Carnevale Celebration in the Region of Friuli

When you hear about Carnevale celebrations in Italy, Venice usually steals the show. But the truth is, numerous Italian towns, large or small, have colorful parties to mark the last days before Lent. One of Italy’s least-known regions, Friuli is home to one of these, in the town of Muggia. As Elisabeth Antoine Crawford writes, “For those with a penchant for …

Celebrate the Feast of San Lorenzo in Rome

This is an excerpt from Dream of Italy’s NEW Rome travel app for iPhone and iPad: On August 10th, the martyrdom of San Lorenzo is celebrated with fireworks and celebrations throughout the area around his crypt on the Via Tiburtina in Rome, where the saint was killed in 258 AD. The patron saint of librarians, firemen, bakers, and other professions …

Celebrating San Giovanni in Florence Italy

Sometime in the 6th century, the city of Florence replaced their first patron, or protector (God Marte), with San Giovanni Battista (John the Baptist) In honor of their patron saint, Florence puts on an annual four-part celebration for residents and tourists alike each June 24th. The day’s events include a parade, a particularly violent soccer match, a flag waving show …

Two Winter Fests in Puglia

The town of Tricase, almost at the tip of the Italian heel in Puglia, is often called “The Bethlehem of Italy.” That’s because it hosts a living nativity or Il Presepe Vivente di Tricase. Supported entirely by volunteers from civic groups and schools, everyone from children to grown-ups (about 250 residents in total) dress in period costumes that transform the …

New Year’s in Italy with Music and Markets

Music and Markets Tours presents the best of live jazz from Umbria Jazz Winter in hilltop Orvieto, remarkable food and wine, and the unique winter beauty of Tuscany and Umbria. Revel in a jazzy New Year’s Eve, stroll Tuscan lanes, visit an olive farm and vineyard, and shop at world-class outlets. Complete details on our Web site, or call (877) …

Shooting Stars, Saracens and Pizza: Events in Italy This Summer

Our fr*ee online calendar of events is back and filled with tantalizing festivals, concerts and celebrations taking place this summer and fall in Italy. Here are some highlights: Donnafugata (Sicily): Calici di Stelle (Goblets of Stars) August 10, 2008 Italians throughout the land celebrate Notte di San Lorenzo (celebrating San Lorenzo on August 10th) outside, under the stars. It is …

Viterbo’s Festa di Santa Rosa

The cover story in our June issue focuses on Viterbo – a charming city 60 miles north of Rome, famous for papal history and thermal baths and this festival: If you happen to be in Rome on the third day of September, catch the train to Viterbo for the Festa di Santa Rosa, the festival of the city’s patron saint. …