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Mid August In Italy: Ferragosto throughout the boot

July 27th, 2010

Enjoy Ferragosto in Italy!!! What’s on?!

Credits: Flasc

Mid August, called Ferragosto from Italians, is not as important as Christmas or Easter – of course! But it is anyway an important celebration with ancient origins.

In the ancient days, Italians celebrated the end of the hard work in the fields in the middle of the summer, mid August. The Roman Catholic Church adopted this celebration to represent the Assumption of Virgin Mary, but always keeping the old name (Feriae Augusti = Holidays of the Emperor Augustus, which established the celebration in 18 B.C.).

Credits: Magicstars


Due to its double importance (both civil and religious) many different celebrations are organized throughout Italy in this hot days of Mid August. If you’re planning to visit Italy in August, you’ll probably find yourself in the middle of a party, a concert or a procession.

Here are some of the celebrations organized during Mid August in Italy:

Procession in Santa Maria di Leuca and Notte della Taranta, Puglia


If you’ve chosen an accommodation in Salento, Puglia for your summer holidays you’ll probably be interested in taking part to the Ferragosto organized in Santa Maria Leuca. It begins early in the morning with several celebrations and it finishes with the famous procession at sea. During it, hundreds of boats go with the statue of Virgin Mary, accompanied by the local band.
If you are in the region of Salento you can also take part to the Notte della Taranta Festival (13th-18th August), an important musical festival dedicated to the restoration and enhancement of the “Pizzica” (a typical dance of Salento).

Palio di Siena, Tuscany
If you’re spending your holidays in Tuscany, what better time to go see the Palio in Siena? Just read my previous article about The Palio!


Candelieri and Rocce Rosse Blues Festival, Sardinia

Credits: Candelieri.org

I Candelieri is the biggest celebration in Sassari, the second main Sardinian city. It is a really suggesting festival as the whole inhabitants are involved and everybody takes part on it. For music lovers, I suggest the Rocce Rosse & Blues Festival, organized in the beautiful region of Ogliastra. It has started on 23rd July and the shows will go on until 28th August.

Cavalcata del Gigante (The cavalcade of the giant), Sicily
The Cavalcata is an important Festival organized in Messina, where two statues of papier-mâché representing a giant and a giantess on horseback go through the city, accompanied by the local bands and by many typical Sicilian carts.

Are you going to be in Italy and you wish to know what’s on? Just ask me! And do not forget to subscribe to our RSS to keep you informed about Italian events and traditions both in the mainland and in the islands!!!

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Summer events 2010: Live Concerts at Cala di Volpe Hotel

July 1st, 2010

Simply Red and Anastacia: live music in the exclusive Costa Smeralda!!!


Luxury and exclusivity are the keywords. Costa Smeralda, place of encounters of the national and international jet set as well as true paradise for sea lovers, is specialized in offering the best services to its guests. Among the best accommodations in Costa Smeralda we recall of course Starwood Hotels: Cervo, Pitrizza, Romazzino and Cala di Volpe are among the most prestigious Hotels in the area.

Each Season, Cala di Volpe Hotel organizes a Gala Dinner with live music, where national and international artists are invited to perform during the dinner in an exclusive setting.

The Dinner consists in a gastronomic buffet with international and regional specialties, served next to the pool overlooking the spectacular Cala di Volpe bay.

In the past years, many popular musicians have performed here: Barry White, Lionel Richie, Claudio Baglioni, Michael Bolton, Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini, Duran Duran and Craig David.

In this enchanting setting facing the transparent emerald sea two international artists will be present this summer: Simply Red and Anastacia.

Simply Red will make their exhibition on July, 30th. The English pop soul band and its leader Mick Hucknall will propose their biggest success like “Fake”, “Come to my aid”, “Starts”.


The big voice of Anastacia will delight the guests of Cala di Volpe on August, 12th. The winner of 225 gold and platinum awards will propose her most popular songs, like “Not that kind”, “I’m outta love”, “Paid my dues”.

Additionally, the special dinner will be completed by a spectacular fireworks show!!

The special evening is open to all guests of Cala di Volpe Hotel (who can confirm their attendance with a supplement) as well as to external guests.

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Palio di Siena Horse Race

June 18th, 2010

2nd July and 16th August: one of the most ancient horse races in the world

Flickr, Dean Ayres

The aim is not to be a touristic attraction, even if many tourists decide to visit the medieval city of Siena during these periods. The Palio di Siena has ancient origins and represents the life of the citizens of Siena in its different features.

Siena is divided in 17 districts called Contrade, each of them having their own name, government, emblems and colours.

For security reasons, the Contrade which can take part to the Palio are only 10. The remaining 7 will have a right to participate the following year, when the others 3 will be drawn. This happens for each of the two editions that usually take place during the year.

Flickr, Dean Ayres

The Palio take normally place twice a year: on 2nd July (Palio of Provenzano) and on 16th August (Palio of Madonna dell’Assunta). It can happen that a 3rd edition is organised in case of special events like the man on the moon or to celebrate the end of the XX century. These special editions are organized between May and September.

4 feast days
Actually, the Palio starts 4 days before the event. 10 horses are selected among 30 available and are then drawn lots and assigned to the Contrade, which start the heats to test the course.

The course is circular and takes place around the main place of the city: Piazza del Campo. To win the Palio, the horse-jockey has to go round the Piazza three times. But if he falls down, don’t worry: the horse can even go on without him and win the race alone!!!

Flickr, Dean Ayres

In fact, the horse is the real protagonist and the winner is celebrated by the Contradaioli (belonging to a Contrada) during the following months. In particularly, a special dinner is organised between September and October in the winning Contrada and a place of honour is reserved for him!

Choose the Piazza to attend the Palio!!!
You can attend the Palio for free in the Piazza together with the citizens of Siena. You have just to be aware that there are no toilets there available and that it could really be a very hot day, so provide a bottle of water with you!!

Flickr, yab994

If you rather prefer a more comfortable location, you can try to find a ticket for the tribune or to buy a place in a balcony or a window overlooking the Piazza. It is not very easy as there is not a central organization so you have to contact private citizens directly.

If you’re looking for an Hotel in Tuscany, please note that many Hotels provide special rates for the Palio. Take advantage of them to visit the fascinating Tuscany!!!

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Taormina Film Festival 2010

June 3rd, 2010

Italy’s most important summer film event: the Taormina Film Festival

Credits: Flickr, ross.grady

The Ancient Taormina Theatre has been built during the III century B.C. and represents one of the most popular and well-preserved Sicilian monuments. It is the second biggest theatre in Sicily after the one in Siracusa. This wonderful location will be the setting of the 56th edition of the Taormina Film Festival.

Credits: Flickr, Bee721

The Taormina Film Festival will take place from 12th to 18th June. It is an important showcase for national and international film premières. 21 new features had been selected among the most relevant recent productions. They will be shown in the evocative atmosphere of Taormina Theatre unlike the previous edition, when the films had been shown all over Sicily.

In the previous 55th edition France was the guest of honour and this year Spain has received this chance. It will be honoured with the retrospective of 7 Spanish contemporary films and a Spagna Galà will take place in the fascinating Taormina theatre.


The aim is to spread the culture of the country as well as to show that often differences are only apparent.

Taormina Film Festival Prizes and contests
Prizes awarded at the Festival are for example the Golden Tauro for the best film and the Taormina Arte Awards for important personalities of the international film community, which this year will be assigned to the popular Robert De Niro, special guest.


The Festival includes three competitions: “Mediterranean” (for films produced in the Mediterranean area), “Beyond the Mediterranean” (for films produced all around the world) and the “Sicilian Short-Film Competition” in associations with N.I.C.E. (New Italian Cinema Events) of Florence, dedicated to short-films produced in Sicily.

A fusion between the ancient and the modern: the new 3D technology
A great news of this 56th edition of the Taormina Film Festival is the screening of Toy Story 3 in 3D, which will be shown in USA cinemas on June, 18th and in Italy only on July, 7th.

Toy Story will open the Festival on June, 12th with more than 3000 observers equipped with 3D glasses, who will enjoy the toys adventures in a unique background!
Don’t forget that all the premières are free! If you’re in the surroundings in that period, don’t miss it! If not, just take this opportunity to visit Sicily, Taormina and the surroundings by bringing with you one of your favourite italian books for relaxing moments, of course! It’s definitely worth it!!!

Taormina is a very appreciated destination in Sicily, both for its natural and cultural heritage. Just have a look here for selected luxury and charming Hotels in Sicily.

And if you need more information, do not hesitate to contact me and to subscribe to our RSS!!!

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Special post: 1 May 2010 – How Italians celebrate Labour Day

April 29th, 2010

If you’re planning a week end in Italy on May 1st, here some tips for you!

The Fourth Estate

Celebrated in many countries on 1st May, the Labour Day celebrates social and economic achievements resulting from the labour union movement. In particular, it refers to the Eight-hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight for recreation and eight for rest.

The first celebration of the Labour Day in Europe dates back to 1889. In Italy, after being cancelled during the twenty years of fascism, it has been reintroduced in 1945 after the Second World War.

How Labour Day is celebrated in the different Italian cities?

Since 1991, on 1st May, Italians Labour Unions CGIL CISL and UIL organise a big free concert in Rome, dedicated to emerging and independent music in Italy. Among others: Roy Paci, Vinicio Capossela, Carmen Consoli, Samuele Bersani.

Caparezza - 1st May 2009

In Florence many public museums will be open. Guests will visit them at the symbolic price of 1 euro.

In Bologna it starts the Rocker Festival, with which will go on until 31st May.

The Residents

In Riccione from 30th April to 2nd May you can assist to the Art Show, an exhibition of contemporary urban art.

In Cagliari people celebrate the festival of Sant’Efisio, one of the most important Sardinian folk festivals.

Credits: Flickr, Vorticeassurdo

In the region of Abruzzo all public museums and the archaeological areas will be opened, and can be visited at the symbolic price of 1 euro.

How is Labour Day celebrated in your country?
Share your experience with us!!!

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Italian Easter – Traditional celebrations

March 10th, 2010

How many different ways to celebrate it?


As every Christian festivity, Easter (Pasqua) plays a central role in Italy: it is the second most important festivity after Christmas.

If you want to understand the reason, just remember two aspects:

1)    The historical and cultural importance of the Catholic church in Italy
2)    The religious meaning: while Christmas is Jesus’ birth, Easter is his passion, death and resurrection.

So, during the holy week throughout Italy, people celebrate Easter with rituals, processions, and… with more then 3.000 passion plays on Good Friday! On Easter Sunday, after the long Lent period, people celebrate the resurrection. The day after, on Easter Monday (called Pasquetta – the little Easter) is generally dedicated to outdoor trips or picnics, with friends or the family.

This is why I warmly suggest you to visit Italy during this period. I warn you: you have to consider the crowds as the whole country is on holiday, and also high season prices. But you will have the chance to discover the ancient Italian Easter traditions, perhaps less popular than the art monuments or then the beaches, but certainly very appealing. It’s definitely worth to do this experience.

Once you’ve decided to follow my suggestion, the logic consequent question is: where exactly?

Thanks for asking!

I will reveal you a secret: even if, from 1861, Italy unified the territories and became a Nation…. Italians are still not aware of it!

In fact, they continue to maintain regional traditions and dialects as a sort of treasure, proud and jealous of their uniqueness. Even if the religious leading thread exists, every region, every city, every small town celebrates in its own way. (Just one thing is everywhere in Italian Easter: a rich family lunch!)

In Florence, for example, is very popular the “Scoppio del carro” celebration (Explosion of the cart), which dates back about 300 years ago. A huge decorated cart (built in 1679, with some fireworks attached) is dragged through Florence by white oxen decorated in garlands, until it reaches the Duomo (Cathedral).

Credits: dgtalmac – Flickr

Here the fireworks are lit, according to an involving traditional rite.


In Sardinia, we recall the traditional Eastern celebration of Oliena (Nuoro), where, on Eastern Sunday, people celebrate S’Incontru (the meet). Two processions (the participants are dressed with typical costumes), the one carrying a statue of the Virgin Mary and the second carrying a statue of Jesus Christ, meet after a long walk through the village’s streets. The curious thing is that, people who don’t participate to the processions are in their balconies and celebrate by shooting in the air, announcing the resurrection.

Always in Sardinia, very fascinating Eastern rituals are celebrated in Alghero. Starting one week before Eastern, a series of traditional rituals and processions take place, among Catalan songs and evocative ceremonies.

Credits: Luca Seno – Flickr

Another interesting Easter celebration take place in Sulmona (Abruzzo); it is known as La Madonna che corre in piazza (the Virgin Mary who races through the square) and encloses very strong religious meanings and dramatic shades, also thanks to the personification of the Virgin Mary. She can’t believe in his son resurrection, so first she goes slowly out of the church, but than she catches sight of her son and start running, joyful, to reach him.

Other remarkable rituals take place in Sicily, in particular in Trapani (the longest Italian religious festival and one of the most ancient) and Enna (which rituals date back to the Spanish domination).

A special mention has to be given to the Easter festivals of Procida (dating back to XVI century, one of the most evocative) and Ischia (to be celebrated in the open air, in the squares of the ancient districts, tasting the traditional Mediterranean cuisine).

Credits: DoctorG@Giovanni Facchini – Flickr

In these, and in many others ways, Italians celebrate Easter. If you are curios to know more about them, or if you wish to know how Easter is celebrated in another Italian city or region, I will be pleased to satisfy your curiosity!

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