The Redeemer's Day is one of the most traditional and particular celebrations in Venice, reminding each year both Venetians and foreign spectators the awful pestilence that stroke the city back in 1567, which killed more than 50.000 people in two years. As even history books teach us, in order to calm God's wrath, thought to be responsible for the plague, the Senate of the Venetian Republic decided to build a temple dedicated to Christ the Redeemer. The celebration of the Redeemer now takes place on the night of the third Saturday of July, in memory of the same day of the year 1577, when the “Doge” announced that the city was finally free from the contagion. Today, Christ the Redeemer is celebrated not only around the Temple, but in various “campi” (squares) and “campielli” (little squares). The Regata and the traditional fireworks always top off this event in a spectacular manner.

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In the running with Athens, Moscow, Dubai, and the dreaded and hyper-technological Yokohama, Rome has got the best of it and won the title of the new capital of swimming, hosting the 13th FINA World Championship. From July 17th to August 2nd, in the marvelous setting of the Eternal City, sportsmen and sportswomen from all over the world will challenge each other in different disciplines: swimming, diving, water polo and synchronized swimming, at the Foro Italico Complex, while open water swimming will be held within the enchanting scenery of Ostia Lido, the famous seaside locality right outside of Rome. A unique chance for sports lovers to watch athletes from all over the world compete, cheer their favorites, and visit a city full of charm and history such as Rome.

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During this year's European elections, which see new countries such as Romania and Bulgaria participating for the first time, new members will be elected in the European Parliament. In this period of change, the international attention will be focused on Brussels. So why not make the most of it to visit the city and all its attractions, such as the museum of chocolate? Located in a building close to the Grand Place, the city's main square, the museum unveils the true origins of the cocoa plant, its tradition, the use the Aztec and Maya populations made of it... and shows the delicious art of a maitre chocolatier preparing pralines right in front of you!

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Every 21st of June since 1982 Paris has been holding the Music Festival, a popular cultural event completely free of charge, that mixes all music genres and is addressed to a wide-range public, with the aim of popularizing music and helping both young and old to familiarize with this art form. This year's theme will be "50 years of French songs", but on all music genres will be played in the streets, from rock to blues... and not only in French! A chance to live the summer enjoying Paris with an en plein air soundtrack!

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Florence in June is an experience not to be missed for history lovers, sports lovers, and event lovers: Florentines relive a tradition which dates back to the Roman Empire period and which sets the scene to an exciting month: the historical soccer matches, played in the original period costumes. Starting the 14th of June four teams play against each other in Piazza Santa Croce to elect the winning team at the finals on the 24th of June, the day Florence dedicates to its patron saint, St. John, which always ends with the famous fireworks (known as "Fochi", from "fuochi", dialect for fire) in Piazzale Michelangelo. Synonym with tradition, June also celebrates the "Medici month", dedicated to one of the most important families which placed Florence in history books: four weeks to enjoy a whole series of plays and stage shows, readings and performances in the most famous places of Firenze, in memory of the de Medici family's ancient splendor.

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Fired up by the huge success of the previous edition, the engines driving the great Saloni machine are now up and running. Great projects, great displays and great crowds will provide the basic ingredients for what is universally regarded as the key event par excellence at global level in the home furnishing sector.
Alongside the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, now in its 48th edition, together with the International Furnishing Accessories Exhibition this year will be Euroluce, the eagerly-awaited International Lighting Exhibition that sets the sectorial benchmark with its wide range and broad spectrum of goods that go to make up a unique lighting sector scenario – from light sources to domestic lighting, from technical illumination to urban illumination - embracing both technological and formal innovation.
A major collateral event dedicated to light will also be held in the city.
An unmissable appointment, therefore, with the Saloni: from 22 to 27 April 2009.

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"Arte, Genio, Follia. Il giorno e la notte dell'artista" ("Art, Genius, Madness. An artist's day and night") opened its doors in Siena and will be held until May 25th. This exhibition, conceived by Vittorio Sgarbi, a famous art critic, in collaboration with the Antonio Mazzotta Foundation, is promoted by the Municipality of Siena and by the Monte dei Paschi di Siena Foundation and has been organized by "Vernice Progetti Culturali" and by the Museum of Santa Maria della Scala. With extraordinary works of art on display by masters such as Van Gogh, Kirchner, Munch, Ernst, Dix, Grosz, Guttuso, Mafai and Ligabue, the exhibition of Siena also intends to carry on a tradition of Italian studies and researches on the relationship between artistic production and mental disorder.

Enjoy your stay in Tuscany in a luxury villa or in a furnished apartment for rent in Florence.

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CioccolaTò, the event Turin dedicates to the discovery of chocolate, has deliciously reached its 7th Edition. From March 6th to March 15th the events and happenings of 10 extraordinary days dedicated to the Food of the Gods will be hosted in spectacular settings: in the historical Piazza Vittorio Veneto (the largest square in Europe with porticos); in the Palazzo Granieri della Roccia, dating back to the 17th Century and seat of the "Circolo dei Lettori" ("Club of the Lecturers"), where special tastings and cultural meetings will be held; and in the prestigious seat of the "Circolo Ufficiali della Regione Militare Nord Ovest" ("Club of the Officers of the North West Region"). An agenda rich in delicacies, entertainment, culture and performances to enjoy Turin in all its splendour... and with all your senses !

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Brussels, the Comic Strip capital of the world, is intent on making 2009 go down in the history of the 9th art, and the different authorities here have decided to dedicate this year to the theme of the comic strip. Home to Tintin and Spirou, Lucky Luke and the Smurfs, Brussels has been a breeding ground for an above average number of comic strip talents that have gone on to international stardom. Moreover, Brussels is also home to the Belgian Centre for Comic Strip Art, housed in a magnificent Art Nouveau building, which celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2009.
With the Balloon Day Parade as its official Opening Event, through exhibitions, events, and even the walls of the city (with both frescoes and exceptional installations), 2009 will showcase the ninth art in the capital of Europe, and Brussels will be the capital of the comic strip more than ever before!

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Venice is a magical city, and at no time is this more true than during the week leading up to Mardi Gras, when the Carnival of Venice is celebrated, a tradition first recorded over 700 years ago. Ordinary Venice is exciting, but Venice during the Carnival is spellbinding, with a historically rich mixture of performance and dining, and, of course the magnificent costumes, including the extravagant masks for which Venice is so famous.
For the entire Carnival the streets are filled with celebrants dressed in luxurious, festive garb: experiencing Venice during the Carnival is like stepping back in time, with no modern buildings to spoil the illusion! Wander the streets, admiring the costumes and street performances, or attend an evening party, an opera or concert, in one of the palaces or hotels accustomed to hosting royalty. Walk up the stairs of a candlelit palace, expecting Casanova to make his advances; enjoy cocktails over the glimmering Grand Canal, abandon your senses to pleasure − and live the life of your alter ego, revealing your true identity only to a select few!

Finding an accommodation in Venice is easy with Halldis!

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Only Holy Week in Seville, and the Corpus Domini ceremony in Cuzco, Peru, can compare, in terms of popularity, to the festivities that have been held in honour of St. Agatha for the past five centuries. For three whole days, from the 3rd to the 5fth of February, Catanians and tourists swarm in the streets, numbering to almost a million. Specific itineraries and celebrations are dedicated each day to the Patron, though the 4th and 5th stand out as St. Agatha passes through the eight neighbourhoods on her silver carriage (Catanians call it, specifically, «fercolo» or, more commonly, «vara»), and during these intense days, the city turns into one unified flock marching behind the Patron.

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Did you know that there is a Florence you’ve probably never seen, never heard of, and never suspected even existed?!
It is the Roman city on which the great Palazzo della Signoria stands – which represents the origins and history of the Florentine republic, and to this day maintains its status as the political hub of the city.
In the undergrounds of « Palazzo Vecchio » - as it is also known - archaeological researches have found the remains of the theatre of Florentia, the fortified Roman city, the traces of which are still recognizable in the central streets of the city. In a short radius of a few hundred meters, a visit can make you visually understand - in a unique and unrepeatable experience - the architectural and historical evolution of the city, from the roman Florentia through the Middle Age, to the Florence of the Renaissance to the Palazzo Vecchio.

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