Weekly markets in Tuscany

Every town and village in Tuscany has its own weekly market. You can find almost everything at the market: fresh fruit and vegetables, the most delicious pecorino cheese, fresh porchetta, tasteful dried boar sausages, honey, meat and fish. But it is not just about food. You can find clothing, shoes, curtains, beautiful fabrics, bedspreads, sheets, towels, kitchenware, tools, plants and flowers, let's say just about everything. Most markets start early in the morning, at about 7 am, and they are open until about 1 pm. 

Delicious Tuscan Snacks

In Tuscany you discover soon that a quick bite is not a synonym for an unhealthy or colourless snack. There is plenty of choice of tasty, cheap, fast and authentic snacks, let's say the Tuscan fast food. Do you have a sweet tooth or do you favour savoury tastes? These are some typical Tuscan quick bites.

Cycling, the GIRO 2015 in Tuscany

On May 9th the Giro d'Italia 2015 starts in the Italian city of San Remo. This year the arrival of this cycling race will be in Milan, where at that time the World Exhibition Expo 2015 takes place.

If you have planned a trip to Tuscany in May, you can see the world's best cyclists from day 5, from Wednesday 13 May to Friday 15 May, when the Giro will be passing through Tuscany.

Unesco Wold Heritage sites in Tuscany

According to the Unesco World Heritage list, Italy is the most valuable country in the world. There are 1007 World Natural and Cultural Heritage sites in 161 countries. With its 50 sites, Italy is home to the greatest number of World Heritage sites. Tuscany has 7 World Heritage sites.

Tuscany, a true kitesurfing paradise

The Etruscan Coast, the perfect place for an active beach holiday in Tuscany.

SUP (Stand Up Paddling)

The Etruscan coast is a real Walhalla for watersport lovers. Along the almost 90 km long coastline you can practise windsurfing, sup and kitesurfing. This is one of the best places to go kitesurfing or windsurfing in Italy. The wind is always perfectly blowing from western directions (so side-shore or side-on-shore). Kitesurfing in Tuscany is a unique and very special experience. The afternoon wind is perfect for beginners and experienced kiters.

Easter traditions in Tuscany

In Tuscany, during the Holy Week, the run-up to Easter, there are a lot of special events in many towns and villages which are absolutely worth attending. The ancient traditions usually vary from place to place, historical reenactments, public repentance, religious processions and town festivals are organised just before or after Easter, with many events highlighted on Easter Sunday. 

the Duomo in Florence

One of the most famous Easter traditions in Tuscany is the Scoppio del Carro, the Explosion of the Cart, in Florence on Easter Sunday. This tradition dates back to the time of the Crusades. 

Free entrance in museums in Tuscany

Since July 2014 in Italy you can visit a lot of museums for free. Every first Sunday of the month the entrance in Italy's state museums is free, so that everyone can enjoy art and culture. This decision was made by the current Italian Minister of Culture and Tourism, Dario Franceschini. Especially Tuscany has plenty of museums and culture to offer. 

8 March Women's Day in Italy

8 March is International Women’s Day and Festa della Donna in Italy. It has become a common habit in Italy that on 8 March men offer a bouquet of mimosa flowers to the women in their lives, be they wives, daughters, mothers, girlfriends or employees.

The much discussed Fiat 500X commercial in Tuscany

the new Fiat 500X (photo www.alvolante.it)

By now almost everyone will have seen the commercial for the new Fiat 500X, also known as the commercial with the "Viagra". In America everybody saw the TV-spot at the Super Bowl, and now the spot has become famous in Europe too. The commercial was recorded in the picturesque town of Pitigliano in the Tuscan area of Maremma.

Saint Valentine in Terni, Umbria

Trasimeno Lake

Umbria is a region with beautiful rolling hills with vineyards, olive groves and fields of sunflowers. The region is located in Central Italy. Umbria is called the green heart of Italy because of its mild Mediterranean climate with dry and sunny summers and cold and wet winters. Umbria is bordered in the west to Tuscany, to Lake Trasimeno, the region has only two provinces, Perugia and Terni. 

Shopping in Tuscany

When you think of Tuscany you probably think of landscapes with rolling hills with olive groves and wineries, and of splendid cities of art like Florence, Siena, Pisa, Arezzo, Lucca or Cortona. The city of Florence has always been an attractive open air shopping center with hundreds of shops of all kinds. Lately Tuscany has also become a world famous shopping paradise, thanks to its many outlet shopping centers.