5 Italian Holiday Traditions You've Probably Never Heard Of

5. Central and Southern Italy set dancers on fire (on purpose)

The Ballo della Pupa is one of those traditions you can’t quite prepare for. In villages across central and southern Italy, a performer climbs inside a giant papier-mâché woman packed with fireworks… and then dances while the whole thing goes up in sparks! Crowds pack the piazza, cheering through the noise while the dancer keeps rhythm to accordion music.

It usually marks the grand finale of a patron-saint festival, and its roots go back to old fire-based fertility rites. Every region has its own version—phantasma in L’Aquila, puparone in Chieti, pupazza in Teramo, pupa in Pescara. In some towns, like Casalincontrada, a male pupo joins in, and the two dance the tarantella together under a shower of crackling fireworks. 

It’s an absolutely unforgettable experience – you really have to see it to understand it.

How to experience these traditions yourself

Stumbling across these traditions by accident is rare. They’re local, seasonal, and often happen in places tourists don’t linger. But when you travel with people who know where to be and when, people who have built relationships in these towns, suddenly those doors open.

In the words of Tony Flanagan, our Director of Sales & Product:

“Our guests very often comment that we take them to some lovely, hidden-away wineries and places of interest that they wouldn’t normally have found for themselves. They don’t have to do any research as we already have strong friendships with local artisans, organic winery owners, agritourism farmers and families running osterias. “

“We are constantly surprising our guests with tiny out-of-the-way restaurants where the locals eat. Very often they are on narrow, cobbled streets with no signs or menus, just the day’s specials using the very best daily produce. Or we take them to the depths of the countryside to see Nonna making mozzarella, to a family-run orchard to make their own pasta under the fruit trees, or the thrill of a drive in an iconic classic Fiat car to admire the passing landscapes.”

At Magari, our small group tours move through Italy at a slower pace, timed to the seasons and the rhythms of local life. So if you’re searching for inspiration on where to holiday in Puglia, or want to catch a festival in a Tuscan hilltop town, we make sure you’re in the right place at the right time.

Still asking yourself “where to holiday in Italy” or “can I go on holiday to Italy and see the real traditions?” The answer is yes – and it starts with travelling at the right time with the right people. Browse our Italy holiday packages or get in touch to start planning your trip. And if you want more stories like this, sign up for our newsletter – we’ll keep you posted on what’s worth knowing before you go.