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April 2020
Festa della Liberazione: Italian Liberation Day
On April 25, 1945, Italy was liberated from the grip of Mussolini and the German-Fascist regime. The country celebrates this historic day with parades, ceremonies, and speeches. Rome, as the capital, enjoys the biggest celebrations, including a visit by the President to the Ardeatine Caves Mausoleum, where the Nazis massacred 335 Romans in 1944. Dream of Italy is a membership website and award-winning travel publication publishing 170 issues since 2002. Get a free issue to see what we are all…
Find out more »May 2020
Gubbio (Umbria): Corso dei Ceri (Running of the Candles)
One of Italy's oldest and weirdest traditions, Corso dei Ceri, or "Running of the Candles," takes place once a year on May 15th in the picturesque Umbrian town of Gubbio. Three "candles" (actually 30 foot-high wooden pillars) crowned with statues of saints are paraded around the town by "ceraiuoli" and then run up the streets of Gubbio to the Basilica of Saint Ubaldo which overlooks the town. Must see to believe! Dream of Italy is a membership website and award-winning travel…
Find out more »June 2020
Pisa: Giugno Pisano
Giugno Pisano is a month of festivals in Pisa in June. Among the events are openings of the town's churches at night, the Palio di San Ranieri, the Battle of the Bridge on the last Saturday in June, the Regatta every four years (the last one was held in 2015), a night opening of the Leaning Tower, and Games on the Bridge, and the Luminara di San Ranieri, a night when the town is lit by 70,000 candles. Dream of…
Find out more »Rome: Fantafestival
Rome's Fantafestival is dedicated to fantastic and horror cinema. The location at Multisala Barberini is confirmed and so are the "Golden Bats" for the best picture and short in both the Italian and international categories. There will once again be the Z-Day, with a zombie-walk along the streets of Rome. Note: Dates have not been confirmed; please check the official event website for updates. Dream of Italy is a membership website and award-winning travel publication publishing 170 issues since 2002.…
Find out more »Spello (Umbria): Flowering Windows, Balconies and Alleys
As if the the intimate vie in Italy couldn't get any more charming, the streets in the historic center of the quaint town of Spello in Umbria are filled with flowers for the infiorata di Spello. Residents decorate their window sills, balconies, staircases, alleys and corners in a blossoming botanical display for everyone to enjoy all leading up to the main event. Marvel at the floral tapestries in honor of Corpus Domini every year on the 9th Sunday after Easter. Dream of…
Find out more »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
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…
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