ItalyUpdate

The Luminaria – the picturesque candlelit procession in honour of San Costanzo, the patron saint of Perugia (Umbria) – will take place on the 28^th - 29^th January 2016. This festival dates back seven centuries and involves the entire population.

After 167 years, the historic town of Montefalco, near Perugia (Umbria), has finally been able to welcome the return of one of its most precious works of art – the celebrated altarpiece known as La Madonna della Cintola (Madonna of the Girdle) by Florentine artist Benozzo Gozzoli.

Hollywood icon Tom Cruise is one of the benefactors who has contributed to the requalification of one of Italy's most celebrated sights – the Royal Palace of Caserta. Cruise shot some of the scenes of Mission Impossible 3 in the sumptuous former Bourbon summer residence, which has already been used as a backdrop by a series of film directors such as George Lucas in Star Wars and Ron Howard in Angels and Demons.

FLIC, the prestigious school for circus performers based in Turin (Piemonte) is to hold three appointments for the public in the Concordia Theatre in the Venaria Reale (Royal Hunting Lodge – a sumptuous palace once belonging to the Savoy monarchs).

Italy's long festive season draws to a close with the Feast of Epiphany on the 6^th January 2016 and the arrival of the friendly old witch Befana who brings the last lot of presents to the children all over the country.

The towns and villages around Lake Garda have a full programme of celebrations geared specially at families for the festive season. However, for those who are looking for a stimulating start to 2016 after a New Year's Eve of partying, there's the traditional mid-day dip into the lake from Piazza Catena port at Riva del Garda. Novelty for this year is the Bike Jump for the even more daring – that means jumping into the water on a bicycle. Entertainment (for spectators) guaranteed!

Info: www.gardatrentino.it/inverno  

 

 

 

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EVERY GOOD WISH FOR CHRISTMAS

AND NEW YEAR

FROM ALL OF US AT ITALYUPDATE

 

The historic Maison Cilento, founded in 1780, has recently moved from its traditional seat in Palazzo D'Aquino Caramanico in Via Medina to the panoramic Riviera di Chiaia, celebrated for its aristocratic villas dating from the 16^th -19^th centuries.

The Cilento family business, synonymous with high class tailoring and style, is an institution in Naples. The present owner, Ugo Cilento, belongs to the eight generation.

Rome is buckling up for Holy Year Christmas, with extra security measures, new street lighting and metal detectors installed in major museums. In addition, the street hawkers have been cleared away in front of Termini railway station as well as the gladiators posing for photo shots in front of the Colosseum and other popular tourist spots.