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 ...
Il Palio di Siena (or The Palio in Siena) is one of the most famous horse races in the entire world. It is made so special by its grand opening pageant (the Corteo Storico), the fact that all the competing jockeys ride the race bareback, and the festive and competitive atmosphere surrounding the event. The first modern Palio dates back to 1656 (with unorganized versions of the race dating back several hundreds of years earlier), so there is a lot of history surrounding the race. The ten jockeys selected to compete in the Palio di Siena are chosen from the seventeen Contrade (Siena’s original city wards), so the race is also steeped in pride and glory. Simply put, it is a huge local honor to ...
If you've been fantasizing about traveling to Italy for years, why not make this the year you actually go? Or maybe you've been to Italy several times and can't wait to go back. Whether you are returning to Italy or finally going for the first time, add the Carnival of Viareggio to your "must see" bucket list. The city of Viareggio in Tuscany is renowned for its original Mardi Gras celebration. The Carnevale di Viareggio, or in English, The Carnival of Viareggio, is not only incredibly fun but full of cultural significance. This festival is certainly one of the best travel destinations to hit on your tour of Italy. This unique festival was founded in 1873 when the signori, decided to host a parade with ...
Natural disasters that have occurred around the world, including earthquakes, tornadoes and floods, throughout history have left nothing but negative feelings and memories. However, there simply is nothing quite like the disaster that tore through little Pompeii in Italy back in 79 A.D. After a violent volcanic explosion rattled the small town near Naples, time literally stood still - those who were unfortunately captured in the ash trying to survive, as well as all artifacts surrounding them, were frozen in time for the rest of the world to see and continue to visit to this day, just about 2000 years later. The tragedy that occurred in Pompeii on that fateful day would eventually lend itself to become one of the greatest attractions in the world, ...
So, unless you’ve been living under a fashion rock for the last, oh, let’s say, lifetime or so (presumably still wearing corduroy trousers and those awful neon 80s jackets), then you won’t need me to tell you that all the best, brightest and most fashion forward offerings in the world seem to have gathered in one place, flanking Milan’s winding streets. Milan is an extraordinarily beautiful and culturally fascinating city. It is home to the La Scala opera house, the Sforza Castle, an incredible music and theatre scene, the Duomo, Da Vinci's 'The Last Supper', Basilica Sant'Ambrogio, Brera Picture Gallery and so much more. But, let’s face it, all this culture stuff gets a little exhausting, doesn’t it? Well, then there’s no better time to ...
Up your sensory intake in Milan, a paradiso for the arts, shopping, and nightlife. This sartorial songbird sings its siren songs during spring and autumn, attracting fashion elites, supermodels, and international paparazzi to the Milan Fashion Weeks. However, aside from being Italy’s fashion Mecca, Milan hosts a plethora of tucked away historical and artistic treasures. Peak around the old fairgrounds this spring and you may just come across the MiArt Festival. Stumble in here and you'll see why Milan has been heralded as one of the best travel destinations of the world. Representing the “new” Italy, Milan has become the epicentre for Italy’s contemporary art scene, and as such hosts MiArt, the International Exhibition of Modern and Contemporary Art. The MiArt Festival occurs annually in ...
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