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The Curva Fiesole at the start of the match Fiorentina-Sporting Lisboa

Last Wednesday Fiorentina played off against the Sporting Lisboa for the qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League and we were there to show our support for Florence’s soccer team.

The “curva Fiesole”, the area of the stadium where the most passionate Fiorentina fans sit, even prepared a banner and beautiful color choreography to welcome the Portuguese fans since the two cities are “twin cities” which you can see in the photo above.

We can’t say that the game was a really good one: the home team had long moments in which they were stretched to their limit by the fast, darting runs of the opposting team and it looked as if they risked droping out of the competition. After the first half, Fiorentina was under one goal and some of the super critical fans of the Viola even started to boo the team. Not very supportive at all. The Viola, however, played much more confidently in the second half with supportive cheering from the Curva Fiesole encouraging them forward and equalized the game with a goal by the young and talented Jovetić. But it is also important to remember that Italian teams rarely play very well in August, while the Sporting demonstrated it was in great shape as a team.

The 1-1 result allows Fiorentina to proceed to the next round of the Champions League where the draw has assigned Fiorentina matches against the glorious Liverpool, the Olympique Lyonnais (with which we have a score to settle from last year!) and the Hungarian Debreceni.

It will be difficult to go beyond this round but it is important to both participant in the great matches of European soccer and in the great showcase offered by the Champions League. It will also be an excellent occasion for many Florentines to follow their home team abroad, combining rooting for the team with visits to other European cities .

Naturally, it will also be a chance for other fans to visit Florence as they follow their own favorite teams. And if you need any tips or suggestions, you can always check out our guide about Florence

Sunday morning we took off to Volterra to once again travel back in time to the Middle Ages. Volterra is the perfect setting with its medieval architecture and since the whole city is involved in one way or another, the festival has been a favorite of ours since we discovered it.

Continue reading about our day at the Volterra medieval festival »

photo by fairlybuoyant

The Civetta or Owl contrada won the race after a 30 year dry spell. No other contrada had waited so long for such a sweet victory. One could say that nature just took its course: running after sunset helped the nocturnal creature as it entered the race at its prime time for activity.
The contrada, known as the “prior” district for having hosted the priors of the districts during a time of conflict with city hall in 1887, was also able to secure victory thanks to the ability of its jockey in taking the spot assigned to the Unicorn, its great rival, and then in masterly handling the experienced horse it had received through lottery.

 
Read more about The day after the Palio

Siena's Campo: the Palio race is run around its perimeter

Today, Thursday August 13 the only flower which grows on tufo, or tuff rock began to bloom: the Palio di Siena.

This is an evergreen plant which blooms only twice a year, once being at the height of summer on the 16th of August for the feast of the Virgin Mary’s Assumption. The flower emanates an intoxicating, giddy perfume for local residents and visitors alike.

The Palio is not a sporting event, and it isn’t just a horse race. The event is a tournament from the past that continues to still evoke great passion in the people of Siena. You have to see it to believe it.

Last Saturday we went back to Roccatederighi to attend the “Festa del Borgo”, the medieval fair held every year in this nice village in the Tuscan Maremma. We were positively impressed: we write about it in more detail on our brand new blog Medieval Festivals.

Since we wanted to take our time in seeing the many attractions of the Medieval Fair and visit the nearby Castle of Sassoforte, we decided to sleep in the area for one night. We slept at a nice bed and breakfast near Sassofortino called Podere Usignolo. The owners, Martin and Barbara, are really nice and have created a beautiful place from which one can enjoy the hills of Maremma! We definitely recommend it even for a long, relaxing stay in the Tuscan countryside.

Read more about the Roccatederighi Medieval Fair »