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Africa Guides

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Asia Guides

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Caribbean Guides

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Central America

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Europe Guides

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Middle East Guides

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North America

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Pacific Guides

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South America

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Festivals and celebrations are very popular in Italy and a number of public and religious holidays add even more reasons for holding festivities. Many events on the annual calendar are accompanied by pomp and ceremony, and others celebrate Italy’s top position in fashion and the arts. Others are just plain fun and will be enjoyable for any children who may be travelling with you.

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March Festivals

Chocolate Festival (CioccolaTo): Turin welcomes lovers of chocolate from countries everywhere to this annual festival in March. A range of cultural and entertainment events are combined with this exhibition of a wide range of styles and types of chocolate. Around 700,000 visitors come to the festival in Turin and consume approximately 66,000lbs of the confection while they’re here.

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Good Friday Procession: on the Friday before Easter, most cities and villages hold solemn processions beginning at their churches and continuing on through the streets, in remembrance of the suffering of Christ at the time of his crucifixion. Many places in Italy are particularly well-known for their processions on Good Friday and also for the passion plays that they stage as well.

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Turin International Book Fair (Fiera del Libro): very rare first editions, signed copies of bestsellers and books on every imaginable subject are all available at Turin’s annual International Book Fair. This event attracts authors, publishers and other professionals in the industry.

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At that time, the Doge commissioned the construction of the Church of the Redentore on Giudecca Island, vowing to lead a procession every year, giving thanks. Today, a temporary ‘bridge’ of gondolas arranged end-on-end stretches across to the island; and at sunset the lights from the boats creates a wonderfully festive atmosphere for feasting and dancing organised along the banks of the canals. A fabulous fireworks display is the highlight of the night’s festivities.

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RomaEuropa Festival: the annual RomaEuropa festival is an international celebration of dance, music and theatre. This cultural event features performances that focus on the classics, although the festival has also become known for the diversity in the musical styles it presents.

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December Festivals

Oh Bej! Oh Bej! Fair: the Milanese demonstrate their love for Christmas in a number of ways, and this fair starts the festivities early in December, on the feast of Saint Ambrose. A street market forms around the basilica dedicated to the saint, where you’ll find everything from antiques to roasted chestnuts. Also on this day is the opening of the Milan La Scala opera season.

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