Everyone knows August is the summer month in Italy. Shops, offices and estate agents shut (except us at The Property Organiser!) while beaches, bars, restaurants, museums, churches and other attractions fill up with holiday-makers. But there is so much to do that you might be tempted to go to Italy too...

Puccini Festival
Torre del Lago, Lucca, Tuscany. Until August 16
www.puccinifestival.it
Since 1930 Torre del Lago has hosted the Puccini Festival, created by the great composer himself. The outdoor theatre – on Lake Massacciucoli and close to Villa Mausoleo, where Puccini’s remains lie – is an amazing setting in which to enjoy the music of one of the world’s greatest composers.

Festival Terme Caracalla
Rome. Until August 9
www.operaroma.it
The Roman Opera Festival is held in the majestic Caracalla Baths venue. On stage this year, operas with music by Mendelssohn, Puccini and Bizet.

The Palio of Siena
Siena, Tuscany. August 16
www.ilpalio.org
Siena’s horse race, held in its main square, is of the most world-renowned and popular Italian events and was first run on August 16, 1656.

Quintana of Ascoli Piceno
Ascoli Piceno, Le Marche. August 2
www.quintanaonline.it
This exciting jousting tournament, held in Ascoli Piceno’s main square, dates back to the ninth century when Saracens invaded the territory of Piceni. There is also a huge procession of around 1,400 townspeople dressed in medieval costumes.

Tuscan Sun Festival
Cortona, Tuscany. August 3-9
Featuring music, food, wine tasting, art and poetry reading and set in Cortona, the picturesque southern Tuscan town made famous by Frances’ Mayes bestseller Under The Tuscan Sun.

Pecora Nait
Penne, Abruzzo. August 13-16
www.pecoranait.it
An event celebrating Abruzzo’s agricultural traditions. Features food-tasting.

Roccella Jazz Festival
Roccella Jonica, Calabria. August 12-22
www.roccellajazz.net
Popular international music festival that will see 30 concerts over 11 days. The festival takes place in several towns on Calabria’s Ionian coast and ends in Roccella Jonica.

Landing of the Saracens
Positano, Campania. August 17-19
Annual festival in Positano, on the Amalfi coast, that features actors in costume re-creating the routing of Saracen invaders in a 1558 battle.

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