Experience Tuscany

“Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire inside is so delightful…” if Sammy Cahn were in Tuscany today he would surely compose the same words he did back in 1945! Tuscany is covered with snow from north to south and east to west, at any altitude. The Siberian influence is making this March 2010 a little crazy. One week ago temperatures were around 17 Celsius (about 70 Fahrenheit) and all of the sudden they dropped below zero Celsius (32 Fahrenheit).
Snow in Tuscany is a pretty common phenomenon, but March is a little too late to have such a widespread snowstorm. In any case the spectacle is absolutely lovely, even because in most cases the snow is quickly removed from city streets and sidewalks, and driving or walking in the city is safe.
This is probably going to be the last Tuscany snow, at least at lower altitudes. Mountain towns and resorts will almost certainly have a few other snowfalls, so if you like to sky you are sure to find snow in Tuscany until late March. Some time has passed from the first Tuscany snow of this winter season. It was December 19, 2009. Not even three months later the last snow falls on Tuscany closing the season with a bang.
All in all, the cold weather in Tuscany does not last much, but enough to enjoy the winter season and the good sides of it. Enough for this year with bringing wood to the fireplace, preparing hot hearty soups, dressing with warm clothes and visiting winter markets. The lengthening hours of daylight give the clear sign that spring is knocking and it is time to start living outdoors, making day trips and picnics, staying out late to enjoy town fairs and their dancing town parties.
So to the question “Does it snow in Tuscany?“, you can certainly reply “Yes!“, but just enough to enjoy all the seasons of the year. This is the last snow in Tuscany: so long Winter, welcome back Spring!

Just opened a new section on ThriftyTuscany.com dedicated to Tuscany special offers and accommodation rentals offered at lower prices for a limited period only.
Easter is coming soon. Although that particular week is usually considered a period of high season, there are many properties that offer special discounts for your Easter holiday in Tuscany without forgoing any quality.

Like Relais Il Fienile in Bibbiena near Arezzo, located in a wonderful and peaceful location immersed in a natural environment, yet close to art and history cities. It is the ideal base to enjoy the natural Casentino mountains, unique for its parks with breathtaking scenery to explore hiking, biking, or simply strolling through its large grasslands.
The Relais il Fienile bases its hospitality principles on Character, Courtesy, Calm, Charm, Cuisine, wisely mixing these ingredients to prepare the perfect relaxing holiday. Your Tuscany stay will be an enchanting experience.
The details of this offer are the following:

Valid from April 2 to April 6, 2010.
- 5 days, 4 nights in double room. Half board service 268 Euros per person. B&B service 184 Euros per person.
- 4 days, 3 nights in double room. Half board service 216 Euros per person. B&B service 153 Euros per person.
- 3 days, 2 nights in double room. Half board service 154 Euros per person. B&B service 112 Euros per person.

Children’s beds in room with parents are 38 Euros per day with half board service and 17 Euros per day with B&B service.

Visit Tuscany apartments and rooms Relais Il Fienile to view pictures of the property, get a more detailed description of this Tuscany rental anmd contact the owner directly to reserve. As usual, Relais Il Fienile is a Tuscany rental by owner from ThriftyTuscany.com.

Easter is approaching fast, April 4, 2010 will be in less than a month from today. Easter in Tuscany, like in the rest of Italy, is a very important part of the local tradition. There are a number of appointments and rituals that take place each year during the period that precedes the Easter Sunday.
Tuscany is located at a latitude that almost always grants fair weather when Easter comes. Therefore during this period there are quite a number of outdoor activities that happen in towns and cities. With the approaching of Easter Sunday, the number of events becomes more and more centered around the religious meaning of the festivity. Tuscany is a very Catholic part of Italy, therefore here you will be able to attend many religious reenactments of the Passion of Christ (for which is meant the imprisonment, torture and final crucifixion of Jesus). In religious terms, Easter is the resurrection of Jesus Christ from death, and in pagan terms it is the festivity of spring, the resurrection from the dark and cold winter of all living things. The two meanings often coincide in many towns of Tuscany. For example on March 21st, the spring equinox, is the festivity of Saint Benedict and Aulla, near Massa, celebrates it with a town fair filled with kiosks and local flavors. A similar event of ancient pagan origins happens in Cardoso and nearby villages of the Serchio Valley. The Monte Forato, or perforated mountain, presents a large and thick arch through which the setting sun appears after disappearing for a few moments after the rocky arch, thus creating the wonderful effect of a double sunset. This effect only happens during a specific time of the year in spring when the hole is aligned with the setting sun. Ancient traditions celebrated the event as the coming of spring and the end of deadly winter months. Nowadays the mountain still attracts many to witness the spectacular phenomenon.
More Catholic celebrations are the reenactments that happen on the Thursday immediately before Easter or on Good Friday. The processions reenacted in Radicofani, Castiglion d’Orcia, Piancastagnaio and Abbadia San Salvatore are among the most famous in Tuscany. The medieval alleys of these mountain town are lit with oil torches only, and the scenic effect exalts the sad parade of people in costumes following “Jesus” carrying the cross. The procession can be attended with respect for the religious meaning of the event. Castiglion Fiorentino celebrates with La Volata, the flight, where the crucifix is brought by many running into the Collegiata church giving the impression to fly over the spectators. Quite a spectacle to attend.
The most common way to celebrate Easter in Tuscany is to be with one’s family, but it can also be celebrated with others as there is a saying in Italy that states “Christmas with your family, Easter with whomever you want”. On that Sunday morning boiled eggs are blessed in church and then brought back home to be eaten first thing at lunch following a short prayer. The following day, Easter Monday, is dedicated to outdoor excursions and day trips, often to the seaside or dedicated to the discovery of a local town fair, as many are available on this day. In a few days here you will find here a list of all the places to visit on Easter Monday, to make your Easter in Tuscany more interesting!

A new fantastic contest to extend your holiday in Tuscany for free and learn the crafts that have made Tuscan manufacturing and arts great in the world. The tradition continues thanks to the effort of many artisans that pass their craftsmanship along to those willing to learn.
Photography, cooking, painting and ceramic are the courses on which this contest focuses. 4 arts and crafts that combine the most antique Tuscan traditions with more modern ones. The winners of the contest will learn the rudiments and secrets of these forms of art enriching their Tuscan experience with invaluable knowledge.
Each prize also includes 2 nights in Tuscany in a superior room B&B, each in a different part of the region. Each location is bound to a specific craft for local traditions or peculiar characteristics of the land. The photography course will take place in the Siena area, due to the wonderful scenic properties of this territory. A professional will guide you and teach you how to shoot professional pictures. You will be enlightened on the art of painting in Florence, the cradle of Renaissance. Ceramic is reserved to the Maremma in Sorano, where there is a renown ceramic school. The cooking class is going to be in Barberino del Mugello, an area renown for the sapient mastery in the art of cooking.
For more details on prizes and the rules of the contest click here or open this document.

To participate, as usual, you need to send four electronic postcards to friends or relatives. Each of these that will participate in turn will give an extra chance to win. Go here to complete this step. After registration and sending the post cards you will be asked a little more details about yourself, and you are done! This contest is open from February 13th to April 14, 2010. Hurry, and good luck!

The month of March offers many advantages to women that want to take advantage of a short pre-summer break and relax at one of the many thermal spas in Tuscany.
Either for a few days or for the entire month of march, the majority of Tuscan spa resort offer one or multiple special packages dedicated to women’s wellness and relax. You can choose to stay one or more nights, or take advantage for only a day spa with treatments and thermal baths. Here are all the spa special offers and packages dedicated to women for March of 2010.

Please note: all the links to the official websites below are in Italian as it was not possible to find the corresponding page in English. However, the staff of each resort speaks English and you will have no trouble getting detailed info by email or phone.

San Giovanni Terme in Rapolano Terme near Siena: The packet “Daily You” includes one entrance to the thermal pools, one light lunch and one treatment all at 80 Euros per person. Valid for the entire month of March 2010. The “Mimosa Packet” includes two week days and one night in a comfort room-type, one treatment, thermal pool access and fitness room access for two days at 155 Euros per person. Valid for the entire month of March.
In addition on March 8th women enter for free showing the wellness STR card membership, and no single room use surcharge is applied for double hotel rooms for the entire month. More info at www.termesangiovanni.it.

Antica Querciolaia in Rapolano Terme near Siena: Overnight stay at 120 Euros per person in a double room with dinner and breakfast, including entrance at the spa until late night, massages and healing muds. Your stay will be at Hotel Posta del Chianti on the night of the 8th. More info at www.termeaq.it.

Terme di Saturnia in Saturnia near Grosseto: From March 6 to the 9 at 210 Euros per person you can have a day spa including spa manicure, hydralift, and herbal hair treatment. For golf lovers, a miniclinic of three days is also offered at 450 Euros per person including golf classes, video analysis of your swing, practice, thermal baths and final tournement. More info at www.termedisaturnia.it.

Fonteverde in San Casciano dei Bagni near Siena: For the entire month of March 2010 you can choose three midweek days or two weekend days at 597 Euros per person. Although the price is quite remarkable, also your accommodation, services and care offered are of the highest quality. The package is for women only and includes treatments specifically targeted to women. More info at www.fonteverdespa.com.

Grotta Giusti in Monsummano Terme near Pistoia: From March to May women are offered a special treatment at Grotta Giusti. 720 Euros per person will grant you three days of absolute bliss and the priviledge of being spoiled in a wonderful accommodation and served the best beauty and wellness treatments. If you bring along a female friend you will be both offered a rich dinner at the prestigious restaurant of the hotel. More info at www.grottagiustispa.com.

Terme Sensoriali in Chianciano Terme near Siena: On March 8 women are admitted for the entire day at only 30 Euros per person. For an additional 85 Euros you will be able to get a special scrub treatment and admittance to the Salone Sensoriale. More info at www.termechianciano.it.

Terme di Casciana in Casciana near Pisa: The Pour Elle package offers a day spa treatment with massage, entrance to the thermal pools and a present at 80 Euros. The Pour Famme package at 110 Euros per person adds a facial treatment. More info at www.termedicasciana.com.

Terme Bagni di Lucca in Bagni di Lucca near Lucca: For the entire month of March 2010, Day Spa with Mimosa package to stay overnight at only 159 Euros per person. Half board, treatments, and thermal baths included in the price. Reductions for groups of 6 plus women. More info at www.termebagnidilucca.it.

Take advantage of these fantastic offers dedicated to women for a splendid Tuscany spa relax.

Easter is coming soon, precisely on April 4, 2010. A great idea would be to spend your Easter holidays in Italy, and more precisely in the Tuscany region. During spring time Tuscany is a great place to be. This time of the year brings along thousands of typical events to take part to, traditions to discover. Most importantly you will be able to attend the awakening of the wonderful natural setting of Tuscany. During Easter the gray and brown fields become covered with intense green little plants that later in the year become wheat or other crops to harvest. The first pale leaves gather more intensity from the warming sun to become of an intense green that adorns river ways and side-roads. The rising temperatures and lengthening hours of daylight make it even more pleasurable to be in the outdoors visiting wonderful settings like Siena, San Gimignano, Florence, Pisa, and many more thousands of delicious towns and villages of Tuscany.

If you need few ideas where to spend your 2010 Easter in Tuscany, the best thing is to stay in one of the many holiday rentals. The Casentino mountains, for example, offer great accommodations in Tuscany by owner. Like Bio Agriturismo Il Vigno, an organic farm house near the Casentino mountains park and the La Verna monastery, a place of great religious faith and immense beauty.

If you would like to take advantage of the still white Tuscany mountains, you can go even further up on the Abetone mountain of the Pistoia province. For the remainder of the 2010 ski season in Tuscany you will be able to take advantage of great hotel and ski lift discounts while enjoying an unmatched natural landscape.

The warming season, however, can make you roll directly on the Tuscany coast in the wild and beautiful Maremma. Here much of the natural setting is protected, and the landscape preserves a great charge of romantic beauty. Seeing the wild horses run free, or walk bare feet on the sandy beaches of Tuscany are emotions to divide with some one special.

Just like the rejuvenating and relaxing experience of trying one of the many Tuscany thermal spas. Rapolano Terme, Cascina, Grotta Giusti, Bagni Vignoni, Saturnia, and many more are the thermal resorts scattered all over Tuscany that can offer you complete accommodation packages or just a day spa with treatments.

And why not spending your Easter in Italy crossing a section of Tuscany with a Vespa? The Etruscan coast near Pisa is a wonderful and off-the-beaten-road area to discover in a fun way with this tour dedicated to Vespa and motorbikes enthusiasts.

Spending your Easter in Italy dedicating a large chunk of you holiday to Tuscany is one of the best treats you can do to yourself. You will want to come back over and over!

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.
This is the largest Chinese community in Italy. The Prato Chinatown has been recently defined by the Washington Post one of a kind in the world. Indeed here non Asian people and Italians feel awkward, as if they were in China. Here you can find Chinese stores for any necessity. Food, home equipment and kitchen utensils, technology stores, restaurants, gambling places, and more. Some places do not even have Italian speaking personnel and some restaurants only accept Chinese customers. While the latter are of course extremes of a wide array of experiences, Chinatown in Prato is certainly an interesting reality to discover. The main artery is Via Pratese, where the largest and most furnished stores are present. Here everyday it is very hard to spot a wester face, and more often than not if you wish to buy something you need to speak some Chinese or hope a first generation Italian from Chinese parents works in the shop and comes to the rescue.
Why Prato? Well, the city has a long lived textile production history. During the centuries the city has been at the center of innovation and superior craftsmanship as far as the production of new textile materials and techniques is concerned. One example for all was the long lasting relation between the Russian Tsar court and the city. The fame of the town was world wide spread and the Chinese workers of the Zhejiang region, a very poor portion of China but with a long tradition in the textile industry, arrived in Prato to find work in the factories. Their presence was mostly filling black market jobs at the beginning. With time many grew to become entrepreneurs and started calling other Chinese people to Italy to hire them, thus creating an exponential effect. The last decade economic crisis has boosted the Chinese economy in Tuscany, as their products offered on the market have found a renewed interest due to the increasing cost of living. With time production has also improved, and if fifteen years ago “made in China” was synonym of the cheapest quality, nowadays things have changed radically.
Of course there still are many negative aspects that any integration process brings along. Some put off the newcomers capitalizing on cliches and local news reporting crime stories. The process has started nevertheless, and it is encouraging to see Italian and Chinese getting married, and the first or second generation Italians of Chinese descent embrace both cultures equally with all the difficulties that that also embodies.
A stroll in Via Pratese in Prato, Tuscany, certainly is an interesting experience to make. Whenever you are in Florence or are visiting the historic center of Prato, take an extra step towards this section of town. There you will find thousands of imported goods and foods from China, and will live a very contemporary reality of Tuscany.

Great news for those that wish to travel in winter to Tuscany to ski and enjoy the wonderful Tuscany mountains in the Pistoia province. There is a touristic agency that offers great discounts on transportation and monetary incentives on mountain lifts for groups of people that are of at least 15 people. More info here.
The Tourism Promotion Agency also offers great advantages for weekend and weekly stays. Half board stays of three days and two nights start at only 175 euros per person including your accommodation and all the mountain lifts for two days. A full week stay with half board service is only 480 euros per person! And if you decide to stay at Cutigliano Doganaccia, the price is even lower, at 145 euros for the weekend and 410 for the whole week!
You will be able to enjoy well over 60 kilometers of wonderful ski slopes in an amazing natural setting. Here modern lift equipment satisfies all skier levels. The equipment includes from the simplest stand-up ski lifts to the protected and fully enclosed high lifts that lead to the peak of the mountain. From these privileged points of view you can really appreciate all the beauty of Abetone and the Tuscany mountains.
Less expert skiers can learn this wonderful sport at ease thanks to the many school camps that everyday gather practicing skiers with teachers that for a few hours teach all the techniques to become an excellent skier. There is a fantastic discounted rate also for those who are total novices to skiing and do not even have the equipment. For just 330 euros per person you will have half board stay for two nights, two days’ worth of ski lifting, 4 hours of one-on-one ski lessons, and two days boot and ski rentals, while for a week stay the offer is even better. You get all the above for six days at 725 euros per person. Prices are lower if instead of Abetone you choose Cutigliano Doganaccia. Weekends are for 275 euros per person and weekly rates are at 605 euros per person! For more info on these great rates please visit this page and this page. Unfortunately you will have to use a translator to get them in English. At the bottom of each page is a form to request info and reservations. You can fill it in English and it will be answered to in English.
These great rates are valid for the entire 2010 season. For as little as 810 euros per couple you will be able to stay one full week in Tuscany half board and enjoy the wonderful mountains and great little towns that have made the history of this portion of Tuscany. Towns like Fiumalbo just wait to be discovered after a full day on the white peaks. Learn to appreciate the local cuisine, so different from all other parts of Tuscany, and experience a great winter in Tuscany!

There are many reasons to get a holiday rental in Tuscany by owner during the month of September. The first of all may be the price. Spending your vacation in Tuscany in September is quite a smart thing to do, especially if you book a week or two in the second half of the month, when you are sure to find medium or even low season accommodations. Therefore you will get all the advantages of the property at a much lower price and enjoy an even less crowded rental, should you pick a farmhouse divided into apartments or a hotel. You will have no such advantage when renting a private villa, however you will still find that cities, museums, attractions, and sea resorts in Tuscany in September are all much more accessible as they are less crowded, therefore more enjoyable. No museum lines, and museums will all be open, as they are usually closed in August.
Moreover September welcomes you with a much milder weather, which in August and July can really become excessive. Walking on city streets, driving toward a nice town for a day trip is going to be less stressful thanks to less intense heat.
However, at times the weather can become a little too gloomy and cold. Some years the weather in Tuscany in September has been very autumnal since the second week, in fact spoiling the fun for those that wanted to enjoy sunbaths and refreshing pool dives. This can be most aggravating and really spoil your vacation in Tuscany. On the other side, many months of September have been spectacularly sunny throughout, but you still need to consider the risk. Of course this is why it is low season and cheaper.
Another advantage to be in Tuscany in September is that August and July are pretty much lazy months. Everyone goes on vacation, shops tend to be closed, and there are few traditional events going on. September, on the other hand, offers plenty of traditional events bound to wine harvesting and the fall season that is coming shortly. Town fairs are celebrated outdoors and give you the chance to discover more of the local culture. In addition, all shops, services, and museums are open, giving you the opportunity to live a more comfortable holiday experience.
So, the biggy here certainly is the weather in Tuscany, which more often than not is nice throughout the month of September. Adding the fact that you will find more services available to you, more local color, and less crowded tourist venues, and the huge money savings, a vacation in Tuscany in September is a great idea.

Finding a cheap flight to Tuscany coming from London is not very difficult. But at times if you go through well known websites that offer powerful search engines on the best airfares to and from London to Florence or Pisa airports you may not end up with the best rate after all. Most of the times, indeed, you are told the carrier only at the end of the booking process, and it may be too late to check for special promotions that you may only find on the carrier’s website. Plus, most of the times the prices shown are quite deceptive as they do not include taxes, fees, airport service charges, security supplements and administration fees, which can make up for a big chunk of your final fare.
So, which are the carriers that take from London to Tuscany in Italy?
Meridiana: It probably is the air travel company that has offered this service for the longest time. Meridiana will only take you from London Gatwick to Florence, as Pisa is not covered. The flight is direct and you are allowed to pick the most convenient date for you. Prices vary quite greatly from date to date, so make sure to compare the website’s offer prior to booking through an intermediary. The prices shown are final, all taxes and fees included. Website: www.meridiana.it.
British Airways: Another long standing carrier with flights from the UK to Tuscany. It departs from Gatwick and Heathrow to Pisa and from Gatwick only to Florence. The cheapest flights are of course from Gatwick, at times even half of what you can get from Heathrow. Also the non flexible tickets (i.e. fully refundable and changeable fares) are about double the expense than the non flexible ones. The fares you find on BA.com also include all fees and charges. Website: www.britishairways.com.
EasyJet: offers cheap flights from London to Tuscany departing from Luton and Gatwick to Pisa only. Florence is not served by this carrier that nevertheless offers quite interesting prices on flights to northern Tuscany. All airport fees and taxes are included. Booking fees are not, however they amount to a few pounds. Website: www.easyjet.com.
Ryanair: perhaps the carrier that has revolutionized the way to fly in Europe with low cost fares. It flies to Pisa with direct flights from Stansted only with fares that fluctuate quite a bit. The site quite often offers last minute specials at incredibly low prices. Some fees are included, but themost expensive luggage fees are not beware of this fact. Website: www.ryanair.com.

The flight time from London to Tuscany takes as little as two hours, so in 4 hours you can be from your home to your Tuscan accommodation, door to door!