Travel Italy: Vacation Packages, Tips, Tours of Italy

A Sicilian hilltop town in the surroundings of Palermo, Salemi, is making the headlines for a very innovative idea about the restoration of its historic buildings. Salemi’s mayor Vittorio Sgarbi is offering old crumbling houses in the town for just one euro (1 €).

(photo by andsp13 - CC license)

Prospective buyers will have to restore their buildings without changing their style.
They must complete the work within two years by using local builders, architects, craftsmen, and decorators.
The houses have to be renovated while maintaining their original characteristics.

Mayor Vittorio Sgarbi, art critic well known and former deputy Culture Minister, hopes to attract buyers who have both the aesthetic sensibility and the economic resources to take part in this adventure.

Massimo Moratti, chairman of Inter Milan soccer team, was one of the first buyers.
Former Genesis star Peter Gabriel is among those who have already expressed an interest in this offer.

One of the mayor’s advisers for this project, is Oliviero Toscani, the famous photographer best known for his Benetton adverts.

In the town of Salemi there are 3,700 houses, almost all located in the old town, that are in danger of crumbling.
For more info on the project and contact details visit www.vittoriosgarbi.it (browse the “Contatti” page).

View the town of Salemi on the interactive map.

The Historic Regatta of Venice held the first Sunday of September, offers the opportunity to see the Grand Canal filled with beautifully-crafted 13th-century boats.
Historic Regatta is not just the competition — the regatta itself, is a very special day for Venice with boat parades, art displays, music and more celebrations.
Below a video of the Venice Historic Regatta 2007 edition.

(via YouTube)

The gorgeous scenery of Lake Como is the setting for a medieval festival that remembers a battle dating back to 1159.

The Palio del Baradello, held in the city of Como, Aug. 23 - Sep. 14, recalls Emperor Barbarossa’s visit to his allies in Como after defeating the city of Milan during a battle in 1159.

It’s the major historic festival held in the Lake Como area.
Historic dances, parades, music, games and tournaments take place from Aug. 23 through Sep. 14 in Como.
For full details and programme, visit http://www.paliodelbaradello.it.

Late August and early September you can enjoy classical music and theatre in the countryside surrounding Florence.

The town of Rignano sull’Arno, on a hill 22 km away from Florence, hosts “The Sound and Colours Festival“, an event offering concerts and performances held at venues including churches, villas and farms in the local countryside.

The festival starts August 28 and runs through September 12. Here the full programme.

View Rignano sull Arno on the map.

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.