Archive for 'Food and Wine'

Built on the foothills of Monte Retaia in Tuscany is the tourist city of Prato! The River Bisenzio, a tributary of the great River Arno, meanders through Prato and helps create a pleasant scene for visitors. Prato has been inhabited since Palaeolithic times and is believed to have been colonised by the Etruscans. It is now Tuscany’s second largest city after Florence and is home to the second largest Chinese population in Italy after Milan.

Check out some stunning Carmignano luxury villas, only twelve kilometres from Prato if you wish to stay in this area for a few days.

Textile manufacture made up quite a lot of Prato’s economy as can be seen from the informative textile museum here. Also of interest to history lovers is the Datini Archives on display here. This is a collection of books and manuscripts that belonged to a merchant called Francesco di Marco Datini.

Visit the delicious ‘Frittelle Festival’ in Montefioralle on 15th and 16th March to try lots of tasty treats! Frittelle are delicious fried rice cakes that are cooked in a huge cauldron of oil in the main square of the village.

This charming event attracts hundreds of people from nearby towns and villages as well as curious tourists who want to try this exceptionally tasty snack so why not come along for yourself and savour its rich flavour?

Stay in a beautiful holiday villa in Greve in Chianti, only four kilometres from Montefioralle where you can experience the festive season here in March!

Spend a glorious vacation in Tuscany during the month of October where there are some lovely festivals and fairs to visit during the trip.

The fair of St. Luke in Impruneta is among one of the oldest livestock fairs in Europe and attracts hundreds of farmers and visitors alike. It takes place on the week around the 18th October. Learn about the cultural traditions and customs of the area and have fun browsing around the many stalls set up here during the fair event.

If you’re planning a delightful vacation to Tuscany during the months of November or December then be sure to check out some of these incredible fairs and festivals! Stay in a charming villa rental in San Miniato where you can take part in the following food festival.

The ‘La Sagra del Tartufo Bianco’ which is the infamous white truffle fair in San Miniato attracts hundreds of visitors each year. It takes place across the last three weekends of November where tourists can indulge in a whole range of truffle related activities! San Miniato produces around 25% of Italy’s white truffles which has helped greatly to make it a prosperous town.

September in Tuscany is a magical time of year; this month is literally bursting with festivals and fairs for tourists to enjoy! Stay in a gorgeous luxury Tuscan villa with swimming pool which you can enjoy at your ease after a few days of festival exploration!

Why not check out the ‘Festa della Esaltazione della Santa Croce’ in Lucca city on 13th September.