Abruzzo’s vibrant festival celebrations of San Giovanni (St John the Baptist) combine the contrasting purifying elements of fire and water, creating a spectacle that ignites the senses and captures the hearts of locals and visitors alike
The small Chieti town of San Giovanni Teatino’s re-enactment of the rites associated with their patron saint, John the Baptist, foraging for wild herbs and flowers to make the elixir, L’Acqua di San Giovanni illustrates perfectly one of the more colourful ways to learn about Abruzzo and a particular community
Each first Sunday of the month, Abruzzo and Italian state museums and archaeological sites open their doors for free as part of Domenica al Museo. This is a fabulous national wide initiative that allows you to explore and discover the history and treasures of Abruzzo.
Join the people of Civitella Messer Raimondo as they celebrate the liberation of their town from Nazi Germany, with the help of the Maiella Brigade and Red Devils for a fascinating historical walk through the Maiella National Geo Park
Loreto Aprutino is hosting a series of intimate Autumnal Aperitivo Saturday soirees that chase colour and long shadows through this much cherished medieval town, culminating in a delicious aperitivo in the company of an acclaimed local wine producer
I ceci della sposa (The Bride’s Chickpeas) is Pescasseroli’s ancient fertility rite held the first weekend of August that is thoughtt to have arrived with the shepherds and transumanza from Puglia
A papier-mâché costume disguises a man and fireworks whose enthralling rhythmic dance to local folk music begins slowly before reaching its finale, ecstatic explosions
Navelli has a new found growing fame as host to an alternative Palio; the colourful Palio degli Asini –yep a unmissable Donkey Race like no other in the world
Ancient Rome celebrated the Fors Fortuna on the 24th June that later morphed into John the Baptist’s birthday and a night of fire and nuts in Barisciano
My big fat Ferragosto isn’t probably what I should be calling this most pleasurable of Italian feast days, perhaps the Italian summer Christmas, that all began with a God named Consus