One of the most exciting and most anticipated festival in Italy dating back to Roman Times is

“CARNEVALE”

Carnevale is the final festivity before the commencement of the 40 days of Lent, during which time Catholics , in earlier times, abstained from eating meat.

For the most part, in days gone by, eating meat was something of a luxury.

The Festival therefore, was used as an excuse to get one’s fill of meat- at least once a year!

“CARNEVALE” begins on the Epiphany ( January 6^th) and continues through to Shrove Tuesday.

Now in the Northern Hemisphere this period coincides with the middle of winter and an ideal time for those raising pigs to make their salamis, and smoked meat products to use throughout the year.

A great combination for a Festival-

an availability of meat  and an excuse to eat up before the Lenten fasting begins!

In the Southern Hemisphere, January of course is in the middle of Summer.

So does this mean we are going to miss out on the fun??

NO.   !!!