can be observed first-hand. […]

On the island of Sardinia, where lively colors and bright festivities are the norm, a ritual of contrasting black and white can seem far from the original tempo of the city. Once a year around the time of Ash Wednesday, Sardinia becomes an island that is bursting with black and white painted faces, grotesque masks, […]

Opera lovers do not miss La Scala opera house in Milan. It is known worldwide for offering some of the best performances and, of course, some of the most genuine Milanese moments. Most of Italy‘s greatest opera artists and many of the finest singers from around the world have appeared at La Scala!

Folklore is a large part of Italy and even more so, in the Apulia region located in what is the heel of Italy’s “boot” shape. In this particular region, folk dances are very popular and have their roots in Ancient Greece. The “Pizzica” is a traditional dance popular throughout the Salentine peninsula along with the […]

Every year in the quaint and historic town of Spoleto, located in the Umbria region, one of the most important artistic festivals in the world takes place during the summer months: the “Festival dei Due Mondi,” or Festival of the Two Worlds. This exuberant event was first started in 1958 by composer Gian Carlo Menotti. […]

If you think that the word Palio is only associated to the well-known Siena horserace, you will learn that it is not the case after reading this article. According to its Latin origins, the word Palio (from Pallium) refers to the banner or the cloth awarded to the winner of a competition. According to the […]

  When one says apple in Italy one immediately thinks of Val di Non in Trentino Alto Adige. Ten percent of the entire production of apples in Italy comes from this area. “Golden Delicious”, “Red Delicious” and “Rennet” are only a few of the types you will be able to taste in this beautiful valley, […]

The island of Stromboli is a living testament to the beauty of fire. With an almost constant stream of small volcanic eruptions, visitors come from far and wide to view the fountains of orange magma against the night sky. The play of light and dark has inspired artists, poets and photographers for time immemorial, creating […]

Ivrea is a small town, about 40 minutes north of Turin, Italy. It is usually a very quiet place, but once a year, during the exiting Orange Battle Carnival, it comes to life. The battle is an allegoric representation of a medieval insurrection dating back to 1194.

The Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome is hosting a great exhibition dedicated to the Italian artist and founder of metaphysical art movement: Giorgio De Chirico.  Born of an Italian noble family in 1888 in Greece, he was educated in Munich where he was influenced by the philosopher Nietzsche.

The Palio di Siena is a horse race that takes place twice yearly, on July 2 and August 16, in Siena, in which ten horses and riders represent ten of the seventeen  city districts  (in Italian: Contrade). The Palio is one of the most popular and spectacular Italian events. 

Venice Carnival began in the 15th century but the tradition can be traced back to the beginning of the 14th Century.  Story tells that in the past  even princes from all over Europe came to Venice  and in the Carnival period no differentiation could be made between nobility and the common people.

Venice attracts  more visitors then usual in September. In fact, this is the time for the historic regatta (regata storica), a very popular festival, held  on the fist Sundays of the month. The Regatta is probably the main event in  the Venice calendar. A spectacular procession  of traditional boats decorated in 16th century style with […]