Regata Storica

Regal, captivating, and classic was this past Sunday Regata Storica.  While plenty of events and parties for the holiday weekend occurred here stateside certainly none with the level of grandeur at the Historical Regatta in Venice, Italy.  Fortunate travelers were those with canal views seeing the sophisticated event, held annually the first Sunday of September (1st September for 2013).

From Jacapo de Barbari View of Venice, 

the first visual image of a regatta circa 1500 credit: regatastoricavenezia.it

The most drawing festival of the Venetian year, the regatta series dates back to 1315 when Giovanni Soranzo created the races through the cities now famous canals to allow contenders to vie for the most able of the oarsmen.  The commencement is marked by a parade celebrating the welcome of Caterina Cornaro, The Queen of Cyprus who relinquished her throne in favor of Venice.  Fleets of 16^th century-style boats with period dress gondoliers float the Doge, the Doge’s wife and all the highest ranking Venetian officials through the Grand Canal, unforgettable color and significations of the influential past hold share in the glorious parade.  

The actual races are divided into four by age and type of craft.  The best known and most exhilarating of these is the “Campioni su Gondolini” race, small sporting gondolas that soar down to the “machina”, a stunning floating stage located in front of Ca’ Foscari palace that doubles as the finish line. 

2013 Regata Storica photo by, Mirco Toffolo, Venezia Marketing & Eventi

Click the link for his full 2013 album

Travel to Italy in late-August- September may be the finest time of year to venture to Venice.  Undoubtedly, the refined Regata Storica envelopes thousands of tourists and engages all locals with a truly mesmerizing and meaningful maritime experience.  

Have you ever been to (or partaken in) a regatta? Where?

The 70th Venice Film Festival

Luxury, stars, and honor capture the city host to the world’s oldest film festival.  Set for starting on August 28, 2013 at Palazzo del Cinema is the 70^th Venice Film Festival.  Painstakingly beautiful, this is Venice when it sizzles. 

Palazzo del Cinema

 

The famous Venetian film festival takes place on The Lido, the main land barrier between Venice and the open sea, the most gorgeous beach annually full of Hollywood’s finest.  Venice is taken over not only by Hollywood, but global film industry elite as well.  There is historically on of the most prestigious awards in film to be given to top award, The Golden Lion ( Leone d’Oro).  This year there are 21, often limit pushing, films competing. 

Venice 70 –Future Reloaded will encapsulate highlights from films over the festival lifespan to be directed by Alberto Barbera.  Beyond the films, anticipated moments, and the stunning location the Venetian film festival largely promotes the newest digital technologies and progression in all parts in the art of film making.  Venice is a culture the world wide film industry can relate to of beauty, appreciation of time, and set apart from the rest. 

 

Traveling to beautiful Italy is one of the most decadent trips of a lifetime.  Going to Venice during the annual film festival, undoubtedly has made top billing on many bucket lists.  The Lido at this peak moment every year is incandescent, it is unimaginable anywhere else could shine as bright.