What's New In Italy
Spring Update, 2008

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Dear Friends of Italy,

Spring is a wonderful time of year in Italy, not only because the temperatures are mild and the flowers are blooming all over the place, but also because the Italians are coming out of hibernation! Italians are very "meteo-pathic" people: the weather affects them tremendously, so those first warm rays of sun and pale green leaf buds on the trees bring out their most euphoric spirit. Be sure to visit an open-air market somewhere so you too can thrill to the sites and smells of spring produce. And never forget the local festival. Most of these go back hundreds of years and celebrate the end of winter in a most enthusiastic way! Here are a few we find especially noteworthy:

ABRUZZO

Cocullo : The Snake Handlers' Procession is one of the eeriest celebrations in Italy. It starts innocently enough, as sweet pancakes are auctioned to the townspeople. Meanwhile, local snake charmers comb the surrounding countryside looking for prey, which they capture on a stick. The snakes, symbol of the unpredictability of nature and man's need to dominate it, are then placed in cages lined with bran, and fed on milk. On the first Thursday in May, a statue of the town's patron, St. Dominic, a local 11th-century priest, is carried through the town covered with the live, writhing serpents. Believers approach and touch them, hoping thus to tame the evil forces of nature that surround us.

EMILIA ROMAGNA

Grazzano Visconti: On May 25, this ancient village with the enigmatic name presents a Medieval Day, starting with a jousting tournament. This will be followed by a show of noble weaponry, various games and costumed entertainment, an archery competition, and a medieval market. There will be color and history galore, accompanied by yummy food and vintage wine.

LATIUM

Acquapendente: One type of festival of which Italians are particularly fond involves literally millions of flowers. Loving hands ranging from the tiniest to the oldest collaborate to create gigantic pictures fashioned from flower petals instead of paints. The resulting works of art are as stunning as they are ephemeral. Now, there is always a story behind every festival. The one in Acquapendente, a village not too far from Rome, goes like this: in 1166, while the village was struggling under the cruel domination of Federick Barbarossa, two peasants were working their fields when they witnessed the sudden flowering of a cherry tree that had been dead for years. This miracle was taken as a sign that the Madonna was watching out for the villagers, who immediately rose up and destroyed the evil tyrant's castle. To commemorate this extraordinary event, the streets of the town are lined with enormous flower-pictures, called pugnaloni, each year in mid-May. Because the festival is in honor of the Madonna of the Flowers, a costumed parade winds its way up to the cathedral, accompanied by medieval instruments and the applause of villagers and visitors alike.

UMBRIA

Gubbio: One of Italy's most picturesque medieval hilltowns erupts in a frenzy every May 15 for the Festival of the Candles. This colorful ceremony has been held without interruption since the 12th century, when the town's bricklayers, merchants and farmers each had a guild, as was common in the Middle Ages. The bricklayers' guild was protected by St. Ubaldo, the merchants' by St. George and the farmers' by St. Anthony. Because these professions were mainly passed from father to son, guild membership was a fundamental keystone in every family's life, and so this ceremony is a cornerstone of local life. Early in the morning, a huge crowd gathers in the square before the exquisite town hall, and eventually the great wooden doors swing back to reveal three gigantic "candles," each dedicated to one of the saints and each so big that it must be carried by half a dozen men. To the cheers and applause of their followers, the candles move slowly and laboriously up one of the steepest hills in Italy until they reach the ancient basilica of St. Ubaldo on the peak. If you want to see Italian fervor at its most breathless, this is a great event to attend.

VENETO

Asiago: In stark contrast to most local festivals, which are either a frenetic display of partisanship or a thinly veiled excuse to eat and drink long into the night, this mountain village's annual Rogazione is a moving tribute to the human spirit. Held in mid-May without fail since 1683, it is the fulfillment of a pledge given by local residents as thanks for the end of the great plague which had almost obliterated their population. The week before the celebration, children go out into the fields and valleys to gather herbs and flowers, which they use to color and decorate eggs. Then, on the day before Ascension, thousands of people meet before dawn and, led by a standard bearing a cross, they set off across the gorgeous alpine landscapes, alternately chanting ancient liturgies and catching up on local gossip. Local farmers open their barbed-wire fences to allow the procession to pass, and in exchange the last member of the parade, a purple-garbed priest, blesses their fields for the coming season. All along the route, people stop at temporary shrines and crosses to recite prayers or sing hymns. Halfway on, the entire crowd stops in a valley where the plague victims were taken to die. Mass is held at a simple country chapel, then everyone gathers in groups for a picnic. Before setting off again, lovers exchange the decorated eggs along with declarations of undying devotion. Long after the sun has set, the procession wends its way back into the village, where the local grannies await with freshly baked bread. If you've ever dreamed of trekking in the mountains of Europe, this truly authentic and sincere celebration would offer you an unforgettable experience.

For information about many more local festivals throughout Italy, click here.

What's New at In Italy Online

Ostia Antica

Everyone wants to visit the ruins of Pompeii, but their location is not always convenient. Much easier to reach and – we think – much more rewarding, are the remains of Ostia Antica, only 20 minutes from Rome by subway. The town was the main harbor of Rome when it was the center of the largest empire on earth. Completely buried until the 1930s, it is wonderfully preserved, and since it is much smaller than Pompeii, you can actually visit the whole town in a couple of hours. Step inside the apartment buildings, hang out at the snack bars and restaurants, roam through the marketplace where goods just debarked from the far corners of the globe were sold to local traders, sit in the bleachers of the perfectly restored arena, stroll beyond the ancient city limits to see the synagogue.... All this and much more (including a 14th-century castle) await you for an easy half-day trip from Rome. Click here to see our Photo Album and read more details.

Pizza Lessons in Tuscany

Although you can find a cooking lesson almost as easily as a cappuccino these days, it is not easy to find a pizza lesson, because it requires an authentic wood-burning oven – something many chefs don't have in their kitchens. Palazzo Bandino, a 400-year-old winery in southern Tuscany, has an ancient brick oven and a very enthusiastic master chef. The perfect combination for a half day of fun! Easy to reach by car or train, the setting is bucolic and the lesson includes a full lunch with wine. Click here for details.

Cinque Terre

One of the most picturesque places on the planet is the coastline between Genoa and Tuscany. Rising straight out of the waves are steep hills terraced with vineyards criss-crossed by narrow footpaths suitable for goats and avid hikers. At the base of each hill is an exquisite harbor town, where steep alleys wind their way amongst pastel-colored buildings. Take the little train that stops in each of the five villages, wander through the streets, set yourself up at a cafe and soak up the view, or put on your boots and hike from one town to the next, through rock tunnels and past the vertical gardens. Either way, its an unforgettable experience. Click here to see our Photo Album.

Milan Malpensa Airport Shuttles

We are thrilled to be able to offer this new service from Milan Malpensa Airport to all downtown Milan hotels or private residences. Save time and money by traveling in a shared van equipped with every comfort and in compliance with the quality and safety standards required by the regulations of the European community. The vans seat 8-12 passengers plus the driver and the cost is about 30 Euro/person. Click here for details.

Discounted Airfares to Italy and Beyond!

In Italy Online is very proud to announce its expanding partnership with Auto Europe. After several years of recommending their superb car rentals, which come with the highest customer service, the lowest prices and the best customer satisfaction, we were thrilled to learn that they also offer the same great service for airfare throughout the world. Auto Europe has the resources and buying power to give you the most for your airfare dollar, PLUS they offer a special 10% discount available only to In Italy Online readers departing from cities in the USA. Click here for more details.

This month we have several new hand-picked unique lodgings to present to you. Did you know that at In Italy Online we personally inspect each property, and welcome to our site only those where we ourselves would happily spend a few days? Start your search for lodgings on our Special Offers page. Only for readers of In Italy Online, many of the hotels and villas we represent are offering special low rates for 2008 bookings. Be sure to check this page first:

When searching for places to stay in Italy, be sure to use our brand-new Amenity Search Feature. Not sure where you want to stay but it better have air conditioning? Or a swimming pool? Or Internet access? Then simply click the map for the region of your choice (say, Tuscany or Veneto or Sicily) and select all the amenities you desire. Our very handy engine will find the properties that offer what you want, and present you with a picture and a brief summary of each one. Click on the property name to see a detailed description, photo album, map, guest reviews, complete amenity chart and price details. Here is the selection of newcomers we are proud to welcome to our site this month:

In Rome

Hotel Delle Nazioni - Special Offers valid only for In Italy Online guests!
Newly renovated hotel one block from Trevi Fountain; restaurant; elevator; a/c; satellite TV; DSL access. From 162.50 EURO/night.

In Tuscany

Tuscan Seaside Apartments
One- and two-bedroom apartments about 15 minutes' walk from the beach, 55km south of Pisa; swimming pool and Jacuzzi; elevator; air conditioning; satellite TV; Internet access; fitness room; free bikes; restaurant 600 yards away. From 73.50 EURO/night or 514.50 EURO/week

Podere di Siena
Classic Tuscan country house only 12 km from Siena; sleeps 6 plus a second house with an apartment for 2+2; swimming pool; fireplace; washing machine; dishwasher; barbecue; satellite TV; hair dryer. From 732. EURO/week

In Florence

Duomo Vista Residence
Elegant junior suites for up to 4 people, with spectacular views of the Duomo in the center of town; air conditioning; elevator; DSL Internet access; satellite TV. From 150. EURO/night

On Lake Garda

Lake Garda Apartments
In the town of Sirmione overlooking Lake Garda; swimming pool; elevator; a/c; wireless Internet; satellite TV. From 66. EURO/night.

In Umbria

Palazzo Bocci
Extremely historic aristocratic palazzo in the hill town of Spello;elevator; air conditioning; wireless; Internet point; From 75. EURO/night.

In Val D'Aosta

Mont Blanc Hotel
If you are planning to visit this amazing region, with its countless ancient castles and its spectacular Gran Paradiso National Park (one of Europe's most scenic and unspoiled), the little town of Courmayeur makes a perfect base. Nestled literally at the foot of Mont Blanc, it offers all sorts of shops and eateries, as well as easy access to hiking paths and ski trails. Mont Blanc Hotel is a classic alpine chalet inn with four-star services. From 104. EURO/night.

To save you loads of time when you're browsing through our hundreds of lodgings, we have created a summary page for each and every one of them. At a glance, you'll be able to see the general character, location (including a map), size, features, price range, minimum stay requirements, advantages, disadvantages and whether a car is required. Then, if it looks like this might be a place for you, we offer a photo album, more detailed description, details about pricing and conditions, and reviews from former guests. If you'd like us to make suggestions about where to stay , visit Our Favorite Properties. Or use the clickable map of Italy to view an index of all the lodgings in each region, including farm apartments, villas, historic residences, hotels and city apartments. Or, if you know the kind of atmosphere you're after (romantic, authentic, culinary, seaside, etc.), try our specialized itinerary maps, offering the same style of lodgings throughout the country. If you already know what property you're looking for but can't find its page, the easiest solution is to try our Index of Unique Lodgings. Remember that our prices always include everything - there are no hidden surprises you find out later.

• Italian Gift Shop

Not sure what to give your family and friends for the holidays? Be sure to visit our online bottega italiana for a vast range of gifts from your favorite country. We offer books, movies, gift baskets, calendars, posters, foods, wall displays and many more items guaranteed to thrill any Italophile on your list. Click here to start shopping!

We are also proud to offer some wonderful short programs for independent travelers. Combining self-guided itineraries, excellent lodgings, some meals and transfers, they are perfect for those who like to travel on their own but leave the planning to the experts. In Tuscany and on the Amalfi Coast, we offer:

• Self-Guided Tour of the Amalfi Coast

This just might be one of the most popular activities we have ever offered – if you read the Guest Reviews you’ll see why! Spend four days at a 4-star seaside resort hotel outside Ravello or Praiano and leave the driving to your hosts. They’ll pick you up at the airport or station and whisk you out to the coast, then take you to see Amalfi, Ravello, Positano, Capri, and Pompeii. You’ll tour on your own, at your own pace, but you won’t have to deal with crowded public transportation or – even worse! – with driving yourself on the Amalfi Coast! Prices start at 1115. Euro/person, including four nights accommodations and dinners, plus all excursions and transfers.

• The Food & Wine Lover's Southern Tuscany

What if you adore fine cuisine and wines but you don't want to spend your holiday learning to cook? Then this is the trip for you! This very special escorted tour was created for In Italy Online expressly to please the independent traveler who wants to delve deep into the lifestyle of Tuscany. For centuries la vita toscana has meant the following things: great art, perfectly manicured landscapes, entertaining anecdotes, comfortable stone houses with big fireplaces, foods that are as delicious as they are simple, and great wines to accompany all of the above. And there’s another element you may not know about: for millennia, the incredibly indulgent and healthy thermal spa experience has also been an integral part of life in central Italy. You will experience all these and much more on this 6-day trip, which is incredibly affordable at 1245. Euro/person, including all accommodations and excursions and, of course!, all meals with wine.

• Pictures of Italy

Whether you're trying to decide what part of the country to visit, or just hankering to relive the memories of your latest trip, pictures are the quickest way to get there. We have assembled a gallery with hundreds of colorful shots ranging from the Alps to the southern tip of Europe and featuring people, food, architecture, art, even the animals you'll encounter at the national parks! Be sure to bookmark the page so you can return often and visit the newest additions to the gallery.

• The Food & Wine Lover's Southern Italy

This is a six-night program for all those who really want to get off the beaten track. Okay, it does include one whole day on the Amalfi Coast! But it also features Paestum, considered by many to be the best preserved Greek temples in the world, and a host of charming hill towns where tourists rarely set foot, as well as a visit to a mozzarella farm, several wineries, a fantastic local market where you can buy just about anything under the sun for a fraction of the price in Florence, and a pizza lesson! Considering that the price includes lodgings in an exquisite boutique hotel, as well as unlimited food and wine, at 925 Euro/person it is the bargain of the year in Italy. Sign up now for the trip of a lifetime!