How many of my former students at Rome's international schools remember how mid-winter doldrums were broken up by "snow week" or "art week"?
Here in Northern Lazio, formerly the Papal States, winter is enlivened with Carnevale festivities, an important part of the annual cycle of festivals. Not only kids, but also adults need an excuse to break down barriers with noisy costume parades, masked balls and general merriment.
At Ronciglione, 50 kms. from Rome, there are several weeks of mid-winter madness where one can relive the excitement-including riderless horse races-that Charles Dickens described in his 1846 description of the Roman carnival season. (update for p. 116 in my latest book "Etruria".)
Italy's best known carnivals include the recently revived (and expensive!) masked balls of Venice and the famous Viareggio carnival parade with giant floats that are the envy of Rio's carnival.
This year you can enjoy a Venetian-style Ballo in Maschera in the glamorous mirrored saloni of Palazzo Monaldeschi close to Viterbo www.monaldeschi.it.
For 60 euro Palazzo Monaldeschi and Opera Extravaganza offer dinner, dance and a lively opera show that was the high light of a recent visit by international tour operators.
Save the date-Saturday, March 5th-and contact Susanna at www.operaextravaganza.com for information and bookings.
Here in Northern Lazio, formerly the Papal States, winter is enlivened with Carnevale festivities, an important part of the annual cycle of festivals. Not only kids, but also adults need an excuse to break down barriers with noisy costume parades, masked balls and general merriment.
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| Venetian style Carnival masks seen at Libreria del Teatro, Viterbo |
At Ronciglione, 50 kms. from Rome, there are several weeks of mid-winter madness where one can relive the excitement-including riderless horse races-that Charles Dickens described in his 1846 description of the Roman carnival season. (update for p. 116 in my latest book "Etruria".)
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Italy's best known carnivals include the recently revived (and expensive!) masked balls of Venice and the famous Viareggio carnival parade with giant floats that are the envy of Rio's carnival.
This year you can enjoy a Venetian-style Ballo in Maschera in the glamorous mirrored saloni of Palazzo Monaldeschi close to Viterbo www.monaldeschi.it.
For 60 euro Palazzo Monaldeschi and Opera Extravaganza offer dinner, dance and a lively opera show that was the high light of a recent visit by international tour operators.
We hope there are still seats available for the ball. It looks like a lot of fun.
ReplyDeletePS: It was this or half of a new Callaway driver! (LOL)
Nick, there are surely places still...Italians are notorious for never booking until the last minute, which gives the organizers a nervous breakdown...
ReplyDeleteWe'll probably come with a couple of friends too.
Great! Hope to see you there! What's the best way to come from Sorianno?
ReplyDeletemaryjane...I think I am staying in Viterbo alone this time..if I book can I tag along with you...and do I need full costume or just a mask?
ReplyDeleteI googled Palazzo Monaldeschi and it looks like it is in Lubriano, above Bagnoregio correct? I'm forgetting my driving distances. Would that be around an hour's drive from Sorianno or longer?
ReplyDeleteAn hour would be perfect...From the Palazzo you get the best view of Civita di Bagnoregio, super famous thanks to Rick Steves. Check the Palazzo's website for directions.
ReplyDelete