Holiday events in Italy 2012 are getting underway and here is our roundup of what’s on offer in the social calendar in Italy for 2012.
La Scala 2011/2012 opera season in Milan is already under way.
The Venice carnival, one of the most important on the carnival scene takes place between 11 February and 21 February.
Rugby, Italy against England is on 11 February. Rome, Stadio Flaminio.
More international rugby, Italy versus Scotland on the 17 March, also in Rome at the Stadio Flamino.
The Mille Miglia runs from 17 May to 20 May 2012. The route is Brescia to Rome return and is for cars made between 1927 and 1957.
Held at the Arsenale in Venice the bi-annual art exhibition starts in June and continues through to November.
Il Palio is the famous horse race run in the Piazza del Campo in Sienna on 2 July and 16 August 2012. Standing is free but you need to get there early, or else buy a ticket for the terraces or a private balcony (again do it early).
Also on in July is the hugely popular Umbria Jazz festival in Perugia, 6 – 15 July 2012.
Opera lovers can also look forward to the Rossini opera season which takes place in August 10 – 23 2112.
The Venice film festival takes place at the Palazzo del Cinema from 29 August to 8 September 2012.
Outdoors opera in the stunning Roman amphitheatre in Verona is also on 22 June to 30 August 2012.
The formula one racing car Grand Prix at the fabulous Autodrome National Monza takes place 7 - 9 September in 2012.
Towards the end of the year in November (the last three weeks every year) food lovers can look forward to the white truffle celebrations which occur in the Tuscan town of San Miniato.
Another truffle centre, Alba, hosts the the National white truffle festival or annual Fiera National del Tratufo Bianco, on weekends between 6 October and 13 November 2012. White truffles are an integral part of Italian cuisine, often found in sauces with a delicate ravioli or such likes, absolutely delicious.
The opera season 2012/2013 in Milan at the opera "ultimo" La Scala begins in the second week of December this year.
To view the Villas Worldwide selection of luxury villas in Italy, expanded for 2012, we have over 200 villas in Italy to choose from.