Autumn is a great time to visit Italy. It’s less hot and crowded than in the summer and there’s lots going on. From food festivals and sporting events to niche local celebrations.
 
Although some of the best Italian events are in the summer, whatever you’re into and whichever region you’re visiting, you’ll be sure to find an autumnal event that’s right up your street.
 
Here are 6 of the most interesting events in Italy in autumn:
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Faenza is famous for producing Maiolica, a type of tin-glazed pottery. On the first weekend in September every two years, the city is home to the Argillà ceramics festival. People from around 20 countries all over the world flock to the festival to sell their ceramic products. As well as stalls and exhibitions, there are events focused on the techniques used to make pottery, activities for kids and even a Worldwide Potter’s Wheel Championship. Hidden courtyards in the city are opened exclusively for the festival.

Like history, chess and fancy dress? Then head to the Marostica Scacchi in the second weekend of September. Every two years, Marostica holds a giant chess match with human chess pieces! Why? They’re re-enacting a famous fifteenth-century chess game where two warriors competed to decide who would marry the eldest daughter of the Castellano di Marostica. Aside from the huge chess game in the Piazza Castello, the weekend is filled with costume parades, music and fireworks.

The largest international festival of comics in Italy and Europe is held in Lucca at the end of October every year. The historic city, with its fortified walls, sees people from around the world come together, usually in fancy dress, to celebrate comics, board games and animations. You can listen to and meet famous comic book writers, fantasy authors and illustrators, browse shops or compete in a cosplay competition. 

If sport is more your thing, check out the Sports Festival in Trento. A relatively new event, the Festival dello Sport promises four days of debates, seminars, sporting activities and sports camps. Local and international sports stars attend the event and you can listen to talks from Olympic and Paralympic athletes, technicians and sporting experts. From basketball to indoor rowing, there’s something for everyone. 

Possibly the most famous of the many Italian sagre, this international food festival, held throughout October and November, is an annual celebration of the Tartufo Bianco, or white truffle. As well as sampling regional produce, you can embark on a truffle walk, attend cooking shows, or watch a medieval parade and donkey race!

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You’ll no doubt have heard of all the famous Italian holiday destinations like Rome, Venice, Florence and the Amalfi Coast. But these well-known places are tourist hot-spots and are usually packed during the summer.
 
So, where can you go for a summer holiday in Italy if you want to escape the crowds, whilst still taking in the culture, food and beautiful Italian views? Where do the locals go for a bit of rest and relaxation away from the hustle and bustle?
 
Here’s a rundown of five of the best off-the-beaten-track destinations you can explore in Italy this summer:
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A beautiful island just to the west of Italy, Sardinia is an Italian region with its own sense of independence. Its location means it’s a bit of a hidden gem that’s much less crowded than the Italian mainland. It’s easily accessible by plane and by ferry from Rome and Naples.
 
For those who like a chilled-out holiday, Sardinia has crystal-clear seas and stretches of sandy beaches to relax on. For those who prefer an active vacation, it has untouched countryside and forests to explore, great diving spots and mountains for hiking, climbing and walking. If you like to see a bit of history on your holidays, the island has plenty of Roman ruins and ancient stone dwellings.

Puglia is a southern region in ‘the heel’ of Italy’s ‘boot’. It’s filled with whitewashed towns, beaches, ports and harbours. If you’re looking for an authentic place to stay, traditional Puglian farmhouses, known as Masseria, have been transformed into accommodation throughout the region.
 
The town of Lecce with its beautiful beaches has been dubbed ‘The Florence of the South’, due to its Baroque-style architecture. The Roman amphitheatre, Duomo and Basilica di Santa Croce will also appeal to history buffs.
 
Alberobello is a town filled with world heritage listed stone buildings, known as Trulli. These whitewashed huts with cone shaped roofs were originally built as houses without mortar to make them easy to take down. Luckily, they’ve managed to last years and have now been converted into restaurants and shops.

Ravenna is a Northern Italian town known for music and mosaics. It’s a quieter alternative if you’re interested in the mosaics in Florence or the opera in Venice but don’t want to battle with the crowds. Close to the popular Rimini, with its famous Pink Night, Ravenna offers a slower pace of life. The colourful early Christian and Byzantine mosaics in Ravenna’s monuments, like the Basilica di San Vitale, are UNESCO world heritage listed. There’s a mosaic festival in July and August every year where certain mosaics are opened and illuminated at night. If you’re a fan of opera and classical music, don’t miss the Ravenna music festival in June and July.

The Conero Peninsula is popular with the locals. It’s a peaceful holiday spot, ideal for families and couples looking for beaches, nature and a laid-back vibe away from the tourist hot-spots. The area has rugged cliffs, beautiful hill villages and lovely scenery. The large nature reserve, Parco Naturale del Monte Conero, is a must if you’re into hiking and birdwatching.

Saturnia is a small spa town in the hills of Tuscany with ancient cobbled streets. It’s a few hours away from Siena, a town famed for its medieval Palio. You’ll notice a slight eggy smell in the air in Saturnia, but don’t let this put you off. Sulphur is all part of the experience! Geothermal activity means Saturnia has natural 37°C thermal baths to laze around in.
 
For a small town, Saturnia has a big history. It’s said to have been inhabited by the ancient Greeks and the Romans and, in the 1300s, it became a town for outlaws and was destroyed by fire!

Does your company specialise in travel and tourism? Want to make your holiday destinations, accommodation, tours or activities appeal to an Italian audience?
 
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If you’re travelling to Italy this summer, there’s no better way to get to know the local area than by attending an event. Summer is festival season in Italy and there’s lots going on in every region.
 
Here’s a rundown of the best events in Italy over the summer months:

Every year on June 16th, Pisa is lit up by candles to celebrate its patron saint, San Ranieri. This tradition dates back to the 1600s when the urn containing the remains of San Ranieri was placed in the city’s cathedral. Over 70,000 candles float on the river, light up buildings and decorate the river banks. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is also illuminated by oil lamps.

The Palio di Siena is probably the most famous Italian Palio. It even featured in the James Bond film, the Quantum of Solace! The Palio di Siena is a medieval-style horse race between 10 of the 17 districts of the city. It takes place annually in July and August, in Siena’s Piazza del Campo.
 
The 10 jockeys race 3 laps around the edge of the square and huge crowds gather to watch the horses navigate the track’s tight corners. The first to finish wins a giant hand-painted banner, as well as the honour of winning the Palio for their district.

Ferragosto marks the start of the summer holidays in Italy. Although some locals shut their shops and head on holiday, there’s still lots for tourists to do. Many cities have street parties, like the Gran Ballo di Ferragosto in Rome, a popular event that includes dancing, food and live music. As Ferragosto coincides with the religious feast of the Assumption, lots of Italian towns have church services and processions where statues of the Virgin Mary are carried through the town centre.

Running your own event in Italy and want to attract a local audience?
 
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