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I Love Sightseeing Tours of Italy - Abruzzi/Molise Winter Attractions and Events

By Levi Reiss

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Published: 24Nov2009
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Abruzzi and Molise are small, traditional regions of Italy on the Adriatic Sea that were united until Molise was named as a separate region in 1963. They get pretty cold in the winter, but you still can enjoy yourself even if you aren't into winter sports. Here you can see the real Italy, which is virtually unspoiled by tourists. I first heard of this area decades ago, when I learned that according to Craig Claiborne, at the time Food Editor of the New York Times, Italy's best food was found in Abruzzi. Why don't you try to see if his considered opinions still hold?

Saint Martino's day, November 11, is said to signal the end of the agricultural year. The harvest is in and prepared for the winter. Scanno, Abruzzi celebrates this special day with enormous bonfires on the surrounding hillsides. Valle Castellana, Abruzzi holds a Chestnut and Potato Festival in November.

December 6 marks the San Nicolo Feast Day which is often celebrated with traditional loaves of bread and taralli, hard round biscuits, washed down with wine. Two days later is the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception. Several towns and villages celebrate with bonfires and traditional singing. Among the beautiful Living Nativity scenes is Bethlehem in the Grotto in the town of Stiffe, Abruzzi held during the month of December. On Christmas Eve many Molise towns including Agnones, Acquaviva Collecroce, and Oratino hold torchlight processions, while Bagnoli di Trigno holds a flashlight parade. Each parade is similar and each parade is unique.

Rivisondoli, Abruzzi reenacts the arrival of the Three Kings at the Manger on January 5 with hundreds of costumed participants. Every January the village of Picciano, Abruzzi hosts a traditional Befana Festival honoring an old woman dressed as a witch who gives coal to the bad children. Villa d'Agri, Molise hosts a similar festival.

In mid-January the village of Fara Filiorum Petri, Abruzzi and several others host a Farchie Festiva in honor of St. Anthony. There are huge bonfires with torches over ten meters long (more than thirty feet) and a meter wide. You'll hear firecrackers, songs, and stories. There's dancing, food, and wine. In mid-January Ortona, Abruzzi celebrates a special festival in honor of Saint Sebastian; a decorated small boat filled with fireworks is launched. According to tradition, the length of the boat's journey indicates the success of the coming agricultural and fishing seasons. February in both regions means Carnivale, discussed in a separate article.

Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten computer and Internet books, but prefers drinking fine French wine with by the right foods. He teaches computers at an Ontario French-language community college. Visit his Italian travel website www.travelitalytravel.com and his global wine website global wine website www.theworldwidewine.com with a weekly column reviewing $10 wines and new sections writing about and tasting organic and kosher wines.

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