Travel Italy: Vacation Packages, Tips, Tours of Italy

Venice hosts its “Regata Storica” — the Historic Regatta — the first Sunday of September.
It’s the major event included in the Venice’s “Voga alla Veneta” rowing calendar drawing thousands of spectators to to the banks of Canal Grande.

A spectacular historical water pageant precedes the race with 16th century-style boats — driven by gondoliers wearing historic costume — carrying the Doge, the Doge’s wife and all the highest ranking Venetian officials up the Grand Canal in a brightly coloured parade.

The Regata Storica dates back centuries, probably as far back as the mid thirteenth century.
Today the regatta consists of four separate competitions of which the most enthralling is the “Campioni su Gondolini” race.

When: Sep 5, 2010 (annual)
Where: Venice (Canal Grande)
Programme and details of “Regata Storica” are avalaible at http://www.regatastoricavenezia.it .

The island of Pellestrina, in the Venetian lido, hosts its annual Regatta on next August 1st. The Pellestrina Regatta coincides with the colourful celebrations of the Madonna dell’Apparizione held on the island on Sunday, August 1st.

It offers a chance to visit one of the beautiful islands located in the Venice Lido , featuring narrow canals and houses painted in bright, cheerful colours.

When: Aug 1st 2010 (annual) - time: 4.30pm
Where: Pellestrina - Venetian Lido (about 1 hour from Venice by ferry).

Those who are looking for antique street markets while visiting Venice, “Il Mercatino dei Miracoli” — The Market of Miracles — is something you definitely have to visit.

Held at various dates throughout the year (see below) in Campo Santa Maria Nova, Sestiere di Cannaregio district, Venice’s Market of Miracles — aka “Mercatino Polvere di Ricordi” — is an antique and second-hand market entirely organised by non-professionals.

It offers books, comics, prints and and other collectors’ items.
when: (2010 dates: Mar 27 - 28; Apr 25; May 8 - 9; Sep 11 - 12; Oct 9 - 10; Dec 11 - 12)
where: Venice - Campo Santa Maria Nova, Cannaregio.

“Il Volo dell’Angelo” — “The Flight of the Angel” — is the event kicking off the Carnival celebrations in Venice.

Below’s a video of The Flight of the Angel that opened Carnival of Venice 2010.

- Rome
The New Year’s Eve celebrations in Rome take place all over the city’s squares.
Piazza del Popolo is where celebrations are more dazzling and colorful. They include fireworks, rock and classical music concerts lasting well into the night.

- Venice
With “Capodanno Love” Venice features romance-themed celebrations on New Year’s Eve. It is a New Year’s huge celebration held in Piazza San Marco attracting more than 70,000 people on the night of Dec. 31, who kiss to welcome the new year.

The slogan for “Capodanno Love” is “Come and kiss in Venice“. A very romantic atmosphere is created through a stunning outdoor scenography with a light display that gives the illusion that thousands of hearts fall from the sky.