The Fish Festival of Camogli, a small Ligurian village in the province of Genoa, is one of the best-beloved gastronomic events in Liguria.

The event takes place every second Sunday of May and this year it will be held on 13^th May 2012, St. Fortunato’s Day, fishermen’s patron, in Piazza Colombo, near the little seaport of Camogli.

This is its 61^st edition and, as a matter of fact, it boasts of a long tradition: in 1952 some inhabitants of Camogli spontaneously decided to give as a present fried fish to visitors.

Ever since it became a nice tradition involving every year all the inhabitants of Camogli, people of fishermen.

The festival symbol is the frying pan, made of steel, with a Guinness World Record size, 3,85 m in diameter and 5,5 m in the panhandle, it is the real festival attraction.

In the biggest pan of the world, about 30,000 servings of fried fish are given out to all the festival participants.

This year, the Fish Festival gives aid to Borghetto Vara, a village located in the East of Liguria that has been destroyed by a recent inundation flood that hit the Ligurian region.

Thanks to a little financial contribution, participants will receive a serving of fried fish and a ceramic plate as a souvenir of the festival. In this way, people will have the chance to mix what is helpful with pleasure, both having fun and helping Ligurian people.

The Fish Festival combines with the celebration in honour of St. Fortunato: on Saturday night, after the religious ceremony, there is the procession with the Saint’s Ark, accompanied by the musical band “Città di Camogli”.

The procession ends with the suggestive bonfire of wood carvings with creative shapes, made by some people of Camogli, and a spectacular fireworks display on the sea follows.

On Sunday, the festival starts blessing the world record largest pan and the fish, ready to fry.

Besides fish quality, during the festival you can also appreciate other typical Ligurian food and products organized in stands through the village streets for the whole week-end.

Next to food stands, there are also handicraft stands which exhibit craftsmen’s skills in making wood carvings, on sale in the local markets.

In addition, there are entertainment and musical performances and a photo exhibition about the history of bonfires.

Camogli Fish Festival combines the taste of Ligurian cuisine with treasures of the stunning landscape of this region.

In order to have further information about the city of Camogli and the Region of Liguria, please visit now the online tourist guide About Liguria.

If you would like to know more about the Ligurian cuisine, visit the Cuisine section of the online guide About Liguria.

One of the most awaited concerts in Italy is coming: the May Day Concert in Rome, as usual, will see hundreds of young people coming from all over Italy to watch the musical festival organized by the Italian trade unions CGIL, CSL and UIL on the occasion of the International Workers’ Day.

The concert will take place in Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano from 3.05 p.m. to midnight: emerging bands and singers will be the first to go on stage and from 4 p.m. onwards it will be other guests’ turn.

The 2012 edition will be introduced by the actor Francesco Pannofino and Virginia Raffaele (funny impersonator of Belen Rodriguez and the singer Ornella Vanoni).

This year, the common thread of the concert is “The Music of Desire. Hope, Passion and the Future”.

Some of the many artists going on the stage have already been announced: Afterhours, ‘A67, A toys orchestra and Almamegretta, Dente, Alessandro Mannarino, Nobraino, Marina Rei, Sud Sound System and Il Teatro degli orrori. Most certainly Mauro Pagani will be a guest with his orchestra “Roma Sinfonietta” which will play along 12 tracks that made rock history, from Pink Floyd to Led Zeppelin, passing through Elvis Presley, the Who, Rolling Stones and Radiohead. In addition to these, the American rock band, Young the Giant, will take part in the concert.

   A very longed-for guest is the singer Caparezza, who, after having taken part in such a event so many times, for          the first time will perform with a mini-show, typical of his concerts.

   During the concert, artists will pay tribute to the famous Italian singer Lucio Dalla, who’s gone recently.

May Day is the day in which Rome turns into the city of young people and music. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy  this great concert and visit the eternal city.

For further information about the city of Rome, please have a look at About Roma, a practical online tourist guide.

Edition 2012 of Milan International Furniture Exhibition is ready to start again: from tomorrow 17th to 22nd April, the exhibition will be open only to exhibitors, whereas on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd it will be also open to visitors.

A real international benchmark for launching and promoting the best home furnishing and design brands. As usual, the exhibition will be held at Fiera Milano in Rho. Opening hours is scheduled from 8.30 am to 7 pm for exhibitors and from 9.30 am to 6.30 pm for visitors.

Once again, the Salone del Mobile will present thousands high-quality products conceived for markets of the whole world, setting Milan as the international capital of furniture and design.

Furniture and design objects for kitchens and bathrooms: many innovative and quality products from more than 2,500 exhibitors. The exhibition will take place on a surface of 209,000 sqm hosting the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, EuroCucina / Salone Internazionale dei Mobili per Cucina, il Salone Internazionale del Bagno, Salone Internazionale del Complemento d’Arredo and Salone Satellite.

Obviously, many side events will be held as usual in the city of Milan; this year they will be dedicated to high quality products and to the culture of home design.

The library Pinacoteca Accademia Ambrosiana during the exhibition days will host the installation “Librocielo” created by Attilio Stocchi, a homage to the Roman heart of the city and a consideration about living the space through the voices of some books.

For all the visitors who wish to visit the Salone, the exhibition will be open on Sat 21st and Sun 22nd April 2012 in Rho (Milan).

If you would like to book a hotel in Milan, then do it now with the online travel guide About Milan.

No tour in Rome would be complete without a visit to the Roman Colosseum – easily the most famous structure of the Roman Empire.

Also known as the Flavius Amphitheatre, the Colloseum is the Roman world’s most imposing and biggest building. Its construction was started by then Emperor Vespasian of Flavia family and was then opened in 80 A.D. by Vespasian’s son, Titus.

The opening ceremony of the Colosseum was highly ostentatious that it lasted for 100 days! It was during this time when the people in Rome saw great gladiator fights, shows, and even hunts that involved the killing of 5000 animals. As part of the building’s kick off ceremony, its arena space was filled with water for one of the Roman times’ most fantastic events, the naumachias – real sea battles that seem to reproduce the past’s great battles.

Where the name came from?

The term “Colosseum” did not exist until the famous prophecy of medieval monk, Venerable Beda, prophesized, “Rome will exist as long as the Colosseum does; when the Colosseum falls so will Rome; when Rome falls so will the world”. Many believe the monk got the name after Emperor Nero’s enormous statue called the Colossus which is 35 meters in height and which
stood next to the amphitheatre. (The statue was completely destroyed some time ago).

What did it look like?

One of the most imposing buildings in the ancient times, the Colosseum was originally all white with splendid travertine stone slabs as covering. Its shape is elliptic – which is just perfect to hold a lot of spectators! The Colosseum has four floors; the first three floors had eight arches on each.
The arches on the second and third floors, aside from its eight arches were also decorated with gigantic statues.

More… More… More

Today, the Colosseum still stands firm, although it’s apparent that what we see is just the skeleton of what used to be the ancient world’s greatest arena. Three-fifths of the Colosseum’s outer surrounding brick walls are missing.

During the Middle Ages, when the Colosseum was no longer in use, it was transformed into a huge marble, iron, and lead quarry that the Popes used to build the Piazza Venezia, Barnerini Palace, and yes, even the St. Peter’s.

The amphitheatre was large enough to accommodate up to 70,000 spectators, with its tiers of seats inclined in such a way that everybody gets a perfect view wherever they were seated.

Everybody was free to come and witness the events, however, the Colosseum was divided into places to seat people according to their social status – those seats located on top were designated for the laymen (it had distinct sections though for the males and females); the closer the seat to the arena, the higher the social status was. The front row was reserved for vestals, priests, senators, and of course, for the emperor.

Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Colosseum in Rome and get the chance to get a peek of the city’s rich historic culture. There is plenty of accommodation around, with the option of staying in one of the many Rome apartments and hotels, it will be easier to find your lodging close to this emblematic monument.

A selection of guided tours, tips and reviews about visiting the Colosseum can be found here.

Ah, Italy. Just hearing its name conjures up thoughts of rolling Tuscan hills, tucked-away piazzas, winding cobbled streets and warm summer evenings. Italy can quite literally claim to be the home of romance, considering the word ‘romance’ originally meant ‘from or about Rome’. With scores of romantic spots across the country the only hard part is deciding where to go.

Whether you only just met your partner through friends or after you started to visit eHarmony UK, going on romantic trip to Italy together can be a wonderful experience. Italy is not a long way to travel – the perfect distance for a long weekend. Below are five of Italy’s best romantic getaways.

Venice

The sinking city oozes romance from every corner. The key to seeing the romantic side of Venice? Get lost. Leave the maps behind and go wandering through the charming backstreets, away from the melee of tourists. Hunt out the local trattorias and pay half the price for delicious fare in a crumbled, romantic setting. Of course, the touristic side of Venice can be equally charming. Jump on a gondola and cruise the canals. Be sure not to miss the awe-inspiring St Mark’s Basilica – just go early to avoid the crowds.

Positano

The pastel-coloured villas perched precariously on the hill side of Positano make for a bella vista indeed. The jewel in the crown of the Amalfi Coast, Positano has been a favourite haunt of lovers for years. No matter which restaurant or bar you find yourself in, it’s almost impossible not to have a view of the turquoise sea. Jump aboard one of the local boats and check out the neighbouring town of Ravello for the day. If you’re not feeling that adventurous, just lie back in the sun and get a Campari delivered to your seaside lounger.

Capri

Capri is but a stone’s throw from Positano, and the ultimate romantic getaway would be to stop in at both destinations. However, Capri is well worth a visit on its own. The darling of movie stars and socialites the world over, Capri spells luxury. Take a short boat tour around the island, stopping off to swim in the impossibly blue waters of the Blue Grotto.

Tropea

In south-west Italy’s Calabria region lies Tropea, one of the country’s best-kept secrets. Tropea is where Italians go to holiday. It’s the perfect spot for you and your partner if you want some serious relaxation time because, well, there’s very little to do there other than eat, drink and relax on the beach. The flawless white sand beach stretches on forever, so there is plenty to go around.

Lake Como

If it’s good enough for George Clooney… Of course, it’s not just Mr Clooney who has fallen in love with Lake Como – honeymooners have been heading there in droves for years. The idyllic climate, aqua blue lake and numerous surrounding villages make this spot a romantic must-see.

It doesn’t matter whether you met your partner recently on free dating websites or long ago at school – your relationship will never be the same after you’ve experienced the romance of Italy.

Dear comics-addicts, make sure you are free on 13th, 14th and 15th April because there will be great surprises in Turin, Italy!

“Torino Comics” – Comics, games and cosplays – is coming back to Turin at Pavilion 3 of Lingotto Fiere with a programme full of events, meetings with special guests, initiatives and games open to everyone. Special guest of this edition will be Terry Moore, the author of the series Strangers in Paradise, Echo and Rachel Rising.

Other important Italian authors who will be present this year are: Paolo Barbieri, Gabriele dell’Otto, Bepi Vigna, Andrea Serio, Fulvio Gatti, Patrizio Evangelisti, Francesca Mengozzi, Renzo Calegari, Niccolò Storai, Massimiliano Frezzato, Giovanni Marcora.

Among the several exhibitions scheduled, you’ll find “Mignolina” by H.C. Andersen, “Premio Pietro Miccia” an exhibition of the top 10 of 2012, “Pinocchio, mon ami”, the metaphysic and surreal Pinocchio by Sergio Cavallerin, the “forthcoming future” created by Patrizio Evangelisti for Sturm und Drang.

In the works many events are scheduled. On Friday 13th April in Sala Moliterni at 2.00 pm there will be STAR WARS FEST. FANS FILM FESTIVAL. CIAK 1 – Battlestar Galactica: The plan, by I.C.A.

At 5 pm, a meeting with the authors Bepi Vigna, Fulvio Gatti and others will be held in the same room: “L’importanza di chiamarla fantascienza” (“The importance of calling it science fiction”), a genre in crisis but also still in fashion.

On Saturday 14th April as mentioned before, the meeting with the special guest Terry Moore at 11 am at Sala Azzurra: charming female heroes and protagonists, intriguing adventures and author storytelling in the work of one of the greatest American comic strip artists. Terry Moore will meet his public and will answer your questions.

Still on Saturday 14th April, at 4 pm in Sala Moliterni, the Fantasy Power Company will present a new project which will take in a future location in Turin authors from all over the world in order to promote initiatives in the field of comics and visual art.

On Sunday 15th April, there will be the funny and great competition among Cosplays at 2 pm in Sala Gialla.

So, many events, surprises and initiatives for celebrating at best the world of comics and fantasy.

We wait for you in Turin from 13th to 15th April 2012.
For further information about Turin, please have a look at the travel guide About Turin.

Wish to book a hotel in Turin? Do it now with About Turin.

Until 1st May 2012, the exhibition entitled “Van Gogh e il viaggio di Gauguin” will be on display at Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace) in Genoa, Liguria Region.

Here, visitors will have the chance to marvel at many Van Gogh’s masterpieces and one of Paul Gauguin’s most famous paintings Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?.

Furthermore, visitors will also find several artworks by great artists, such as Hopper, Kandinsky, Rothko, Turner, Morandi, Monet and many other protagonists of the last two centuries art. Genoa is hosting a special exhibition gathering some of the most precious treasures of painting.

Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going? by Gauguin is on loan from Boston museum (where it is preserved) for 4th time in its history and 2nd time in Europe (after Paris 10 years ago).

Such an exhibition gathers 80 masterpieces of American and European painting belonging to 19th and 20th century and coming from all over the world, and about ten original letters written by Van Gogh. The common thread of this exhibition is the journey, meant also as an inner path. A journey from a physical place to another one and a journey inside yourself.

Van Gogh was able to perfectly express such concepts, mixing them in his art. It is for this reason that 35 of his works – on loan from the Van Gogh Museum of Amsterdam and Kröller-Müller Museum of Otterlo – will be the heart of such an extraordinary exhibition, where visitors will be amazed by the sudden passage from the dark of Dutch interiors to the dazzling sunshine of the South.

The exhibition is divided into two main sections: one dedicated to the American painting and one to the European painting.

Opening Hours
Monday to Thursday: 9.00 am – 7.00 pm
on Fridays ore 9.00 am – 8.00 pm
on Saturdays: ore 9.00 am – 9.00 pm
on Sundays: ore 9.00 am – 8.00 pm

In order to have more information about Genoa and Liguria, please have a look at the travel guide about Liguria.

Wish to book a hotel in Genoa? Book it now with About Liguria.

Find out all the best museums in Genoa with About Liguria.

Until 11th April 2012, at the venue of Confartigianato Imprese in the city of Prato (viale Montegrappa, 138), visitors will have the chance to marvel at some of the masterpieces of a genius, a street artist called SKIM.

An extraordinary side of art that used to be only on the city walls, but now it will be under everyone’s eyes thanks to the artist’s use of different techniques and styles.

SKIM is a graphic designer, a painter, a graffiti artist, a cartoonist and a drawer.

With his graffiti style, the artist uses colors in a catchy way that makes his works unique and is able to mix a graphic style with different shapes of art, giving a story to each single work. His most famous personages used in his artworks are the mushroom, the hazel dormouse, Marylin Monroe, Child, Zeno and Valigia Blu (blue suitcase).

For 3 years he has been working in an art studio in his possession in Scandicci. Now lives and works in Scandicci (a village near Florence).

Francesco Forconi - his real name – grew in the urban environment of Florence, he travelled a lot and in New York he discovered the street art and the graffiti writing. He began to use different styles and techniques and still today it is his main feature.

OPENING HOURS
From Monday to Thursday 8.30 am – 1 pm / 2.30 pm – 6.00 pm
On Fridays 8.30 am – 1 pm (on request it is open also in the afternoon)

Until 11th April 2012 in Prato, in viale Montegrappa 138.

If you are planning to see this exhibition, then you can’t miss the chance to go to Florence and visit this wonderful city in spring!

Florence is placed just a few km away from Prato (about 15 minutes). You can easily reach Florence by train, bus or car.

Book now a hotel in Florence for your holiday with About Florence.com

Venice, Italy isn’t called the City of Bridges for nothing. Aside from offering a romantic setting to couples, the city is also famous for its breath-taking and beautiful bridges. If you are in Venice, make sure you don’t miss the chance to explore the city’s bridges, as well as the usual attractions – that is, after you check yourself into a hotel. Or if you prefer to feel like a Venetian resident during your trip, you can stay in one of the many Venice apartments available four tourists.

Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs)

This bridge is probably one of the most famous – if not the most famous – bridges in Venice.
Built in 1602, this famous landmark is made of white limestone. Passing through Rio di Palazzo, Ponte dei Sospiri connects the city’s old prison with its interrogation rooms. The bridge is said to be called the Bridge of Sighs because it is what the convicts last saw before they went to prisonand they would often let out a sigh. If you are visiting the bridge with a sweetheart, try to kiss in a gondola as the sun sets, as legends have it that this will lead to an eternal love.

Ponte di Rialto

Completed in 1531, the Ponte di Rialto is the oldest bridge located across the Grand Canal. The bridge’s two ramps lead up until the central portico. It has three walkways for the visitors: one located between two rows of shops and two along the balustrades. Ponte di Rialto measures 48 meters long and 22 meters wide; its arc is 7.5 meters long. After more than 400 years, the bridge still stands on 12,000 wooden pilings. For more information and some pictures of this magnificent bridge, click here.

Ponte della Libertà

Although this bridge does not really have an impressive history or style, the Ponte della Libertà, which connects Venice with Mestre, is still worth a visit. It was designed by Eugenio Miozzi in 1932, and came to be thought of as a symbol of the Fascist dictatorship’s end. When it was finished, this bridge became the country’s largest bridge at 3.5 km, with two lanes in each way.

Ponte de la Piavola

Just among the 400 bridges connecting the archipelago of islands divided by canals in the Venetian lagoon, Ponte de la Piavola is also called the “doll’s bridge” or la piavola. If you will notice that the bridge looks more like the rest of Venice, that is simply because the constructors of the bridge used the same salt-white Istrian stone that was used elsewhere in the city.

Ponte degli Scalzi

The Ponte degli Scalzi replaced the city’s old Austrian iron bridge in 1934. It was designed by Eugenio Mozzi and is the first bridge one would see when in Venice. It connects the local urban subdivisions of Santa Croce also known as sestieri and the Cannaregio.

Breathtaking. Beautiful. The bridges in Venice simply add to the unique offerings of the city – a major highlight to many tourists!

Easter is coming and this year it will be on Sunday 8th April 2012. Whoever will visit Florence this Easter, don’t miss the fabulous, traditional event called “Scoppio del Carro”, which every year is celebrated by the whole city.

The Burst of the Cart is an old Florentine tradition and one of the most striking and exciting historical and religious events in Tuscany.

Usually, such an event takes place on Easter Sunday morning, this year 8th April. In the city centre, two oxen will go along the streets dragging the so-called Carro del Fuoco (Fire Cart), called by Florentines “il Brindellone”. The cart will start from Piazzale del Prato and will arrive to Florence Cathedral (Duomo).

The cart will be linked to the Dome Main Altar by a steel thread and, during the daily midday mass scheduled for 11 a.m., the Cardinal Archbishop will light a dove-shaped rocket (“Colombina”), Easter peace’ symbol, which will come down through the thread until the “Brindellone”, which will burst with lights, colors and many fireworks.

If you’ve never visited Florence or you would like to spend your Easter holidays here this year, don’t miss such a traditional event in Florence.

See you in Florence!

If you’re looking for a hotel in Florence, then book it now with About Florence.

All the museums in Florence are here: About Florence.

It’s springtime! What’s best than a walk under the sun? Find out the most beautiful and largest parks and gardens in Florence, with About Florence.