Italian Clubs, Events, Lifestyle; Travel Italy

A quick guide to most impressive Carnival festivals held in Italy

- Cento Carnival of Europe

Since 1993, the historic Cento Carnival of Europe is twinned with the Carnival of Rio de Janeiro. It features five consecutive Sundays of samba dancers and hosts collateral events such as street performance and the samba schools parade. (http://www.carnevalecento.com/)
when: Jan 31 - Feb 28, 2010
where: Cento (Emilia-Romagna)

- Putignano Carnival (Apulia)

The Putignano Carnival is both the longest — it starts in December/January — and one of the oldest carnivals in the world — researchers have found records dating the event back to December 26, 1394. Find out more of Putignano Carnival at http://www.carnevalediputignano.it/
when: Jan 31 - Feb 14 2010 (various dates)
where: Putignano (Apulia)

- Ivrea Carnival

Best known for its orange fights involving the whole town of Ivrea, Piedmont. Because of that, it’s one of the funniest and most and enjoyable Carnival festivals in Italy.
The orange battles take place all over town with the main events held on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday running up to Shrove Tuesday. (http://www.carnevalediivrea.it/) .
when: Feb 13 - 16, 2010
where: Ivrea (Piedmont)

- Viareggio Carnival

Viareggio Carnival features most spectacular carnival parades in Italy. It is famous worldwide for its incredible floats, which satirise public and political figures. (http://www.viareggio.ilcarnevale.com/ )
when: Jan 31 - Feb 21, 2010 (various dates)
where: Viareggio (Tuscany)

- Carnival festivals in Sardinia

La Sartiglia, held in the town of Oristano, is a Carnival festival re-enacting a medieval tournament. Find out more of La Sartiglia at http://www.sartiglia.org .
when: Feb 14 2010 (annual - Carnival Day)
where: Oristano

Samugheo Carnival, is an unusual Carnival festival, re-enacting ancient pagan rites. It’s an unique spectacle. Details at http://www.mamutzones.it.
when: Feb 11 - 16, 2010
where: Samugheo

- Carnival festivals in Sicily

Termini Imerese Carnival The oldest in Sicily, held near Palermo, it is a colourful Carnival focusing on allegorical floats inspired by political themes .
Where: Termini Imerese (Sicily)

Acireale Carnival With its origins dating back to the 16th century, the Acireale Carnival, is one of the oldest in Sicily. It features amazing carts, colourful parades, folkloric performances and re-enactments. ( http://www.carnevaleacireale.com/ )
Where: Acireale (Sicily)

Sciacca Carnival One of the oldest Carnival festivals in Sicily, the Sciacca Carnival is a testimony to Sicily’s rich cultural heritage. It also features many collateral folklore exhibitions.(http://www.carnevaledisciacca.it/ )
Where: Sciacca (Sicily)

- Venice Carnival

It is the king of Carnival festivals. “Sensation” is the theme for the 2010 Venice Carnival. It aims to suggest visitors to discover, see, feel, touch, smell and taste the six districts of Venice.
Details and programme of Venice Carnival at http://www.carnevale.venezia.it/
when: Feb 6 - 16, 2010
where: Venice

The town of Viareggio, located on the Versilia coast, is known not only as one of the most appreciated sea resorts. It also hosts a Carnival festival featuring the most spectacular parades in Italy, famous for its incredible floats satirizing political figures.
Below is a video of one of the parades held in 2010.

Siena, Tuscany, is set to stage the first of the two annual editions of its iconic “Palio di Siena“. It’s the most popular historic horse race held in Italy.

The July 2 edition is also known as “Palio di Provenzano“. The other one, named “Palio dell’Assunta“, takes place on August 16.

Here’s a video of the Palio di Siena held on July 2, 2008.

Over a thousand of wineries across Italy throw open the doors to the public last week-end of May. It’s “Cantine Aperte” — Open Cellars — annual week-end wine festival.

It offers a chance to combine trips to some of the most amazing places in the countryside across the Peninsula — just think to Piedmont, Tuscan hills … — with sampling of excellent wines.

It’s also a great occasion for wine enthusiasts for taking a closer look at how — and where — the wine is made.

The sponsor of the event, the “Movimento Turismo del Vino” — Italy’s Wine Tourism Movement — offers on its website www.movimentoturismovino.it, advice on how to plan your wine trip.