Archive for 'October'

This is for lovers of cycling and the Chianti hills....

Every first weekend in October an exclusive (non-competitive) vintage bicycle race called "L'EROICA" is organized in Gaiole in Chianti. It really is a celebration to the tradition of cycling.

The race is conceived to make a proper tribute to the tradition and the people that made the sport of bicycle racing an excellence.

The event, in fact, involves the participation of around 4000 runners from all over Europe, armed with their vintage bicycles, as well as their clothing in line with the past: knitted wool, leather shoes and hats for a real journey back in time.

Volterra is such a beautiful town and personally I prefer it to the close by San Gimignano.... Less crowded and so much atmosphere.

This magic city has its roots in three thousand years of history and you will find evidence and traces from every historical period. The imposing Porta all’Arco, the Necropolis, the ancient city walls and the numerous archeological finds conserved in the Museo Etrusco Guarnacci like the famous "Ombra della Sera" (evening Shadow) with its unique profile, the funeral urns and the finely crafted jewellery, bear testimony of the Etruscan period.

This is really a fine time to visit Tuscany, it's less crowded and time for the grape harvest harvest, porcini mushrooms and more...

In many villages the so called "sagre" are being organized, it's a
village party and everybody is welcome to taste the local specialties. They really are a good excuse for eating good food and drinking some delicious wine!

Trains are a very common site in Italy, so one could easily overlook one of the trains that is now traveling Italy but has something unusual aboard: a fantastic collection of art from the past five hundred years! The event is titled "From Titian to Street Art: Five Hundred Years of Italian Art" and it sets out from Rome on October 1st. The train will be stopping in over twenty cities in its forty day trek across Italy, stopping in cities for a day or two.

The initiative is in response to the fact that only ten percent of Italians frequently visit the innumerable art galleries, exhibitions and museums across Italy.  With this in mind, the curators and sponsors of the 'art train' are bringing the art to the people. Though the train will be concluding its journey in Lombardy, it will spend much of its time in the south, where museums are not as prevalent as in the north.

There are many different festivals held throughout Tuscany and Italy as a whole. Each has their own charming flair, similar but different from all the others. All of the town comes out to enjoy a little competition between the different neighborhoods, usually competing for nothing more than bragging rights until the next event. Good food, drink and a fun time are had by all and while you may think outsiders are not welcome during these times, the warmth and hospitality that is so common among the Italian people is sure to make you feel right at home.