Travel Italy: Vacation Packages, Tips, Tours of Italy

The date of May 15 has been a very special day for the town of Gubbio since ancient times. It’s the day of “Festa dei Ceri“. A day local residents are waiting an entire year for. The climax of this historic festival is the Corsa dei Ceri — Ceri race.

(photo by phitar - CC license)

It is an incredible spectacle. Three teams of 20 people compete in a race carrying three heavy wooden statues — of three saints, on palanques up through the city to the cathedral on top of Mount Ingino.

The origins of this weird ritual are unknown. Most common theory links the festival to the patron saint of the city, Saint Ubaldo, a bishop who died in 1160. According to other theories the origins are to be found in pagan celebrations of Ceres, the Roman goddess of the harvest, later appropriated by Christian tradition.

The atmosphere during the race is incredible. Better than words, this video about the start of Ceri Race may help to know what happens in Gubbio during this event.
: May 15 (annual)
Where: Gubbio (Umbria)
- View Gubbio on the map.
- Find accommodations in Umbria.

The historic town of Narni, Umbria, is hosting its annual medieval festival, the “Corsa all’Anello” — the Ring Race.

During the festival days the atmosphere of 14° century is being recreated in this hill town, with medieval sounds and colours evrywhere in the squares and streets. Medieval taverns, open for the festival, offer Umbrian specialties and wine in abundance.

The climax of the festival is on Saturday and Sunday (2nd week-end of May) when historical parades and a medieval tournament are taking place (the Ring Race is held Sunday afternoon).

Narni is in Umbria, just one hour by train away from Rome. So, it could also be an option for a day trip from Rome.

When: May 10 - 11 (annual, 2nd week-end of May) (For details, visit festival website: http://www.corsallanello.it/home_ing.htm)
Where: Narni (Umbria)
- View Narni on the map.
- Find accommodations in Umbria.

The “Festa of Calendimaggio“, held in Assisi, Umbria, is one of the major medieval festivals in Italy.

With medieval costume parades, archery, crossbow and flag-waving displays, Assisi offers visitors a unique medieval experience during the Calendimaggio days.

The 2008 festival starts April 30, however the major parades and events are taking place from May 8 to 10.
(see the programme on the festival website: http://www.calendimaggiodiassisi.it/home-ente.html).

Here a video of Assisi.
Find accommodations in Umbria.

Florence offers its visitors a chance to experience the intense emotions of Tango with the annual Florence Tango Festival.

The event, taking place from April 24 through 27, includes shows, art exhibitions, workshops, dinners and free Tango classes.
The venue is the Saschall Theatre.

When: April 24 through 27.
Where: Florence - Saschall theatre.
For programme details, visit the English page of the festival website at http://firenzetangofestival.com/festival/english.htm.

A quick guide to antiques street markets held in the major art cities this end of April.
In Venice “The Little Market of Miracles” is held in the Campi and Campielli (Campo Santa Maria Nova) close to the Church of the Miracles. (April 25 and and various dates)

In Milan the Antiques Market is held along a canal in the Navigli for about two kilometres. It features more than 400 merchants offering anything among ethnic antiques, clocks, porcelain, jewellery, dolls, glass, books and much more (when: Apr 27; monthly market).

In Naples, “Villa Comunale Antique Fair” is held on the third and fourth weekends of every month in the Villa Comunale gardens. It offers everything from antiques, modern furniture, arts and crafts to collectors’ items and curiosities.

In Rome you can find classical collector’s items and antiques at “La Soffitta Sotto i Portici“, a monthly bargain market taking place every first and third Sunday of the month in Piazza Augusto Imperatore.