Author: Valentina

Valentina is a freelance copy and travel writer who loves Tuscany and writing about it. She's also a full-time mother of both a lovely, blond boy and to several of the four-legged kind.

Versilia a Popular Summer Destination for LGBT

July 10, 2010

A few days ago I read this article on the Italian newspaper La Repubblica about gay and lesbian tourism in Tuscany and the popularity of the area of Versilia over Greece as a destination for the LGBT community. It didn’t really surprise me since Tuscany has always been a land of freedom. Just think that…

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Weekend in Lucca and Viareggio

July 9, 2010

This weekend I want to escape from Florence. Maybe because this week has been really hot, but I need a break from Florence’s heat. Viareggio on the coast. We’ll be there for dinner because I want to eat seafood on the beach at sunset. After dinner some night shopping along the “Passeggiata”, one of the…

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Finally July is here!

July 2, 2010

Finally it’s summer with hot days, unfortunately the heat has also called given life to lots of mosquitoes as well. The gray rainy days of just two weeks ago are a memory and summer begins with the first Palio of the year. In fact, today July 2 is the Palio of Provenzano. I won’t go…

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A Weekend in Livorno and Surroundings

June 10, 2010

Finally It’s Summer! Yes! Finally it’s hot and since I’m 100% Florentine this weekend I go to the coast. In addition this weekend take place the Blue Night from Livorno to Piombino. For all weekend there are guided tours, concerts and lots of events all along the Tyrrhenian coast, called from Livorno to Piombino the…

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In June Palazzo Vecchio opens till Midnight

June 8, 2010

After the great success of the extraordinary openings in May, Palazzo Vecchio goes on burning the midnight oil and for the month of June. Palazzo Vecchio opens every day from 9.00 am to 12.00 am, except on Thursdays and June 24th (9.00 am to 7.00 pm). There are guided tours to the Ramparts running every…

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The Saracen Joust in Arezzo June 2010

June 5, 2010

A year is passed and June has come. On the third Saturday of June there will take place a great medieval festival, very famous in Italy: La Giostra del Saracino or the Saracen Joust of Arezzo. The Saracen Joust takes places twice per year (June and September) in Piazza Grande, beautiful square in Arezzo. This…

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Treasure hunt, wine tastings and more in Tuscany

June 4, 2010

Finally June has arrived! From the weather you wouldn’t say it, but I’m not worried for my plans for this weekend in Tuscany. Yes, this weekend I don’t plan to stay in Florence but plan on going around Tuscany. So, these are some of my plans. Saturday morning early wake up, about 9.00, because I…

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Planning the weekend in Florence

May 27, 2010

Today is Thursday and I’ve started planning this last weekend of May in Florence since from the next one we Florentines generally like to leave the hot city for the seaside or the countryside, even if I personally am fine with a little bit of warm sunny days. My attention is focused on the eagerly…

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Classico is Chianti

May 24, 2010

If you happen to see a Fiat 500 around Florence making sounds like a rooster, don’t worry, it isn’t a maniac out driving having fun. The cars making the rooster’s cock-a-doodle-do are actually promoting an upcoming event in Chianti’s wine region, Chianti Classico, whose symbol is the black rooster. Starting May 29th and continuing on…

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A weekend in Florence as a Florentine

May 20, 2010

What do I do in Florence on weekends? Today is Thursday and I’m planning my weekend in Florence. Of course as a Florentine I have lots of Florentine friends and several of them always complain that they can’t find anything interesting to do in town, from events to night-life. Well I want to prove that…

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