Travel Italy: Vacation Packages, Tips, Tours of Italy

– 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.

Those who are visiting Venice during the festive season have the big chance to have a close look to the traditional art of glassmaking of Murano.

With “Natale di Vetro“, Christmas event stretching from Venice’s campo Santo Stefano to Murano Island, celebrating the Murano’s traditional art of glassmaking, visitors can enjoy many Murano’s Glass themed events.

From “Tunnel of Lights”, precious, handmade Murano chandeliers, created especially for Christmas by the most skilful masters of the island, that will light up the ancient portico of the San Pietro Martire cloister, to the traditional Murano outdoor glassworks exhibition including a number of pieces provided by the most important galleries in the island, visitors will be able to enjoy unique glassworks and sculptures on display in Venice and in the streets and squares of Murano.

Other major events during “Natale di Vetro” include glass-blowing demonstrations, the Glassworks Regatta — racing along the Murano Grand Canal and involving boats representing a glassworks of Murano — and Furnace Food, traditional dinners held at various glass factories.

when: Dec 5, 2009 until Jan 6, 2010 (annual)
where: Venice (various venues) and Murano Island.

The most scenic Marathon is taking place the last Sunday of October in Venice.

The race starts in Stra, a small town a few kilometers east of Padua, runs through the small towns of the Brenta Riviera, enters the city and overpasses 14 Venetian bridges. Riva dei Sette Martiri, Venice’s picturesque waterfront, is where the race ends (see the race course map).

Also a non competitive run — the “Family Run” — is scheduled in the week-end of the Venice Marathon; it is open to school-aged children, their families, and everyone that looks for a  chance to experience the huge Venicemarathon sport event in first person and to live the city in a different way. It is scheduled for Saturday, October 24; start time is at 10 a.m.

When: October 25, 2009 (annual)
Where: Venice
Find out details on Venice Marathon website.

The first Sunday of October Venice hosts the Race of the Lighthouse marathon.

Also known as “La Corsa Dei Fari“, this marathon consists of two races measuring 21km and 10km respectively. You can opt to run the whole distance — 31km — or alternatively choosing one between two routes.

The marathon starts and finishes in Venice Lido area, featuring a pleasant route along the sea and the lagoon.
For details of the marathon, please visit http://www.veneziatriathlon.it/new/gare_zoom.php?target=83 .

When: October 4, 2009 (annual)
Where: Lido di Venezia (Venice Lido)

The island of Burano — the waters around it — is the venue for the last of the season’s great Venice‘s regattas. The Burano Regatta is also known as the “Rivincita della Storica“, as the losers of the Regata Storica (Historic Regatta), get a chance to recoup their losses at this race.
The ferry-point on Burano is one of the best places to watch the show from land.

Where: Venice
When: Sunday, September 20, at 3:30 p.m. (annually, third Sunday of September)