Travel Italy: Vacation Packages, Tips, Tours of Italy

Pizzafest is undoubtedly the major Pizza festival in the world.

With Pizzafest, Naples dedicates to its most famous food, annually in September, eleven days of celebrations.

It is the best chance to taste the genuine “Pizza Napoletana” in the city where this delicacy was invented. Many restaurants and pizzeria in the city offer pizza and other local delicacies at special prices.

When: Sep 11- 21, 2008 (annual)
Where: Naples
Find out details and programme at http://www.pizzafest.info

On August 31, the coastal town of Amalfi — Amalfi Coast, celebrates the Byzantine New Year’s Eve.

It’s the celebration of the former Byzantine New Year, the beginning of the New Year according to the old civil calendar of the Byzantine Empire.

Piazza Duomo is the venue for most of the celebrations, including costumed parades, medieval tournaments and the proclamation of the Duke of Amalfi on September 1st.

When: August 31 (annual);
Where: Amalfi - Amalfi Coast.

In Italy August 15, the Ferragosto Day, is the major feast of the Summer holiday season. The day is celebrated in the sea resorts accross the Peninsula with games in water and on the beach, fireworks, and various events.

The town of Positano on the Amalfi Coast celebrates August 15, with a historic festival, the re-enactment of the landing of the Saracens. A battle dating back to 1558, on the night of August 15, when a pirate attack took place on the beach of Positano.
To remember this day, Positano offers events involving actors in historic costume, music, and great seafood.

A festival to not be missed for those who are vacationing on the Amalfi Coast or in the surroundings of Positano.

For those who are visiting Amalfi Coast late June, the St Andrew’s celebration in Amalfi is not to be missed. With the “Festa di Sant’Andrea” — Feast of St Andrew, taking place on June 27, the town of Amalfi as celebrating ist patron saint also commemorates the defeat of Barbarossa’s pirate fleet in 1544.

It’s an occasion to experience the atmosphere of a religious feast in Southern/Neapolitan style, with solemn procession taking the holy statue of the saint through the streets of the town, firework show and tasting of local culinary specialties.

The Feast of St Andrew offers more than a chance to taste seafood cooked in all sorts of ways according to Amalfitan recipes as well as pairing it with the excellent local wines.

when: June 27 (annual)
Where: Amalfi (Amalfi Coast)
(Amalfi Coast’s interactive map).

Naples offers a huge variety of events and traditions rich in Neapolitan flavour during the Christmas festivities.

The Chiaia district, the area between Posillipo and Piazza del Plebiscito, is at the heart of the festivities.
Live music shows take place at various venues throughout the city, theatres stage performances and art galleries offer a selection of exhibitions Christmas themed.

“Dolce Napoli - Sweet Naples“, that will be held in Viale Campi Flegrei 59, on December 20 (h. 8.30 PM), is a night dedicated to tastings of Christmas Neapolitan delicacies.

And of course, there is a Christmas Village, where local artisans and craftsmen display their craft-making skills to visitors.