ItalyUpdate

Boccaccio, the 14^th century author of the Decamerone, lends his name to the annual Fair that celebrates the art of good living at his native town, Certaldo (Tuscany). The Boccaccesca 2015 event runs from the 2^nd - 4^th October, three days in which the town is transformed into a top quality gastronomic centre.

The Cremona Mondomusica, the most important international Fair of musical instruments and luthiers, runs from the 25^th - 27^th September 2015. Last year, the Fair attracted 240  from 28 countries and over 15,000 visitors.

This year's event has expanded to include not only string instruments, but also pianofortes, wind instruments and an Acoustic Guitar Village.

The Italian Pavilion at Expo Milan 2015 saw visitors queuing up on Saturday 19^th  to take part in the grand beer festival highlighting the unusual combination of beer and icecream.

Gubbio (Umbria), one of the best preserved Medieval cities in Italy, presents a breathtaking 360° overview of the Middle Ages between the 30^th September-4^th October 2015. The Festival del Medioevo seeks to cast new insights into the long-ago world that stretched from the fall of the Roman Empire and the invasions of the barbarians till the dawn of the Renaissance,

The ancient custom of moving the flocks from the winter plains to the summer mountain pastures  known as the transhumance - has been revived by the Tuscany Region. A herd of over 100 sheep and cattle are being driven by 35 butteri (cowboys) from Montalto di Castro (Lazio) to Arezzo between the 11^th - 18^th September 2015 in four stages.

After a delicate two year-long restoration, one of the highlights of the Emperor Hadrian's Villa at Tivoli can be briefly visited on the 19^th and 20^th September 2015, European Heritage Day. The so-called Marittime Theatre, a circular building on an artificial island, is believed to be the favoured retreat of  the philosopher emperor,  

On the 12^th September 2015, the Papal Palace of Castelgandolfo at Lake Albano will open to the public as a museum. For centuries, the Palace served as the summer retreat for the Popes to escape from the oppressive heat of Rome.

Thursday 10^th September 2015 sees the last appointment in the series Thursday Discoveries in Siena when the Rockstars of the 18^th century will be rediscovered. Popular composers, musicians and poets of the period, such as Agostino Agazzari, Bernardino Perfetti and Vittorio Alfieri will be spotlighted in an itinerary that leads through places connected with their memory.

Carmagnola (Piemonte) stages for the 66^th year running its lively Sagra del Peperone (Sweet Pepper Festival) between the 28^th August - 6^th September 2015. Connected events stretch over a 10-day period, with a succession of cultural and gastronomic happenings that include cabaret theatre, dance, pop and jazz concerts, folklore shows, sports competitions, art exhibitions and seminars on farming issues.

           

                           

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                           Happy holidays  from all of us