Archive for 'Concerts & Festivals'

There are lots of great reasons to book a villa in Italy during the spring and we have sung the praises of a holiday in Italy during the spring many times before. From the better availability of our best properties, to the lower costs that can often be associated with travelling during the off-season, to the smaller tourist crowds in popular destinations and attractions, to the milder weather that can make outdoor pursuits and general exploration more pleasant, a spring getaway in Italy has a lot to recommend it. However, there are also some lesser-known or less obvious things about travelling in Italy in the spring that we enjoy so, if you’re still uncertain and considering it, here are some other excellent incentives to book that spring break in Italy today…

Planning a getaway this spring but not sure of where to go? How about a vacation rental in Emilia Romagna?

Not only is Emilia Romagna a stunning green landscape that comes alive in the spring but it is also a land of agricultural plenty and incredible local products. Those, therefore, who come and spend a vacation here can enjoy outdoor pursuits, pleasant strolls, exploring pretty towns, picturesque surroundings, and eating incredibly well. 

And, if you want a taste of the hanami experience in Italy and to feast your eyes on an astounding sight, then you should head to the exceptionally pretty town of Vignola for the Festa dei Ciliegi in Fiore. The best place to see cherry blossoms in Italy, this stunning town and its special festival are a must-see!

Calling all cinephiles to Rome this October: the 18th edition of the Rome Film Fest will be held from October 18th to 29th, 2023. Established back in 2006, this annual film festival is a major fixture of the cultural calendar of the city and a chance to catch some incredible movies from all over the world.

Though not as famous as some of the other film festivals around the world, it is spread over as many days as Cannes and other major international film festivals, see some films get their premiere at the event, and it draws famous actors, directors, and more to the city each year. So, if you were thinking about booking a city break in Rome this October and were looking for one more reason to secure your vacation rental in Rome today, then add this wonderful event to the truly endless list of attractions that the Eternal City has to offer.

We all likely have some pretty amazing women in our lives that we feel indebted to and would like to celebrate and every March the whole world celebrates women with International Women’s Day. In Italy, in particular, there are specific ways to celebrate the day and traditions that have been created around this holiday.

International Women’s Day, which takes place on the 8th of March, traces its origins to women’s suffrage and labour movements in the 20th century. The earliest iteration of a formal day to celebrate women and promote the pursuit of equality and the establishment of more rights for women is said to have been a Women’s Day that was organsied by the Socialist Party of America in New York City on the 28th of February 1909. Then, in 1910, German delegates at the International Socialist Women's Conference suggested the idea of an annual version, though with no set date at that time.

The famous Palio di Siena is one of the biggest traditional events to take place in Italy each summer and is certainly one of the most exciting. For those who were looking for one more reason to find a luxury villa in Siena or a villa with pool in Tuscany, it is a pretty darn good one and definitely and once-in-a-lifetime experience to tick off your bucket list. Taking place over the course of two days in the summer, the Palio di Siena 2022 dates are the 2nd of July and the 16th of August.

But what is the Palio di Siena?

Maybe you have heard the name before, maybe you have not. Maybe you know what it is, maybe you do not. Never worry either way – we’re here to explain it all for you! In the simplest terms, the Palio di Siena is a traditional horse race that takes place right in the heart of the historic core of the medieval city of Siena, with representatives of the different 17 quarters of the city (though only 10 can actually enter the contest each race) competing to win and bring back the honour of the win to their neighbourhood.