Archive for 'Events'

The small and picturesque town of San Gimignano is currently home to a very special exhibition of a work by Renaissance master, Filippino Lippi. Housed in the Pinacoteca di San Gimignano, or the Picture Gallery (Town Hall), the exhibition displays two tondos of scenes of the Annunciation. This show is a good chance to closely examine these masterpieces by the artist, set inside their restored original frames and alongside supporting documentation. Just find a holiday rental in San Gimignano and drop by the gallery to view the work.

The two tondos tell the story of the Annunciation, when the Virgin Mary was visited by the archangel Gabriel and informed that she had been chosen to be the mother of God's child. The first of the two round paintings features the Angel Gabriel, as he brings that astounding news to the Virgin.

Lazing away on a beach is not quite everyone's idea of a perfect holiday, some prefer to remain active, not allow fitness slip and to venture out and see more of the area that they are visiting. If you happen to fall into the above category, you might consider finding a luxury villa in Chianti and heading over for the Chianti Eco-marathon in 2016. This annual event combines several aspects which are appealing to proud locals and visitors alike – the beautiful Tuscan landscape, nature, sport, running and food. Taking place in the second half of October, there are several different levels and types of trails so that you can find the perfect one for your level of fitness or holiday preferences.

Car or motorbike crazy and planning a holiday in Tuscany? If so, you're going to have to make sure to visit the race track in Mugello. There are constantly events taking place at the track, from Grand Prix races, to smaller competitions, to open days allowing the track to be used. Basically, there's bound to be something happening during your visit. Furthermore, the track is located just outside the small but effortlessly charming town of Scarperia in the Mugello Valley so there will be somewhere to enjoy regional cuisine and take in a bit of the local flavour while you're visiting Mugello Circuit.

Panigacci are a speciality bread from Podenzana in the Lunigiana, an area set within an isolated valley along the border of Liguria and Tuscany. It is a type of round bread, unleavened, cooked in the special traditional ways using special equipment. They can have a soft or crunchy texture and are thin and well cooked. They are then dunked in sauces, mopping them up and served with toppings called salumi, which are cured meats and cheeses. You can now buy pre-packaged panigacci in supermarkets but the best way to eat them is when they've been freshly made in front of you. Typically eaten as a snacking food or street food, they are a very popular local dish that you need to try.

2015 is the Year of Archaeology in Tuscany and, due to this there are many events taking place which celebrate the history of the region. Each summer in Tuscany, there are countless food festivals, one in almost every town and something on somewhere in the region each weekend.

This traditional passion for food and the commemoration of the rich historical heritage of Tuscany are being combined this summer in a series of special events, tours, shows, exhibits and dinners.