Are you thinking of having a trip to northern Italy in May, but you are just not sure where to go, what to see and what to do? Good news: there are lots of special events that simply cannot be attended at any other time of the year. See just some of them. Let’s start our virtual Italy tour in Liguria, then we go north to Piedmont, and further north to Val d'Aosta in the Italian Alps. There are so many interesting attractions and things to see and do in northern Italy in May, and our first of three articles is devoted to this.
In early May Liguria's capital, the people of the famous port city of Genoa with population is about 600,000 celebrate a holiday of the seas called ‘Slow Fish’. You can attend a traditional fish auction, fish and seafood cooking shows, and plenty to eat. After abundant sea food, just make sure to save room for traditional Genoa desserts. This itinerary is a part of the Slow Food Movement which focuses on delivering best experiences, highest food quality and protecting the local environment.
A small coastal city of Camogli is located about 12 miles (20 kilometers) east of Genoa. Its population is only about 6000. Annually they celebrate Sagra del pesce (Fish festival) that runs on every second Sunday of May, commemorating the feast of St. Fortunato, the patron saint of fishermen. Enjoy the views of the gigantic frying pans (4 meters in diameter) which are used for cooking fresh fish the last day of the festival. Free fried fish is offered to everybody who comes to the fest, and the number sometimes is as high as thirty thousand participants. Make sure that you try the Camogliesi pastry balls filled with rum-flavored custard.
About 35 miles (55 kilometers) east of Turin, the small city of Asti, Piedmont, with approx. 75,000 inhabitants, holds Ancient Popular Games that pit one neighborhood against another. Rural inhabitants of Valmacca village which is situated about 45 miles (70 kilometers) east of Turin hold the Sagra dell'Asparago Verde (Green Asparagus Festival) in the end of May. It is not only the best asparagus you've ever tasted, but also live music, various festive activities, and famous dry Italian white wine to accompany this marvelous vegetable.
In Alessandria, another beautiful small city in Piedmont, situated about 55 miles (90 kilometers) southeast of Turin, attend the 'Roman Fest'. This fest features a Slave Auction, gladiator combats, and a chariot race, great meals, and activities for children.
From Piedmont we continue to the bilingual (Italian and French) enclave of Val d'Aosta. In early May in the town of Nus people celebrate two local wines, Rouge and Malvoisie, and specialty wines made from dried grapes. During the festival travelers can enjoy various folklore shows, a costumed parade, and an outdoor banquet with local types of food and new wines. Among events there are free dinner, dancing, and activities for children. Other activities in May that can be of interest include the annual Spring Festival in Donnas town. In the village of Issime, with only 400 inhabitants, you can enjoy a Cow Battle. In Issogne, another small village you can see a local costume exhibition in the Castle from mid-May until mid-September.
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Over the years Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten books on computers and the Internet but simply prefers drinking fine Italian or other wine, with the right foods. He teaches a variety of computer classes at an Ontario French-language community college. Visit his Italian travel website http://www.travelitalytravel.com which includes information on Italian wine and food.
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Travel in Italy in May: Attractions Of Northern Italy,Sinking City
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