credman

Hello. My family (kids are older teens, 20's) may travel to Italy during the week of June 9th or 16th and we were hoping to see some of the Infiorata flower carpet festivals. Based on when Easter falls this year earlier in March, we believe all flower carpet festivals may take place late May on Corpus Domini, a certain number of weeks after Easter. I read an article on Fodor's about 12 towns that participate. Do any of the towns hold the festivals at other times so that we might see at least one while there in June, or will all be finished by then? I also wanted to know if there are any other amazing festivals that anyone would recommend for mid June in Italy or possibly mid to late June in Greece. Thank you so much!

Travel_Nerd

Which one are thinking of going to? You did not say which part of Italy you're traveling to. I did not research every possible infiorata but it seems like most that I looked at, such as the ones in Noto and Spello, listed around May 18 - 21st (approximate) but depending on your travel plans, you might be able to catch another nearby.

TDudette

Welcome, credman! I'm interested in this as well, but think Mother Nature dictates that May dates prevail. Anyone have firsthand info?

According to this hotel link, there are some lavender fields in Italy that coincide with your dates:
https://www.hotelmarinetta.it/en/blo...ields-tuscany/

progol

I just did a quick google and and found that there is an Infiorata di Noto from May 17 to May 21, 2024:
https://www.italyscapes.com/events/s...-di-noto-2024/

Noto is one of the Baroque towns of Sicily.

credman

Thank you for the reply. We plan to travel from Cinque Terre south through the Tuscany region and then head east and south to the Bari and Lecce region. I was just wondering if anyone knew of any flower festivals that were set times each summer and not based on Easter and Corpus Domini, since we won't be there that early. Thank you!

credman

The lavender fields look beautiful. We love nature and will be going through Tuscany, so I appreciate this information and hope to check out at least one of them.

credman

Noto, Sicily looks great and thanks for the info. but unfortunately we won't be able to go until after my daughter graduates high school. Maybe we'll catch it another year. Thanks again!

Travel_Nerd

I only looked at a few and they seem pretty consistent to be in May 2024. You may want to look at those specific to the regions you're traveling in to see if they might run later. FWIW, the Spello one is in Umbria and I think there are one of two in Tuscany and another in Umbria. You might have to be do some googling and/or checking those area's local websites event calenders. It is also possible they are still working on setting these calenders, too, and maybe not yet "published."

credman

Thank you so much for your reply. Those are great suggestions!

bvlenci

The infiorata is essentially a religious celebration of the Feast of Corpus Domini. Corpus Domini is 60 days after Easter. That's a Thursday, but it's generally celebrated on the following Sunday. You definitely won't find it celebrated at a different time.

The infiorata usually consists of mosaics on the streets made of flower petals and other vegetable matter. (I've even seen coffee grounds used.)

The mosaics usually represent religious symbols, especially those related to the Eucharist (the Communion). Typical images are a dove, a chalice, a bunch of grapes, sheaves of wheat, or a combination of these symbols. The mosaics are usually created the night before or very early in the morning, and after the mass a religious procession passes through the streets, destroying the mosaics. One of the most famous fiorate is in Spello (Tuscany).

I wouldn't call it a flower festival, because whole flowers are not often used, and the designs last for no longer than a few hours.

I would not expect to see lavender fields either in early June. We have lavender fields in Le Marche, which is just east of Tuscany. The time of bloom depends on the season, but they usually are in bloom in late June or early July.

There are various rose festivals in May and early June.

I think it's risky to plan a holiday to coincide with a flower festival, because the timing of peak bloom is variable from year to year. The best I can think of is a visit to the Gardens of Ninfa, south of Rome.

https://www.giardinodininfa.eu/

I'm sure they have an English page, but I can't find it.

The gardens have limited opening hours, and are not easy to reach without a car. They have beautiful displays throughout the year.