There’s no such thing as a perfect time of year for your Italian vacation. Even in winter you can have a wonderful time in Italy as there’s always some picturesque town or bustling city just waiting to be discovered in whatever weather.
But that said, October really is a terrific month for a vacation to Italy. Not only is the weather delightful, blue skies filled with warm sun are still the norm, but there are all sorts of festivals held throughout Italy to be tasted and tried. October is the month for harvesting grapes and making wine, and also when tasty mushrooms like porcini and tartufo (truffles) are in season.
Five annual events caught our eye. You may have heard of some of them like the EuroChocolate Festival in Perugia, but we’re guessing that at least one is new to you. Be sure to file this list away when you’re planning your next vacation to Italy in October.
Remember that Tour Italy Now, in addition to offering Italy vacation packages large and small, arranges customized itineraries.
1. The Barcolana Regatta in Trieste. (In the photo above.) The Barcolana is one of the largest regate in the world, with over 2000 boats participating. The regatta always takes place the second Sunday of every October. In addition to the stunning sight of hundreds of bright sails in the Gulf of Trieste, food, music, and celebrations are enjoyed throughout the northern city. Click here for more information.
2. The White Truffle Festival in Alba. Head north to the Le Langhe hills where the small town of Alba annually celebrates the rare tartufi bianchi, or white truffles. Maybe you won’t be indulging in many, but that doesn’t mean you can’t saunter around the stalls enjoying the tasty food, famous wines, entertainments, and festive airs. The White Truffle Festival begins in the beginning of October and extends through the whole month. Be sure to check out the hilarious donkey race! Check out the website for more information.
3. Festival of the Grapes in Marino. At Marino’s Sagra dell’Uva, the fountains actually flow with wine! Marino is a small town to the south of Rome in the Alban Hills near the beautiful Lago Albano. The festival happens on the first Sunday of every October during the grape harvest. Take a trip to Marino and get your wine glasses ready to dip into the fountains!
4. EuroChocolate in Perugia. Yes! Chocolate! And lots of it from all over the world inundate the Umbrian hilltown of Perugia every year in October. Go get your fill of free samples, unusual chocolate sculptures, and maybe even a chocolate spa—but don’t give yourself a bellyache. Perugia is known as Italy’s chocolate capital because it’s the home to Perugina, creator of the delicious Baci chocolates. EuroChocolate is held every third and fourth weekend of October. Check out the website for next year’s dates.
5. Palio dei Rioni in Lodi. This horserace is not on the same massive scale as the Palio di Siena, which takes place in the summer, but it is good chance to catch a medieval horserace if you’re in the area. Lodi is located in Lombardy to the south of Milan. The Palio in Lodi takes place on the first weekend of every October.
Priscila Siano is the Marketing Director of Tour Italy Now, an online tour operator specializing in Italy travel. She's a respected expert on making dream Italy vacations a reality for clients.
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