Lucca Comics & Games 2016

“Gold” is this year’s theme of Lucca Comics & Games 2016, the 50th Edition of the International Festival of Comics, Animation, Illustration and Games. 

The Festival takes place in Lucca from Friday 28 October until Thursday 1 November 2016. The exhibitions start on Saturday 15 October 2016. 

Some of the exhibitions are dedicated to the following artists:

- Kazuo Kamimura, Japanese manga artist and illustrator of “Lady Snowblood” in Palazzo Ducale in Lucca. 

- Frank Cho, Korean-American comic strip and book writer and illustrator, most known for his works “Liberty Meadows” in Palazzo Ducale in Lucca. 

Olive harvest in Tuscany - the fresh extra vergine olive oil is arriving

The olive tree has many special characteristics, however, production continuity is not one of its strengths. Though the quality of its olives remains almost constant, its productive variability is obviously a problem for growers, who can do little to counteract this situation. Apart from maintaining the olive grove in terms of fertilization and pruning, the whims of nature still play a primary role in determining production potential. 

70 years Vespa

“Eternally in fashion, Vespa is a living legend”

The first Vespa was created in the Tuscan factory of Pontedera near Pisa in 1946. After the Second World War the Piaggio family, which was specialised in the construction of aircrafts, wanted to help the cripple Italian economy to get back on top. There was an urgent need for a modern and affordable way of transport. The vehicle had to be easy to steer for men and women, it had to carry a passenger and all that without having to worry about the messiness of dirt and mud. 

The Palio of Siena

one of the contrade's flag bearers

The Palio of Siena is a traditional bareback horse race, which takes place each year in Siena in Tuscany, in the heart of the historical city centre, on the famous square Piazza del Campo, generally on July 2nd and August 16th.

The Palio is not an event which is organized for the purposes of tourism: it is the life of the people of Siena in time and in its various aspects and feelings. It has ancient origins and some rules are still valid since 1644, the year in which the first Palio was run. 

Tuscany's most popular attractions

Things to go and see if you visit Tuscany for the first time.

There are plenty of beautiful towns and places in Tuscany which are all worth a visit: the golden triangle with the cities of art of Florence, Siena and Arezzo; the most beautiful historic towns, or the extensive coastline and the islands of Elba and Giglio. Where do you begin if you are in Tuscany for the first time?
This is the list of the most famous places in Tuscany. Make sure you visit these places to become familiar with Italy's most attractive region, Tuscany.

The cliffs of Valdarno

The cliffs of Valdarno, the scenery that inspired Leonardo da Vinci. 

Le Balze di Valdarno

In the countryside around Reggello in the area called Valdarno, between the famous Tuscan cities of Arezzo and Florence, the landscape is characterised by unusual rock formations or cliffs. In Italian these cliffs are called Le Balze, some are as much as 100m high.