Archive for 'Concerts & Festivals'

Tuscany is an inherently historic destination as it is a place where history is alive and well. Many towns have charming centres that remain relatively untouched by time, culture and art from the rich history of the region account for a vast majority of the most popular tourist attractions, and many ancient traditions persist to the current day. One such tradition is of large-scale local festivals, many of which involve processions and events while in historic dress that recreate the past. Among these various festivals and celebrations, usually referred to as sagre, there is the Balestro del Girifalco. This is a twice annual crossbow competition in the town of Massa Marittima that includes a grand procession in historical dress through the charming Old Town, medieval-style feasts, and more. So, if you love history and want to feel it truly come alive, or you simply love a spectacle, then be sure to attend this fantastical event if you have booked a villa on the Tuscan Coast and are spending time in the area around Massa Marittima. 

Florence is always a dream destination for culture vultures but if you are a particular lover of the performing arts then a great time to book a vacation rental in Florence is between late April and June, when the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino festival is held. In addition to the incredible and vast array of museums, galleries, churches, architectural gems, gorgeous gardens, public statuary, and more that is already available for your consideration, over the course of this period each year, the city holds a range of different performances. While it is a notable opera festival run by the Opera di Firenze, there is also a diverse season of ballet, classical concerts, and theatrical performances. Fitting one of these shows into your time staying in one of our holiday rentals in Florence is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in this incredible culture capital and to experience some amazing performances.

Founded in 1933 by Vittorio Gui and inspired by an idea of Luigi Ridolfi Vay da Verrazzano, the festival was designed with the concept of using theatrical and wonderfully striking visual productions to showcase both contemporary pieces and operas that had been forgotten. Italy’s oldest music festival and the second-oldest in Europe, after the Salzburg Festival, it was an immediate success and was made into a biennial event in 1937. Thereafter, it became an annual festival and was held across the Teatro Comunale and Piccolo Teatro and the Teatro della Pergola until 2014, when the new Teatro dell'Opera di Firenze (which had been opened in 2011), replaced the Teatro Comunale.

Autumn in Tuscany is synonymous with eating really, really well. Wine harvests are an obvious culinary delight of the region but there are two other key ingredients that are commonly used at this time of the year: truffles and chestnuts. While both ingredients are found in different parts of Italy and in the local cuisines of various regions of Italy, Tuscan dishes utilising both are especially delicious. Plus, festivals dedicated to both ingredients pop up in villages and towns all over Tuscany right through the season. For example, the town of Marradi has had a dedicated chestnut festival that has been running for more than 50 years. Chestnuts are not something that everyone is used to eating but there are all sorts of delicious Tuscan chestnut-based dishes to sample and it is a perfectly autumnal food. So, if you are enjoying a fall escape to a villa in Tuscany and you want to get cosy, eat well, and embrace the season, be sure to check it out!

Planning a fall break in Tuscany? Want to enjoy the beautiful rolling green hills, forests, and endless valleys of the region as the leaves turn to orange and red and golden hues? Want to enjoy the bounty of the harvest season and eat well? Want to appreciate the immaculate cosy atmosphere of this time of the year in Tuscany? Of course you do! It sounds like a dream vacation to us. When you get there, the loveliness of your surroundings and the excellent food alone will be enough to perfectly unwind and enjoy an incredible getaway but if you’re looking for particular things to see and do in Tuscany at this time of the year, then here is our list of five great things to ensure an amazing autumnal vacation at one of our Tuscany villas. 

Some don’t care to travel in the summer because of the heat or the potential tourist crowds but one of the best reasons to persist and travel at this time of the year is the array of festivals, celebrations, and events that tend to take place during the summer months. Whether it’s because you’re in a country with longer days in the summer or because the sunny weather improves moods and makes people want to get out, do things, and party, this is generally the time of the year when there are endless things to see and do and exciting events abound. Particularly in Tuscany! Those who book a villa in Tuscany for the summer will find that there are all sorts of amazing events to experience from traditional celebrations and historic oddities to pop culture celebrations and modern thrills.

So, here are the events taking place in Tuscany for summer 2024!