Tag Archives: Po River Cruise

Po River Cruises – Pre or Post Stay in Lake Como

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Situated in Lombardy in Northern Italy, Lake Como is the most popular as well as the deepest lake in Italy. It exists between Milan and the border of Switzerland with its southern end about 40km north of Milan. It is a lake of glacial origin with an area of 146 square kilometers making it the third largest lake in the country. Lake Como is a part of the Italian Lake District and a much sought after tourist destination since Roman times when it used to be a favored haven for aristocrats and wealthy people. It continues to be one of the top most tourist attractions even today with many artistic and cultural treasures.

Lake Como has a very picturesque setting wherein it is encircled by mountains and hills and sprinkled with attractive villas and resort villages. You will be delighted to find nice trekking paths, boat tours and water activities here.

Lake Como has a peculiar shape much like an inverted “Y”. The two legs start at Como in the South-West and Lecco in the South-East, joining together half way up and the lake proceeds up to Colico in the North. While the initial few kilometers of the ‘legs’ at the southern end of the lake are comparatively flat,  Lake Como continues to become more mountainous as you move northwards into the Alps. As some adjacent peaks rise somewhat above the tree-line, the views are spectacular. If you plan your vacation in winter, you can enjoy skiing in the nearby valleys.

The surrounding area of the Lake Como is very distinctive. It exudes a particular elegance and feel of history that leaves a strong impression on visitors. No doubt, it has been much celebrated for its attractiveness as well as uniqueness for ages. The characteristic atmosphere and natural landscape of the place has inspired a significant part of the creation of Naboo, in the Star Wars movies.

Lake Como and the surrounding area have a lot of beauty, history and exciting activities to enthrall the visitors. Book your vacation on our Po River cruise and visit the Lake Como area on a pre or post stay as a part of the excursions to Northern Italy schedule!

For more information contact: Europeanbarging, 888-869-7907, jan@europeanbarging.com

Genzano di Roma Flower Italy Festival Held in June 2014

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A Famous Festival Full of Flowers

Italy FestivalItaly is famous for holding “infiorata”, which means “decorated with flowers.” Infiorata is a traditional flower festival that is observed all across Italy during May and June. During infiorata, the streets are carpeted with stunning works of art created by flower petals. Flower carpets are everywhere; in abbeys, buildings, stores, homes and cover the city in true beauty. Infiorata varies from place to place and in the level of complexity around the country. In certain places, the infiorata is a simple flower-petal design in front of the church. In a more elaborate infiorata, many different tapestries are created, each with a different picture, but usually inspired by a certain theme.

Infiorata is one of the most important events related to Italian culture. In order to create the flower design, the design is first sketched with chalk on the pavement. Then usually soil is used to outline the design and after that it’s filled in with thousands of petals and seeds, quite like the making of mosaics or tapestries. The whole beautiful task takes two or three days to complete. Once the flower design is complete, usually a religious procession takes place on the flower carpets.

Though the infiorata takes place in many Italian towns, it is particularly stunning in the town of Genzano di Roma where the entire street of Via Italo Belardi is covered with allegorical carpets of flowers and a masked parade walks the street wearing medieval and traditional clothes crafted by local women.

For more than 2 centuries (from 1778), the display has covered the streets of Genzano on Sunday and Monday following the Corpus Christus feast. The theme for infiorata is decided well in advance and each year local artists must conform to the previously agreed upon theme, such as The Colours of Michelangelo, or The Designs of Bernini. During spring, it has recently become a tradition to have a “mini Infiorata” made by the children from the local schools. Here are the flowers like you’ve never seen before! This amazing Italy festival is so captivating and alluring you can’t afford to miss it.

Holiday Goodness at the Italy Festival

Book your holiday on our Po river cruise and behold the so picturesque, so attractive and so artistic Genzano di Roma Flower Italy Festival!