There’s Always Something To See In Tuscany
Tuscany is the place holiday dreams are made of, combining extensive culture with indulgent relaxation. Renowned for its gorgeous landscapes, rich artistic legacy and fantastic food and wine it has long been a richly popular destination with tourists keen to get away from it all. What Tuscany is less famous for though is the abundance of superb festivals which it hosts throughout the year. Villas in Tuscany specialists Tuscany Now has created a guide to the best festivals taking place in Tuscany this year which you’ll want to see if you’re planning a holiday to the region.
Visit In June If You Love History
On the night of June 16th, the Luminaria begins the festivities to honour Saint Ranieri, the patron saint of Pisa, the following day. A spectacular display of over 70,000 candles light up the palaces along the Arno River, followed by a fireworks display. To further celebrate the patron saint of Pisa, four boats representing the most ancient districts of the city compete in the Regatta of Saint Ranieri celebrating the past glory of Pisa as an ancient maritime republic. Then a week later a truly unique event takes place, the Battle of the Bridge, a medieval ‘push of war’ contest. In remembrance of warrior contests and historic tournaments, teams try to push a monumental cart and its opponents from the bridge. Many of the participants in this contest come decked out in traditional medieval dress and participate in a procession through the city before the tournament begins – a sight that has to be seen to be believed!
August is For Music Lovers
The Tuscan Sun Festival is a unique blend of outstanding musical concerts, fine art exhibitions and other literary events. For two weeks every year (at the time of writing 2012 dates are yet to be announced) the charming Tuscany hill town of Cortona comes alive with these spectacular concerts and events, the brainchild of Barrett Wiseman and celebrated cellist Nina Kotova who wanted to organize an event where friends could make music together in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The evening musical programme is balanced with an abundance of daytime events including wellness sessions like tai-chi and culinary sessions with some of Tuscany’s best chefs and winemakers. As the festival has continued to expand and grow in popularity it is advisable to buy tickets ahead if you plan to go.
Opera Lovers Love July and August
The Festival Puccini is a much-loved annual opera festival held in July and August to present the operas of the famous Italian composer Giacomo Puccini. Started in 1930 following a comment from Puccini himself about how he hoped that one of his operas would one day be performed in the open air, the festival now regularly attracts 40,000 opera enthusiasts. The setting, close to the beaches of the Tuscan Riviera near Puccini’s birthplace is breath-taking, with the flickering lights at night providing unforgettable natural scenery to complement the performances taking place on stage. In over 70 years of the festival, some of the most famous and acclaimed names of world opera have performed here and with productions of ‘La Boheme’ and ‘La Traviata’ scheduled for 2012, this year is set to be a classic.
Swig Back A Glass Or Two In September
The Chianti Classico wine festival offers relaxation in abundance amidst a superb celebration of the region’s best wine. Held in the main square of Greve in Chianti (in the centre of the Chianti Classico wine zone) every year on the second weekend of September and the preceding Thursday and Friday. All you have to do is turn up, pay a small fee for a wine glass (the price in 2011 was 10 Euros) and then you’re entitled to taste all of the wines you like at the booths around the square. There is additional entertainment from time to time throughout the day but wine lovers will be delighted to know that the wine itself always remains the main focus!
One of Tuscany’s most exciting (and oldest) festivals is the Festa della Rificolona (festival of the lanterns) that lights up the streets of Florence in September. Dating back to the 17th Century, its origins go back to ancient times when famers travelled to the city to celebrate the ‘Feast of the Madonna’. As this was such a good opportunity to sell their goods, the farmers set off before dawn to get there early. Crossing great distances in the dark required some light so they made lanterns with paper or canvas to light the way. Today the festival celebrates this tradition with a spectacular display of warmth and colour with both adults and children walking the streets with clappers and whistles aiming at the lanterns with pea shooters causing them to burst into flames. As part of its celebrations there are parties in the square and street theatre performances accompanied by delicious local cuisine. You will never have seen anything like it!
Traditions Of Autumn in October
Located in Chianti, one of the most attractive territories of Tuscany, the Fair of Saint Luke is one of the oldest surviving livestock fairs in Europe traditionally held in the week in which the feast of St Luke occurs in October. Impruneta, a municipality in the province of Florence has been celebrating him for over 1,000 years with an old cattle fair combining farming and folk culture with religion. Tuesday is dedicated to agriculture with a horse and cattle fair, saddlery, farm machinery whilst Wednesday is full of games to amuse the local children including a donkey race followed by horse races and the closing firework display on Thursday.
If this guide to Tuscany’s magical festivals has whetted your appetite for a visit to one of Italy’s most loved regions then you’ll want to look for villas in Tuscany to make your stay as relaxing and luxurious as possible. For more than 20 years Tuscany Now has specialised in offering hand-picked luxury villa rentals to its clients worldwide. All of their luxury villas enjoy a private swimming pool and they are able to offer a full concierge service arranging cooks, chauffeurs, weddings and a spa service.