Carnevale: 5 things to do in Italy

Carnevale is one of Italy’s biggest winter festival, celebrated in every town from the end of January. All over Italy you can found masquerade balls, costume parties and parades along the streets and in the squares. Masks, sweets and having fun are the most important things during Carnival: it’s a chance to be happy and cheerful, to dress up in costumes, even if you are not a child anymore! Continue reading

5 things to do in Rome on Epiphany 2018

Epiphany is national holiday in Italy, and is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God as a human being in Jesus Christ. Is the commemoration of the manifestation of Christ, and of the Adoration of the Magi. In popular folklore, the “Befana” is an old lady riding a broomstick through the air. On the Eve of January 6 th, the Befana visits children and leavecandies and presents in their socks, if they have been good, or lump of sugar coal and dark candies, if they had been bad. Continue reading

2017 Spring feasts in Rome: April 25th, May 1st, Rome’s Christmas, and the Patron’s feast.

From April to June there are many feast days in Italy, and particularly in Rome. During these days schools, offices, banks and shops will be closed, and many restaurants and some touristic site would be closed too. If you are in Rome in this period, check in advance if the particular museum or archeological site you want to visit is open!

 

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Easter in Rome: how to take part in Masses and Catholic events with Pope Francis.

Easter is, without doubt, the most important event in the Catholic calendar. The feast is not fixed and the date is different every year. In 2017 Easter Sunday will be on April 16th, and in 2018 on April 1st.

If you are planning to be in Rome during Easter period, you can decide to join one of the most touching ceremonies of the year with the Holy Father. Continue reading

Christmas time in Rome: Pope Francis schedule on December 2016 – January 2017.

The Vatican Christmas tree was erected in St. Peter’s Square at the beginning of the Advent and of the Christmas holiday season. The 82 feet tall spruce tree arrived in the Square on November 24th from Trentino (Northern Italy region) and will be inaugurated and lit up, together with the Nativity scene, on December 9th. They will highlight several issues such as care for the environment, the sick and migrants. Continue reading

5 things to do in Rome for Halloween

Halloween is not a traditional Italian holiday, but it has become very popular in the last few years. While the main holidays are still All Saints’ Day (November 1st) and All Souls’ Day (November 2nd), the custom of celebrating the night of Halloween has taken hold everywhere in Italy. Continue reading