Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Spoleto Festival (June-July):
Spoleto
hosts an annual music-and-arts festival
that features some of the top performers
in the world.
Festa di San Pietro (late June):
In honor
of St. Peter's feast day, Rome holds a
series of ceremonies around St. Peter's
Basilica.
Giostra del Saracino (mid-June):
Jousting
matches are staged in Arezzo's main square,
with processions of costumed characters
across town.
Shakespeare Festival (July):
Verona
hosts a series of plays, ballets, and music
related to Shakespeare.
Il Palio (July-Aug):
Siena's major event
is a crazy bareback horse race around the
central piazza. Neighborhoods hold par-
ties in support of their team during this
2-month time period. The races take place
July 2 and August 16.
Verona Opera Season (early July to late
Aug):
Verona's famed outdoor opera
season takes place in its large Roman
amphitheater.
Umbria Jazz (mid-July):
Perugia's
annual world-class jazz festival attracts
top names to every venue in the city.
Festa del Redentore (late July):
Venice's
“Feast of the Redeemer” celebrates the
town's freedom from the plague in 1578.
The third weekend in July is marked with
fireworks, boating events, and other
festivities.
Festa International di Musica Antica
(mid-July):
Italy's largest Renaissance
and baroque music festival is held in
Urbino.
Venice International Film Festival (late
Aug to early Sept):
This is akin to France's
Cannes Film Festival.
Fall
Regata Storica (early Sept):
Venice's
annual gondola and boat festival, with
processions through the canals and races
on the first Sunday in September.
Festa dell Uva (Sept):
Chianti's annual
grape harvest and wine-swilling festival
happens in Impruneta, the last Sunday
in September, with historical processions
and plenty of tastings. Also check out the
Chianti Classico festival the second Sunday
of the month, in Greve.
Winter
La Scala Opera Season (early Dec to
early Nov):
Milan's renowned opera house
features the world's finest singers.
Christmas festivities:
Major celebrations
in cities across Italy are highlighted by
the Pope's blessing Christmas Day in St.
Peter's Square, and by the display of the
Virgin's girdle in Prato.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
International visitors to Italy must have a valid passport that expires at least 6
months later than the scheduled end of their visit.
For Residents of the U.S.:
Whether you're applying in person or by mail, you
can download passport applications from the
U.S. State Department
website at
http://travel.state.gov
. For general information, call the
National Passport
Information Center
(
%
877/487-2778).
For Residents of Australia:
You can pick up an application from your local post
office or any branch of Passports Australia, but you must schedule an interview at the
passport office to present your application materials. Call the
Australian Passport
