Tuscany is home to lots of unique traditions and interesting local festivals that take place throughout the region. These are wonderful, colourful events, that combine history, tradition, elaborate costumes, delicious food, live music, performances, parades, and much more. One particularly fascinating festival that takes place each summer is the Battle of the Bridge in Pisa. Held annually on the last Saturday of June, just after the San Ranieri festival celebrations, the Battle of the Bridge brings the whole city alive in a unique way and is a must for those who have found a vacation rental in Pisa.
Taking place on the Ponte di Mezzo bridge, one of several that cross the Arno in Pisa, the event sees the neighbourhoods of the city divide into two teams – the Mezzogiorno for districts south of the Arno and the Tramontana for those north of the Arno – to try and take over the side of the bridge occupied by the other team. This is done by trying to place an iron cart on their side of the bridge and while it sounds a little silly, it is actually a wonderful traditional event that locals adore and really get involved with.
4
Apr
2019
2019
Updated 16/6/22.
Italy has a lot of unique traditions that continue to this day; races with frogs, jousting tournaments, extreme historic soccer games, elaborate costumed parades, a witch that does Santa's job, and much more besides. This connection to the past and embracing of what makes Italy unique greatly enriches any trip to Italy and, for those interested in really getting to know a place and to understand the local culture and tradition, these types of events are key. If you are thinking about finding a vacation rental in Montepulciano and planning a trip and want to really engage with the history and legacy of this city in Tuscany, then you should aim to visit in the last couple of weeks of August. On the final Sunday of the month, you will be able to witness the curious spectacle that is the Bravio delle Botti.
18
Feb
2019
2019
Posted in: Activities
Concerts & Festivals
Countryside
Events
Food and Wine
Hiking
Localities
Museums & Galleries
Siena
Tourist Attractions
In the last post, we discussed the beautiful town of Asciano in the Crete Senesi, one of the most undoubtedly scenic and picturesque parts of Tuscany. If you have found a vacation rental in Tuscany and are looking for somewhere to spend a day, it is an ideal day-trip location. Or, if you want something a bit more relaxed, why not find a vacation rental in Asciano itself and spend your time surrounded by the most picture-perfect scenery imaginable. Then, if you're looking for things to see and do, why not browse our list of five excellent things to do in Asciano, continued from the last post...
2. Visit her Museums
Speaking of the fine exterior of the Civic Archaeological and Sacred Art Museum is attractive, the collections held inside are also appealing. It houses archeological finds dating from antiquity and art dating from the thirteenth to the eighteenth centuries. Everything inside is from the surrounding area but the sacred art section is particularly noteworthy quality, boasting a wooden crucifix by Giovanni Pisano, the Triptych of Rofeno by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, and the great masterpiece that is the Nativity of the Virgin Mary by the “Maestro dell’Osservanza”, among others. In addition to this, there is the Cassioli Museum, which was established in 1991 with an extraordinary bequest of artworks by the family of artist Amos Cassioli. It is the only museum in the province of Siena that is dedicated entirely to Sienese paintings from the fourteenth century and also boasts excellent graphics and sculpture sections.
2. Visit her Museums
Speaking of the fine exterior of the Civic Archaeological and Sacred Art Museum is attractive, the collections held inside are also appealing. It houses archeological finds dating from antiquity and art dating from the thirteenth to the eighteenth centuries. Everything inside is from the surrounding area but the sacred art section is particularly noteworthy quality, boasting a wooden crucifix by Giovanni Pisano, the Triptych of Rofeno by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, and the great masterpiece that is the Nativity of the Virgin Mary by the “Maestro dell’Osservanza”, among others. In addition to this, there is the Cassioli Museum, which was established in 1991 with an extraordinary bequest of artworks by the family of artist Amos Cassioli. It is the only museum in the province of Siena that is dedicated entirely to Sienese paintings from the fourteenth century and also boasts excellent graphics and sculpture sections.
28
Jan
2019
2019
The charming medieval town of Anghiari, in the province of Arezzo, was of extreme importance during the Middle Ages due its strategic position on a hilltop in Tuscany. In a time where lands changed hands frequently, this positioning was useful in preventing it slipping from your own grip and into another's. It is also here that the famous Battle of Anghiari took place, in 1440 when Florentine troops defeated a Milanese army and gained control of the region. Said scene was famously depicted by Da Vinci, further solidifying the town's place and name in history. Today, it is an exceptionally pretty place with cobbled streets that wind up and down hills, quaint stone buildings draped in plants and flowers, cute restaurants and little stores, and more. It is also where an incredible craft fair takes place each Spring, showcasing extraordinary artisanal goods still made by traditional methods in the surrounding area. If you are interested in taking a step back in time and getting your hands on some truly unique souvenirs, it is a must-see destination. Just find a vacation rental in Anghiari, carve out some time to visit the fair, and be sure to leave some space in your suitcases to bring back the precious spoils of your venture.
25
Jan
2019
2019
Tuscany is one of the great wine regions of the world, as beautiful as it is prolific, an ideal place to holiday, sip, sit back, relax, and enjoy. Throughout the year, there are all sorts of wine-lead events and festivals as well and there are several great times to choose to plan a wine-based vacation in Tuscany but, if we were to recommend one in the coming months, during the lovely springtime in the region, it would be the Orcia Wine Festival in April. Just browse our vacation rentals in the Val d'Orcia and plan to attend this amazing festival and try some delicious Tuscan wines for yourself in the stunning surroundings of this gorgeous part of the region.
Taking place each year during the last weekend in April, in the town of San Quirico d'Orcia, the Orcia Wine Festival is an event that was created in order to promote and celebrate the excellence of the wine production of the Val d’Orcia. Conceived and organised by the Municipality of San Quirico d'Orcia, the fair takes place in the beautiful eighteenth century rooms of the Palazzo Chigi and involves technical tasting sessions, food and wine tastings, specialist talks and the organising of visits to the wineries in which the excellent local wines that are showcased over the course of the festival are actually produced.
Taking place each year during the last weekend in April, in the town of San Quirico d'Orcia, the Orcia Wine Festival is an event that was created in order to promote and celebrate the excellence of the wine production of the Val d’Orcia. Conceived and organised by the Municipality of San Quirico d'Orcia, the fair takes place in the beautiful eighteenth century rooms of the Palazzo Chigi and involves technical tasting sessions, food and wine tastings, specialist talks and the organising of visits to the wineries in which the excellent local wines that are showcased over the course of the festival are actually produced.