Hi All,
I was wondering if anyone had been to the Paper Lantern Festival in September in Florence. I was wondering if it was worth it for us to stay in Florence for this event or leave late that afternoon for our next destination on this trip, Lake Como. We can head for Varenna either late afternoon on the day of this festival or the next morning.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16238 posts
Small kids carrying the paper lanterns will be chanting:
'Ona, 'Ona, 'Ona, ma che bella Rificolona! La mia l'e' co' fiocchi, la tua l'e' co' pidocchi"
(What a beaufiful lantern! Mine is with bows, yours is with lice!).
The procession to Santissima Annunziata is at around 9pm, so if you want to see it, you need to stay till the next morning.
I enjoyed it as a kid. It was a traditional thing to do and some of the 'rificolone' (lanterns) are really pretty. It's up to you if you can spare an extra night in Florence for that. Do you have at least 2 nights in Varenna after that? If so, maybe you can, especially if you are traveling with small kids.
Posted by
OP
Boston, MA, USA
262 posts
No kids here, we are "DINKs" now. The festival is on a Wednesday night, we would be in Varenna Thursday, Friday and at some point on Saturday we will go to Milan for a 4:30pm viewing of The Last Supper and our flight is Sunday morning at 11:20
Posted by
Lahaina, HI
74 posts
Hi Everyone,
A while back, I posted an inquiry regarding the lantern festival as well. I will be in Florence on that evening and leave for Varenna the next morning. (Just like Joe) Perhaps Robert or anyone familiar would be able to suggest the best area to participate?
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16238 posts
The procession ends on Piazza Santissima Annunziata. That is where the archibishop's blessing will take place. I think it starts from piazza Santa Croce. Not sure what the itinerary is nowadays since it has been a long time.