Welcome to World Wide Festivals!
If it is autumn, it must be Fiesta time. The autumn season sends many tourists home but if you are truly seeking a flavor of the real Europe, noting can achieve that better than heading to a local festival. Bringing to life of its inhabitants you can fine vivid re-enactments of historical events, costumed dramas and traditional competition. A festival is wonderful for introducing children to international culture and no one will be left out. There are numerous activities for younger visitors providing interactive and fun ways to learn about the history of the region. Performances take place throughout days and night with markets, food and drink stalls and usually live music. Making a trip overseas after the summer months can certainly be cost efficient as compared to the rest of the year. With good news like that, begin with France, Italy or Spain after experiencing something the whole family will enjoy.
The Time of the Season is Grapes
Many poets and artists believe that the fall is perhaps the most beautiful season to visit Tuscany, when the countryside comes alive with festivals, feasts and celebrations. Although Tuscany is known for its wines, olive oil and Tuscan terracotta clay and ceramics, each season is a lovely time to visit and gives the visitor a new perspective.
Even though every season is special in Tuscany, during the fall season, in this northern region of Italy, the Chianti grape harvest reigns. And if you are looking for one of the most popular Chianti grape harvest event, than look no further than in the Tuscan hill town of Impruneta, The annual wine harvest festival in this town, known as "Festa dell'Uva" (Festival of the Grape), has been gathering locals and visitors alike since 1926. With stalls set up from the local vineyards, you can savour the local Chianti.
You don’t need to be a wine connoisseur to enjoy this one and instead can venture to the tasting stalls in the main square and sample food, proving to be an all around Italian regional feast.
But don’t forget your camera as there will be music, popular dances, and performances, local handicraft products and historic processions with floats. The residents are decked out and dressed in medieval and traditional costumes.
Currently in its 83nd year, you will immerse yourself in the historic surroundings and Italian charm which has survived for centuries and remains as it did hundreds of years back. It is an area of immense beauty and heritage, where the natives proudly make you a part of their heritage and town, especially during the fest.
During the day, much of the activities take place in the beautiful square, Piazza Buondelmonti where the "Festa dell'Uva" is held each year. This makes this year’s date to remember as September 17th to the 29th. Farm-harvested food is available at the local market, so you can showcase your Italian cooking skills for your group and become a Tuscan under the sun native.
Impruneta is that ideal place to feel the flavor of the Tuscan small village region and yet it is within a half hour of the grand city of Florence. Even the inspiration of Florence thrives throughout Impruneta with its creativity in abundance. The Florence Renaissance style is in full view at the Basilica of Santa Maria in Impruneta’s town square.
Street Artists United in Verona!!!
A Quick 1 Day Festival.
2 "madonnari" (street-painting artists) will make Piazza dei Signori the most colourful square in all of Europe.
Chocolate Lovers Festival
Eurochocolate is preparing for the Chocolate Era, that will take place from the 16h to the 25th October in Perugia, Italy.
Eurochocolate festival goers will find all kinds of chocolate, including candy, cake, hot chocolate, beauty products, and aromatherapy. Nightlife in Perugia will also feature chocolate during the week of the festival and there will be cooking classes and special exhibits, too
Eurochocolate is also the instrument for promoting protection of important values as solidarity, biodiversity, traceability and sustainability of the production process of cocoa, aiming to guarantee a sustainable future based on the decrease of the differences between developed and developing countries. Some special events include Chocolate Sculptures be masterfully carved by as many artists while the sweet flakes will reach the mouths of the gluttonous audience.
ChocoFarm dedicated to body treatments with chocolate and cocoa, where the customers will be welcome by a fascinating atmosphere and high skilled staff. ChocoFamily Area, conceived for children under twelve, where they will learn about chocolate through workshops and games.
“Cioccolata con l’Autore” “Chocolate with the Author”: when the goodness of hot chocolate meets unforgettable pages of literature narrate by famous contemporary writers.
Sound as though you can only have a sweet time at this happening!
Wine Fair in Merano, Italy
High in the mountains, the town of Merano (Meran) hosts a wine fair each year to celebrate the end of the grape harvest. Over the course of a weekend there are parades through the town with local and village marching bands, decorated carriages and groups in traditional costumes. The Tyrolean flavour of the event is further emphasised by country music and dancing. The fair itself comprises an array of gastronomic stands offering typical Tyrolean products and dishes. A country market on the Saturday provides an opportunity to sample and buy local produce. Its proximity to Austria is reflected in the German place names as well as in the local specialities on offer such as speck, frankfurters and
There’s something almost Biblical about the Grape Festival held every October in the hill top town of Marino. The fountains did gush with wine instead of water and the people were happy and content.
This is done to commemorate the return to Marino of Marcantonio Colonna from the Battle of Lepanto. The current incarnation of the “Sagra dell’uva” dates back to 1925. The town’s main fountains not only run with wine, but are adorned with huge bunches of grapes, as are the statues, and the whole town is decorated, balconies are adorned with flowers, coloured lights strung along the charming cobbled streets. A busy market takes place during the day and, come sunset, a party atmosphere descends on the town with bands playing long into the night and food and, of course, wine abundantly available. You’ll end the night with both heart and belly pleasantly full.
Witches emerging from the shadows in France!
The wizards welcome you in the dark corridors of The Witch Festival (Fête des Sorcières) has been held for nearly a century in Chalindrey, France. Home to a 16th-century witch hunt and the Fort of Cognelot, known as Devil's Point, the town has a head start in the realm of the supernatural. Rather than buying into the commercial side of Halloween, this festival seeks to evoke its Celtic roots, while still scaring you witless. Celebrations begin with a haunting dance which goes on until dawn, and are followed by the screening of scary films, face-painting and exhibitions at the fort throughout the weekend. This event is a unique opportunity to meet with witches, devils, vampires and other creatures of darkness and back as well in the world of imagination and childhood. A fantastic venue: the height of Cognelot which crossed the time to deliver his moods to the haunted castle.
****Check back periodically, as this zone is updated with upcoming festivals. If you would like to contribute any information of upcoming festivals in your area, kindly contact via the manager.
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Images by Veronica Shine
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