Archive for 'Local Customs'

For those who love to invest in local crafts as special, long-lasting, well-made, and unique souvenirs of their trips and as gifts to bring back to people at home, Tuscany is certainly a destination that has some really wonderful and numerous offerings. From ceramics, to straw hats, to leather goods, to cosmetics favoured by queens, to special cakes, to gorgeous gold jewellery, there are a range of stunning carefully-crafted products from Tuscany that continue to be made using traditional methods and are worth checking out if you have booked a vacation rental in Tuscany. 

While many of the regional crafts of Tuscany are well-known commodities that those who holiday in Tuscany know to seek out, there are many that are less familiar. Among these Casentino cloth (or Casentino wool) has, however, been becoming increasingly familiar as more and more famous brands have sourced it for the construction of their garments from Armani, to Stüssy, to Dior, and beyond. 

Considering spending Christmas in one of our amazing villas in Tuscany this year? Well, then you might need to be introduced to a very important character and figure in Italy during the festive period, particularly if you have any children in your party.

Befana is a witch who holds a special place in the hearts of Italian children during the Christmas season because she is a kind and benevolent figure and many queue up to see her as they would Santa Claus.

If you are a foodie on tour and are planning a vacation in Tuscany, particularly if you have found a villa in Carrara and especially if you like doughnuts, then you should definitely make a point of trying the local speciality, sgabeo. Tuscany boasts lots of incredible culinary delights, some of which we are all familiar with, but the serious food-lovers of the world will also ensure that they sample the less well-known delicacies from a region. 

Updated 16/6/22.

Italy has a lot of unique traditions that continue to this day; races with frogs, jousting tournaments, extreme historic soccer games, elaborate costumed parades, a witch that does Santa's job, and much more besides. This connection to the past and embracing of what makes Italy unique greatly enriches any trip to Italy and, for those interested in really getting to know a place and to understand the local culture and tradition, these types of events are key. If you are thinking about finding a vacation rental in Montepulciano and planning a trip and want to really engage with the history and legacy of this city in Tuscany, then you should aim to visit in the last couple of weeks of August. On the final Sunday of the month, you will be able to witness the curious spectacle that is the Bravio delle Botti.