Those who travel during the winter months can look forward to events such as the beloved Bolzano Christmas Market, the living nativity scenes in Naples and incredible pagan inspired Carnevale rituals from Aosta Valley to Sardinia.

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Exquisite artisanal crafts are everywhere in Italy. While arguably the most famous is blown glass from Murano near Venice, fans of Italian musical culture will be awed at the Luthier workshops in Cremona, where the making of high-quality violins is an amazing sight. Don’t miss the lesser-known villages around the country where specialty crafts are produced. In Le Marche, beautiful lacework is made in the streets of Offida and one of the top spots for ceramics is in the tiny town of Castelli, in Abruzzo. Drive south through the mountains to lovely little Scanno for the exquisite gold filigree work. And, not far away in the Molise region, take the opportunity to visit Agnone, home to the Marinelli Bell Foundry, the oldest of its kind in the world. All of these make great road trips for buying directly from the source!

Exceptional Artistry

Italy is awash with characteristic local festivals, filled with distinctive traditions and associated fascinating legends. Check out Fermignano’s Palio della Rana (Frog Race), Ivrea’s Battle of the Oranges and Scorrano’s breathtaking light show competition at the Festa di Santa Domenica. Sagre, or food festivals, happen seasonally and celebrate the bounty of the local products such as strawberries, in the southern Lazian town of Nemi, and pumpkin in Venzone, Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

Engaging Local Festivals

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Village Festival - authentic local experiences

Unparalleled Authentic Local Experiences in Italy

One of the most exciting things about travel is the opportunity for authentic local experiences that are unique to the places you’re visiting, supporting their local economies in the process. Italy is the perfect place for this, as each region has its own special festivals, artisanal crafts and locally produced foods to enjoy!

There really is no end to the possibilities for learning about and tasting products in Italy. In Puglia, you can go to an olive tree farm where you will view trees that are up to 1000 years old and go underground to learn about both ancient and modern pressing techniques. If you are anywhere near Parma, you must watch how the famed Parmigiano Reggiano is produced. Taste it with some prosciutto and balsamic vinegar from the region, and make sure to take some home with you! And virtually anywhere you go in Italy, there is the option for wine tasting. Head for the hills north of Verona in Veneto to taste delicious Valpolicella wines.

Sumptuous Food and Wine Experiences

When dining in Italy, you will find that there is no one Italian Cuisine. Instead, each region has special dishes, making every experience a local one. Consider a full course of seafood antipasti in Liguria, or pasta with white truffles in Piedmont, the slow food capital of Italy. For dining on the water, why not try a local spot in Malcesine, Veneto, or an aperitivo buffet at an Agriturismo on Lake Maggiore? Indoors, nothing beats the ambiance of a classic Tuscan trattoria, or an unusual cave restaurant in Matera.

Marvelous Local Dining Opportunities

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What are Agriturismi, you ask? They are family farms found throughout Italy that offer both dining and lodging, making for a fantastic local experience. Many offer rooms filled with traditional furnishings that bring your stay in Italy to life. Often, they will have a much-appreciated swimming pool, and you might even get the chance to explore their gardens or meet some of their animals. Another unique lodging option are Alberghi Diffusi. Found in villages throughout the country, accommodations are spread out through the village, with common spaces in the village center. Two such options are found in Belmonte Calabro, Calabria and in Scicli, Sicily. And don’t forget all of the small bed and breakfasts in Italy…check out the breakfast view of this one in Puglia!

Characteristic Accommodations

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Mercati – outdoor markets, are one of the authentic local experiences that are sure to be a highlight of any trip to Italy! Each village has at minimum a weekly produce market filled with the freshest fruits and vegetables grown in the area. In some places near the coast, you will also find remarkable seafood markets, such as the famous one full of bustling energy found in Catania. Certain towns are well known for a particular type of product. The small town of Diamante in Calabria hosts a fun pepper festival filled with products made from the region’s most popular staple. And don’t miss Norcia in Umbria, so famous for its salami products that the word for a store that cures pork products is called a norcineria in Italian.

Outdoor Markets and Distinctive Regional Products

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If you’re itching to try making some Italian craft or food specialties, or to learn the beautiful language, there are numerous opportunities to take classes while on your travels. Maybe you want to learn to make homemade pasta, or focus on learning the cuisine of a specific region, such as Piedmont? If you are interested in the arts, there are options for mosaic classes in Ravenna, pottery classes throughout Umbria, or photography classes nearby some of Italy’s stunning lakes. Those who would like to learn Italian, can find choices throughout the country. Can you imagine yourself studying in a beautifully decorated classroom inside an old palazzo in Perugia?

For Authentic Local Experiences, Why Not Try a Class or Two

There are some authentic local experiences that you just can’t find outside of Italy. If you want to go on a truffle hunt with a farmer and his pig or dog, head to Umbria, Tuscany or Piedmont. Or go underground for tours of ancient communities, such as the one found in the exquisite town of Orvieto. Love Italian cars? Why not try your hand at racing a Ferrari in Maranello, Emilia Romagna? Or, for something incredibly exhilarating, take the Flight of the Angels; a harnessed zip tour running between the mountain towns of Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa in Basilicata.