Events in Italy 2010
Holidays ideas for special occasions
With opera and concerts, art exhibitions, sporting events, and traditions and festivals occurring throughout the year, Italy is a cultural paradise.
No visit to Naples would be complete without enjoying a concert at the Ravello Music Festival. For a true taste of Tuscany, visit Siena and experience the excitement of the dramatic Palio horse race. Or see the gondolas of Venice in all their glory during the Historic Regatta held in September.
To help create a truly memorable holiday experience, we have listed popular events in the calendar below, and matched them with carefully chosen accommodation. Packages include flights and transfers or car hire, and we can arrange entry tickets to all events.
For bookings and more information, call our friendly team on 020 8940 8399.
Holiday ideas and Events in Italy - 2010 Calendar
March |
April |
May |
June |
||||
| Ravello Music Festival |
Naples |
Naples |
Ravello Music Festival |
Naples | Naples | ||
| Plácido Domingo | Milan | Verona Opera | Verona | ||||
| Il Girotonno food festival | Sardinia | ||||||
July |
August |
September |
October |
||||
|
Naples |
Naples |
Naples |
Ravello Music Festival |
Naples | |||
| Verona | Verona Opera | Verona | Formula One Grand Prix | Monza | |||
| Siena | Palio Horse Race | Siena | Historic Regatta in Venice | Venice | |||
| Puccini Festival | Tuscany | Puccini Festival | Tuscany | San Salvatore festival | Sardinia | ||
| Tuscany | Is Fassonis boating regatta | Sardinia | Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup | Sardinia | |||
| San Constantino horse race |
Sardinia | 'A Smile for Angels' Andrea Bocelli's Charity Concert | Milan | ||||
| Shipwrecked Madonna |
Sardinia | ||||||
Year-round events |
|||||||
| Shopping in Florence | Florence | Cookery Courses | Tuscany | ||||
 |
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Ravello Music Festival
Hotel Villa Maria ****
7 nights - Flights from Gatwick to Naples
Twin Room B&BThe Ravello Music Festival is more popularly known as the Wagner Festival. Ravello's gardens so inspired composer Richard Wagner that it is not surprising that music remains a major attraction in Ravello during the summer months. The Ravello Concert Society organises music concerts running from March to October, most of which are held against a backdrop of sky and sea in the panoramic gardens of Villa Rufolo, Wagner's inspiration for his opera, Parsifal.
If a concert is taking place during your stay in Ravello, you really shouldn't miss the opportunity to attend. The combination of scenery and music creates an atmosphere that you're unlikely to forget.Includes British Airways flights, 7 nights at Villa Maria, transfers to/from hotel and 2 x tickets
March - October
from £1,255
per person -
Plácido Domingo at La Scala Opera House in Milan
Carlton Baglioni *****
2 nights - Flights from Heathrow to Milan
Twin Room B&BPlácido Domingo will hold the leading role in a new production of Simon Boccanegra in April at La Scala. The Spanish tenor, who made his La Scala debut in Verdi’s Ernani in 1969, will sing the role of Siegmund in the first act of Wagner’s Die Walküre conducted by Daniel Barenboim in concert version. He will be accompanied by Nina Stemme (Sieglinde) and Kwangchul Young (Hunding).
Includes British Airways flights, 2 nights at Carlton Baglioni and 2 x Gallery tickets (other seats available)April
from £948
per person -
Verona Opera
Hotel Due Torri Baglioni *****
3 nights - from Gatwick to Verona
Twin Room B&BVerona's 2000 year old Roman amphitheatre throughout the summer hosts a programme of open air operas attracting up to 500,000 visitors per year. The unique setting along with the world’s largest opera stage evokes an atmosphere like no other opera house in the world.
Includes British Airways flights, 3 nights at Due Torri Baglioni and 2 x Unnumbered Steps tickets (other seats available on request)
June - August
from £695
per person -
Il Girotonno 2010
Hotel Riviera Carloforte ****
7 nights - from Heathrow to Cagliari
Twin Room B&BThe annual Il Girotonno takes place for the 8th year in 2010. The event takes place during the 3rd – 6th June on an island (San Pietro) off the south west coast of Sardinia. The Girotonno is an gastronomic event which is centred around the capture of bluefin tuna and attracts food experts and chefs from around the globe.
Includes British Airways flights, departure 5th June, 7 nights at Hotel Riviera Carloforte and transfers to/from hotel
Flights from Manchester & Edinburgh also availableJune
from £529
per person -
Palio Horse Race - Siena
Castel Monastero *****Deluxe
2 nights (15/8/10-17/08/10) - Flights Heathrow to Pisa
Twin Room B&B"Piazza del Campo" is still used today for the well known Palio horse race which is one of the most famous popular Italian historical events. It takes place twice yearly on July 2 and August 16. The Palio is run to celebrate the miraculous apparition of the Virgin Mary near the old houses that belonged to Provenzano Salvani. The Palio was run for the first time in 1701 in honour of the "Madonna dell'Assunta", who protected the Sienese military at the famous battle of Monteaperti in 1260 against the Florentines.
The Palio is a historical secular tradition strictly connected with the origin of the Contradas (districts) of Siena. Originally, there were about fifty-nine "Contrade"; now only seventeen remain, ten of which take part in the historical pageant and in the race at each Palio (seven by right and three drawn by lots).
Includes British Airways flights, 2 nights at Castel Monastero car hire and 2 x tickets at San Martino bend (prices for the 2nd July Palio are also available)July & August
from £1,413
per person -
Andrea Bocelli in Lajatico
Castel Monastero *****Deluxe
2 nights (24/07/10-26/07/10) - Flights Heathrow to Pisa
Twin Room B&BSee Andrea Bocelli perform at his birth place Lajatico (Tuscany).
Includes British Airways flights, 2 nights at Castel Monastero, car hire and 2 x ticketsJuly
from £1,372
per person -
Puccini Festival
Bagni di Pisa (Tuscany) ****
3 nights - Flights from Heathrow to Pisa
Twin Room B&BIn July-August the Puccini Festival takes place in Torre del Lago (2½kms from Viareggio/18kms from Pisa & Lucca). The open-air theatre holds 3.200 seats and attacts 40,000 annually to the Festival.
Includes British Airways flights, 3 nights at Bagni di Pisa, car hire and 2 x 4th Sector tickets (other seats available)July - August
from £702
per person -
L'Ardia di San Costantino
Is Benas Country Lodge ****
7 nights - from Heathrow to Cagliari
Twin Room HBOn the 6th & 7th July 2010 the ancient horse race of L’Ardia takes place in Sedilo in honour of the Saint San Costantino. Hundreds of horsemen participate in this very dangerous race and you’ll find this a truly breathtaking spectacle. The festival's celebrations continues until late in the evening with music and shows.
Includes British Airways flights, dep. 3rd July, 7 nights at Is Benas and car hire
Flights from Manchester & Edinburgh also availableJuly
from £874
per person -
The Shipwrecked Madonna
Pullman Timi Ama *****
7 nights - from Heathrow to Cagliari
Quadruple Room HBA procession through the town initiates the beginning of the festival on Saturday where a carriage carrying a statue of the Madonna is taken from the church to the port. In the piazza local cuisine can be tasted with people celebrating with lots of dancing and singing. On Sunday all boats head for the Isola dei Cavoli where underwater prayers are said. Again the festivities continue in the main piazza. The festival commences on the 17th July 2010.
Includes British Airways flights, dep. 17th July, 7 nights at Pullman Timi Ama and transfers to/from hotel
Flights from Manchester & Edinburgh also availableJuly
from £3,481
per family
2 Adults
2 Children -
Is Fassonis Regatta
Is Benas Country Lodge ****
7 nights - from Heathrow to Cagliari
Twin Room HBOn the 1st August 2010 at the pond of Santa Giusta you’ll find the Is Fassonis regatta. The boats are made of bulrush and built by hand and during the race the boatmen must stand at all times similar to gondolas in Venice. Aswell as the race you can sample local cuisine cooked on barbeques along with local wines.
Includes British Airways flights, dep. 31st July, 7 nights at Is Benas and car hire
Flights from Manchester & Edinburgh also availableAugust
from £1,043
per person -
San Salvatore Festival
Is Benas Country Lodge ****
7 nights - from Heathrow to Cagliari
Twin Room HBOne of the oldest festivals in Sardinia takes place on the 5th September 2010, the Festival of San Salvatore continues late into the evening with Vernaccia and grilled fish on offer. The highlight of the festival is the 7km Barefoot Race to the Church of Cabras, it is not unusual to have 1,000 runners.
Includes British Airways flights, dep. 4th September, 7 nights at Is Benas and car hire
Flights from Manchester & Edinburgh also availableSeptember
from £801
per person -
Formula One Grand Prix Monza
De La Ville (Milan) ****
3 nights - Flights from Heathrow to Milan
Twin Room B&BThe circuit of Monza will again host the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Italy from the 10th until the 12th September 2010. The Italian Grand Prix is one of the most popular races on the F1 calendar worldwide. The “Autodromo di Monza” is the ultimate circuit for speed lovers. On the long straight distances the Formula 1 pilots can race high speeds. Overtaking is easy, but also very dangerous. A race on the circuit at Monza forces a lot from both the car and the driver. As a result, spectacular crashes are also known to occur. A race at the “Autodromo di Monza” guarantees excitement. This race should not be missed by F1 fans!
Includes British Airways flights, 3 nights at De La Ville and 2 x General Admission 'Perlouse' on Sunday (other seats available & Saturday QF)September
from £921
per person -
Historic Regatta in Venice
Luna Hotel Baglioni *****
2 nights (04/09/10-06/09/10) - Flights Gatwick to Venice
Superior Twin Room B&BOn the first Sunday of September every year, the Venice Regatta takes place, the first of which took place in 1315.
Includes British Airways flights, 2 nights at Luna Baglioni and transfers to/from hotelSeptember
from £987
per person -
The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup
Hotel Colonna Park ****
7 nights - from Gatwick to Olbia
Twin Room B&BThe Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup will be held in Porto Cervo by the Costa Smeralda Yacht Club from the 5th – 11th September 2010. The event will also interest non-racers as during the day there will be races but the main focus is a friendly, family, fun event and at night fantastic dinners and all night partying.
Includes easyJet flights from Gatwick flights, dep. 4th September, 7 nights at Hotel Colonna Pak and transfers to/from hotel
Flights from Leeds Bradford and Edinburgh also availableSeptember
from £795
per person -
Italian Cookery Course
Masseria Torre Coccaro (Puglia) *****
3 nights - Flights from Gatwick to Bari
Twin Room B&BEach cookery lesson takes place for two and a half hours in the morning. During this time you will be taught how to make homemade pasta & traditional local dishes such as Tiella of rice and typical Apulian pastries.
Includes British Airways flights and car hire + one morning's cookery lesson (based on 2 people attending)All year
from £833
per person -
Shopping in Florence
Hotel Lungarno
2 nights - Flights from Heathrow to Pisa
Twin Room B&BFlorence is one of the most important Renaissance cities in the world. The city is built on the banks of the River Arno, with its famous Ponte Vecchio Bridge. Florence is home to Michaelangelo’s Statue of David, and one of the world’s most striking landmarks, Brunelleschi’s magnificent Duomo.
The Mall in Incisa is the largest fashion designer outlet in Europe, it hosts many famous top brands including: Agnona, Bottega Veneta, Emanuel Ungaro, Ermenegildo Zegna, Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Hogan, I Pinco Pallino, La Perla, Loro Piana, Marni, Salvatore Ferragamo, Sergio Rossi, Tods, Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent, Hogan, Armani Jeans, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Yohji Yamamoto, Burberry and Emilio Pucci. Discounts range from 30% to 50% compared with high street retailers. The centre will soon expand with the addition of other prestigious brands. The complex also includes a café restaurant and bar.
Includes British Airways flights, 2 nights at Hotel Lungarno & shopping tour at The Mall (only Tue, Wed & Fri)All year
from £576
per person
Had something else in mind?
If you wanted to attend an event not mentioned here, we can still help you with accommodation, flights, transfers and event tickets.
Call our experienced consultants on 020 8940 8399 for a free, no obligation quote.