• Sestri Levante (Genoa): La Barcarolata

    Sestri Levante Sestri Levante, Genoa, Italy

    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 ...

    Free
  • Montepulciano: Barrel Race

    Every last Sunday of August this Tuscan hilltop town is consumed in the, by then, week-long celebration of the Bravio delle Botti, also known as the "Barrel Race". The festivities kick off with the presentation of the Bravium, the victory banner, which is painted each year by a select artist with a winning design based on on a specific theme; the ...

    Free
  • Asti (Piedmont): Palio

    Piazza Alfieri Asti, Italy

    Since 1275, this ancient horse race has turned Asti's Piazza Alfieri into a racetrack, and has linked modern Asti with its medieval roots. Twenty-one Contrade (city divisions) compete in the central square, while over 1,200 individuals donning medieval garb parade proudly throughout the streets of the city. The traditional flag-wavers (Sbandieratori) also run their own Palio against residents of neighboring towns. To ...

    25€
  • Marostica: Living Chess Game

    Unnamed Venue Marostica, Italy

    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 ...

    30€
  • Sardinia: Sagra delle Lorighittas

    Italy is known for its delicious pasta, but you may not know about a special kind called lorighittas which is only made on the island of Sardinia. This type of pasta is twisted into a ring and is typically served on meat sauce. The making of this pasta has been a tradition for hundreds of years and is honored annually with a festa. ...

  • Trieste: Barcolana Regatta

    Unnamed Venue Trieste, Italy

    This regatta is an annual boating competition that takes place in the gulf of Trieste in which 2,000 boat owners come together to test their skills on the Mediterranean. The main event is on the water and takes place on every second Sunday of October, but there are plenty of on-land activities to enjoy, in addition to a host of ...

    Free
  • Milan: Yoga Festival

    Palazzo del Ghiaccio Via Giovanni Battista Piranesi 14, Milano, MI, Italy

    If you're in the city and find your body telling you it needs a break from all the sight-seeing, take the time to wind down at this festival. It offers free classes for yoga novices as well as events for those who are well-schooled in various yoga techniques. Note: Pricing varies by event; Please visit event website for more information ...

  • Campania: Luci d’Artista

    If you are looking for a charming experience during the holidays and find yourself in Campania, take the time to visit Salerno where the piazzas will greet you with spectacular artistic light installations. Now nearing its 15th edition, this public display has captivated even international audiences. There is even a ferris wheel that gives guests a bird's-eye view of the ...

    Free
  • Naples: Christmas Alley

    Via San Gregorio Armeno Naples, Italy

    Southern Italy is romanticized for its gorgeous countryside, sunny weather and its even warmer welcome from the locals. If you're in the Campania region, take the time to stop over in Naples and visit Christmas Alley, also known as Via San Gregorio Armeno in the Historic Center of Napoli. The via is lined with handicraft workshops adorned with the artisans' charming holiday art. A ...

    Free
  • Gubbio (Umbria): Lighting of the World’s Largest Christmas Tree

    Gubbio Umbria, Italy

    Gubbio kicks off the Christmas season and keeps it going with the lighting of the world's largest Christmas Tree (first recorded in 1991 in the Guinness Book of Records). This charming medieval town on Mount Ingino in Umbria is home to the light installation for nearly the entire month of December and into the first week of January. Quite a ...

    Free