Italy is perhaps most renowned for its history, art, culture and cuisine, but these 5 Best Festivals in Italy are not to be overlooked. Festivals like these reveal another experiential dimension to the country and its people - any holiday in Italy would be enriched by visiting one.
1 - Best Festivals in Italy - "Carnevale" in Venice
Italy has many carnevale celebrations, with the one held in Venice being of the biggest and Best Festivals in Italy. Starting forty days before Easter and ending on Shrove Tuesday, people in carnival costumes parade the city whilst ornate carnival hallmark symbols are showcased around. The carnival includes a quintessential Venetian image of a gondola and boat parades along the Grand canal and a grand fireworks display to mark the final day... a trip to Venice during this time of year is something to be remembered!
2 - Best Festivals in Italy - Medieval Parade and La Quintana in Ascoli Piceno
The town of Ascoli Piceno, located in the Marche region of Italy, is transformed on the first Sunday of every August. During this time, more than 1500 people dressed in 15th century costumes parade through the streets to the sound of a constant drum beat, in honour of Saint Emidio the protector of the city. The parade culminates with a jousting tournament called La Quintana, where six knights compete for the honour of the city neighbourhood that they represent.
The stunning view of the coast of Ravello, Italy, at The Ravello Festival
3 - Best Festivals in Italy - The Ravello Festival
Sometimes referred to as the Wagner festival, The Ravello Festival is an annual summer festival of music and arts held in Ravello, which is a town on the Amalfi coast. During this two month long festival, it is possible to see large orchestras playing outdoors on a stage overlooking the coast, listen to jazz bands, watch dance and talk to artists who may be featuring their work at one of the Best Festivals in Italy.
4 - Best Festivals in Italy - Marostica Festival
Marostica may be a town that most people consider to be off the beaten tourist track, but it does, however, provide the setting for one of the most unusual of the "Best Festivals in Italy". Held every second weekend in September on even numbered years, it seems the entire town takes part in the spectacle, the centre of which is a huge chess board where real people and horses take the roles of the pieces. All this is based around a play about two suitors vying for the love of the same girl, and hundreds of people are dressed in period costume. Fireworks, dancing and music are all part of the festival which last for three nights.
5 - Best Festivals in Italy - Verona Opera Festival
For opera lovers, a trip to Verona should be made for the Verona Opera Festival. Few places in the world can offer surroundings as magnificent as a 2000 year old Roman amphitheatre, and operas are performed her from June through to September every year. It really offers a once in a lifetime experience, and the atmosphere is simply magical on a warm, summers evening. One tip - take a cushion to sit on as the Romans probably did, in order to be more comfortable!
If you'd like to visit one (or more!) of these Best Festivals in Italy as part of your Luxury Italy itinerary, call one of our specialists on 0161 233 0110!
Image credit: flickr.com (Gnuckx, Pradadearest,