A tour of Italy’s festivals

Italy is well known for its festivals and events. Many people have heard of Le Tomatina, in which crowds gather to pelt each other with tomatoes, but there are other, lesser known festivals which are just as fascinating. These often draw on the rich history and traditions of Italy, as well as its food, and can form interesting stopping points for tours or multicentre holidays.

Many of the cultural events in Italy produce a carnival atmosphere, and as such, can be truly unforgettable experiences. The ‘Battle of the Oranges’, for example, in Ivrea, Turin, recreates a medieval battle. At the time in Italy, it is said that the lord had the right to sleep with newly married women, but the miller’s daughter, Mugnaia, refused. In the modern re-enactment, oranges are thrown, which represent weapons hurled at the duke’s men. A tour of Italy timed to visit Turin during the event can be a useful way to escape the winter gloom, as the event usually takes place in February.

There are also events later in the year. In Easter, in Fermignano, there is a frog race, again with a medieval connection. In addition to period costumes, hawks and fireworks, young men race around the streets, carrying frogs on wheelbarrows. The food also takes on an amphibian flavour, with frogs-legs served in local restaurants.

Races are a familiar theme in Italy, one of the most famous being the Palio of Siena. This is a horse race run in the city’s square, the Piazza del Campo. It also runs twice a year, in July and August, and includes religious ceremonies and a parade, as well as the race itself. As the race is run with horses representing different neighbourhoods of the city, it is taken very seriously, and a visit to see it could easily be incorporated into a tour of Tuscany’s vineyards.

One location virtually synonymous with the word ‘festival’ in Italy, is Venice. Its annual carnival is one of the most flamboyant in the country, and is famous for its masks, many of which are highly decorated. There are also balls, parties, concerts, and parades. Venice, with its beautiful canals and unique character, would make an excellent base as part of an Italian multicentre holiday.
For more information on tours of Italy taking in one or more festivals, or an Italian multicentre holiday visit the bellarome website to see some of the proposed multi centre packages available http://www.bellarome.com/multi-centres.asp

Italy v Wales 2013 rugby package announced!

Bellarome has released details and places for the 2013 Six Nation Rugby fixture between Italy v Wales, 23^rd February at Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Bellarome are chartering their own direct flights from Cardiff (to accommodate Welsh rugby fans the South of Wales and UK) and Manchester (to accommodate fans from the North of Wales and UK).

Bellarome’s 3 nights set Italy v Wales 2013 rugby package includes everything you need to enjoy the rugby and a great weekend in the most beatuful city in the world; Flights, Accommodation, Airport Transfers and Match Tickets – and all for just £499 per person! The best 3 night package available!

Bellarome’s own charter flights to Rome on the weekend of the Italy v Wales match are being provided to Welsh rugby fans as a way for them to avoid the high priced scheduled flights. Also, as there are no scheduled direct flights from Cardiff airport to Rome, so Bellarome are providing this convenient option to you.  However, packages with Bellarome’s chartered flights from Manchester and Cardiff are selling fast as people look to guarantee their seats on the plane and at the Stadio Olimpico for the Italy v Wales 2013 6 Nations match.

If you would like to book a 3 nights package to Rome for Italy v Wales 2013, please click on this link for more details on the package and how to book: Italy v Wales Six Nations Rugby 3 nights package

Want to stay in Rome for more than 3 nights for Italy v Wales 2013? No problem as we also offer Fully Customised Packages: Our 6 Nations in Italy rugby packages include everything you need for a fabulous weekend in Rome including Flights, Accommodation, Transfers and most importantly we provide official 6 nations rugby tickets! If you wish to fly from an airport other than Manchester or Cardiff or you wish to stay for more than 3 nights, tell us which airport you wish to fly from? How many people are going? And what dates you wish to go? And we will put together a customised quote for you!

Italy v Ireland 2013 and Italy v France 2013As well as Italy v Wales, 2013 has scheduled two other home fixtures for the Italian Rugby Team. On 3rd February 2013 Italy face local rivals France, then the 16th March when Ireland visit the eternal city of Rome to face the 'Azzuri'. The 2013 fixtures bring a little extra excitement for French, Irish and Welsh rugby fans as the Federazione Italiana Rugby have decided that rugby in Italy will again be held at the different venue of the Stadio Olimpico as it was in 2012. The Stadio Olimpico is the home of Roma and Lazio football teams and many other sporting events. This new venue is much bigger than the previous venue, Stadio Flaminio, and has a capacity in excess of 70,000.

If you would like to book a package for Italy v France or for Italy v Ireland 6 Nations Rugby visit this page for more details: Rome Six Nations Rugby Packages

Alternatively you can call one of the Bellarome dedicated team members 0844 993 4139 or Click here to send us an enquiry.

See more of Italy in one trip - multi centre holidays Italy

As one of the most beautiful countries in the world, Italy offers an endless array of history, culture, art, vineyards, countryside and beaches. It is for this reason that multi centre holidays in Italy are now extremely popular as they offer holiday makers the chance to see much of Italy’s beauty in one trip.

The modern state of Italy as we know it today only came into being in 1860. Historically and culturally, however, Italy was a major influence throughout the world long before that date. Each region of Italy has its own history and cultural background, which affects all aspects of life, from cooking to language. This cultural and historical diversity derives in past from the influence of the different civilisations, which have held sway over different regions throughout history; Etruscans in Tuscany, Greeks in Calabria, Romans with their empire starting in Lazio and extending throughout Italy and beyond, and Normans in Sicily, to name but a few. Italians feels a strong sense of loyalty, first to the city, then to the county, then to the region, and only last to Nation. This local pride is known as Campanilismo and can be partly attributed to the fact that the unification of Italy only happened relatively recently. The best example of this phenomenon is perhaps represented by the famous Palio di Siena, where 17 different districts of the town compete every year against each other in a traditional and frantic horse race with the total and wholehearted participation of the town.
Italians who live in the north of Italy have different habits from those who live in the south or on the islands, reflecting different rhythms of life. For example, in Lombardia and Piemonte, rich industrial regions in north, an hour is standard for lunch, while in Campania, which is southwards, lunch breaks can last 3 hours. Most companies and shops in the north work to the 9-to-5 system instead of orario spezzato in the south, when offices and shops close for lunch, which sees southern employees having to fight their way through the traffic twice per day.

There is also a wide linguistic diversity in Italy, from dialects to entirely different languages. Most regions have their own dialects, which are quite widely spoken. In the south there are entire communities that still speak Greek, while in the north in il Sud Tirolo in the Trentino-Alto Adige region school children are actually taught in German as their first language.
It is all this diversity and wide varied influences that contributes to making Italy such an amazing place to visit.

Bellarome Italian Holidays offer multi centre packages in Italy. We have a team of expert travel professionals who are perfectly placed to give you give you the best advice. Unlike many companies, we will listen to your requirements and then create you a package that is designed to suit your needs. Tell us which airport you wish to fly from, how many people are going, what dates you wish to go and we will put together a customised Italy multi centre holiday quote for you! Visit the website to organise your perfect break.

Today Italy’s very efficient railway network and the imagination and versatility of Bellarome Italian Holidays make it possible to combine almost any of Italy’s locations in one trip. Perhaps the most popular multi centre trip in Italy is a nine night visit across Rome, Florence and Venice. Three nights in each of these famous cities not only gives the chance to see thousands of years of history but it is also gives a true look into three very different cultures that lie within this great country.  Rome, as a millennium-long centre of power, culture and religion, having been the centre of one of the globe's greatest civilizations ever, has exerted a huge influence over the world in its c. 2,500 years of existence. Florence is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world due its impact on art, music, architecture and religion. The city is famed for is wide ranging collections of art and is regarded by many as the art capital of Italy. Most visit art locations are the Pitti Palace and the world famous Uffizi. Florence has been the birthplace or chosen home of many notable figures from history, such as Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Dante and Niccolò Machiavelli. Florence's most reproduced sight is Michelangelo's statue of David, which can be seen at the Accademia Art Gallery. Venice is known as "The Floating City". It is famous for its many canals and Gondola boats that are used by tourists to travel around the city. Venice stretches across 117 small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea. Venice has played an important role in the history of symphonic and operatic music, and it is the birthplace of Antonio Vivaldi. Today there are numerous attractions in Venice, such as San Marco Basilica, the Grand Canal and the Piazza San Marco.

Other popular multi destination holidays in Italy include combining some of the charming northern cities in Italy such as Genoa, Turin and Milan, home of the La Scala Opera Theatre or the intriguing cities in the southern island of Sicily such as Palermo, Catania and Agrigento, well known for the famous Valle dei Templi. Often people find two centre Italy holidays appealing also. Rome and Sorrento gives people the perfect blend of culture and sun, Sorrento features beautiful architecture, many cafes and restaurants, and shops catering to tourists. It is the last stop on the Circumvesuviana rail system and therefore it is easily reached from Naples and an ideal base for visiting Pompeii and Ercolano. Ferries regularly commute between Sorrento for Capri also. Sorrento is also a short bus journey from many beautiful fishing villages such as Positano, Ravello, Minori and Maiori.  Another popular combination is Verona with the beautiful Lake Garda. Verona is famous for being the home of William Shakespeares star-crossed lover Rome and Juliet and the home of beautiful outdoor operas at Arena di Verona.

The fantastic internal flight network in Italy means it is possible to combine many locations on the mainland of Italy with Sicily and Sardinia for multi stop holidays in Italy. The expertise and knowledge from Bellarome Italian Holidays is the best way to see this beautiful country in its true glory. Their expert advisors are on hand to help to create a dream multi centre package in Italy.

Visit the bellarome website to see some of the proposed multi centre packages available http://www.bellarome.com/multi-centres.asp

Win a luxury trip to Rome plus a year’s supply of professional hair products

To celebrate their UK launch, Four Reasons, Scandinavia's fastest growing professional hair care brand has teamed up with Bellarome Italian Holidays to offer one lucky Time Out Magazine reader a luxury trip to Rome for two plus a year’s worth of hair care products.

Launched in 2010, Four Reasons hair products are now stocked in over 3,000 salons throughout Scandinavia. The brand has won several awards, including Cosmopolitan Best Hair Product 2011, for its salon quality and innovative branding. Four Reasons’ product range includes over thirty professional shampoos, conditioners and styling products, which are endorsed by five time British and world hairdressing champion Craig Hubert. Four Reasons products are available at selected salons nationwide on online through their website.

Courtesy of Four Reasons, you could win a pair of return flights to Rome and a two night stay a five star hotel for two. The winner will also receive a year’s supply of Four Reasons hair products which includes a range of his and hers professional shampoos, conditioners and styling products.

To win this fantastic trip to Rome for two, plus a year’s supply of Four Reasons hair products, simply go to the TimeOut website and answer a simple question here: http://www.timeout.com/competition/fourreasons.

Visit Milan for a tour of the famous San Siro stadium!

With Bellarome Italian Holidays why not visit spend a weekend in Milan with friends an take a tour of the world-famous San Siro Stadium, home to Milan’s two most successful Italian Football League clubs – A.C. Milan and F.C. Internazionale. The Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, better known as the San Siro because of its location in the San Siro district of Milan, is a UEFA five-star stadium. It is the home of both of two of the world's most famous football clubs, AC Milan and Internazionale, who share this impressive stadium. The stadium is named in honour of Giuseppe Meazza, the Italian international player and two-time World Cup winner (1934, 1938) who played for Inter, and briefly for Milan, in the 1930s and 1940s. The tour offers you a great opportunity to visit a real "temple" of football and feel the emotion and memories of a golden past, dedicated to these two famous Milanese teams. Built in 1926, the San Siro it is one of the most impressive sports buildings in the world. The stadium boasts a capacity to accommodate 85,000 people.

The tour starts from Milan, departing Foro Bonaparte 76 in the morning. With an English speaking guide, you will be taken on a coach for a tour of the famous San Siro Stadium. Take the opportunity to feel the football fever and the nostalgia of great games played here as you step on the pitch and feel the turf, visit the stands and the changing rooms. You will visit the San Siro museum that was opened in 1996, the first and the only one in Italy to be housed in a stadium. You will re-live some of the great moments of the past and witness the impressive collection of football memorabilia such as cups, medals and shirts, and learn about the history of Milan's two main football teams. You will also have the opportunity to take home some souvenirs from the San Siro store. After exploring the stadium, you will be transferred back to the starting point of the tour.

If you would like to book a trip to Milan and a chance to see the famous San Siro stadium, please call one of the Bellarome dedicated team members 0844 993 4139 or Click here to send us an enquiry.

Rome - The eternal city is calling you...

There are numerous options when it comes to city breaks in Rome, whether you are planning a group holiday, stag do or hen party, a package deal or a wonderfully romantic honeymoon, city breaks in Rome provide the most unforgettable vacation experience and will leave you wanting to return time and time again. The first thing you will notice when embarking on one of the fantastic city breaks in Rome is the incredible architecture that graces this beautiful city. You'll find it interesting in spending some time to discover some of the superb Roman gems that this city is so famous for. The large and very attractive Colosseum was made in 72 AD and, although it's structure is one of almost delicate charm, this imposing piece of architecture was truly built for a great deal more sinister motives. Here the Romans would have enjoyed some very brutal and deadly blood sports involving both animals and men. Around 50,000 blood thirsty spectators could have been seated in this large building and would have entered through one of the 80 ornate archways. An absolute must see whilst enjoying one of the superb city breaks in Rome.

Nothing was ever done on a small scale. It is also certainly worth paying a visit to the Vatican City, actually a city in its own right and home to the pope. Here you will discover the amazing St.Peter's Basilica. This great, domed building houses 45 alters where a plethora of very precious religious art is displayed, the basilica also comes with 11 chapels, a spectacular architectural feat and well worth a good look whilst taking pleasure in one of the great city breaks in Rome. Attached to the Vatican via secret passageway is the Castel Sant'Angelo. The passageway, known as the 'Passetto di Borgo' was once used by popes who were trying to find refuge from city invasions. The famous Vatican Museums are also located here and Michelangelo's breathtaking Sistine Chapel. Keep in mind these beautiful places while having fun in the beautiful eternal city of Rome.

If you would like to book a trip to Rome and a chance to see the amazing sights such as the Colosseum and the Vatican Museum, please call one of the Bellarome dedicated team members 0844 993 4139 or Click here to send us an enquiry.