Archive for 'Events'

Venice is famous for her large-scale, colourful, indulgent carnival celebrations but did you know that Tuscany has another hot-spot for a serious party every February? The Carnevale di Viareggio is, in fact, actually one of the most renowned carnival celebrations in both Italy and Europe, even if it is less familiar to some. So, if you are looking to enjoy a villa in Tuscany and a great party then you should book your stay in a vacation rental in Viareggio for this February!

The very first carnival event in the city was held in 1873 and was organised by a group of middle class men who created a parade of floats that were decorated with flowers. However, this then became a protest rather than a celebration, when citizens who were frustrated with rates of taxation donned masks to conceal their identities and made their opinions known. Fun once again took over from political action and the parade became an annual fixture in town, alongside other events as part of a carnival festival. While there were some years in which the carnival did not take place – namely throughout both world wars – the Carnevale di Viareggio became a key part of the town’s annual calendar and only grew and grew throughout the second half of the 20th century onwards. Today, it is a major draw to this gorgeous city on the Tuscan Coast and a great reason to book a holiday rental in Viareggio during the month of February.

There are many destinations that have become famous as Christmas hot-spots due to their pretty markets, ice-skating rinks in gorgeous locations, impressive lights displays, festive events, and unique traditions. Tuscany is a place that might not immediately come to mind when one thinks of the Holidays but there are plenty of great reasons to visit at this time of the year; from the food and wine, to the picturesque towns made lovelier, to the Christmas markets. In particular, if you find a vacation rental in Arezzo, you will discover that this picture-perfect medieval city is transformed into the, “Arezzo City of Christmas.”

The Arezzo City of Christmas event sees the already charming historic centre get a very special Christmas makeover with light shows projected onto the ancient stone walls of the buildings framing the Piazza Grande, a traditional-style Tyrolean Christmas market with typical Alpine huts set up in the same square, a pretty Ferris Wheel towering in the Il Prato Park, Santa Claus moving into the Medici Fortress and transforming it into a Christmas village, and more. 

Planning on spending Christmas in Tuscany this year? Well, browse our villas in Tuscany and come enjoy the incredible food and wine, the charming towns made prettier by lights and cheer, the traditional Christmas markets that take over historic centres across the region, the festive spirit, the beautiful churches and Nativity scenes, the unique traditions, and more that is on offer to those who choose to experience a Tuscan Christmas. 

If you’re in the region on Christmas Eve and you’re looking for something extra-special to do, head to the beautiful medieval town of Monteriggioni. Perched on a hillside overlooking lush valleys, forests, and fields and ringed by its ancient medieval walls and watch towers, this is a beyond picturesque Tuscan town and, each Christmas Eve, it hosts a magical event. 

Christmas is a magical time of the year and many people have all sorts of incredible traditions to enjoy at home but if you are thinking of doing something a little different then why not consider spending the Holiday Season in Tuscany? Leave the planning and preparations and chaos of the season behind and experience a relaxing Tuscan Christmas in one of our gorgeous vacation rentals in Tuscany. 

Autumn in Tuscany is synonymous with eating really, really well. Wine harvests are an obvious culinary delight of the region but there are two other key ingredients that are commonly used at this time of the year: truffles and chestnuts. While both ingredients are found in different parts of Italy and in the local cuisines of various regions of Italy, Tuscan dishes utilising both are especially delicious. Plus, festivals dedicated to both ingredients pop up in villages and towns all over Tuscany right through the season. For example, the town of Marradi has had a dedicated chestnut festival that has been running for more than 50 years. Chestnuts are not something that everyone is used to eating but there are all sorts of delicious Tuscan chestnut-based dishes to sample and it is a perfectly autumnal food. So, if you are enjoying a fall escape to a villa in Tuscany and you want to get cosy, eat well, and embrace the season, be sure to check it out!