Holidays that combine culture with relaxation

Italy is a place with much more to offer than just good food and relaxing days by the sea. If you really want to get to know the country, you must travel to where life happens to the villages and towns when they celebrate their traditional festivals. Italy has lots of different kinds of festivals, like processions, folk festivals, flower parades and wine festivals. They are all popular and fun. If you book a holiday home in the area, your holiday will feel more real, and you will remember it for longer.

Imagine sitting in a small village in Umbria in the evening. You are surrounded by colourful fairy lights, holding a glass of local red wine, and there are people in historical costumes dancing in front of you. It is this mix of hospitality, things to see and do, and history that makes a cultural holiday in Italy so special.

What makes Italian festivals so special?

Italian village festivals are also known as sagre, feste patronali or manifestazioni. They usually have religious or seasonal origins. But they have always been more than that: they connect the past and the present, faith and pleasure, locals and guests. They often focus on saints, farming, wine, music or local specialities. The whole village changes for a few days, and everyone takes part.

When you go to a festival in Italy, you can see the country and experience it. You can hear the drummers, smell the food, and see the fireworks. You can eat, drink, dance and watch the show from the middle of the action. No museum can offer that.

How festivals are celebrated in different regions of the country

Italy's festival culture shows the country's regional diversity. In the north of Italy, festivals are often all about food or traditional customs. One example of this is truffle markets in Piedmont, where whole towns turn into gourmet areas. Central Italy combines religious symbolism with historical parades, which are particularly impressive in Tuscany and Umbria. In the south and on the islands, people celebrate in a very special way. They walk through the streets together, playing music and feeling very connected to each other. These festivals are very exciting and memorable.

Five amazing festivals – and where to find them

1. Palio di Siena (Tuscany)

The medieval city of Siena holds a spectacular horse race twice a year – on 2 July and 16 August. Each district has a community (called a "contrada") that sends a rider to gallop around the main square on an unsaddled horse. Drummers, flag throwers and parades accompany the race.

The best place to stay is in a townhouse in the old town or a country house with a view of Siena, and it's best to have a shuttle to take you to the centre.

2. Infiorata di Spello (Umbria)

A floral dream in June: on the night before Corpus Christi, the people of Spello create huge works of art out of flowers on the streets of their town. In the morning, a parade passes over them – a beautiful and temporary sight.

A flat in the old town with a balcony overlooking the flower carpets puts you right in the middle of the action.

3. Festa dei Ceri (Gubbio, Umbria)

A wild, almost mythical festival: on 15 May, three huge wooden towers (each weighing over 300 kg) are carried through the narrow streets of Gubbio in a kind of race. Thousands of people in yellow, blue and black uniforms cheer them on.

The best views are from a stone house on a hillside overlooking the city.

4. Sagra dell'Uva (Marino, Lazio)

On the first Sunday in October, wine flows from the public fountain in Marino – and that's no joke. The wine festival is a big event with parades, music and food from the region.

The best place to start is an apartment with a great view of the festival grounds.

5. Sant'Efisio (Cagliari, Sardinia)

A parade that lasts for several days and goes through several towns. There are thousands of people taking part. They are wearing traditional Sardinian clothes, and there are decorated ox carts and religious devotion too. It starts on 1 May.

A house on the edge of Cagliari or in one of the villages along the route will put you close to the action.

Bonus material: two handy tips for explorers

Every July, the Festa del Redentore in Venice turns the lagoon into a sea of lights. Hundreds of boats gather for a picnic on the water, and the evening ends with some amazing fireworks. In Matera, during the Festa della Bruna, a beautifully decorated float is pulled through the city. Then, the people celebrating the festival take it apart in public. It's a loud, emotional, and emotional way to let off steam.

A guide to finding the perfect holiday home

f you are going to a festival, try to find somewhere close to the main stage so that you can walk there. If you have a terrace or balcony with a view of the festival grounds, you will enjoy the experience even more. As festivals can be noisy, people who want peace and quiet should look for accommodation a little further away. And it's a good idea to book early because the best houses get booked up quickly during festival season.

Workshops, cuisine & more: become part of the culture

Many villages organise extra activities, such as cooking or language courses, craft tours or friendly meals. If you get involved, you will get to know the country and its people better. You will also become part of the culture for a moment.

Tips for enjoying the festival

Dress respectfully, speak a little Italian and be open to local customs and you will feel at home. If you like trying new foods, you will find lots of different dishes at the festivals that you can only get at this time of year. There's also lots going on in the supporting programme, like concerts, exhibitions and competitions.

Planning: When is the best time to travel?

In spring, there are many religious processions, while summer is the season for major historical festivals and music events. In autumn, there are wine festivals and food festivals. In winter, there are Christmas markets. You can find information on dates on the websites of the regional tourist offices.

Conclusion: Celebrate like a local

People who go to an Italian festival come back with more than just souvenirs. They take home memories of Italy: its colours, smells, sounds and stories. When you stay in a holiday home that's been chosen just for you, you're not just an outsider looking in. You become one of the people. If you get involved, you will take home more than just photos – perhaps a new recipe, a melody, or a conversation that will stay with you. So, pick a festival, sort out your accommodation, and get ready to celebrate Italy!