The Multicolored Rificolonas come back and enlighten Florence

A traditional and very ancient event of Florence has come back: the Feast of Rificolona!

The Feast of Rificolona is a traditional Florentine event that takes its origins before the 20th century and also this year it will take place in Florence on 6th and 7th September 2010.

The following events are scheduled:

September, Monday 6th:
Rificolona in Arno river. Parade – Papier mâché allegories on boats enlightened by paper lanterns and prize-giving for the most original rificolona.

September, Tuesday 7th:
From Santa Croce Square to SS. Annunziata Square there will be a (more…)

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Venice’s Historical Regatta, this year with a new Initiative

Yes! For all the people who love Venetian traditions this is the right moment for coming in the city of Venice: as a matter of fact, the Historical Regatta of Venice comes back on 5th September 2010 in the lagoon of the so-called Serenissima.

This year there will be new initiatives: 20 seats will be available on the “Machina”, the structure placed on the Canal Grande that will host some great personages personally invited by Venice’s mayor. Such 20 seats will be available only for Venice citizens and will be selected by lot.

We think that’s a really good idea. The initiative has been called “Veneziani in platea” (“Venetians on stalls”) and it is organized in cooperation with the local newspapers (Il Corriere del Veneto, Il Gazzettino, La Nuova Venezia-Mestre) that on 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd August (more…)

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The Cultural Event “Festival della Mente” in Sarzana, Liguria

After the great success of the previous editions, the renowned and very expected “Festival della Mente” comes back in the beautiful Ligurian town of Sarzana, located nearby La Spezia.

A special cultural event for discovering why and how ideas rise. This year the festival scheduled many appointments about creativity, shows, interesting meetings with scientists, artists, literati, historians, authors and philosophers.

Such a cultural event has come to its 7th edition and also this year visitors will find many surprises and brand new initiatives dedicated to adults and children.

The Festival will take place on 3rd, 4th and 5th September 2010 in several venues of Sarzana. As a matter of fact, the initiatives and meetings with important personages will happen in the squares and theatres of the town, with the stunning background of ancient palaces and the typical narrow streets of Sarzana. Among the venues of the event we find: Piazza Matteotti, Piazza Cesare Battisti, (more…)

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The 85th Palio of the Gulf in La Spezia, Liguria

La Spezia, a city located in the Eastern Riviera of Liguria, gets ready for its 85th Palio of the Gulf, which this year will take place on Sunday 1st August 2010.

The ancient Palio of the Gulf is part of the many traditional events taking place in La Spezia, a town surrounded by mountains and the sea, and every year it takes place the 1st Sunday of August in front of the waterfront “Morin”.

The Palio is a challenging rowing race among 13 fishing boats handmade by local craftsmen, with peculiar features for making them faster in water.

Probably, it takes its origins from the challenge among the crews of fishing boats in the waters of the Gulf of La Spezia (or Gulf of the Poets), where there is mussels farming (or “muscoli” as the citizens call them).

In the past, such races were very important because the winner could have the priority in discharging goods and fish, rising in this way their profit.

And still nowadays, this challenge is very expected and beloved by all the citizens of (more…)

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Roma Vintage, the Very Best of 60s, 70s and 80s

The sparkling nights of Roma Vintage come back with its 2nd edition in the squares of the Italian capital, with the legendary atmospheres and rhythm of the 60s, 70s and 80s.

A not-to-be-missed appointment taking place in Parco San Sebastiano in Rome, which began on the last 11th June and will continue with several events until 15th August 2010.

Parco di San Sebastiano, placed in Via di Porta San Sebastiano, will host this great event for all the lovers of this world, with a revival of the best years of dance music, offering any kind of initiative…cinema, music, theater performances, exhibition stands.

Roma Vintage edition 2010 is a world apart that schedules several appointments: live performances for enjoying dance music hits of those years again, Jazz’n Blues, sport events, cinema reviews and exhibitions. There’s everything for the lovers of 60s, 70s and 80s!

The Cine Vintage and the area “Disco e Performances” are located in the Piazzetta Vintage, the center of the event, and here it is also possible to find wine and food stands.

The area reserved for the cinema wants to promote and give value to the cinematographic culture through many thematic reviews. The area dedicated to the dance music will make visitors feel and live the emotions of those years.

Remember, magical summer nights await you at Parco di San Sebastiano in Rome until 15th August 2010, with the presence of the greatest music of 60s, 70s and 80s, and many exhibitions every day! In addition, we remind you the FREE ENTRANCE.

For further information about events in Rome please visit the online tourist guide to Rome: www.aboutroma.com

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Fireworks and Events in Venice: Festivity of Redentore 2010

Every third Sunday of July, the city of Venice celebrates the Festivity of Redentore, which it is both a religious and a profane event that is very appreciated by Venetians.

This year the event will take place on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th July 2010, in the charming background of the Lagoon of Venice. On Saturday night, the scenery of San Marco dock will turn into a world of wonderful fireworks, which every year gather thousands visitors.

You will marvel at colors and light plays moving through spires, domes and bell towers of the city. The fireworks will begin at 11.30 pm and will continue until 12 pm and longer.

And as tradition says, at dusk enlightened boats decorated with colored air-balloons come in the San Marco dock and in the Giudecca Channel.

The traditional Festivity of Redentore dates back to 1577, a year reminding the end of a terrible disease, which was celebrated with the construction of the basilica of Palladio on the Giudecca Isle, where visitors nowadays can go and visit by crossing a 330 m long bridge made up of boats. Celebrations include also a religious procession.

Finally, the week-end ends up with the final regatta of gondolas.

Here are the events scheduled for the Festivity of Redentore 2010 in Venice:

SATURDAY, JULY 17th
7.00 pm Celebratory opening of the Thanksgiving Bridge, connecting the Zattere to the Church of the Redentore on the island of Giudecca

11.30 pm Fireworks in St. Mark’s Bay

SUNDAY, JULY 18th
Redentore Regattas, organized by the Municipality of Venice
4.00 pm A children’s twin-oared “pupparini” boat regatta
4.45 pm Twin-oared “pupparini” boat regatta
5.30 pm Twin-oared gondola regatta

7.00 pm
Thanksgiving Mass at the Church of the Redentore on the Giudecca presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Patriarch Angelo Scola, with the city authorities in attendance

Other Events

FRIDAY, JULY 16th
9.00 pm Concert “Mottetti per il Santissimo Redentore” by the Ensamble Barocco Il Sistro, music by Monteverdi, Cavalli, Castello and others - Church of San Salvador (San Marco 4835)

SATURDAY, JULY 17th
9.30 pm Concert by Banda Musicale di Tessera C.C.R.T., traditional venetian music - Fondamenta Zattere (Chiesa dei Gesuati)

8.00 pm Redentore at Forte Gazzera
8.30 pm Fireworks

9.00 pm Redentore in the arena of Piazza Mercato in Marghera

SUNDAY, JULY 18th
11.30 am Marinaressa Gardens opening ceremony, Riva Sette Martiri

Further information about the city of Venice and events in Venice are available on the website www.abouvenice.org

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Win your Holiday in the Tuscan Countryside with Trivago and Borgo al Cerro!!

Have you already thought about your next holidays?

The delightful medieval town of Casole d’Elsa, located near Siena (Tuscany) hosts a residence called Borgo al Cerro offering several apartments endowed with any kind of comfort and many services dedicated to the guests’ wellness, such as massages, swimming-pools, keep-fit area and much more.

Borgo al Cerro is a wonderful Residence near Siena placed in the middle of the countryside and surrounded by the Tuscan rolling hills. From here, it’s possible to easily reach several famous and interesting Tuscan cities and ancient towns, like Florence, Volterra or San Gimignano.

In addition, this year Borgo al Cerro joins the fabulous initiative promoted by Trivago, Europe’s biggest hotel price comparison, which make you win a free holiday!

Yes, you’ve got it! If you are football experts or just lovers, bet on the outcome of the World Cup matches and you will have the chance to win one of more than 150 hotel vouchers available!

Participating is very very simple. Let me explain you. First of all, you have to (more…)

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Siena Horse Race comes back on July, 2nd 2010

Ready? Let’s go! Yes, because the first appointment with the most expected event in Siena will come back on July 2nd 2010: the Palio di Siena! A traditional horse-race that takes its origins centuries ago and still today it’s in the heart of Siena citizens.

A folkloristic traditional event, which every year draws the attention of thousands visitors, experts and curious people from every corner of Italy and the world.

The picturesque Piazza del Campo, a shell-shaped square famous in the world for its particular aspect, will host once again ten of the 17 contradas of the city. In fact, we remind you that each contradas has a horse representing it in the race.

This year, the 10 contradas running in the Palio are the following:

AQUILA (Eagle)
BRUCO (Caterpillar)
GIRAFFA (Giraffe)
LEOCORNO (Unicorn)
NICCHIO (Seashell)
SELVA (Forest)
TORRE (Tower)
ONDA (Wave)
ISTRICE (Porcupine)
DRAGO (Dragon)

The Palio, an event that has become part of Siena citizens’ life, takes its origins in 1644, when the first palio with horses was held.

From tomorrow, on Tuesday June 29th, there will be four days for preparing initiatives and events for the palio. As traditions says, the burst of the firecracker will ratify the going out of the horses from the Entrone.

The horses will have to complete three laps around the picturesque square (about 1 km). The winning Contrade will be the one whose horse, with or without jockey, will get before and win the famous Drappellone or Palio, which every year is designed by a special artist.

We remind you that it is advisable to arrive at Piazza del Campo about half an our before the Historical Parade. At Piazza del Campo it is possible to watch for free the race.

For further information about Siena and other events in Siena, please visit the website www.aboutsiena.com

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The Game of the Bridge in Pisa, on June 26th 2010

On Saturday June 26th 2010, the famous Game of the Bridge will take place in Pisa starting from 5 pm. We are talking about a historical event of the “Giugno Pisano 2010”, a month rich in initiatives, events, historical celebrations in order to celebrate the ancient Pisa’s traditions.

Such an important historical re-evocation takes place in two different moments: the battle is preceded by a Historical Parade, a sort of military parade taking place along the Arno River. Subsequently, the real Battle is set on the Ponte di Mezzo, where the ancient historical enemy Pisa areas of Mezzogiorno (south of the Arno) and Tramontana (north of the river) will challenge each other in a very exciting atmosphere.

The Tramontana “troops” represent the districts of Santa Maria, San Francesco, San Michele, Mattaccini, Calci and Sartiri, whereas the Mezzogiorno represents Sant’Antonio, San Martino, San Marco, Leoni, Dragoni and Delfini.

During the days preceding the battle, Ponte di Mezzo is carefully set: an instrument in wood, a sort of heavy trolley (seven tons) is set on fifty meters long tracks. The final victory goes to the team that wins the greater number of battles, pushing the trolley into the enemy field and knocking over the staff with the banner with the colors of the enemy team.

If you’ve never visited Pisa before, this is a perfect occasion!

Further information about the city of Pisa are available on the brand new tourist guide to Pisa, www.aboutpisa.info.

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The Battle of Flowers in Ventimiglia, Liguria

Since last Saturday 19thJune, the historical and traditional Battle of Flowers has begun in the city of Ventimiglia, a town located in the Western Ligurian Riviera.

We are talking about a very ancient event, which takes its origins in the ceremonies celebrated by the farmers in order to pay homage to the rebirth of vegetation in springtime, because they were aware of the bounty of “mother earth” and knew that good harvests depended on her.

Throughout the years, this event turned into a sort of carnival, with a parade of papier-mâché floats decorated with thousands flowers and colors, and subsequently, with floats covered in a mosaic work made up of flowers. Since 1933, the Battle of Flowers in Ventimiglia became the only original one for good, differing from the other many similar parades on the Riviera (more…)

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