Best Travel Destinations - Italy
The Pope's Easter address takes place in Saint Peter's Square outside of the Vatican. It’s an event for both Christians and non-Christians alike, and takes place during the Easter weekend from Good Friday to Easter Sunday. During the address the Pope outlines worldwide issues and suggests how the Catholic religion can be strengthened and unified all around the world. The Pope’s address takes place on the balcony overlooking Saint Peter's Square in the Vatican, and is broadcast in thirty-two countries. During the Pope’s address, the ancient Egyptian obelisk—which was moved to Rome in 37 AD by Emperor Caligula—is completely surrounded by pilgrims and witnesses of the historic address. Saint Peter's Square was built from 1656–1667 by the architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini on the command of ...
Filming for the intensely dramatic climatic scene of New Moon, the second film based on Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Series, was set in the Tuscan southeast town of Montepulciano. In a class of its own, Montepulciano’s star appeal looms long after the final cut. Among the fruitful and stunning landscape of southern Tuscany, the regally-perched hilltop town of Montepulciano houses a wealth of artistic heritage and architecture. Her 14th-century wall defends a treasure chest of Renaissance-style churches and palaces. Etruscan in origin, followed by a strong Roman presence, Montepulciano was fought over for centuries between the communes of Florence and Siena. This pristinely preserved Tuscan jewel remains unchanged for 400 years—earning her the appellation “Pearl of the 16th Century”. At her heart, Piazza Grande (Main Square) ...
Mount Vesuvius is one of the most famous volcanoes in the world, and it is located in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Situated in Naples, Italy, Mount Vesuvius is well known for the volcanic eruption on August 24, 79 AD, which blanketed three towns in the vicinity, including Pompeii, with volcanic lava, resulting in thousands of lives lost. Although this was a tragic event in history, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius did cause an entire city to be preserved, capturing a moment in time that was only discovered many centuries later in 1748. Despite its destructive past, Mount Vesuvius is thought of fondly by the people of Naples, and when you visit, you will certainly see why. The eruption that caused ...
The Festival of the Snakes at Cocullo in Italy is a strange mix of Pagan and Catholic ritual celebrated to venerate St. Domenic, known to have cured numerous cases of snake bites. Snake-lovers and other locals march to the streets for a one-and-a-half hour procession of the image of St. Domenic covered with live snakes. Cocullo’s Snake Festival begins in March when serparis (local snake charmers) begin to gather non-poisonous snakes from surrounding areas. They remove their fangs and keep the snakes in captivity for the snake festival in May. Townsfolk have participated in the Festival of the Snakes at Cocullo for many years, and it is said to bring luck to those people who throw snakes at St. Domenic. The procession of St. Domenic's ...
Italy is known as a beautiful, serene yet phenomenal place just like its other counterparts in Europe. Rome is one of Italy’s most popular destinations, but Italy also has famous beaches, breathtaking natural scenery, and rich culture throughout. But Italy is more than a country of pizza, pasta and gondola. It is the home of the popular and crazy festival: Gubbio's Corsa dei Ceri, or The Race of the Candles. Gubbio is a walled-city residing in the mountain slopes of Ingino, where The Race of the Candles is held. It is celebrated during the 15th day of May on St. Ubaldo’s eve in order to commemorate the commune’s (what the town was called back then) victory against the Gubbio’s enemies. The Race of the Candles ...
:
