Archive for 'Localities'

While there are plenty of regular beaches, Italy has a particular tradition of paid beaches wherein you pay a fee to access a stretch of coast outfitted with lots of facilities and extras, such as showers, sun beds, umbrellas, restaurants, bars, and more. You can, of course, go to free beaches open to the general public all over the country, but you will often have to do without showers or shade, bring your own loungers or towels to lay out on, deal with larger crowds, and bring or head elsewhere for various supplies like snacks and water. In the famous Tuscan seaside town of Viareggio there is one must-see paid beach that customers rave about on a regular basis: Bagno Maurizio. If you have found a holiday rental with a private pool in Viareggio and are planning on some beach days, spend at least one on this private stretch of the strand and you’ll have nothing to worry about and perfect, stress-free fun on the beach!

We have previously mentioned Lucca’s famous Summer Festival, which is a festival in the more international sense of the word than those that are more common in Tuscany; i.e. a music festival rather than a food festival, though it tends to be one concert an evening in the historic centre of the city, rather than multiple stages and acts per day out in a field somewhere. It is one of many the great music festivals that take place in Italy each year but is among those that attract the most amazing of line-ups. This year is no exception with the likes of Elton John, Take That, Ennio Morricone, New Order, and others taking the stage over the course of a month.

The first edition of the Summer Festival Lucca was held in 1998 with a performance by Bob Dylan and, since then, they have welcomed internationally renowned artists and bands such as Eric Clapton, Jamoroquai, James Brown, Green Day, Lauryn Hill, Pet Shop Boys, and The Rolling Stones and popular Italian singers such as Fiorella Mannoia, Pino Daniele, Giorgia and Elisa, and many more excellent acts over the years.

L'Eroica is the single must-attend event for cycling enthusiasts who were thinking about planning a holiday in Tuscany. Held on the first Sunday of October each year in the province of Siena, this is an annual non-competitive cycling event based around a theme of vintage cycling. As such, participants use vintage (i.e. pre-1987) bicycles, accessories and clothing. Combining a beloved sport with a vintage theme and beautiful Tuscan landscapes, it is a unique and fascinating annual event that can be enjoyed by those who have found a vacation rental in Siena and who are making the most out of the rich gamut of different activities and attractions that this stunning part of the world has to offer.

Pisa has quite the calendar of incredible events and festivals that are steeped in local history and rich in Tuscan culture, which take place at various points throughout the year. One of the biggest of these events is the Luminara Festival, which takes place in June and is celebrated in honour of San Ranieri, the patron saint of the city. This sees the city get lit up magically by tens of thousands of candles upon nightfall and is a truly majestic thing to behold. The day after, however, there is another fascinating celebration: a historical regatta takes place on the same waters that were illuminated the night before, and the Arno plays host to an exciting boat race. To experience this exciting and colourful festival as a whole, just find a vacation rental in Pisa and plan a trip for the middle of June!

Dating back to 1688, the festival traces its origins to when the Grand Duke of Tuscany ordered that San Ranieri’s ashes be transferred from the simple urn that had thus far contained them to a more decorative and modern urn. As they were being moved from one urn to the other, a procession of pilgrims with candles walked alongside it as a mark of respect and the festival that continues to this day recreates these events in honour of their beloved patron saint.

Tuscany is a magical place full of incredible works of art, delicious dishes waiting to be eaten, pretty towns, wonderful views, a rich cultural and historical heritage, lots to see and do, and much more besides. However, it is also, oftentimes, quite a strange place with things you might not expect like Torture Museums, intestine sandwiches, dinosaur bones in church walls, swords stuck in stones, and other bizarre and unique places, attractions, and surprises. It is, furthermore, home to quite a few unique traditions and festivals that are must-sees for those looking to get off the beaten tourist path and experience a different, less-talked-about, side of Tuscany. If you have found a vacation rental in Tuscany and are looking for more unique and impossibly memorable experiences of the region, then check out this list of some of the most unusual and special events in Tuscany…

Watermelon Festival, Castellina in Chianti

For those planning on renting a holiday rental in Chianti at the end of August, you should aim to head the charming town of Castellina in Chianti for the Watermelon Festival, or Sagra del Cocomero. Like most festivals in Italy there is lots of foods and music but the main star of the show is the watermelon. So, if a whole festival dedicated to watermelons sounds good to you, then there could be no better fit! The best way to cool down during the hottest month of the year in Tuscany.