Tuscan Towns March Fairs (cont’d)
Thursday, March 11th, 2010This is the second part of the events in Tuscan towns in March 2010. For the first part click here.
The weekends of March 13 and 19 will be celebrated in Fucecchio near Florence the Sagra del Fegatello, or the liver fair. A very typical product, not to be missed if you like liver.
Finally some space for children! On Sunday March 14 Empoli, its squares and alleys will be transformed in a large amusement park for children from 3 pm onwards. Entertainment, workshops, and a puppets theater will complete the fun.
On the same day, the 14th, in Pescia near Pistoia you will be able to taste the delicious Necci at the Sagra del Neccio, made with chestnut flower and filled with fresh ricotta cheese. A delicacy that you have to try!
Degustolio is the extra virgin olive oil tasting event that takes place at the Italian Oenotheque in Siena. The event will be only on March 12.
The town of Sansepolcro celebrates the Fiera di Mezza Quaresima,or half Lent fair, from the 18th to the 21st of March. This antique tradition brings to town any sort of traveling merchants, and on the morning of the 20th it will take place the livestock sale as it used to be in the past.
Cascina di Pisa presents Chocolandia 2010, the chocolate fair that for three days fills the Corso Matteotti with delicacies dedicated to the sweet toothed ones! It starts on the 19th and is open to all.
For those that could not attend the Sagra dl Tartufo Marzuolo in Borgo San Lorenzo, from the 19th to the 28th in Certaldo. Ten days dedicated to this scented gift of nature.
In Cortona, the celebrated Tuscan town near Arezzo, on the 19th of March it will be the turn of the Chianina oxen. Wonderful examples of this gigantic and well-behaved oxen will be on show. 120 of the most beautiful cows and bulls will be displayed.
Near Cavriglia in Castelnuovo dei Sabbioni on the 20th and 21st of March there will be the Festa di Primavera, or spring fair, with two days dedicated to local food and bike excursions of the teritory.
Two truffle events will be on the 20th and 21st of March. One is Volterra and the other in San Miniato di Pisa in Cigoli. Truffle tasting, truffle hunting, and a “class” with notions on how to taste and prepare truffles will be among the interesting events of these fairs. There of ourse will be open air restaurants to taste the delicate entries based on truffles.
In Cala Galera near Monte Argentario from the 20th to the 28th there will be an anticipation of the 2010 summer season with the nautical fair that will have on show hundreds of new and second hand boats for all tastes and pockets. Worth a visit, if only for the wonderful scenery and the nearby Porto Ercole.
So much to see in so many Tuscan towns in March. Food, culture, tradition, religion, and folklore mix up in this wonderful Tuscany to be discovered any time of the year!
With the approaching of the spring season the number of fairs are increasing by the day and moving from indoor locations to the outdoors in piazzas and town streets. There is a great number of Tuscan towns that add to the many events with their local flavor and personal twist their one of a kind fair. Often these fairs are bound to an ancient tradition, while in other cases they are a relatively recent addition to local folklore.
Within the last twenty years the Chinese population of Prato has greatly increased to reach estimates of up to 20 thousand residents, although unofficial estimates are much higher. In 1988 there were 31 Chinese residents in Prato, 20 years later things have changed dramatically.
Yet another contest to spend few days in Tuscany for free in a wonderful setting, pampered in first class hotels, tasting the best Tuscan food in renown restaurants, and shopping like crazy in the most beautiful boutiques and interesting shops of Florence and Siena. This is what offers the “Taste and Shopping” contest, the latest opportunity given by the Tuscany region to win a splendid vacation in Tuscany.
For the weekend of Saint Lucia in Tuscany, which tradition holds to be the shortest day of the year (as the saying goes, “Saint Lucia, the shortest day of the year”), there is a hive of events of all kinds. First of all the Christmas spirit can be felt with the many Christmas street markets and nativity scenes. In addition there are food and wine events, fairs, and country town festivals. Among the food and wine events, it is necessary to remind the Honey Fair in Arezzo, and Winter Goblets in Massa Marittima.
It is always a hard task to find a Holiday present that will satisfy the needs and taste of both the giver and the receiver. You may find something you do not particularly like to gift, but then you are not certain the receiver would dislike it. So in the end one is drawn towards the gifts and ideas she likes best, assuming her judgment cannot be that far from what the receiver likes. However, many times we have seen that something we have presented did not really meet the expectations of the person we are giving the gift to. It is agreed that gifts should come from the heart and that it does not matter what is given, the receiver will be happy with it. Unfortunately we all know that is not always the case.
It may seem out of scope to write about books on Tuscany on the blog that talks about Tuscany! Books have their own special place of course, and while this blog tries to give as much information on Tuscany as it can, books will always give a much rounder picture of this wonderful region. Having said that, don’t stop reading Experience Tuscany! Or at least not before having read about some of the most popular books on Tuscany.
The Immaculate Conception is the Catholic dogma that recognizes the virginity of the mother of Christ, and is celebrated on December 8 every year. It is therefore a nice happening when, like this year, it is on a Tuesday, creating a much awaited long weekend stretching from Friday to Tuesday. This is also the day that Christmas celebrations officially begin. The historic centers of cities and towns are being adorned with lights and animated with Christmas carols. Street markets liven up the streets during the whole holiday. The colorful world of craft creations and gift ideas snuggle in perfectly with the candid atmosphere of Christmas.
The month of November is the perfect time for gastronomic fairs in Tuscany. Chestnuts, truffles and the new oil dominate dining tables and kitchens with their flavors. There are many events dedicated to the delicacies of the season in the province of Florence, in particular in the Mugello area, with many fairs devoted to good food and traditional tastes.
Florence offers to its visitors plenty of choice when it comes to shopping. There are city center areas that it is important to know for shopping purposes. For purchases that involve quite some involvement, the street to be in is Via Tornabuoni, once the show off “living room” of the city, where you can find the big names of fashion and master jewelers creations. Unfortunately, this street has recently witnessed the closure of ancient traditional shops. Pricey purchases can also be done in the nearby Via della Vigna Nuova.