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Autumn is here and the Tuscan countryside is changing its colors: from the vibrant green of summer into warm yellows and reds typical of this season.

In Mugello, autumn is a very special season full of events and festivals we suggest you take note of. October is the month of chestnuts and other products from the brushwood. These typical products are celebrated in several festivals and fairs all around Mugello. In the next few weeks, there will also be interesting guided tours and excursions, such as the visit to the Archaeological area of Frascole in Dicomano.

These are the main events for the upcoming month. For more details we suggest you visit the official website of the  Official Tourist site of Mugello:

PALAZZUOLO SUL SENIO

October 3
Ambientavola – Food market of typical products from Tuscany and Romagna together with food tastings.

October 10-17-24-31
Festival of the “marrone” and other products of the woods including tastings of local dishes.

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Wine, Beer and Much More

September is almost at its end. Sometimes I don’t realize how fast time passes! Over the weekend there several events in Florence and its surroundings. Let’s see the most interesting going on this weekend. Read full post »

In a week time Florence will be the capital of wine. From September 30th to October 3rd the city hosts Wine Town Firenze, international event gathering together high quality wine producers. A great event dedicated to wine stewards and professional buyers, but also to wine lovers, tourists  and Florentine people. Read the post »

It looks like that September will end with figurative fireworks in Florence. During all month the city has been animated by many events and this last week promises to be a busy one for anyone wanting to take advantage.

From September 25th, Palazzo Vecchio will open for the first time to the public the Roman Theater found underneath it dating back to 1st century B.C. After 20 years of archaeological works, the theater will become part of the museum of Palazzo Vecchio. The one-hour guided tours will be on Saturday, Sunday and Monday at 11, 14,30, 15.30 and 16.30. During the evening openings of Palazzo Vecchio there will also be tours at 17.30 and 18.30. The tours must be booked in advance (booking is free) by calling the Museo dei Ragazzi at  055 2768224. The entrance ticket will be 8 euro and includes entrance into the rest of the Palazzo Vecchio museum.

Another important update: given the high demand to visit it, from September 29 until December 17 the Vasari Corridor will re-open temporarily. A mandatory reservation is necessary to visit the corridor that links the Uffizi Gallery and Palazzo Pitti, displaying a great collection of artists’ self-portraits. Guided tours are only in Italian but the guides try to accommodate English speakers as well. The visits are scheduled on Wednesday and Friday at 14 and 16.30 and on Thursday at 9.00 and 11.00. The tour costs euro 14,00 and includes the ticket for the Uffizi Gallery which you should visit prior to your scheduled tour. For reservation call the number 055 294883.

So what are you waiting for? Visit Florence and take note of these special events!

With the arrival of Autumn, Piazza Santa Croce continues to be a colorful meeting place for both Florentines and tourists alike every weekend. The square throughout the year hosts several events and festivals, marking the passage of the seasons in Florence.

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After 9 months around Italy, the stunning wooden Crucifix by Michelangelo is back in Florence. Early work by the great Tuscan artist, it will be on display in the Church of Santo Spirito from Sunday 19 September, right at the center of the sacristy.

Florence Municipality, together with the Augustinian friars, are organizing several events from Sunday September 18 to Sunday the 26th celebrating the Crucifix. There will be concerts, conferences and guided tours. In particular, guided tours will be on September 20, 21, 23 and 24 at 10, 11, 12, 16 and 17. Tours are free and include the Church of Santo Spirito, the sacristy where the Crucifix is located, the cloister and several works by Poccetti generally closed to the public. In addition, at the end visitors can see the museum Fondazione Romano, rarely open to the public. Tours will be in Italian, to join in just go directly to the Church at the appointed times.

I think it’s really worth to go visit Santo Spirito, even if you don’t speak Italian, because it will be a special occasion to admire the beauty of Michelangelo’s Crucifix.

Autumn is here and we’ll soon the season will be to start wearing pullovers, scarves and hats again. Hoping that the weather will still be nice this upcoming weekend, here are the main events in Tuscany from which to choose from – so many choices! Read the full post »

There are several events going on this weekend in Tuscany, and even though the weather is definitely changing, it should be nice for wandering around the region and enjoying the events going on. Hope these ideas will help you plan a great weekend in Tuscany! Read full post »

September is here and days are shorter than before. I like this month because the weather is sunny and mild and the countryside starts changing colors. In addition there are many events in and around Florence.

On Saturday I will stay in Florence and go for a walk in the city center. I want to go to Piazza Santissima Annunziata where the Fierucola del Pane will be taking place, a traditional festival of organic bread and products. There will be lots of organic food grown following traditional customs by local farmers. In addition there will be music and activities for children. Then I will go to the Tepidarium at the Horticulture’s Garden in via Bolognese. Inside this large recently restored glasshouse fly hundreds of colorful tropical butterflies. For all September it’s possible to take tea with the butterflies flying around you. The Tepidarium is open every day and from 7.30pm to 10 pm is “happy hour” time. The entrance costs 8.00 euro. Read full post »

In early September Florence hosts a unique event, that only Florentines know and celebrate: the Festa della Rificolona, the Festival of paper lanterns.

This typical Florentine festival dates back to the Middle Ages. Since then people went on pilgrimage from Florence surroundings to Santissima Annunziata Church for celebrating the birth of the Virgin Mary on September 8th. They carried a paper lantern to light the way. Today the Rificolona Festival is no longer a religious celebration, but a festival for children.

This year as well, Florence will be lighted up by hundreds of paper lanterns, that will parade along the historical center. On September 7th the parade will start around 8.50 pm in Piazza Santa Croce and will end up in Piazza Santissima Annunziata around 10.00 pm. The parade will be guided by the marching band “Sound Street Band” from Santa Croce, through Borgo dei Greci, Via dei Gondi, Piazza della Signoria, Via Calzaioli, Piazza Duomo, Via dei Servi and Santissima Annunziata. On September 8th the parade will then be on the Arno River near Ponte Vecchio, starting at the Rowing Club.