Arezzo is famous for hosting Italy’s oldest and biggest antique market. The wares range from jewels and books, to art works, furniture, clothing, garden items, and random objects, the use for which one can pass many entertaining hours trying to ascertain!

The town itself was built on a hill, so the entire town slops up and down its often windy streets connecting you from a dizzying maze of piazza after piazza. Each piazza is circumferenced by amazing frescoed buildings, ancient churches - some aged into an amazing emerald green moss encasing the original stone, and one amazing cathedral parqueted with tiny black and white tiles. This is Arezzo’s 13th century Duomo (cathedral) that is famous for its stained glass masterpieces, it’s Gothic design and the artworks housed within.

Then there are the stone-fronted palazzos, whose apartment windows are lined with quaint planter boxes sprouting floral dashes of bold reds and yellows and greens, along with the freshly washed linen, pegged on pullied clothes lines under the windows. You can hear the sound of crisp linens whipping in the breeze.

Then of course, there are the restaurants and bars, the fashion stores and the vibrancy of the locals that fill the larger piazzas with life and the enchanting aroma of caffé!

But it is the antiques fair that draws everyone out into the streets. A market that seems to never end, as you meander through each street, pausing to look, to touch, to perhaps even buy one of the classical, or fantastical treasures. Sunday’s casual attitude buzzes in the air. The streets bustle as locals take their Sunday walks, wandering hand in hand between the stalls, gazing to look at some piece of furniture or try on some old-fashioned hats! 

The wares themselves seem to shrink and expand according to the size of the piazza or street in which they are held. Narrow streets hold books and jewels, increasing in size until the central Piazza Grande, which lives up to its name by presenting large furniture pieces, art works and other not-so luggage-friendly items. It is almost impossible not to stumble across this Piazza. Everything colourful and grand, the piazza buzzing with the nattering of the stall holders, and the casual haggling of the buyers.

Some of the buildings in this piazza date back to the 12th and 13th centuries, and looking up to the tower of the noble palaces you can imagine the life of the past would have sounded not so different from today.

The sunlight rolls across the slope of the piazza, bouncing shards of sunshine back off the crackled mirrors on hundred-year old dressers, glimmering off the tables of brass wares that act like a xylophone of light. On the edges of the piazza, women sashay in and out of fashion boutiques wearing fancy hats and back-breaking high heels (on cobbled stone streets!). The air is filled with the aroma of bitter strong coffee, sipped in large quantities in the nearby coffee bars.

Searching for a restaurant means a turn down a peaceful side street, with stairs leading the way downstairs into deep set restaurants, burrowed in the slope of the hills. The locals can be heard laughing and often passionately debating amongst themselves as they dine on some of the hearty specialty dishes of the region.  

In one small piazza, you can find tables of old books, postcards dating back 50 years or more, children’s toys, fur coats, and lampshades. Every side-street seems to house even more stalls. Beds and chairs, full dining sets, sideboards, hat stands, everything including old marble kitchen sinks!

Via del Corso, a large sloping street running through the centre of the town, is dissected by stall tables lined with jewellery, candied nuts, unusual cutlery that dates back centuries, ceramics and blown glass, vases and plates, candelabras, vintage hats and handbags and a range of amazing books! In stark contrast, some of the actual stores that line this street are high-end fashion, sleek black shop fronts encasing clothes paraded on catwalks this very season. Next door is a framer, whose store window is jammed with empty gilded picture frames, just waiting for the next Michelangelo or Piero della Francesca to pass by, just as these men did centuries ago. 

It is here in Arezzo where one can touch the past, and even buy a piece of it, surrounded by the lively, beautiful and fashionable present!

Arezzo is just 75 kilometres (45 miles) from the centre of Florence, in the south of Tuscany. Arezzo’s antique fair is held on the first weekend of the month. The town itself is just half an hour from the city of Florence, and is on the direct train route connecting Florence to Rome.

When you visit Tuscany in December there are very many attractions for Christmas including special markets, beautifully lit cities, squares, churches and shops. But there are a lot of religious festivities as well to enhance the Christmas spirit. The Festival of the Display of the Virgin’s Girdle on Christmas and the day after at Prato is one such not to miss religious festival.

Prato has the distinction of being the holy custodian of the Virgin Mary’s girdle. Although this holy relic is kept heavily guarded throughout the year, on certain occasions including December 25 and 26 it is taken on a procession for the masses. Amidst religious fervour and the beating of drums the Virgin’s Mary’s Girdle is taken on a procession in the piazza for the crowds to venerate this holy object.

The Virgins’ Girdle is securely kept in the “Pulpit of the Sacred Girdle” for the rest of the year. It is in the right hand corner of the façade of the Duomo also known as the Parish Church of Saint Stephens. On the left there is a series of frescoes illustrating the legend of the Virgin’s girdle. Around 1172 it was presented to the church authorities by Michel a merchant who returned to his hometown of Prato.

According to tradition and ecclesiastical authorities the Virgin’s Mary’s girdle is the Sacred and Holy green belt which is green in colour and made of wool. It is considered to be the belt she had given to Saint Thomas before her ascent to heaven.

The girdle or sacred belt is a relic which is venerated by people far and wide. Some believe it has miraculous powers. The procession and festivities are a major attraction of Prato, do join jn and enjoy a religious, sublime and soul stirring Christmas as well as an enjoyable one with us in Tuscany. Merry Christmas!!

Abbadia San Salvatore is a small town named after the Benedictine Abbey of San Salvatore which is one of the main attractions of the town. This picturesque town is situated at the eastern slope of the Amiata Mountain amidst dense and heavily wooded forests.

Every year on the night before Christmas a huge bonfire festival is held in town. This festival dates back to over thousand years. Although its origins are obscure its antiquity is well established and it’s a traditional part of Christmas celebrations in this naturally beautiful and somewhat isolated part of Tuscany.

Legend says that the residents of the local villages surrounding the beautiful volcanic Mountain Amiata lit huge fires to warm themselves as they prepared themselves to celebrate the birth of Christ the next day. They also consider this festival as a tribute to the shepherds who welcomed Christ Child by following the Star.

The forests surrounding Mountain Amiata, mainly chestnut provide wood for the bonfires. There are totally thirty stacks of firewood piled high upto a height of five metres. The residents of San Salvatore call this festival “La Fiaccole di Natale.” They organize a torch procession thought the streets of the town. Finally these torches are used to light the bonfires amidst singing of Christmas carols and traditional Christmas songs.

The bonfires continue burning throughout the night. All the local taverns, inns and restaurants open their doors and there is feasting and merriment as the residents enjoy the wines, local delicacies and traditional dishes available. The Bonfire Festival is the first step for the local residents to get ready to celebrate Christmas the next day.

Christmas is an important festival all over Tuscany. There are celebrations right from Christmas Eve upto Epiphany in January throughout Tuscany. Come join us and let us make this holiday season memorable together.

Christmas in undoubtedly the biggest holiday celebrated not only in Tuscany but all over Italy. According to some it is the best season to explore the traditions and festivities of Tuscany. It is celebrated from Christmas Eve upto Epiphany in the Tuscan countryside as well as in all the major cities and towns.

This is a lovely time of the year to visit any part of Tuscany. Every where you go you will find the enactment of the Nativity in almost all the churches. Depicting the nativity scene is an age old Tuscan tradition dating back to the times of Saint Francis. Entire towns and cities adorn themselves with festive lights. There is joy and mirth in the air as both locals and tourists gather together to celebrate Christmas.

The Christmas season is also the time for the flourishing of local markets. Most of the towns, villages and cities gear up to welcome everyone to shop for gifts and to conduct sales. Statues of the Virgin Mary, Jesus, Joseph, sheep, oxen, the three wise men, shepherds etc are available since some houses also maintain the tradition of setting up a nativity scene. These private and public displays bring alive the spirit of the holiday season.

Christmas in Tuscany is renowned for the excellent food that gets cooked and enjoyed by everyone. After the religious ceremonies, food is also an important part of the celebrations. Christmas lunch is filled with many, many dishes as Tuscans feast to their heart’s content on pastas, game, vegetables, cheeses and definitely wine.

Desserts for Christmas are a class apart. Many traditional and exotic desserts like cantucci, panforte, panettone, torrone and many other regional sweets are relished. Of course what completes Christmas is definitely Vinsanto.

Come join us in Tuscany for Christmas. Together we can raise a toast to you coming back to the beautiful region of Tuscany.

Every year in the peak of the truffle season (late October -early November- through December) if you are lucky enough to visit Tuscany, you can enjoy the interesting White Truffle festival in Volterra. It is not as famous as that of San Miniato but it has its own charm.

Volterra is a beautiful and well preserved medieval town in Tuscany. It has a beautiful palace and town square. It is a popular tourist town all the year round. Volterra is famous for its pecorino cheeses, olives, boar meat, truffles etc but come Truffle season the highlight of the town is definitely the locally available White Truffle.

The Festival not only showcases White truffles but also is a gastronome’s delight featuring other delicious food products from the region.

New Wine Festival, Montecarlo Lucca

Every year in the second weekend of November Montecarlo in Lucca, Tuscany celebrates the God Bacchus by hosting the New Wine Festival. Montecarlo, Lucca is famous for both dry white and robust red wines. The white wines especially the Bianco of Montecarlo are as exquisite as the surrounding hills which are famous for growing some of the best Trebbiano grapes in the world.

This year the festival will be celebrated in late November with lovely food, excellent wines and fun and frolic. As is the norm every year the festival will have many, many wine tastings especially of the new wines including those of 2007. There will be food stalls as well offering delicious Tuscan foods including specialties from Lucca. You can get the opportunity to pair delicious Italian food with the most appropriate wine.

All the festivities at the New Wine Festival include wine tastings; food stalls, demonstrations etc will have the common theme of wine running through them. The aim of the festival is to introduce new wines to one and all in a festive and enjoyable atmosphere.

We look forward not only to welcoming all International visitors but we also welcome all wine lovers locals and tourists alike, whether they are amateurs or professionals to celebrate with us. Let us raise a toast together to our ancient God of Wine, Bacchus who has brought so much pleasure to our lives!

Every year the Festa della Castagna (The Chestnut Festival) is held in the quaint little town of Sassofortino situated in the Grosseto. This picturesque village in Maremma will come alive with the sights and smells like you have never seen before.

You will get to taste delicious dishes made from chestnuts but one of the best treats will be roasting chestnuts on fire. The delicious aroma will transport to a unique gastronomic experience. You can also taste and enjoy various other roasted dished including lamb and pork. There will be a variety of dishes including pecorino cheese, ham dishes, bruschetta, wild boar sausages, porchetta, cakes filled with chestnuts and other gourmet foods. You can also taste a variety of wines.

Local artisans will display their works in glass, ceramic and wood. During the five days from October 31 to November 4, you can enjoy the beauty and the charms of this delightful town with its beautiful chestnut woods and its fresh water streams. This medieval town has narrow winding streets with stone houses giving it an old world charm. The surrounding areas are full of natural serenity. You can enjoy exploring the ruins of Sassofortino Castle which is a twelfth century castle whose ruins are fairly well preserved. Alternately you can go for lovely walks or hiking trails through the woods which will entrance nature lovers.

Whatever you do and wherever you go you will enjoy nature’s bounty in this quiet and beautiful little town near Maremma.

Truffles are the very epitome of gastronomic delight. Come November San Miniato is the Tuscan town you have to visit to join in the festivities as the town comes alive celebrating its most famous “delicacy” the White Truffle.

Each November during the second, third and fourth weekend the entire historic and medieval town of San Miniato comes alive with theatrical shows, marching bands and definitely “fine dining” featuring white truffles in the palaces and restaurants in the town.

The Truffle Fair is definitely the highlight of the festival. All restaurants offer special menus and the white truffle occupies the place of honour in most dishes. San Miniato produces about 25% of the entire white truffles and its truffles are excellent due to the uniqueness of its flora and fauna. The San Miniato White Truffle Festival is an internationally recognized festival showcasing the best of the town. During the festival you can get the best available truffles at a very competitive price. You can also try products like truffle oil, truffle butter, truffle jam truffle chocolates, and even truffle grappa.

November is an excellent time to visit San Miniato so you can enjoy its delicious and unique white truffles along with other delights including local vinsantos, olive oils and other gastronomical Tuscan dishes which are set up in stalls at the central square.

Tuber Magnatum Pico or Tartufo Bianco as the Italians fondly call it or White Truffles as most of the people know it are an epicurean delight. So visit the San Miniato during the White Truffle Festival as this festival perhaps defines the culture and local business of this Tuscan town the best. Have fun!

Come to Montalcino on October 28, 2007 and enjoy the traditional Thrush Festival in Montalcino. Join in the festivities which include pomp, pageantry, parades, an archery competition and the gastronomical delights of Tuscany including roasted thrush.

The Thrush Festival in Montalcino is a very popular feast held annually in the last Sunday of October. On Saturday the proclamation and nomination of archers is read out followed by traditional feasting each of the four quarters of the residents of Montalcino.

Sunday is the “actual day” of the Sagra or Medieval Feast. The day begins with a mid morning pageant where over hundred residents dress up in fourteenth century medieval costumes and proceed to Piazza Cavour. The procession replete with drummers and trumpeters ends at the Church of Sant Egidio.

After witnessing the exciting pageant it is time for a tasty and traditional lunch in each quarter where the archers are cheered and encouraged. Join in the excitement and fun. After enjoying the lovely food cheer for your favourite archer as the afternoon parade winds its way to the castle and the archery range.

Revel in the glory, the rivalry and the sheer excitement of the archery contest. Watch two archers from each of the four quarters display their artistry and skills to bring honour and glory to their quarter. Cheer the winners as they proceed to their quarters to ring the bells of victory.

Enjoy the excellent Tuscan foods and wines. Today is the day to try bruschetta, grilled polenta, crostini, innumerable pasta dishes, soups, meat dishes, steaks, sausages and of course spit roasted thrush. Wash down all that lip smacking food with one or a few glasses of the famous Brunello di Montalcino or Rosso di Montalcino which is sold by the glass during the festival.

Don’t forget to confirm your bookings with us well in advance since Montalcino is a small town or be prepared to trek several kilometers to join in and enjoy the Thrush Festival in Montalcino.

The Palio of Lumberjacks is an interesting traditional festival held in Vivo d’Orcia, a small Sienese town. The town is divided into two quarters or contradas. There is an exciting contest between them to recover an ancient lumberjack. This year it will be held on October 21 at 4.30 pm at the centre of the town. Be there and enjoy the festivities.

Together with the Palio of Lumberjacks in Vivo d’Orcia Siena there is another festival held simultaneously. This is the local mushroom and chestnut festival. In this region both mushrooms and chestnuts are found in abundance.

The Sagra del fungo e della castagna (the Mushroom and Chestnut Festival) will be held in Vivo d’Orcia Siena on Saturday October 20 and Sunday October 21. There will be a wide variety of dishes and an extensive menu offering dishes made with mushrooms and chestnuts. Some of the specialty dishes will include pasta and mushrooms, and marmalade made with chestnuts.

Come to Tuscany and join the fun at the Palio of Lumberjacks and the Mushroom and Chestnut Festival and feast on the local delicacies to your heart’s content.