Archive for 'Events'

  

Friday, November 3, 2017
Spongata Di Natale
Spongata di Natale is a round, flat festive Italian cake that has ties to various regions and towns in Italy and is thought to have been brought to Italy by the Jews, though others believe that it is a Roman dish that survived through the Middle Ages. The first recorded written recipe dates back to the end of the 14th century and required three days to complete and we know that its production was even regulated by the famous ducal family of Este by a special decree. While the exact origins are uncertain, we do know that it is a delicious treat, perfect for some rich sweetness during the colder months. A thin, pie-like cake that consists of a crunchy pastry coating and sweet filling made of spices, nuts, honey and dried fruit, it is actually not dissimilar to that more familiar Christmas food staple; the mince pie.     Read More
Posted in: December, Events, Food and Wine, Recipes

  

Friday, November 3, 2017
Cookies
We've previously discussed Italy's Santa, a witch called Befana, before. Befana is a good witch, whose name comes from the Roman dialect's pronunciation of the Italian "epifania" (or Epiphany), and comes delivering gifts for the good children, and lumps of coal to the bad ones on the 5th of January, the night before Epiphany, to make up for missing Jesus long ago. She is visualised as an old and ugly witch who flies on her broom and delivers presents in stockings hanging over the fireplace (sounds familiar!), coming down from the chimney.

Befanini, meanwhile, are soft, sprinkle-covered, cake-like lemon-scented cookies that are typical of the Versilia area on the Tuscan coast. Traditionally made on the 5th, when the Befana is coming to visit, they are beloved of kids and adults alike and for good reason: they're delicious!     Read More
Posted in: December, Events, Food and Wine, Localities, Recipes, Tuscan Coast

  

Friday, June 9, 2017
Keith Richards
The Lucca Summer Festival is one of Italy's most famous music festivals and, this year, celebrates twenty years since its inception. As a result, the line-up is rather extraordinary. With events taking place from June to September, there are plenty of chances to experience this Tuscan music institution once you have found a luxury villa in Lucca.     Read More
Posted in: August, Events, July, June, Localities, Lucca, Tourist Attractions

  

Friday, June 9, 2017
Green Day
Italy takes her festivals seriously but while the word “festival” might conjure images of boho outfits or muddy fields to people in different parts of the world, Tuscany's festivals tend to be smaller local events that are more about food than music. Despite this, there are actually plenty of great music festivals throughout Italy that attract big names. In fact, local governments often organise big concerts in smaller cities that you would never have imagined would play host to such events. It's not unusual to accidentally stumble across a world-renowned act playing in a town square on a summer night.

One particularly well-established festival of this kind is the Lucca Summer Festival, which is in its 20th year in 2017. Taking place between June 14th and September 23rd, this year, it is held annually in the historical center of Lucca in Piazza Napoleone.     Read More
Posted in: Events, July, June, Localities, Lucca, September, Tourist Attractions

  

Monday, March 13, 2017
Medieval Torture Devices
We have been counting down some of Tuscany's strangest and most extraordinary attractions in a bid to help you plan an itinerary that is a little less ordinary. Just find a luxury villa in Tuscany and then add these final sights to your list!

8. Medieval Torture Museum, San Gimignano

San Gimignano is a walled medieval hill town in the province of Siena in Tuscany. It is most well known for its many medieval tower houses and historic city centre. In this pretty centre there is a Medieval Torture Museum that is not merely a grisly and macabre tourist attraction but also an educational tool used to inform visitors about contemporary human rights abuses. Certainly a unique outing idea for any tourists in the town, it combines historic interest with modern awareness in a captivating and fascinating manner.     Read More
Posted in: Events, Florence, History, June, Localities, Museums & Galleries, San Gimignano, Tourist Attractions