Italia Quality Blog

Venice, Florence, Siena and Naples: are just some of the most beautiful Italian locations ready to offer different special events to make your stay more interesting, among festivals, cultural exhibitions and folkloristic appointments!
The marvellous lagoon of Venice proposes the San Bartolomeo Festival in Mirano, an event organized to celebrate the patron saint of the town, usually in the third week of the month of August, between art and tradition.
And now Tuscany which, with its fantastic cities, offers various occasions absolutely to take part in. Florence, on 21st August, presents the Commemoration of the Opposition to the Spanish in 1529 in Vicchio, whereas on 26th, in Rufina there will be At the Court of the Earls Bishops, another historic commemoration which confirms Florence and the whole Tuscany as places full of history and tradition. The last Sunday of August, then, Cerreto Guidi celebrates the Palio del Cerro which sees the participation of four districts and a historic procession in costume of the XVI century.
In Livorno, the Palio of San Agabito in Marciana, from 18th to 19th August, proposes a Holy Mass, a procession, a show of flagmen, medieval games and banquets to celebrate Donna Paola Colonna. The amazing frame of Elba Island is, instead, the location on 7th August of the Festa Patronale di San Gaetano, whereas on 12th, in Marciana Marina there will take place the Festa Patronale di Santa Chiara with music, food  and wine tastings, and historic commemorations.
The marvellous Siena is glad to offer the Giostra di Simone, on 9th August, in San Giovanni d’Asso, following the tradition of the games between the knights, such as the Giostra del Saracino, in Sarteano on 15th August, with historic procession in medieval costume. And more, the Palio delle Contrade, from 17th to 18th August in Pianacastagnaio, which on 14th August will be the location also of the colour Tappeto Floreale, the Floral Carpet, where some religious scenes dedicated to the Holy Mary are elaborated in occasion of the Feast of the Assumption on 15th August.
Arezzo, instead, is glad to invite you to the tasty festival Sagra del Tortello alla Lastra, in Corezzo from 14th to 16th August, whereas from 20th to 21st there will be the Palio dei Castelli in Badia Tedalda, where are expected a lot of historic events to commemorate the period of the knights. And always in the sign of taste, Lucca presents the Fish and Chips Festival, till 17th August in Barga, with live music, the festival Sagra delle crisciolette in Molazzana, till 3rd August, and the Gastronomic Festival of Contrada Ponte, in the amazing Marina di Pietrasanta from 8th to 21st August, where you can taste many typical products of the area.
It couldn’t miss, obviously, the gaiety of Naples which on 26th August, in Ischia, in occasion of the Feast of Saint Alessandro, offers a wonderful show of a historic procession in costume, with the flagmen’s performance, the Holy Mass in the church of Saint Alessandro, and the tasting of typical products. From 27th to 30th August, instead, in Brusciano, it is expected the Gigli Feast, with the “gigli”, special feast machines made of wood and brought by people, accompanied by a band playing music. The celebration usually takes place on the last Sunday of August from 1875, when Saint Antonio from Padova made the miracle. The parade of the “gigli” is on the Thursday and the Friday before the Sunday.

And so, the Italian Summer is totally in the sign of culture and tradition, to admire the beauties of the most famous cities in Belpaese, thanks to Italia Quality, with its luxury relais, hotels, b&b, castles and agrotourisms, in the most picturesque locations of Italy, glad to give you only the best of the events expected for August 2009!

Are you looking for special events to have a quality stay in Italy? Italia Quality Luxury Hotels in Italy, is glad to show all its clients the most interesting and characteristic appointments which will take place in the month of April 2009.
Having your accommodation in the enchanting castle Castello Dal Pozzo, in Oleggio Castello, you could visit the typical market of antique, ethnic handicraft and collecting, in Novara from 8th  to 10th  April, whereas if you choose the marvellous frame of Venice, staying in the ancient house Cà Maria Adele, you can admire Open Palace: History and Art of Murano at da Mula Palace, an exhibition till 24th April, to discover the beauties of this extraordinary small island symbol of the glass workmanship.

As usual, Tuscany offer the public a wide choice of events among which The Corner of the Collector in Montalcino, expected for Sunday 5th April, small market dedicated to collectors and non. Open from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, to deliver more the world of collecting among antique items and various objects. And what is better, for a stay of class, than the Banfi Castle, in a refined and traditional atmosphere, located in one of the most beautiful areas of this fantastic region? Then, if you want to take a journey of wine flavour, the Wine Train is ready to depart from the Senese station in Montalcino, to bring you into the heart of the Val d’Orcia every weekend, to discover the tastes of this extraordinary area.
If, instead, you are interested in the history of one of the most famous characters of the world, the city of Lucca is glad to show Puccini and his Lucca International Festival, the only one permanent festival in the world, which proposes concerts in the Saint John Basilica to celebrate the genious of Giacomo Puccini, born in the Tuscan city in 1858. In Arezzo is on stage till 10th April the Minerva’s Exhibition, known as the Arezzo’s Minerva, having your accommodation at The Dame Pia, an elegant medieval house inspired by Dame Pia of Tolomei.

The always cheerful Naples, from 24th to 27th April, organizes Sapori & Saperi, an event dedicated to the typical tastes of the place to promote again the always admired and envied mediterranean diet, in the scenery of Pompei, whereas the romantic Amalfi Coast is waiting for you from 15th to 18th April with the Capri Art Film Festival, exhibition of theatre, music and literature.

Among all these events is, however, difficult to wait till April. And so, for who want to taste now the beauties of Italy in the magic sceneries by Italia Quality, luxury hotel in Italy, there are some appointments which is not possible to miss at all. On 24th February the city of Florence proposes the Polentata delle ceneri a Borgo San Lorenzo, a tradition that from 1799 points out the end of the Mugellano’s Carnival and the beginning of the Lent. But, the taste of the mush doesn’t end here, thanks also to the Feast of Mush in Vernio, in the province of Prato, on 1st May, to celebrate the “Pulendina”, accompanied also by the traditional Historic Parade with 500 characters. And, to conclude, all the lovers of the precious truffle are invited to take part in the Feast of the Truffle in Cingoli, Pisa, on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th March with various tastings of typical products.

And so, if you want to admire the most beautiful areas of Italy, taking part in the interesting events, Italia Quality offers you various occasions for unforgettable moments full of culture and entertainment, among relais, villas and palaces, boroughs and castles, ancient houses, in Venice, Lake Maggiore, Tuscany, Puglia, Naples, Amalfi Coast and more.

Italia Quality
Culture and tradition among elegance and comfort

Starting from March 2009, are expected in several areas of the boot shape peninsula a lot of special events to give all the tourists joyful and amazing moments, making the stay more pleasant and interesting.

In the fantastic frame of Venice lagoon, on 15th March will take place the concert by the Orchestra and the Choir of La Fenice Theatre, with the soft sound of the white voices and organ on the notes of Missa pro defunctis, the poems by Wilfred Ower and the War Requiem, to taste the big emotions of music in one of the most famous theatres of the world.

For all who want to relax in the so loved landscapes of Tuscany, the city of Siena offers the delicious market Artists in Boroughs, from 15th to 16th March, located in the boroughs and in the squares of the historic centre of Torrita di Siena. The event expects the attendance of different artists and producers of various items who will show the objects due to the celebrations for the Donkeys’ Palio. In addition, there will be also the Historic Parade, whereas for all who want to taste the typical recipes of Valdichiana such as pasta, cakes and wine, the characteristic taverns will be open to the public by 7 pm. The town of Rigomagno proposes, instead, from 28th to 30th March, the delicious Sagra del Ciambellino, an event to taste the authentic product of this medieval borough in the Senese country, according to the ancient tradition. In addition, in Pienza it will be possible to enter into Piccolomini Palace to visit the exhibition Pio II and the Arts, for a rich cultural day.

Florence, the city of Ponte Vecchio, offers the public events able to satisfy every taste. For the lovers of the Arts, it is possible to visit the construction site of Basilica Santa Croce, to admire the frescos by Agnolo Gaddi dated 1380 in the Maggiore Chapel, thanks to the auto guided path in 5 languages.
The art of cinema is, instead, the main character of the exhibition A prince called Totò, set up from 10th to 30th March in the Sala Oro of La Pergola Theatre, where it will be possible to admire the objects and the movies of the wonderful actor who made the history of the cinema in the world.

And more, in the cheerful area of Viareggio, in province of Lucca, will take place on 6th March The charming legend of King Arthur, a ballet between past, present and future, centred on the adventures of the knights of the Round Table, by the Florence Dance Company. If, instead, you are looking for moments of relax and entertainment in the sign of glamour, the Aperitif in Art and Music is expected in Viareggio on 11th March, with Art, Jazz and a lot of taste. The city of Lucca is still the main character of the special events in Tuscany with the Trout of the Serchio Valley, from 10th to 20th March in Gallicano, to taste the characteristic gastronomic products of the area, which you can find also in the sweet feast of chocolate Cioccolatando, from 31st March to 1st April in Seravezza.

Going towards the South, Naples is the frame of interesting appointments such as Tiziano and the Portrait of Court from Raffaello to Caracci, exhibition from 25th March to 4th April at the Capodimonte Museum, and Leonardo, the Engineer of the Renaissance, which from 25th January to 25th March will show 9 full size models of machines designed by the great artist.

And for all who want a romantic stay in the marvellous Amalfi Coast, from 7th March will start The Chamber Music on the Amalfi Coast 2009, with the wonderful classic sinfonies which will accompany you with the sound of soft notes.

So, Italia Quality, luxury hotel relais, bed & breakfast, boroughs and castles, country houses, villas and palaces in Italy, is proud to point out the most interesting special events of the peninsula, to make your stay more pleasant and characteristic, in the sign of comfort, entertainment and class absolutely inimitable.

Italia Quality
The most beautiful events for a luxury stay

After an exciting and at the same time intensely demanding piece of  work, at long last here is “ItaliaQuality – A Journey through Fabled Italian Retreats”.
The anticipation to see it printed, bound and completely finished was overwhelming, and I couldn’t wait to hold a copy, the first copy, in my hands. When that finally happened it was a truly emotional moment. I was temporarily lost for words and left breathless looking at the result of all our hard work.
It was initially intended as a guide, but gradually evolved into a proper book, a book of art - a series of fables, each dedicated to its own unique retreat.
The tales were written to spark interest into this dream-like world, and the splendid illustrations that accompany the texts set your imagination free to wander through, and search out, all the enchanting places just waiting to be discovered.
The “Fables” are accurate descriptions, but written in such a way that draws the reader into a visual perspective, and evokes the sensations and emotions that we felt during our stays in these very special “homes” – places which are bound to leave an indelible mark on one’s memory.
The official presentation of the book was held during the TTI in Rimini – The International Fair of the Incoming Turistico Italiano Internazionale – on the 24 October 2008. It was a beautiful and intimate affair. We were very pleased to see everyone who attended the Fair, but felt especially honoured to meet those who came along solely to meet us and ItaliaQuality.
This is the First Edition: now the work starts for the second one……..