Archive for 'Events'

Each year the international media plays reels at the end of Christmas news reports of the highly elaborate Nativity scenes that can be found all across Italy. What might appear to be a cute gimmick, is actually a very old tradition, indeed.

Dating back to the very origins of the Christian holiday, these physical representations of the birth of “bambino Gesù", or “presepe", were popularised in Italy and now can be found throughout the globe. Find a vacation rental in Tuscany and discover the presepe dotted all over the region!

They vary in size, the material they are built with, the number of elements, people, animals, dress, and activities that are figured but the core concept is constant: the Virgin, Joseph and baby Jesus an angel presiding over everything, an ox and a donkey.

To finish off our series on the best Christmas market in Tuscany, we have found a few more around the region that you won't want to miss if you have found a luxury villa in Florence and are exploring the region.

The first of these is in the beautiful town of Lucca. Lucca's Piazza Napoleone will be taken over for the Christmas period and, from the 3rd of December 2016 until the 8th of January 2017, it will be occupied by a hawkers market. In addition to these stalls selling all sorts of food, drinks and bits and pieces, there will be an ice skating rink to enjoy. Surely a magical experience that the whole group will love.

Also in Lucca, you will find another Christmas market called “Christmas in the City,” taking place in the Piazza San Michele from the 3rd of December 2016 to the 8th of January 2017.

In our last post, we outlined some of the best Christmas markets in Florence and, today, we are going to look at the wider area of Tuscany, where there are plenty of other great markets to be found. Find a luxury villa in Florence and take the time to explore wider Tuscany and these other markets.

Mugello will be home to a market called “Magie Dell'Avvento” (Magic of the Advent) that will take place across four days in December 2016 – the 4th, 8th, 11th and 18th – in Palazzuolo sul Senio, in the upper part of the town.

Many are already drawn to the town for the "1000 Presepi per Palazzuolo" (1000 Nativities/Cribs for Palazzuolo), the one thousand nativity scenes that are put on display until January 6th each year and this market just makes for one more reason to choose beautiful Mugello as your Tuscan getaway destination of choice this Christmas.

Christmas markets are one of the best things about Christmas. They offer a single place to eat delicious foods, warm up your hands with lovely hot drinks, take in a vibrant Christmassy atmosphere, buy gifts, hear festive music and have fun with family or friends. Luckily, Tuscany has plenty of Christmas markets to choose from. In fact, most towns will have some sort of market over the holiday period but we've decided to round up some of the best so you can pencil them into your schedule if you are spending Christmas in Tuscany this year.

One of the most famous Christmas markets in Tuscany is the Weihnachtsmarkt, located in piazza Santa Croce in Florence. Named for, and based on, the style of Christmas markets you can find in Germany, it offers everything you would want from a typical festive market, all with a distinctive Tuscan twist on the model. Running from the 2nd of December until the 20th 2016, just drop by and browse the gifts and crafts or try to food, beer and mulled wine from all over Europe in the scenic setting of Florence's most beautiful piazzas.

All over the world, people who celebrate Christmas do so with big meals that encourage the whole family to get together. In every country and culture, there are different traditions associated with the holiday and this is true of the food consumed as well. Tuscany, of course, has many traditional dishes that are served at Christmas.

One such dish, typical of Florence, is Tortellini al Brodo, which is comprised of tortellini served in a broth. This delicious dish is served as an early course and is presented with some freshly grated parmesan cheese on top. It is best tried in Tuscany once you have found a luxury villa in Florence but we also have a recipe prepared so that you can try it at home first.