Travel Italy: Vacation Packages, Tips, Tours of Italy

The town of Nemi, 25 km away from Rome, will host a strawberries festival on next week-end, June 2 and 3.

Located on the shores of the omonymous lake, Nemi is an idyllic spot for a day trip. Pope Pius II described the place as “a home to Muses and Nymphs”, with the local lake was also known as the “Mirror of Diana”.

Next week-end there will be enormous and scenic flower arrangements throughout the area, with visitors will able to enjoy music, dancing, spectacular firework display and of course vast quantities of strawberries, the local specialty.
More details about the Nemi’s Strawberries Festival here

- See Nemi on the interactive map.

A four days of poetry and guided visits to the major Venetian villas will be held next week-end in Venice.

The second “Festival of Venetian Gardens“, from Jun1 through 3, offers poetry, music, walks, and guided visits to the major Venetian villas and gardens.

The events will be mostly held on sestiere di Cannaregio on the northern islands of the lagoon.
For full details visit Venetian Gardens Website.

The city of Gubbio concludes its month devoted to historic events, by hosting the “Palio della Balestra” (Crossbow Tournament) on Sunday, May 27.

The Palio della Balestra is a crossbow contest between the medieval towns of Gubbio and Sansepolcro (Tuscany), with also parades in medieval costume taking place during the day.
The crossbow was a medieval weapon of tremendous power; its first mention in Italy dates back to 1139.

Gubbio is the most appropriate location to host a crossbow contest, as in this town there is also the major factory of medieval weapon drawing tourists from all over the world.
Find more about the crossbow and this event here

- See Gubbio on the (interactive map).
Find accommodations in Umbria.

There is only a week-end left for the annual “May of Monuments” in Naples.

The 2007 edition of the annual festival sponsored by the Council of Naples will end next May 27.

There are special cultural activities and events taking place every weekend all around the city with most of museums and monuments open for free.
An occasion to attend to performances of classic Neapolitan songs, dance spectacles, parties and theatre events as well as to take guided walks through the historic district and the city’s underground passages.

The theme for the 2007 edition is “I Misteri di Napoli” (The Mysteries Of Naples). For events’ details and programme seeMaggio dei Monumenti Website.

On May 27 Venice hosts The Vogalonga in St Mark’s Basin.

The Vogalonga is a boat race featuring traditional types of boat.

The race itinerary — 30km (18 miles) long, leads across the lagoon to the island of Burano and back, winding through Cannaregio and the Grand Canal on the home stretch.

Many competitors are from Venice — more than 50 Venetian rowing clubs take part, but many crews also come from aboroad.
For details see Vogalonga Official Web Site.