2011 Mid-August in Tuscany

Mid-August in Tuscany is a holiday dedicated to the city fairs and the festivals all around the region, on this day small towns and villages welcome their tourists in the best shape. Many events are already planned, and so you can choose to live some happy moments in Tuscany, tasting the typical food and products, listening to good music or visiting some of the most amazing places of art in Tuscany.

Among the most outstanding events we cannot forget the world famous Palio di Siena, on its second annual date. The characteristic horse race among the city quarters (called contrade) takes place two times a year: the first one on 2nd July, on the occasion of the palio di Provenzano, and it is repeated on 16th August, on the Assumption's day, with its typical flag flyers, and the parade, creating every year a unique show.

The old town of Camaiore welcomes you with stands and markets, giving life to the festival called "Camaiore d'altri tempi: follie di ferragosto" a beautiful antiques' fair, which has become a summer classic in Versilia, throughout the years.
Exhibitors come from every part of Italy to offer their exclusive goods: from small ornaments to old furniture, from paintings and sculptures to coins, from comics to every sort of collectables.. Walking along the stands you can find precious linen, laces or precious dolls still in their original clothes. Some stands show and sell books dating back to 19th and the beginning of 20th century; furniture plays a major role in the fair, with tables, wardrobes and blanket chests. Among the side events you'll find music, puppet shows, art, gastronomy all around the town in different locations.

Meat lovers will fall in love with Cortona (AR) and its Sagra della Bistecca (the Steak's fair): a huge grill is mounted in the gardens of Parterre, and here the famous steaks "fiorentine" are grilled in the open air; these steaks are strictly produced with Chianina beef, and meat is usually underdone, according to the old Tuscan tradition. The menu includes Chianti or Cortona Doc wines, which go perfectly with this kind of beef. You can also find other typical Tuscan products.

In Montepescali (GR) you can visit the Sagra del Cinghiale e del Tortello, (fair of the wild boar and tortello) which celebrates its 35th year: here you can try typical local dishes from Maremma (stewed and grilled boar, tortelli and tagliatelle with boar sauce, grilled meat) which are served on the main square of the town, listening to live music and having fun.

The 23rd Festambiente will take place in Rispescia, in the province of Grosseto: the festival is an international event dealing with environmental issues, that's why it is organized in the very heart of the wildlife reserve in Maremma. You'll find concerts, music, theatre for younger people, a whole town for children, restaurants with typical biological products, as well as an exhibition area and a cinema. Many artists, politicians, experts are coming from Italy and Europe to talk about environment, as they already did in the past years. On 15th August Mario Biondi will be performing on stage with his soul-jazz Big Orchestra, presenting his latest work: "Yes you live".

If you want to spend your holiday following art and culture, here are some art exhibitions in our region: "The kremlins' treasure" at the museum "degli argenti" inside Palazzo Pitti in Florence: over 100 pieces coming from Moscow's museum of Kremlin, this is the result of a cultural exchange between Italy and Russia. The works represent the birth and growth of the Kremlin's armory , the richest art collection of that museum, with royal jewels and objects connected to the history of Czars in Russia.
In the exhibit you can also find religious objects, like chalices, crosses, vestments, reliquaries. Other objects come from the military world, like helms, armors, sabers, rifles, saddlery and other common objects.

In the heart of Uffizi in Florence, until 30th October 2011, you'll find the exhibit "Vasari, gli Uffizi e il Duca" where the history of Uffizi is presented in different forms: here you can see the evolution of this building which Cosimo I De Medici wanted to be built in order to house the institutions of Florence, including the Bench and the representatives of local arts and crafts. This exhibit certifies the friendship between Cosimo I and the artist Vasari, who both lived the best season for arts in Florence, living and working side by side with the best artists brought to Florence by Cosimo I. The birth and evolution of the Uffizi is explained through drawings, plans, projects: they show the town's layout between the river Arno and Palazzo Vecchio before the palace was built, and the following building site, the greatest one in Florence during the renaissance.
Among the exhibited pieces we can admire the wooden doors of the Bench, some old working tools and original copies of Vasari's book "Le Vite" with some autographed sonnets dating back to 1550 and 1568.

With such a rich program you just can't miss Mid-August in Tuscany. What are you waiting for? Book your holiday as soon as possible and check out our offers of hotel and b&b for a wonderful Mid-August holiday in Tuscany!