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August 2020
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 »September 2020
Marostica: Living Chess Game
Every even numbered year, on the second weekend of September, locals dress in period costume and perform a chess game (Partita a Scacchi con Personaggi Viventi) as living pawns on a giant chessboard (think Alice in Wonderland comes alive) in the town square of Marostica, near Vicenza in the Veneto region. Thousands of spectators come for the festivities which feature 600 characters in Renaissance dress, flag throwers, horses, dancing, music, and fireworks. Note: Tickets start at 30€; Please visit event website for…
Find out more »Verona: Tocatì
Tocatì, meaning "it's your turn," in the local Venetian dialect is an UNESCO-recognized festival of traditional international street games such as parkour, ultimate frisbee, awalé, carrom, backgammon and many more. The festival has a different guest country each year, and includes traditional ancient games such as marbles. Note: Dates have not yet been confirmed; Please visit event website for updates. Dream of Italy is a membership website and award-winning travel publication publishing 170 issues since 2002. Get a free issue to see…
Find out more »August 2021
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 »September 2021
Verona: Tocatì
Tocatì, meaning "it's your turn," in the local Venetian dialect is an UNESCO-recognized festival of traditional international street games such as parkour, ultimate frisbee, awalé, carrom, backgammon and many more. The festival has a different guest country each year, and includes traditional ancient games such as marbles. Note: Dates have not yet been confirmed; Please visit event website for updates. Dream of Italy is a membership website and award-winning travel publication publishing 170 issues since 2002. Get a free issue to see…
Find out more »