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.

Hikers who love historic sights can find in the Umbria countryside one of the most scenic and major historic trails: the Franciscan Trail of Peace — Sentiero Francescano della Pace. Named after St. Francis — because the Saint used to walk there in the 13th century — the Franciscan Peace Trail was the ancient road linking two of the major medieval centers in Umbria, Assisi (view a video of Assisi; find out things to see in Assisi) and Gubbio.

Just less than 50 Km long, the trail goes trough the countryside of Umbria offering unique landscapes and a number of historic sights. It offers the possibility to visit castles, churches, abbeys, and ruins of medieval settlements mainly dating back between 12th and 13th century.

Most of visitors are used to break the tour into two or more days. Along the route there are many farmhouse, agritourism, B&B and other accommodation options.

The town of Assisi, is the sarting point of (more…)

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.

The Umbria’s town of Norcia is hosting its annual black truffle fair next week-end.

Despite the black truffle is considered inferior to the white variety, it remains one of the Italian delicacies most appreciated by gourmets. The fair is an occasion to taste the many local recipes using black truffle.

Also, the town of Norcia is well-known for its Castelluccio lentil as well as for the treating of pork meat. Norcinerie is the name given to prosciutto, sausages and spiced salamis from there.

Situated in Valnerina, close to National Park of Sibillini Mountains, Norcia offers also the possibility for an excursion to one of the wildest and most beautiful areas of Italy.

when: Feb. 29 through Mar. 2, 2008
Where: Norcia (Umbria) (on the interactive map).
- Getting there
Norcia is not served by rail; you can get there from Rome traveling by train up to Spoleto station, and then from there continuing by bus. The same from Perugia: train up to Spoleto and then bus.