When traveling I always love to drop in on the odd festival – after all this girl’s gotta party! Increasingly admission costs are becoming something of a nightmare so here are a few tips on partying in Italy at minimal cost.
Free Fiestas in Italy
If you’re feeling the economic pinch, one of the cheapest ways of enjoying yourself in Europe is to take part in one of the many provincial festivals that take place throughout the year. First of all make sure that you compare different car hire prices and then get your motor and off you go. Free festivals happen all the time in Italy, but the largest is Carnavale (and there are a ton of free activities during Carnavale as well).
Visit Smaller, Local Festivals
This is probably the hottest time, in terms of the weather, to travel around the country but also the best time to drop in on a local festival. The Two World Festival, ‘Il Festival Dei Due Monde’ in Spoleto, Umbria is probably a good place to start at the beginning of the month. The aim of this particular celebration is to open up the little town of Spoleto to the rest of the world. The ‘two worlds’ consist of debates on science and culture combined with an amazing mixture of musicians giving live concerts. Some of these concerts are totally free, I loved the jazz in the city square but some of the other gigs do have a ticket price. If you enjoy cultural ‘minestrone’ then this particular festival will suit you down to the ground. As an added bonus, local nuns offer accommodation at a moderate price.
St0ck up on Supplies Before The Festival
Throughout Europe the 15th of August is a massive celebration; locally it’s called the ‘Ferragosto.’ The origins of the party originate in Roman Catholicism but whatever your creed you will love the fireworks and dancing that accompany this particular feast. Driving up from Spoleto to Montepulciano on the Umbrian/Tuscany borders, (the SS 3 is a good route to use), will land you at one of the best parties I’ve ever enjoyed. The pageant and the fireworks were superb and I loved the rather inebriated British couple who invited me back to their house to continue the festivities – it’s that sort of town. Do be warned that many shops will be shut during the festival, so it’s a good idea to stock up on supplies, the day before.
Hit the Street Parties
I’ve always found this particular month to be quite gloomy, images of holidays ending and other dull events but here in Italy, the party continues. If you have the time, drive down to Naples and take part in the festivities that celebrate their patron saint, Gennaro. This saint is supposed to work wonders, but even if your particular miracle doesn’t come through, at least you can enjoy yourself in one of the biggest street parties in Southern Europe. All you will need is a spirit of adventure, a good pair of shoes and the ability to enjoy yourself. This week long street festival starts on the 19 September and continues…and continues. Naples has many cheap places to stay so it’s just a matter of putting your head down for the night and following the adventure on the next day.
Have you ever been to a festival in Italy?
photo credit: Lars Juhl Jensen
