Events Search and Views Navigation
June 2020
Bologna: Under the Stars of Cinema
Bologna has got some spectacular spaces from le due torri, to the garden of Margherita, and under the porticos that lead you to a panoramic view of the city from the Church of San Luca. During the summer though, Piazza Maggiore offers yet another unique space with film screenings of the classics starting at 9:45 PM. Among the vast talented directors are Martin Scorsese, Vittorio De Sica, Fellini, Chaplan, Coppola and many more. You can view the full schedule on the…
Find out more »July 2020
Palermo: International Firedancing Festival
You do not want to miss this one-of-a-kind show that takes place in the romantic, passionate, and culturally important UNESCO World Heritage site of Palermo, Sicily. Recently listed by Forbes as one of the 12 best festivals in the world, this year's theme is "Fire & Light" and involves various forms of performances in dance, music and theatre, offers workshops, hosts art and photography exhibitions and much more. Note: Dates have not been yet confirmed; Pricing starts at 16.50€; Please…
Find out more »Sestri Levante (Genoa): La Barcarolata
Every last Sunday of July, Baia del Silenzio (or Silence Bay) in Sestri Levante is the alive thanks to a boat parade under the stars! Tourists and locals can compete in the decorating of their boats with twinkling lights and dress up in carnival costumes in preparation for the parade in the evening! The night wraps up with a gorgeous firework show over the water. A truly magical night in Liguria. Dream of Italy is a membership website and award-winning travel…
Find out more »August 2020
Spelonga (Marche): A Beautiful Party
Every three years the wonderful town of Spelonga in the le Marche region hosts a town wide celebration known as la Festa Bella (the Beautiful Party) for the entire month of August. The silhouette of a ship is recreated in the town piazza where a Turkish flag waves high up on the ship's mast in memory of the Turkish defeat in 1571. The celebration starts with a long series of bell tolls calling all the men to the town center.…
Find out more »Acquavivo Picena: Medieval Wedding Banquet
That's right, a Medieval Wedding Banquet, also called the Banchetto Nuziale Medievale, takes place every August in the village of Acquavivo Picena in Le Marche. The weekend invites guests to step back into the 13th century by witnessing a blessing of cloth, performances, a wedding, a palio and, last but not least, a feast in celebration of the marriage between Forastéria of Acquaviva and Rainaldo of Brunforte. Note: Dates have not yet been confirmed; Reservation is mandatory; please check event website…
Find out more »Rome: Miracle of the Madonna of the Snow
According to legend, in 352 AD, a rich and bored Roman gentleman experienced a vivid dream in which the Virgin Mary told him that a certain hill in Rome would be covered in snow in the morning, and that he should then use his money to build a church on that site. Being that Rome was deep in a steamy summer in the beginning of August, the gentleman didn't think much of this prophecy, but decided to test it out…
Find out more »Rome: Feast of San Lorenzo
The martyrdom of San Lorenzo is celebrated in Rome with fireworks and celebrations throughout the area around his crypt on the Via Tiburtina, where he was killed in 258 AD. The patron saint of librarians, firemen, bakers, and other professions whose jobs involve fire and roasting, San Lorenzo's association with such incendiary professions is certainly a disturbing one -- His martyrdom is said to have occurred by slowly being roasted on a gridiron by the troops of the Emperor, and,…
Find out more »Cappelle sul Tavo (Abruzzo): Palio of the Dancing Dolls
To kick off ferragosto this friendly battle, also called the Palio delle Pupe, amongst 14 neighboring towns in Abruzzo puts on a show for spectators. Pupe are papier-mache lifesized dolls and are covered in fireworks. For over 40 years these dolls have a dance "battle" where representatives from the towns climb up inside the doll and perform a dance to folk music that was originally done in hopes of a fertile harvest. What's most impressive though, is that the fireworks are…
Find out more »Civitavecchia (Lazio): Feast of the Sea (Il Padellone)
Civitavecchia rings in the anniversary of its founding, as well as the defeat of the Saracens, in charming seaside style: A boat race, historical procession and a gastronomical fair featuring huge quantities of free seafood, and in particular, a gigantic Padellone -- a giant platter of fried fish that especially encapsulates the anniversary of the founding of the city. Other celebrations take place in Civitavecchia on the week before Il Padellone, but these events are not determined until very close to…
Find out more »Ferragosto
It's the summer and in August many Italians are looking forward to Ferragosto which starts on August 15th. It's known as a two-week vacation period with roots in ancient Rome. When Emperor Augustus invented the feriae Augusti to mark the end harvest he also made it a moment that signified a period of well-deserved rest. Later, during the fascist regime, this time of the year was used to promote travel within the country, including discounts on train voyages to see all…
Find out more »