Author: HairWeavings Editorial Team

One thing you can be sure of if you’re planning a holiday in Italy is you won’t get bored! In a country crammed with vast collections of some of the world’s most magnificent artistic and cultural attractions, there’s frankly enough to see and do to last a lifetime.

But galleries and churches aren’t for everyone. If you prefer more of an immersion in local culture, then planning your trip round one of Italy’s colourful festivals and events is a good alternative. Many are connected to tradition, religion or, very often, dedicated to a local food delicacy. But whether it’s carnival floats, flag waving or the joy of an outdoor music or food festival, these are a great way to add some local flavour to your holiday in Italy.

Italy’s Most Spectacular Events

For colour, drama and sheer dazzle factor, few events are as dramatic as Siena’s Palio, an extravaganza of horse racing, pageantry and action. With over 50,000 people gathering in Siena’s Piazza del Campo to watch the dramatic bareback race, the day itself is simply epic. But the whole event is bookended by four days of ritual celebrations, with impressive pageants, parades and even a pre-race horse blessing.

Food Festivals

Naturally, a food festival doesn’t provide the same grand scale visual spectacle, but it will certainly give you some insight into local culture. And some food festivals go hand in hand with other events. At the international Truffle Festival in Alba, Piedmont, each autumn, the city showcases traditional pageantry relating to the history and culture of Alba.

If you prefer smaller scale events, the chestnut festival in Palazzuolo sul Senio, close to Florence, and the Borgotaro Mushroom Fair in the province of Parma are two of my favourites, both offering a brilliant opportunity to participate in a local event and sample some delicious produce.

Music Festivals

Music festivals are a great excuse for a holiday in Italy. Pescara, Barga in the Lucca province and Umbria all host fabulous jazz festivals, with the latter being one of Italy’s most prestigious.

The country’s best known open air summer opera festivals are also a real treat, a chance to enjoy exquisite music under starry skies and in magical surroundings. The most famous are the Puccini Festival at Torre del Lago in Tuscany, and the festivals held in huge open air arenas at Macerata in the Marche and in Verona in northern Italy.

Medieval Pageantry in Italy

For me, the most evocative celebrations in Italy are those that blend several elements, whether historical, religious, traditional or cultural. These events completely encapsulate the spirit of a town, revealing a local pride that can go back centuries.

The landlocked region of Umbria puts on a whole calendar of medieval festivals, including those in Assisi, Perugia and Todi, and many involving jousting, pageantry, flag-throwing and historical parades. Visit Umbria in the spring or summer and you’re likely to stumble across a medieval festival, such as Gubbio’s Festa dei Ceri Mezzani or the Palio della Balestra.

Religious Celebrations

In spite of the underlying solemnity of Italy’s principle religious celebrations, the accompanying pageants and processions are still a great excuse for visiting a specific town or city. Most of us are familiar with the ‘Carnevale’ festivities in Venice but the period heralding the start of Lent is celebrated widely, with the most famous celebrations taking place in Viareggio in Tuscany, Putignano in Puglia and Acireale and Sciacca in Sicily.

Not surprisingly, Easter is associated with multiple celebrations. One of my favourites is the Easter Sunday Explosion of the Cart (Lo Scoppio del Carro) event in Florence, a 350-year old tradition involving a dove-shaped rocket that whizzes down the length of the city’s Duomo towards a cart, fitted with fireworks, set right outside the cathedral.

Saints’ Days are also a great opportunity to mingle amongst the locals in colourful displays and processions. Some of the main events take place in Sicily, celebrating Saint Agatha in Catania and Saint Rosalia in Palermo, as well as Saints Peter and Paul in Rome.

Flower Festivals

What could possibly be nicer than a springtime flower festival? Just as everything starts to bloom in May and June, volunteers and artists come together in cities across Italy to create intricate colourful floral carpets made of petals. Originating in the Vatican City in the 1600’s and using up to 400,000 flowers at a time, the festival is mainly about the intricate mosaic displays. The best known are in Spello in Umbria, Noto in Sicily and Genzano on the outskirts of Rome.

Also read, 10 Flower Festivals and Gardens to Visit Around the World

Car and Bike Events

You don’t need to be a speed enthusiast to appreciate the iconic Mille Miglia and Giro d’Italia events. The Mille Miglia (or Thousand Miles) has evolved from being a high-speed endurance race to a vintage car rally, with participants driving classic Alfa Romeos, Bugattis and Ferraris. Starting in Brescia in Northern Italy, it does a loop down to Rome and back, passing through scenic towns such as Siena, Parma and Ferrara.

The Giro d’Italia is equally impressive. With the 3-week cycling event playing a big part in the country’s sports calendar, you’ll find fans lining the streets to catch a glimpse of the race.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you enjoy watching or participating in events of this nature? Can you recommend any memorable celebrations in Italy or elsewhere in Europe? Are you planning a trip to Italy this year? Tell us all about it in the comments section below.

Happy Masturbation May!

Happy Masturbation May!

Pets are great for your health, especially if you’re a woman over 60. It’s a fact. Don’t take my word for it – it’s been proven by medical professionals. Your furry friends are very good for you, which begs the question why pets are restricted in so many communities. But that’s a blog post for another day!

Physical Activity

Dogs go out for a walk to exercise and do their business. Walking is also great exercise for you. It’s good for your health. Of course, please check with your doctor first before starting any walking regimen. But if you have a dog, obviously, you’re going to walk the dog. With those daily walks, you are both getting physical exercise. And that’s a good thing!

Socialization

Dogs are social creatures by nature. On your walks, you’re likely to run into other people walking their dogs. The dog walkers, as they’re commonly referred to. It’s a chance to socialize not only your pet but yourself. Dogs sniff. People talk.

Some people prefer dog parks where both you and your dog can socialize. Some people prefer taking their dog to different places where you can take a leisurely walk. Many stores have water bowls outside for dogs – they expect people and their dogs to stop by. You never know who you will run into and strike up a conversation with. Again, it’s a social thing, which is good for you.

There are even dog meetups you can attend with others looking to socialize.

Stress

Pets are known to bring anxiety and stress levels down in people.

Stroking the fur of an animal can bring down your blood pressure or help to lessen an anxiety attack. That’s why there are therapy dogs that go to hospitals, nursing homes, airports, and more.

Companionship

Pets make wonderful companions. Cats, dogs, miniature horses, whatever your preference. There is another living, breathing thing to keep you company. Someone to talk to. (Yes, I talk to my dogs. I even tell them “I love you,” “Be good girls and mommy will be back, before I leave the house!”)

What can I say? It’s true.

The bond with your pet is a strong one. Your furry friend relies on you for everything. Your pets will hang out with you when you’re sick, watch TV or sit with you while you’re on the computer. In fact, they often know you’re sick before you do! They’re great company!

Depression

Animals have been known to help those who suffer from depression. Having an animal around is a good feeling, a pick-me-up. I’m not saying it’s going to cure your depression – that’s for the medical experts – but it’s nice to know another living, breathing creature who cares about you is there.

And your pet cares about you. The bond we have with them is truly amazing.

A dog can give you a reason to get out of bed in the morning. It must be walked and fed. And walking the dog gets you out of the house, which you otherwise might not do. They’re great for those who need a push and might otherwise stay in bed. Some communities even have dog parks or dog parks nearby.

Animals help those over 60 with loneliness. Some baby boomers are lucky and have large families full of children, grandchildren and more while others go it solo. They have small, if any, family left. Having a pet helps to ease the loneliness. Some people may laugh at this, but a true pet person gets it. They totally understand and are on the same page.

Service and Esa Dogs

Service and Emotional Support Dogs are wonderful for those who need them.

I’ve seen service dogs specially trained to deal with autistic children, alert their owners to a seizure or a diabetic attack and even take clothes out of the dryer. And I’ve seen emotional support animals help to ease anxiety in a loved one who was diabetic with high blood pressure and heart issues.

People may start out thinking they saved the animal but, as it often turns out, the animal saved them.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Are you a baby boomer looking to buy a home in an active adult or 55+ community with or without pets? Are you planning a move in the near future? Do you have any questions that might help make your home purchase easier? Let’s talk about it!

How many countries have you visited?

I’ve logged 33 to date, a discovery I made after mapping them with Pin Traveler. The app makes it super simple to track the wonderful places I’ve explored. Pinning destinations was a trip down memory lane. A blurry one, at times.

It’s not that I don’t remember my travels. It’s just that I habitually arrive in a new destination and assault it with a checklist of must-sees, must-dos and must-eats. My vacations are exhausting. But there are so many places to see and I’m running out of time.

Fast Travel or Bust

I return home with a million photos and snatched recollections of the people I’ve met and places I’ve seen. This style is described as “fast” or “rushed” travel. Devotees praise it for several reasons, including:

• Efficiency: You see more in a limited amount of time, great for people with limited vacation days.
• Variety: Visiting many different places and attractions on a single trip is exciting.
• Budget-friendly: Finding affordable tours and cruises with many destinations is easy.

I’ve adopted fast travel as my preferred mode because I want to see as many places as possible before my clock ticks away.

Acknowledge the Problem

My friends and family have intervened, encouraging me to slow down and take time to smell the roses.

Time?

My days continue to march on. Although I’ve ticked some major bucket list trips, including an African safari, I still haven’t…

• Photographed cherry blossoms in Japan.
• Watched a sunset in Maui.
• Road-tripped through New Zealand.

And that’s my shortlist.

Choosing a slow travel holiday never crossed my mind.

The Case for Slow Travel

There’s an argument to be made for slow travel. By spending more time in a place and focusing on the path less traveled, it’s possible to have a richer experience. Other benefits include:

• Increased sustainability from traveling fewer miles and not straining overly touristed destinations.
• Reduced stress and anxiety when you’re not rushing from place to place.
• Personal growth from reflection on a place, its people and culture.

Could I do it? Trade quality for quantity?

There was only one way to find out.

A Slow Boat

Canal barges offer travelers a leisurely way to explore a region. I’ve been to France several times, but never to Burgundy and certainly never on a 12-passenger vessel that cruised at an escargot’s pace, covering about 50 miles over six days.

I boarded La Belle Epoque, one of European Waterways’ 18 vessels, unsure about going cold turkey. I expected to get antsy about two hours into the cruise, itching for sights, sounds and souvenirs.

But the gentle ride, pastoral landscapes and pleasant conversations made for relaxing days.

Liberal pours of Champagne and Chablis helped.

A Different Kind of Sightseeing

The week included five ½-day outings that were very different than the port experiences I normally seek out. For example, if I docked in Stockholm, I’d jump on a tour bus and hop on and off for hours, ticking off as many sights as I could before reboarding the ship.

By contrast, one Burgundy morning was devoted to touring a 12th-century abbey, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. We had the buildings and grounds practically to ourselves, so we could intently listen to our captain’s commentary about the history of the order and the incredible architecture. No crowds. No cell phone conversations. Just birdsong and beauty. It was delightful.

A Changed Woman?

My Burgundy barge cruise was the right trip at the right time for me. I’ve had a stressful year with many life changes, including the death of my mom. The chance to spend a few days in a scenic destination with a friendly crew that plied me with French food and wine while slipping through scenic countryside was the kind of therapy I needed.

I can’t say I won’t go back to my old travel habits. As I write this, I have an upcoming 10-day, 9-countries cruise on my calendar. I’m tired and smiling thinking about it. That’s a lot of place pins!

What I will do is seek out more opportunities to sink into a place now that I’ve experienced the benefits of slow travel.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Do you prefer fast or slow travel? Would you consider a canal barge cruise? If so, where would you want to go: France, Italy, Germany, Scotland, Ireland, England, Belgium, Holland?