What's Up Tuscany English

One of the things that annoy us Tuscans to no end is that most of what people know about our land is just wrong. The image that comes to mind to 90% of foreigners that come to visit us is mostly incorrect, just a result of the work of spin doctors, marketing guys and pretty much anyone that wants to sell stuff at an inflated price. This is quite obvious when it comes to food stuff: apparently, just adding the word "Tuscan" to anything allows the manufacturer to raise its price by a significant margin. Everything can be Tuscan, from herbs mixtures that no Tuscan has ever heard of to stuff that would make us cringe. If you ask anyone that knows a little about this land, they will tell you that Tuscan cuisine is all about vegetables, pasta, simple ingredients cooked in creative ways. While dishes like this exist, we Tuscans LOVE our meat. Maybe because it was a rare treat, we worship what we affectionately call "ciccia". The most famous of our meat dishes were born out of necessity: being meat very expensive, we would invent ways to turn the most lowly cuts into masterpieces. The recipe that was invented near Florence was so spectacular that it goes strong six centuries after its creation, which explains why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Impruneta to discover all the secrets of the amazing peposo.If you listen to the full episode you will learn how this beef stew was invented by terracotta workers that looked for a way to turn cheap cuts of meat into a sensational taste bomb. The slow cooked marvel was so incredible that Filippo Brunelleschi, while building the cupola of Florence cathedral, made it the official dish of the building site, spreading the recipe across Tuscany. In the second chapter we will go through the mandatory steps you have to follow to prepare a proper peposo and I will also give you a simple recipe to make this amazing dish in your very kitchen. There's going to be a few practical tips, suggestions on side dishes and the perfect wine to match. In the final chapter I will tell you how Impruneta is so in love with this meat lovers dream to have a November festival with a spectacular cook-off that will make you drool in anticipation. If you can't wait until then, I'll point you to several restaurants both in Impruneta and in Florence where you can enjoy this masterpiece of Tuscan cuisine at its best. While i can't say this is the signature dish of this land without incurring in the wrath of anyone who is not from Florence, I'd so as far as to say that the peposo should be its standard bearer. it has got everything we love about this land: it's made from cuts of meat no one wanted, cooked at low temperature for a long time which makes the meat extra-tender and super tasty. Next time you come to visit us, try it. If you love meat, it's a no brainer!Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.lacucinaitaliana.it/tutorial/le-tecniche/peposo-impruneta-ricetta/https://www.discoverpistoia.it/peposo-storia-curiosita-ricetta/https://www.today.it/benessere/alimentazione/storia-peposo-ricetta-impruneta-toscana.htmlhttps://www.gazzettinodelchianti.it/impruneta/peposo-day-2023-super-successo-alla-cena-del-peposo-oggi-la-sfida-fra-rioni/BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Incompetech - Leopard Print ElevatorMike Chino - Calm and HarmonyWayne John Bradley - Pick You UpWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077https://soundcloud.com/argofox/mike-chino-calm-and-harmonyhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/pick-you-up-slow-poprock-style-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

After three years spent looking for stories about this incredible region of mine, coming back from a little break was never going to be easy. No matter how ahead you plan, the dread of being late or having chosen the wrong subject is always around the corner. Luckily, though, this land is so full of amazing things that you just need a bit of luck and inspiration. A while ago, as I was researching for stuff to talk about, I bumped into an article that was talking about a town in Maremma that I had heard something about a long time ago. As it's quite far from where I live I never actually visited it but then I read a couple words that almost prompted me to take the car and drive there immediately. What were those words, you might ask? Possibly the best nickname for a town I've come across in the past 10 years: "Little Jerusalem". Being an history buff I immediately started thinking about the Templar Knights, relics stolen during the Crusades but the explanation was much simpler and, possibly, more intriguing. This charming village earned its nickname by being one of the very few places where Jews expelled from Rome actually were free to live and prosper. This story was so interesting that I had to look into it, which explains why, this week, What's Up Tuscany will travel south, to the heart of Maremma, to tell you everything there is to know about Pitigliano, a tuff masterpiece of a town that has got to be seen to be believed.If you listen to the full episode I will tell you about the many landmarks in this hilltop village, from a pretty church to a monumental fountain, from the aqueduct that was a gift from the Medici to an ancient monastery that became a fashionable palace in the Renaissance after being revamped by a famous architect. Then we will focus on the history of the Jewish community, how the ghetto grew with time and how the relationship between them and the general populace was strong enough to convince many regular families to risk their lives in order to hide their neighbours from the clutches of the Gestapo. The synagogue is still active and, even if the community is much smaller than in the past, people in Pitigliano still celebrate it by producing kosher wine and organising events to promote this interesting heritage. After some info on how to know the ghetto a bit better, I'll also point you to a couple amazing walks in the surrounding countryside that will let you know the mysterious and incredible Vie Cave, tens of metres deep man-made roads carved into stone that still baffle experts.In the final chapter I'll provide you with plenty of tips on stuff to do, eat and drink in this part of the Maremma that has a lot of things to offer. If you know what's good for you, try a good acquacotta, the old-time soup that is part of local folklore but don't forget to try some of the sweets that are produced around here. Some, like the migliaccio or the cialdino del tufo, sound quite simple and similar to other stuff you find around Tuscany but there are a couple, from the "tortello dolce" to the "sfratto dei Goym" that you can find only in Pitigliano. We will wrap things up with two excellent local wines that are quite great and don't cost a fortune plus a bunch of events that you should sign on your calendar. The Count's Banquet in late August sounds like a very smart choice. This is not your regular Tuscany: it's a place that is at the same time very real, hearty and charming. Rather than cramming on the beach with thousands or fighting with random tourists in downtown Florence, spend some time here, in the heart of Maremma. You'll thank me later.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.expedia.it/stories/10-cose-da-vedere-a-pitigliano-e-dintorni/https://pitigliano.org/palazzi-e-monumenti/fontana-delle-7-cannelle/https://www.quotidiano.net/itinerari/pitigliano/https://www.visittuscany.com/it/idee/viaggio-nella-piccola-gerusalemme-di-pitigliano/https://pitigliano.org/la-piccola-gerusalemme/BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Walking the WallPipe Choir - Fortress (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - A dark Blue Arc (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Trampled (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-walking-the-wall-creative-commons-musichttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-fortress-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-a-dark-blue-arc-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-trampled-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

We come back after a little Christmas break trying to answer one of the most annoying questions ever: "what are you doing on New Year's Eve?". While it looks quite harmless, it has the potential to unleash a world of pain, both to your sanity and your beleaguered wallet. I've made so many mistakes trying to follow the party imperative that I pretty much gave up completely on this tradition, choosing to spend the last hours of the year mostly at home. As not many people ascribe to this rather austere fashion, I was wondering if it was indeed possible to have a great time in Tuscany without breaking any further the proverbial bank. Happy to report that there are indeed quite a few interesting options available that you might still be able to book if you're already in this neck of the woods. This explains why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you all over this remarkable region to give you five smart choices for a New Year's Eve to remember for a long time.If you listen to the full episode you will find that we tried to cater to all sorts of people. If you're a history buff like yours truly, you might be able to attend a real Mediaeval banquet, organised in an ancient abbey that is just a trebuchet throw away from Monteriggioni, one of the most outstanding walled towns in Italy. If the whole idea of spending a night wearing potentially silly costumes, looking at court jesters or magicians playing some tricks doesn't sound particularly appealing, don't fret: we've got you covered. Are you in love with the paranormal? Why don't you have your party in an ancient castle that is said to host the restless soul of a famous commander, murdered brutally centuries ago in Florence? While we don't really believe in this kind of things, people say that this very pretty castle actually experiences strange phenomena, from sabre rattling to sounds of chains quite regularly. Who knows? You might be able to actually meet old Baldaccio d'Anghiari.In the last three chapters we will provide you with a wealth of information on how to spend a perfect New Year's Eve if you have quite specific needs. If you're a discerning traveller that appreciates some quality time in a quiet and refined locale, we've got the right place for you: a 14th century monastery that has been recently converted into a B&B. You know what the best part is? This cloister is very close to the mysterious and fascinating Etruscan town of Volterra, which has many things to explore in its cramped alleys. If you can't resist the call of the crowd, why don't you head to Lucca, which truly shines in the time between Christmas and Epiphany. From gourmet meals in Piazza Anfiteatro to the historic Christmas market that offers the best products of this land, you'll also be able to celebrate 2024 twice in just a few minutes. Want to know why? Listen to the episode, it's really a fun little oddity.While I would advise you to head to the Teatro del Giglio for their New Year's Eve concert and dinner, if you're more inclined to have some wholesome fun, nothing better than heading to Leghorn. Here you'll find pretty much anything you might want: from a laughter-filled vernacolo show at the Teatro Quattro Mori to a very fancy cenone in a five star hotel that is just on the Terrazza Mascagni, where you can see the amazing fireworks on the sea. Probably the best way to spend your night is to wander downtown, jumping from a bar to some great quick food options. Just be sure to be in Ardenza the next morning to witness the first swim of the year of the sea-crazed Livornesi. Whatever you choose, I hope your 2024 will be full of peace, good fortune and health. After all we've been through, we all need a lucky break.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCEShttps://www.chiostrodellemonache.com/https://www.castellodisorci.it/https://www.medievalitaly.it/https://www.capodannissimo.com/toscana/capodanno-a-firenze/https://www.ghpalazzo.it/https://www.teatrodelgiglio.it/it/news/dettaglio/concerto-di-capodanno-2024/BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Incompetech - Leopard Print ElevatorPipe Choir - Almost Time (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Fortress (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Blue Hope New SkyPipe Choir - Gemini (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-fortress-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-blue-hope-new-sky-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Pipe_Choir/SGONS_Instrumentals/Pipe_Gemini_Instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

The last weeks of the year are always a time of great excitement and a little bit of dread. Despite your religious tendencies, the idea of meeting with loved ones and indulge in some culinary excesses sounds tempting but there's always the mandatory happiness, the pressure to spend and consume like there's no tomorrow. In the last few years, our episodes ahead of Christmas have told you about traditional festivities, weird festivals and the food that must be on every Tuscan holiday table. This year we've decided to do things a bit differently, focussing on a very special event that takes place in one of this region's most wonderful villas, just a few miles from Lucca. Since the last couple of years, the new owners of this prestigious palace have embarked on an extensive renovation campaign, opened the villa to the public and organised for the last two weekends before Christmas an event that turns the place into a winter wonderland. That is why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Marlia to tell you everything there is to know about the amazing Villa Reale and how, twice every year, it becomes a place of endless wonder for kids and adults alike.If you listen to the full episode you will learn about the ancient origins of the place, how it was the sister of a very notorious emperor to turn it into something really special and how, not too many years ago, it became a veritable hotspot for international celebrities and famous artists. In the following chapter we will go through the many additions to this sizable estate that in the centuries have transformed its massive garden into a place full of art, exotic plants and intricate geometries that can be found in very few other places. Then we will go into the event that on the weekend of December 16-17 will transform the stables into Santa's Workshop, the many clever games for children that have been built out of reclaimed wood, the amazing lighting of the garden and how spending a day into this incredible palace can leave a lasting impression in both yourself and your children.The last part of the episode is again dedicated to our usual travel tips: this time I will give you two very different but equally valid options to have lunch or dinner very close to the Royal Villa. One is a Michelin-starred restaurant that cares a lot about tradition, the other a quirky trattoria that is just next door and offers great food, excellent service, a rustic atmosphere at a very reasonable price. Whatever you might think about this time of the year, spending some time in this incredible place will definitely put a smile on your face. Given everything we're going through in these crazy times, maybe that's the most we can hope for.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCEShttps://villarealedimarlia.it/conosci/la-storia/https://villarealedimarlia.it/eventi/magico-natale/https://www.europeanbusinessreview.com/henric-and-marina-groenberg-restoring-history/https://passionegourmet.it/2021/07/08/butterfly-marlia/https://www.labottegasullafraga.it/BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Pick You UpEzaOne - SupernovaWUFO - Hyde ParkIncompetech - Leopard Print ElevatorWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/pick-you-up-slow-poprock-style-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/ezaone-supernovahttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/wufo-hyde-parkhttps://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

For someone whose stated mission is to at the very least be aware of everything there is to know about Tuscany, coming to terms that this is not the case isn't exactly easy. Quite recently, as I was scouring the internet for interesting stories, I came across some amazing pictures. Problem is, they didn't look anything like Tuscany. If all, they looked like they were coming from either India or the Middle East, something that puzzled me to no end. When I realised that such a place actually exists, I was flabbergasted. How come I knew nothing about it? It's not like it's in the middle of nowhere, just some 20 miles from Florence. When I found out why is that the case, I was even more surprised. The problem is that this ancient castle transformed into a kaleidoscope of colours in the late 19th century is impossible to visit. Why, you might ask? Because it's been abandoned decades ago and is literally falling apart. This explains why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Reggello to tell you everything there is to know about the amazing Sammezzano Castle, the Tuscan Taj Mahal you can't visit.If you listen to the full epidode you will learn about the ancient origins of this castle, how in 780 hosted for a few days none other than Emperor Charlemagne and how it progressively lost its military significance. After going from one noble Florentine family to the other, the Medicis turned it into one of their favourite hunting reserves. Grand Duke Ferdinand didn't like it too much, so it sold the castle to a powerful Spanish family that had plenty of assets in Tuscany. The transformation happened from 1853 to 1889 under the direction of a marquis that was quite the character: while having never left Tuscany, he adored the East, so much that he trained a number of local workers to imitate Moorish and Indian techniques to replicate the landmarks he read about in his beloved books. The palace was so amazing that even the King of Italy had to see it with his own eyes. Building from scratch something that can rival both the Alhambra and the Taj Mahal is truly an amazing feat.Unfortunately, it were the extravagant decorations to doom the splendid castle. The marquis heirs couldn't care less about living in such a weird place and let it be ransacked by looters until there was almost nothing left. Several owners tried turning it into a luxury hotel but they ultimately failed as it was so expensive to maintain. Now the castle is for sale and people hope that the new owners will want to bring it back to its heyday. In the final chapters I'll describe you the amazing park, which hosts many giant sequoias brought from California, the stuff that you can do in the area and an ancient tavern turned hotel where you can either stay or have an amazing meal. While it's impossible to enter it, Sammezzano from the outside is stunning enough. Think about visiting it next time you're around. It needs all the attention it can get: such an amazing place simply cannot disappear.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCEShttps://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/sammezzano-the-most-magnificent-castle-you-cannot-seehttps://www.archeotravelers.com/en/2020/07/31/sammezzano-castle-a-corner-of-the-east-in-tuscany/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/italy/tuscany/articles/sammezzano-tuscan-castle-up-for-sale-14-million/https://www.marieclaire.it/lifestyle/viaggi/a38548856/castello-di-sammezzano/https://www.toscana.info/firenze/provincia/castello-di-sammezzano/https://www.sammezzano.info/https://www.villarigacci.it/BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Profound Beats - Lo-fiPipe Choir - Almost Time (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Fortress (Instrumental)Inova - SeamonsterPipe Choir - Followers (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/profoundbeats/profound-beats-lo-fi-free-downloadhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-fortress-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/inova-seamonsterhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-followers-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

After spending almost three years talking about my wonderful homeland, some of you might wonder how a one man band seems always able to find reasonably interesting topics. The process is a lot messier than I'd like but sometimes it borders sheer madness. This week, for example, I had scheduled a completely different episode but decided against it. I tossed the notes I had already taken and started staring at the map, looking for inspiration. A name immediately attracted my attention, a weird but auspicious name of a little town near Siena. I had been there years ago and found it very pretty but I had no idea it was hiding so many interesting things. This is why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Buonconvento, what many consider one of Italy's prettiest villages and tell you everything there is to know about this small but very quirky hamlet.If you listen to the full episode you will learn how, for a hot minute, this town had all the eyes of Europe on it due to the mysterious death of an emperor and how, centuries ago, the famous writer Boccaccio immortalized forever the crazy tale of a cheeky and very unfaithful servant. Then I will walk you downtown to discover the secrets of the town hall, the funny clock tower that looks like a smaller replica of Siena's Torre del Mangia and why this Mediaeval town is so full of Liberty-style buildings, Italy's answer to Art Nouveau architecture. In the following chapter I will tell you about the outstanding museum that hosts some of Italy's greatest sacred art masterpieces and a smaller barn conversion that is dedicated to the life of regular farmers of the past. If you're into the spooky side of life, I will guide you to a beautiful villa on a nearby hill that, according to many locals, is haunted by the ghost of its owner.In the final chapters I'll tell you about a small pastry shop nearby that, since 1959, has become a must stop for sweets lovers everywhere. As Queen Elizabeth II was a great fan of their cookies, they have built quite a following overseas but some of their unique creations are so good that it's worth travelling there so that you can taste them out of the oven. Last but not least, I'll let you know about a very interesting day trip through the Orcia and Arbia Valleys with historic locomotives, an incredible hotel that was built from restoring an abandoned village and, at least as far as I'm concerned, one of the best restaurants around. While its name is odd, "The Crazy Count", the food they serve is out of this world, especially the local cheese. The Val d'Arbia is nowhere near as popular as some other parts of Tuscany but it has so much to offer. Think about going there next time you plan your next visit.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.tuscanypeople.com/buonconvento-di-nome-e-di-fatto/https://www.finestresullarte.info/viaggi/buonconvento-luogo-felice-crete-senesihttps://www.tuscanysweetlife.com/province/provincia-siena/buonconvento/https://siviaggia.it/borghi/borgo-buonconvento-toscana/217877/https://www.ledolcezzedinanni.com/https://www.pieveasalti.it/https://www.trenonatura.terresiena.itinfo@visionedelmondo.it / +39 0577 48003BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Incompetech - Leopard Print ElevatorWayne John Bradley - Pick You UpMike Chino - Calm and HarmonyWUFO - Hyde ParkPipe Choir - Gemini (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/pick-you-up-slow-poprock-style-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/mike-chino-calm-and-harmonyhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/wufo-hyde-parkhttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Pipe_Choir/SGONS_Instrumentals/Pipe_Gemini_Instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

One of the best things you can do in Tuscany is just to take your vehicle and drive without a real destination in the back roads of this amazing land. The least you will find is many charming villages, vistas to die for and, maybe, a place where you can get great food without breaking the bank. Sometimes, though, Lady Luck throws you a very juicy bone. I came to this little village near Mount Amiata absolutely by chance, as I was driving through the Brunello region with my motorbike. When I saw that lonely, imposing tower in the distance, I had to turn and see what it was all about. That was a very lucky detour as it allowed me to learn a lot about this special part of my region and get to know better one of the most fascinating characters of our region.While his name was made popular back in the 1980s by leading Italian politician, Bettino Craxi, who used it as a nom de plume while writing his caustic editorials, this fellow was a real character. A former nobleman, when the powerful in Siena ganged up against him, stealing all his wealth and power, he struck back by becoming one of the most feared highwaymen ever. He had a heart of gold, though, as he never robbed poor people and frequently gave some of the loot to the people of his town. That's why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Radicofani to tell you everything there is to know about Ghino di Tacco, Tuscany's answer to Robin Hood and the town that never forgot him.If you listen to the full episode you will learn how his sad tale was just an episode of the bloody struggle between the Holy Roman Empire and the Papacy, how the people of Radicofani came to appreciate this gentle brigand and how a completely random act of kindness saved Ghino di Tacco from the hangman and turned him into a staunch defender of the Pope. After telling you his tale and legend, I will walk you through the imposing fortress that he stole from the Papacy and how it now hosts a very interesting museum that comes with a 100% working Mediaeval catapult. While from the top of the mast you can have outstanding views of the two most charming valleys of this region, the town of Radicofani has a lot to offer. This mandatory stop on the famous Via Francigena is a real Mediaeval gem, has some seriously pretty churches and an ancient post station that the Medici turned into a small palace. If you're into the dark and mysterious parts of life, don't forget to stop at Bosco Isabella, a Romantic garden that is full of charm but also hosts many secretive rites from the Italian Masonic Order.While very small, just over a thousand inhabitants, Radicofani is very much alive and comes with several festivals sprinkled across the year. While in June you can learn about ancient artisans, the main event is in September, when the Palio will see youngsters carrying a heavy barrel across town running like mad men. This is a seriously special village that is becoming more and more popular with foreigners. What's not to like? The countryside is amazing, the food is great, you can get real Brunello at almost bargain prices and enjoy some peace and quiet. Next time you think about coming to visit us, think about Radicofani and the Valdichiana. You will absolutely love it.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.raffaellabonsignori.it/blog/?ghino-di-tacco--un-bandito-gentiluomo-e-la-fortezza-di-radicofanihttps://www.chiarentana.com/it/blog/ghino-di-tacco-una-storia-di-altri-tempi-133https://www.valdorciamiata.it/radicofani/https://www.visittuscany.com/it/attrazioni/fortezza-radicofani/https://www.visititaly.eu/it/luoghi-e-itinerari/radicofani-cosa-vedereBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Followers (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Fortress (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - A dark blue arc (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - The Opening Closing (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-followers-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-fortress-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-a-dark-blue-arc-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

When we started out this podcast, back in February 2021, our main mission was to tell you everything about the lesser known parts of our beloved region, those places you won't find on the cover of your travel guide. While we still try to stick to our original vision, we also love to help out any tourist to get the most of his time in Tuscany. Look for example at one of the most famous landmarks of this land, a bridge that is very quirky and exceedingly popular. I'm sure that the millions of tourists that wander on its cramped road are completely unaware of its incredible history and the many curiosities on this very special place. While it is true that tis bridge is very old, it took many centuries before it was able to withstand the wrath of the notoriously mercurial Arno river. Back in the day it was a much more lively place but also very messy and not particularly reputable. It took a powerful man to turn it into the boutique collection that we see nowadays and make it one of Europe's most sought after shopping place. This place is full of curious things, anecdotes and details that most tourists will never figure out. That is why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you back to Florence to tell you everything there is to know about the amazing Ponte Vecchio, a bridge that is both very famous and exceedingly quirky.If you listen to the full episode, I will tell you about its troubled history and how, since the time of the Romans, bridges here usually didn't last more than a few years before being swept away by one of the notoriously devastating floods of the Arno. It took a pupil of the famous artist Giotto to figure out the right structure that would allow the bridge to survive even the most destructive of floods and cement its place in Florentine history. The bridge was popular but a bit crass, with noisy shops and very strong smells, something that Grand Duke Ferdinand I found utterly disgusting. It was his decree that evicted the traditional shops and allowed only goldsmiths and jewellers to set up shop there. Now the relationship between Ponte Vecchio and gold is so strong to have become almost symbiotic. While this has kept the venerable bridge alive, it also has some drawbacks. In September 2022 when an upscale bag maker opened a shop on the bridge, it caused a veritable feud that will end up in court soon. Florentines are dead serious when it comes to defending their traditional shopping streets, even if it's turning downtown into an open air museumIn the final chapters I will tell you many curiosities about this famous bridge, from the crazy reason why it's not exactly straight to the curious sun dial that is hidden there to the reason why you will find many small locks under a bronze bust to much much more. If you're in Florence with your significant other, I'll tell you the best place for a memorable snapshot and the best way to experience the bridge from a brand new perspective. Last but not least, I will tell you about an incredibly exclusive restaurant that is not open all the time and allows you to dine quite literally on top of the bridge. This unique experience is all about extreme luxury and comes with an eye-watering price tag: more than 6.000 Euros per couple. For this outrageous price, you will get a menu that is so refined to be filled with real gold. While the scenery is great, you definitely don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy this incredible bridge. It is a bit a monument to consumerism but it's also the heart and soul of this amazing city. Next time you're there, make sure you pay it a visit. It's been around for almost a millennia and is still going strong. Long may it live.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://associazionepontevecchio.it/storia-del-ponte-vecchio/https://www.firenzetoday.it/social/ponte-vecchio-storia-orafi.htmlhttps://turistipercaso.it/diari-di-viaggio/e-alla-fine-ne-restera-solo-uno-ponte-vecchio.htmlhttps://www.055firenze.it/art/220107/Firenze-prorogato-fino-al-2026-il-Regolamento-Unesco-per-la-tutela-del-centro-storicohttps://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/firenze/notizie/vivitoscana/15_gennaio_25/ponte-vecchio-cena-mozzafiato-terrazzino-dell-orafo-ae46890c-a4b8-11e4-8530-6130dfbb15a2.shtmlBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Inova - SeamonsterAlmightyZero - AetherialTavs - ControlIncompetech - Leopard Print ElevatorMountswift - AmethystPipe Choir - Almost Time (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/inova-seamonsterhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/almightyzero-aetherialhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/tavs-controlhttps://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077https://soundcloud.com/argofox/mountswift-amethysthttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

We come back to you after our only second break in almost 3 years, something of which we sincerely apologise. Unfortunately, this time, we had a pretty good excuse as my little corner of the world was ravaged by some serious floods. While we are all well, we had a lot of cleaning up and helping to do, which made it impossible to publish our weekly window on this incredible land. In order to forget about the sorrow and destruction around us, this time I decided to talk about a little town not too far from where I live that has a particular claim to fame. As it happens quite frequently around here, in the Middle Ages it was an important stronghold and was a mandatory stop on the famous Via Francigena, the road that brought pilgrims to Rome from Northern Europe. What sets it apart from the other hill towns is the fact that, several centuries apart, two famous emperors were instrumental in its fortunes, leaving an indelible mark on the town. The place is both spectacular and full of little oddities, which explains why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to San Miniato, the town of the two emperors, to tell you what makes it so special.If you listen to the full episode you will learn how it was Frederick II to make sure that the pilgrim road passed here and how he commissioned the imposing tower that, to this day, is the symbol of this town. I will then tell you how Napoleon Buonaparte came here at least twice to meet some relatives and how his elderly relative was fundamental in his spectacular rise to power. In the middle chapters we will explore the imposing palace that follows the ancient walls and delve into the many inscriptions on its facade. Then we will take a look at the mysterious cathedral, whose ceramic basins replicate the shape of the two constellations that were supposed to bring good luck to the town and the marble rectangle that was a sign of the presence of the powerful Templar Knights. We will continue our tour of this town by looking at the ancient crucifix that, according to legend, was able to protect people from floods and the clever roads behind the walls, which were built in order to unleash a veritable firestorm on any assailant.In the final chapter I will walk you through a little museum dedicated to the suffering endured by Tuscans in the Second World War, give you some pointers on the famous festival dedicated to white truffles to top it off with our mandatory travel tips on the best places where you can taste great food without breaking the bank. This time they're rather weird, as we go from a farmer's market to the backroom of a butcher shop to a small shop that hides an amazing wealth of taste. Word to the wise: don't leave San Miniato without trying their truffles crisps, they're absolutely addictive. This might not be a town as famous as Florence or Siena but if you come here you will discover that it has so many incredible things to see and do. Next time you plan a trip to Tuscany, think about coming to San Miniato. You definitely won't regret it.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.discoversanminiato.it/storia/la-torre-di-federico-ii-a-san-miniato/https://www.discoversanminiato.it/cosa-vedere/https://limes.cfs.unipi.it/sanminiatopalazzoseminario/https://bonespirit.provincia.lucca.it/it/divulgativa/563/i-buonaparte-a-san-miniato.htmlhttps://viaggichemangi.com/food-and-wine/dove-mangiare/dove-mangiare-san-miniato/BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Romos - HeliosProfound Beats - Lo-fiCatmosphere - Candy-Coloured SkyWUFO - Hyde ParkWayne John Bradley - WaitingPipe Choir - Ignite to Light (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/romos-helioshttps://soundcloud.com/profoundbeats/profound-beats-lo-fi-free-downloadhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/catmosphere-candy-coloured-skyhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/wufo-hyde-parkhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/waiting-original-uplifting-indie-pop-style-instrumentalcreative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-ignite-to-light-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

Now that the weather has decidedly turned for the worst, even the most obstinate summer lover has got to admit that autumn is upon us. This is a weird time in Tuscany, where almost everyone adores the sun and the beach. While we long to complain again for the excessive heat, nature offers us a lot of seasonal treats to get ready for the cold and dark evening of the year. Back in the day, when poverty reigned over vast tracts of this land, people were eager to exploit one of nature's best treats that were sitting on trees: the lovely chestnuts. As regular flour was expensive, people in the mountains learned how to turn them into flour and use them in many recipes. One of them was so successful that, at least for us Tuscans, has become inextricably linked with this time of the year. It's a simple cake, not too sweet and was so cheap that everyone could afford it. Now things are quite different but this amazing treat is still very popular around here and it comes in many different versions, enough to be one of Tuscany's most popular sweets. That's why this week, What's Up Tuscany will tell you everything there is to know about the amazing castagnaccio, the most genuine taste of a Tuscan fall.If you listen to the full episode, you will learn about its curious history, how the recipe evolved with time, becoming more and more refined as it gained traction in the North of Italy and how it was almost forgotten during the economic boom of the 1950s. Now chestnuts have come back with a vengeance and people everywhere are rediscovering traditional recipes that use them. Chestnut flour sweets are almost ubiquitous in Tuscany but, if you look at Garfagnana and Lunigiana, they have gone above and beyond. Their "necci" are so good that they rival the famous Sicilian cannoli, with their incredible ricotta filling. In the last two chapters of the episode I will give you two options. If you haven't planned to come visit us in this period, I'll give you a step-by-step recipe that will allow you to bake an excellent castagnaccio to enjoy by the fireplace during the long winter evenings. If you're around here or plan to come to Tuscany before March, I'll give you a list of six places around our region where you will be able to find an amazing castagnaccio. Whatever your choice, this simple cake is really incredible. For us Tuscans it's almost impossible to think about autumn without craving a slice of this great cake. If you taste it just once, I'm sure you will agree.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castagnacciohttps://www.ciaotoscana.it/cucina-toscana/castagnaccio-la-ricetta-originale-toscana/https://www.visittuscany.com/it/ricette/La-Torta-di-Neccio-o-Castagnaccio-di-Stazzema/https://www.lacucinaitaliana.it/gallery/castagnaccio-toscana-dove-mangiarlo-buono/https://www.discovertuscany.com/it/mangiare-e-bere-in-toscana/le-castagne-in-toscana.htmlBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Summercycle (Instrumental)Erio - MonolithCityfires - Blood Problems (Instrumental)Incompetech - Leopard Print ElevatorWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/summercycle-original-indie-style-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/erio-monolithhttps://soundcloud.com/ljayofficial/blood-problems-instrumentalby-cityfireshttps://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

From the first day of this podcast we've been hellbent on demonstrating that even the more mundane corners of this land hide incredible things. Some of you might have rolled your eyes, thinking this is just another attempt to bring back Tuscany to its golden age but this land is really special. Even if you're a seasoned traveller, expert in the art of avoiding the usual tourist traps, chances are you'll miss some of the outstanding beauties of our region. Look at Valdichiana, for example: while people gravitate naturally towards Cortona or Pienza, not many give more than a passing look to an ancient castle not far from the A1 highway. The town is quite small and looks like it's frozen in the Middle Ages but this is hardly special in this neck of the woods. And yet it's here, tucked away in a small museum, that you can find one of this land's best kept secrets. This castle that was fought over centuries between the powers of Central Italy was rich enough to commission one of the most unbelievable pieces of jewellery you have ever seen. That's why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to the charming town of Lucignano to tell you everything there is to know about its amazing Golden Tree, a huge reliquary that has got to be seen to be believed.If you listen to the full episode you will learn about how it took 120 years and the death of a wealthy lady to finish it and how its outrageous value made it a magnet for thieves since the 1400s. People in Lucignano loved it so much because that exchanging marriage vows in front of it brought good fortune to the newlyweds but in 1914 a band of thieves actually managed to break down and steal the art treasure. It took years before most pieces were recovered and the Tree rebuilt but a few days ago a bunch of other ornaments were discovered, bringing it back to the original glory. I'll walk you through the charming alleys of this weird castle, explain a curious plaque placed on top of an escalade and tell you several quirky stories about this place. In the final chapter, then, I'll walk you through some festivals held in Lucignano throughout the year, from the explosion of colour of the Maggiolata to the nostalgic Christmas festival that brings back the Tuscany of old. Last but not least, a couple of charming hotels able to turn a weekend break into a real event and two really good restaurants where you can treat your taste buds without breaking the bank. This might not be the most popular part of Tuscany but if you come to Valdichiana you'll fall in love with it. That's a promise.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://viaggichemangi.com/italia/toscana/lucignano-cosa-vedere/https://www.museodilucignano.it/il-museo/albero-d-oro/https://www.intoscana.it/it/articolo/lalbero-doro-di-lucignano-stupisce-ancora-ritrovate-parti-trafugate-un-secolo-fa-al-via-il-restauro/https://www.viaggiatricecuriosa.it/2020/11/11/lalbero-doro-di-lucignano/https://www.tripadvisor.it/Restaurant_Review-g887269-d8594152-Reviews-Osteria_le_Botti-Lucignano_Province_of_Arezzo_Tuscany.htmlhttps://www.tripadvisor.it/Restaurant_Review-g887269-d2264112-Reviews-Locanda_del_Baraccotto-Lucignano_Province_of_Arezzo_Tuscany.htmlBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Waiting (Instrumental)Mike Chino - Calm and HarmonyEzaOne - SupernovaPipe Choir - Gemini (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/waiting-original-uplifting-indie-pop-style-instrumentalcreative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/mike-chino-calm-and-harmonyhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/ezaone-supernovahttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Pipe_Choir/SGONS_Instrumentals/Pipe_Gemini_Instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

One of the things that puzzles the most my foreign friends is how, sometimes, people in Tuscany are completely unaware of stuff that just lies a few miles from where they live. This can be explained with two simple facts: nothing in Tuscany ever changes and, sometimes, places that look quite close on a map are actually much harder to reach than they look. More than 25 years ago, for example, I landed somehow in a thoroughly unremarkable village around 20 km from my hometown. It was just another hamlet where a few hundred people lived and completely uninteresting, just another place left behind by the tides of time. Recently a friend of mine told me that this place in the middle of nowhere has been completely transformed in a few years and is now a veritable internet sensation. This left me quite startled, as things like this are exceedingly rare around here, enough to let me research a bit what happened there. The story I found was so interesting that I had to drop the episode I had planned for this week and venture into this veritable rabbit hole. The transformation happened in just a few years, thanks to the money obtained by a controversial landfill and was part of the work of some well-known modern artists that have used the village as the canvas for their artistic vision. That's why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Ghizzano, the small but incredibly colourful village that is the favourite of Instagram aficionados in Tuscany.If you listen to the whole episode, you will learn about the ancient history of this hamlet, how it was forgotten by time until the money obtained by the Peccioli municipality from a very controversial landfill allowed the mayor to entice some foreign artists to the village and transform it into an open air museum. The most famous work, that of British artist David Tremlett, has turned a normal road into a festival of colours, a project that should represent the contrast between the natural and urban dimensions of this land. There are several other high-concept sculptures that dot this tiny village: while I'm no fan of modern art, this has firmly put Ghizzano on the map, with tourists and art aficionados that come to visit this open air museum. The Venerosi family, which still owns most of the land in Ghizzano, has turned an ancient orchard into an innovative garden where art and nature go hand in hand, a place where they organise art exhibitions, musical happenings or other art events. They applied the same logic to their estate, which is now a modern farm where they produce wine and olive oil with innovative techniques. While the villa they rent looks a bit too expensive for regular tourists, their approach to wine is quite up to date, with a newsletter to popularise their idea of winemaking and a wine club where they try to create a community of wine lovers from all over the world.In the last chapter I will also tell you about the fascinating walks you can do in this little-known part of Tuscany and the festivals dedicated to olive oil that are organised in this little village both in February and May. While you don't have a plethora of choices when it comes to eating, the only restaurant in town is quite interesting. It has a stunning view and offers dishes that are produced exclusively with what is grown locally, staying faithful to traditional Tuscan cooking. If you're lucky you can also take part in the many art events that the owners organise, turning a meal into a unique experience. A few miles away there is a veritable local institution, a restaurant that is the favourite of locals when they want to eat great traditional dishes in huge portions without breaking the bank. It is definitely not the most modern or fancy restaurant but offers a lot of bang for your buck. This is also valid for Ghizzano and Valdera in general: you won't find it on the front page of any glossy magazine but, if you give it a chance, it will steal your heart.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.tenutadighizzano.com/it/https://www.daicollifiorentini.it/visitare-la-toscana-ghizzano-legoli-peccioli-larte-non-e-mai-troppohttps://www.intoscana.it/it/articolo/il-borgo-colorato-alle-porte-di-peccioli-dove-larte-contemporanea-e-di-casa/https://www.ricordinvaligia.it/2022/01/25/visita-a-ghizzano-di-peccioli/https://www.terredipisa.it/attrazione/ghizzano-peccioli/https://www.artribune.com/arti-visive/arte-contemporanea/2019/06/peccioli-piccola-capitale-italiana-dellarte-contemporanea-opere-di-tuttofuoco-kwade-e-tremlett/https://www.terredipisa.it/events/giardino-sonoro-di-ghizzano-peccioli/https://www.terredipisa.it/events/sagra-dellolio-novo-peccioli/https://it.wikiloc.com/percorsi-escursionismo/trekking-anello-di-ghizzano-peccioli-pi-88582504https://www.tripadvisor.it/Restaurant_Review-g1934166-d26656269-Reviews-The_View-Ghizzano_Peccioli_Province_of_Pisa_Tuscany.htmlhttps://restaurantguru.it/Da-Pasquino-La-SterzaBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - A dark blue arc (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Almost time (Instrumental)Aerocity - Love LostIncompetech - Leopard Print ElevatorPipe Choir - Trampled (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-a-dark-blue-arc-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/aerocity-love-losthttps://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-trampled-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

Of all the famous art cities in Tuscany there is one that is a bit different, that always seems to march to its own drum. Despite being beautiful and fascinating, you sometimes have the impression that people are not really happy you're there to visit. They have nothing against tourists but they're accustomed to enjoying their wealth in peace, far away from the troubles of the land. Their splendid isolation lasted for centuries and this is why some people think that this is not really Tuscany but something else, quite different. This is also reflected in their cuisine, which is quite unlike that of the Arno valley. As we haven't been talking much about this little masterpiece of a town, rather than describing its splendid churches or art treasures, we thought it best to explain it through one of its most beloved specialties, a simple cake that has been driving its citizens insane for many centuries. This is why, this week, What's Up Tuscany will bring you back to Lucca, to tell you everything there is to know about its famous "Buccellato", the real taste of this Mediaeval town.If you listen to the full episode you will learn the very ancient origins of its weird name, how the recipe evolved with time, where it originated and how, due to its incredible popularity, in the 16th century, the Republic put a tax on it to raise money to fix the Serchio river. Buccellato is so popular that people say that if you don't have at least one slice, you can't say you've actually been in Lucca. This ubiquity opens up quite a conundrum, though: where can you find the best cake in town? Luckily for you, you've got someone that knows a thing or two about this town and can point you to two excellent bakeries where you will be able to taste this special cake in all of its glory. If you don't live around here or haven't booked a ticket to visit us already, in the final chapter I will detail you a great recipe that will allow you to bake this simple but amazing cake in your kitchen. On top of practical advice and some tricks, I'll also explain how to use it as a foundation for the "Zuppa Lucchese", a variant of the famous tiramisu that is absolutely amazing. It won't be as great as having a slice with a coffee in downtown Lucca but it will help you get to know a bit better this fascinating and sometimes puzzling city. If you bake a buccellato, don't forget to post a picture, tag us and let us know your thoughts. It would make our day :-)Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.taccuinigastrosofici.it/ita/news/medioevale/pasticceria/Buccellato.htmlhttps://it.julskitchen.com/dolci/buccellato-di-luccahttps://visitlunigiana.it/il-buccellato-il-dolce-delle-nonne-lunigianesi/BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Catmosphere - Candy-coloured SkyEzaOne - SupernovaPipe Choir - Coffee and TimeWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/catmosphere-candy-coloured-skyhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/ezaone-supernovahttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-coffee-and-time-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

I've been telling y'all from day one that this homeland of mine is incredibly varied and that there are many places that look nothing like the postcard image that so many people have in their head when they think about Tuscany. And, yet, some of these areas positively look alien, like literally out of this world. A few miles from the town where my father was born, the vistas you could see were so strange that people could only think about Hell. Up until a few decades ago, a trip on these roads would mean looking at boiling lakes, powerful bursts of stinking steam and an unmistakeable smell of rotten eggs. It took a French engineer and a Tuscan prince to figure out that you could use the power of the earth to extract precious minerals and, later, produce a lot of electricity. That valley that looked so blighted and cursed now produces almost a third of all the electricity needed by Tuscany without any pollution. The story of how this harsh land and its hardy people learned how to thrive in such a weird environment is quite fascinating. That's why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you back to my father's land, the Val di Cecina, to tell you everything there is to know about the largest geothermal plant on the planet and the many quirky things of this remarkable valley.If you listen to the full episode, you will learn how it took a geological oddity to create the steaming hot water lakes and the noisy geysers that used to terrify people and make them think that the entrance to Hell was around here. Then I will tell you the tale of the clever engineers that learned how to exploit this power to extract valuable materials and, later, produce a lot of clean energy. The latest technological developments allowed more than 10000 houses and small businesses to get cheap heating and hot water cutting drastically their CO2 emissions. If you're interested you can visit the small museum in Larderello and see how these remarkable plants actually work. Now the Devil's Valley has been tamed, with every pound of steam used to produce electricity but if you go around Larderello you can still find some places where you can have an idea of how this valley used to look back in the day. Etruscans and Romans used to love coming here to have hot baths and in Sasso Pisano you can still access for free these hot springs. They've been recently renovated and are a lot less crowded than Saturnia: here you can actually relax and enjoy the surrounding nature, rather than fighting with 10000 tourists.The village itself is quite interesting, even if it was built just to house the workers of the power plant but if you want something more, just head to Pomarance. This mediaeval town hides a couple of little quirky museums, a living house where everything seems frozen in time at the end of the 19th century and an old palace where you can find ancient weapons and tools that were dug in the countryside. In the final chapter, then, I will point you to a couple excellent restaurants where you can have a great meal without breaking the bank. One of this places looks like it's stuck in the 1970s and is run by volunteers but if you go there you'll get a feel of genuine Tuscan cuisine and save a lot of money. This land looks nothing like Tuscany and is not easy to understand. Its people have that pride that comes out of surviving in a very harsh place but, if you get to know them a bit, you'll understand why they always try to come back. Even if my father was born here, I've always felt a bit of a foreigner but it's a great place to visit. You can't find anything similar anywhere else in Europe. If you give it a chance, you'll fall in love with this place.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://siviaggia.it/idee-di-viaggio/larderello-cosa-vedere-paese-dei-soffioni/249265/https://www.viaggimust.it/larderello-cosa-vedere-e-fare-nella-citta-dei-soffioni/https://www.visittuscany.com/it/attrazioni/il-museo-della-geotermia-di-larderello/https://www.visittuscany.com/it/attrazioni/casa-bicocchi-e-mostra-guerrieri-e-artigiani-a-pomarance/https://www.lanazione.it/cronaca/geotermia-riaperto-al-pubblico-il-museo-di-larderello-njwyjhi5https://patatofriendly.com/il-museo-della-geotermia-a-larderello/BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - A Midnight on Jaquay (Instrumental)Aerocity - Love LostPipe Choir - FollowersAlmightyZero - AetherialJinxspr0 - Generation BounceWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-a-midnight-on-jaquay-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/aerocity-love-losthttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-followers-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/almightyzero-aetherialhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/jinxspr0-generation-bouncehttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

After a very long and extremely warm few months, it looks like summer is finally on its way out. This will undoubtedly cause some sadness to those of us that cannot imagine their lives away from the sea. While it will be a long time until we finally get to swim in the sea and bask in the sun, this doesn't mean that we're not allowed to spend some time in our favourite vacation spots while the weather doesn't turn ugly and cold. Tuscany has many great places where you can have a great day trip by the sea in autumn but few are as charming as one of the most exclusive villages on our coast. This fishermen's village became a hot spot for intellectuals and artists around 150 years ago, slowly turning into one of the most interesting places you can go to have a relaxing and very culturally enriching vacation. For a few decades this was the favourite refuge of movie stars, artists, politicians and a place where you could always meet interesting people. Now things have slightly changed but it's still a great place to visit. This is why this week, What's Up Tuscany will bring you to the coast to tell you everything there is to know about one of my favourite places in the whole world, the lovely village of Castiglioncello.If you listen to the full episode you will learn how it all began around 150 years ago, when, completely by chance, a group of talented artists chose to spend their summers in this tiny village. They loved the nature and scenery so much that they started incorporating what they saw in their paintings, which became the best advertisement ever for the developing resort. I will also tell you how famous politicians, writers and actors chose Castiglioncello to spend their holidays and why this brought many well-off people in town. Today you can go there and walk in their footsteps, from the castle that has taken the place of the house where the Macchiaioli stayed to the stocky tower that dominates the little bay to the little museum where you can see copies of their masterpieces. While you're at it, I will describe you the many coves and beaches where you can have a great day by the sea, a bunch of stuff to do in this interesting town and a couple great places where you can have a great meal. Summer may be far away but you won't be disappointed if you spend a couple of days in Castiglioncello. If you give it a chance, it will steal your heart.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCEShttps://www.thegrandwinetour.com/en/famous-italian-art-sites/castiglioncello-macchiaioli-tuscanyhttps://www.visittuscany.com/it/citta-e-borghi/castiglioncello/https://tuscanyplanet.com/castiglioncello/https://www.iltirreno.it/cecina/cronaca/2022/07/08/news/venduto-lo-storico-hotel-miramare-di-castiglioncello-diventera-un-albergo-di-lusso-1.100048757BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Children of the Son (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Pick You UpMike Chino - Calm and HarmonyIncompetech - Leopard Print ElevatorPipe Choir - Ignite to Light (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-children-of-the-son-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/pick-you-up-slow-poprock-style-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/mike-chino-calm-and-harmonyhttps://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-ignite-to-light-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

In the 2 1/2 years we've spent telling you the stories of this incredible land, we've hardly ever talked about the river that made it what it is. That's not a coincidence as with rising urbanisation and pollution, Tuscans have lost the primal connection to our mother river. While nowadays people only think about the Arno when it becomes dangerously high, things weren't always like this. Up until not many years ago, when people had less disposable income and travelling was much harder, people of the interior spent their summers by the river. The relationship of Florence with its river was much more complex and is now only recovering after the devastating 1966 flood and several decades of neglect. This is why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you by the river to tell you everything there is to know about how Florentines loved their river very deeply.If you listen to the full episode I'll talk about how, from the 1700s, many establishments sprung up on the banks of the Arno. You had a bit of everything: posh places where you had barbers and hairdressers on call and more rowdy spots where furious gossiping often degenerated in wild brawls. The youngsters used the river to prove their prowess, in races that sometimes became quite dangerous. The problem became so serious that the Chamber of Commerce offered a substantial reward for every life saved, only to back down when people started faking drownings. The relationship with the Arno was so deep that, until the 1960s, the famous Rari Nantes waterpolo team used to train and play their games on the river. In the final chapter, I will tell you how Tuscans are rediscovering the Arno, pointing you to several interesting river mini-cruises and even what they call the "Florentine Gondola". There are also trips you can take all along the course of the river, from Pisa to my hometown of Pontedera. Next time you come visit us, why don't you get to know the Arno a bit better. It's got a nasty temper, but it's still a very fascinating river.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.conoscifirenze.it/come-vivevamo-a-firenze/126-Bagni-in-Arno-uno-stile-di-vita..htmlhttp://www.archivi.toscana.it/visti-da-vicino/percorsi/una-citta-e-il-suo-fiume-firenze-e-la-vita-lungo-larno/divertirsi-in-arno-i-bagnihttps://ilpopolopisano.it/1595-bagno-in-arno?amp=1https://www.trattoriazaza.it/larno-non-solo-dargento/https://www.larno.it/2022/03/21/quando-larno-era-una-grande-e-bella-piscina-e-un-campo-da-gioco/https://www.turismo.pisa.it/place/le-piagge-e-san-michele-degli-scalzihttps://www.quinewsfirenze.it/amp/firenze-nel-1950-i-fiorentini-nuotavano-in-arno.htmhttps://www.firenzetoday.it/eventi/battello-crociera-arno-gita-costo-come-fare.htmlhttps://townsofitaly.com/it/firenze-toscana/crociera-imbarcazione-tipica-fiume-arnoBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Aerocity - Love LostWayne John Bradley - SummercycleProfound Beats - Lo-fiEzaOne - SupernovaWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/aerocity-love-losthttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/summercycle-original-indie-style-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/profoundbeats/profound-beats-lo-fi-free-downloadhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/ezaone-supernovahttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

One of the most challenging things we face while trying to explain what makes this land so special is that we constantly have to fight stereotypes. Whenever people think about Tuscany, a series of images of outstanding beauty, art and refinement come to everyone's mind. While it is true that, sometimes, our motherland can offer such peaks of astonishing beauty, the reality is quite far from this picture-perfect image. Take our capital, for example. You might have the impression that once you've seen the greatest hits, the stuff everyone knows and cherishes you feel you know what this city is all about. You couldn't be more wrong. Florence is nowhere near as polished and refined as its incredible landmarks make you believe. Its soul is much more complex, steeped in centuries old traditions and not without a mean streak. If you want to know more about how this remarkable city really works, you're in luck as this week will offer you one of the best ways to get a glimpse into its very soul. That's why What's Up tuscany will bring you back to Florence to tell you everything there is to know about its most beloved festival, the Festa della Rificolona.If you listen to the full episode you will learn how this festivity was born centuries ago around a Catholic holiday and the pilgrimage that brought many people from the countryside in town. I'll tell you how, according to some sources, the weird name would come from a very unpleasant nickname that Florentine youngsters would use to describe a rather prominent physical feature of the ladies coming from the countryside. You will also learn how the name was then used to describe the very colourful paper lanterns that turn downtown Florence into a veritable festival of light but also used to describe a woman that shows poor judgement when it comes to selecting her clothes. That's Florence in a nutshell, I suppose. Very poetic, beautiful but also rather mean, prone to excessive and relentless mocking. On the night of September 7, children love to show their paper lanterns while teenagers go around with blowpipes trying to burn them down. In the last part I'll tell you the many different events organised in and around Florence that will be able to turn that evening into a remarkable experience for you and your children. A final word: if Florentines mock you, don't take it personally. It's not that they don't like the way you look or talk: they just can't help themselves. We still love them and so will you, if you give them a chance.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.toscanainside.com/it/aneddoti-e-curiosita/post/la-rificolona-un-buffo-nome-frutto-dello-scherzoso-spirito-fiorentino/http://www.villalariflorence.com/it/la-festa-della-rificolona-tradizione-e-devozione-fiorentina/https://www.firenzetoday.it/eventi/rificolona-firenze-2023.htmlhttps://www.visita-firenze.it/eventi-e-folklore/festivita-fiorentine/la-rificolonaBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - WaitingPipe Choir - Children of the Son (Instrumental)Incompetech - Leopard Print ElevatorPipe Choir - A Midnight on JaquayWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/waiting-original-uplifting-indie-pop-style-instrumentalcreative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-children-of-the-son-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-a-midnight-on-jaquay-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

Early September is a weird time of the year: summer isn't technically over but the weather is sometimes rubbish and the feeling of sliding towards winter is overwhelming. Luckily there is a way out of the late summer blues: using your weekends to explore this crazy land of ours, especially the least known parts. Take, for example, the Valdarno Superiore, the first part of the Arno valley: while it's nowhere near as popular as the big cities, there are plenty of places with a long history and fascinating festivals. Few are as curious as the one that takes place on the first weekend of September in a big town between Arezzo and Florence. There are Mediaeval costumes, music, food and ceremonies but people in town are actually more attached to a silly little game that, according to locals, has been played since forever. What makes it strange is that it looks a lot like a strange mixture between wrestling and a very popular sport. That's why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Montevarchi to tell you everything there is to know about the Gioco del Pozzo, the game that might have been the father of basketball.If you listen to the full episode, I'll tell you everything about this festival, how it was born many centuries ago from the generosity of a bloodthirsty count and how this crazy game has been resurrected back in the late 1980s to make this festival more popular with youngsters. Later we will delve into the many oddities of these celebrations, how they are at the same time very real and absolutely fake and so on. Then I'll tell you how this little known town has got a lot of interesting stuff to see, from a couple little museums to a 1920s villa just outside town where a famous film was shot. In the next chapter we will go through some of the local delicacies that you absolutely cannot miss if you happen to be there and, finally, two excellent restaurants where you will be able to taste great food without having to remortgage your house. If you're in Tuscany this weekend, make sure you pop in to Montevarchi: that silly little game is at the same time very violent and quite addictive. You've been warned.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.lanazione.it/arezzo/cronaca/montevarchi-finanziamento-regionale-per-il-gioco-del-pozzo-e-la-rievocazione-storica-s9jay29whttps://www.visitarezzo.com/it/rievocazioni-storiche/il-gioco-del-pozzo-di-montevarchi-arezzohttps://www.visittuscany.com/it/eventi/il-gioco-del-pozzo/https://valdarnopost.it/edizioni-locali/gioco-del-pozzo-la-storia-dietro-la-tradizione-che-unisce-i-montevarchini/https://www.visitvaldarno.com/eventi-folklore-e-tradizioni/#pozzoBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)The Passion HiFi - BuriedPipe Choir - Rocking Back and ForthCityfires - Blood Problems (Instrumental)Audionautix - Standard Jazz BarsZentra - SiegeWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/freehiphopbeatsforyou/free-the-passion-hifi-buriedhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choirrocking-back-and-forth-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/cityfires/blood-problems-instrumentalhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntLBQvEKdcEhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/zentra-siegehttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

With this crazy heat wave that keeps pummeling our nation, many people wish they had more time and money to just spend a few days by the sea. This, maybe, explains why the previous episodes of this podcast dedicated to seaside resorts have been much more popular than our usual average. As the audience is king, we scrapped our planned episode and thought about hitting the iron while it's hot. We were afraid of repeating ourselves, which is why we looked long and hard for a seaside place that's quite different from the norm. One of these places came to mind, a village I visited many years ago with my family. Being close to the Latium border it's pretty far away from where I live but it's absolutely wonderful. It has got everything: rich history, incredible monuments, amazing sea, wonderful beaches and much more. This is why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Monte Argentario to discover one of Tuscany's best kept secrets, Porto Ercole.If you listen to the full episode you will know about the complex history of this town, how it became so important to play an important role in a major war and how it became property of the Spanish crown for more than two centuries. I will then tell you everything there is to know about this charming village, the many things to see, how a famous artist died here and a couple secret spots only locals know about. Then I will walk you through the many fortresses that protect this little harbour, tell you which of the many beaches might be the right one for you and then offer a plethora of practical advices on things to do, the best hotels and which eating spots could be right for you. This part of Tuscany is very different from the rest, but if you're looking for amazing sea, great beaches and plenty of stuff to do, give Mount Argentario a chance. It won't disappoint you.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCEShttps://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porto_Ercolehttps://www.fortezze.it/rocca_ercole_it.htmlhttps://tuscanyplanet.com/porto-ercole-cosa-vedere/https://www.jonesaroundtheworld.com/10-best-things-porto-ercole-italy/BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Zentra - SiegeThe Passion Hi-fi - Buried (Instrumental)Cityfires - Blood Problems (Instrumental)Audionautix - SoulstonePipe Choir - The Opening Closing (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/zentra-siegehttps://soundcloud.com/freehiphopbeatsforyou/free-the-passion-hifi-buriedhttps://soundcloud.com/cityfires/blood-problems-instrumentalhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyyMXafoL-Ahttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

With Ferragosto finally behind us, most Italians feel like the summer is actually over. It's a relic of the past, when everybody was on vacation for the whole month of August and the 15th was hump day, when you start to think about work, school and the usual routine. That's rubbish, as this is actually some of the best time of the year for a beach break. There is a place on the Tuscan coast, south of Leghorn, where everything seems perfect: the beach is long, astoundingly white, the sea is turquoise blue, you don't even need to pay to access. As most other things in life, when something is too good to be true, there is a catch. In this case it's a pretty big one and it comes with a lot of controversy. You see, the impossibly white beach that has earned this place the nickname of Tuscany's Caribbean is not natural, but the result of more than a century of pollution from the nearby chemical plant. Despite this, people love this white beach, enough to go there in droves all year round. This place is at the same time fascinating and a bit scary, which explains why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Spiagge Bianche, the 4 km long white beach between Rosignano Marittimo and Vada to see what the fuss is all about.If you listen to the full episode you will learn why this place was chosen by two Belgian brothers to open one of Italy's biggest plants, why people say that the white sands makes it easier to get a tan and what was the impact of the pollution on this area. Despite everything, it's still possible to have a bath almost everywhere, as the concentration of pollutants is actually quite low. If you go there only once, you will be fine even if the UN environmental agency considers this stretch of coast one of the worst of the entire Mediterranean. In the last part of the episode I will give you a bunch of practical advice for turning your trip to Spiagge Bianche into a memorable day, where to stay if you want to explore the area, a great resort with a fantastic spa, one of Tuscany's most beloved fun parks that will entertain your children and a bunch of other things to do in this area. Again, it's a bit of a novelty, you might want to come here to see the whitest beach ever only to realise that this part of Tuscany has a lot to offer. Just don't stay too long on that beach. They say it's fine but, if I were you, I'd snap some pictures and move on. Better safe than sorry.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.viaggi-estate.com/toscana/spiagge-bianche-rosignano/https://siviaggia.it/viaggi/spiagge-bianche-rosignano-paradisi-toscani-inquietante-segreto/282670/https://www.viagginews.com/2021/05/11/spiaggia-bianca-italia-caraibi/https://www.repubblica.it/green-and-blue/2022/03/26/news/solvay_spiagge_bianche_rosignano_inquinamento-342829196/https://www.domaniandiamoa.com/2021/06/i-caraibi-toscani-domani-andiamo.htmlBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Audionautix - SoulstonePipe Choir - The Opening Closing (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Rocking Back and ForthWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyyMXafoL-Ahttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choirrocking-back-and-forth-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

August 15th might mean absolutely nothing to you but here in Italy is one of the most important days of the year, the apex of the summer, the day when, even if you're completely broke, you'll do anything to spend a day out. This has quite evident consequences, as most tourist spots are completely booked, traffic goes crazy and is quite difficult to find a way to spend a nice day with your family. This doesn't mean that you have to hide in your hotel and wait for the crowd to disperse. Tuscany offers plenty of excellent choices for a nice day trip that will not break the bank or leave you stranded in the never ending traffic jams on the highway. To help you choose the perfect location, this week What's Up Tuscany will go unscripted and give you plenty of options to find your ideal day trip and celebrate Ferragosto like we do.If you listen to the full episode, I will show you three of the best mountain locations where you will not find too many people and that have amazing things to see and experience while you're there. If you're like most Tuscans and have absolutely to spend at least a day on the beach, I will show you a stretch of the coast where is still possible to find some secluded spots where to enjoy the sun without having to struggle with the crowd. Another excellent choice would be to have a day trip to the smallest of Tuscan islands, where the sea is splendid and you can find a bunch of interesting spots to explore. If you're more into nature, you can't go wrong with the beautiful woods of Garfagnana and Casentino. They have places for everyone, from the spirituality of the Verna to the alien mountain, to the amazing caves of the Grotta del Vento. Rather than fighting to find parking in Florence, why don't you go next door, to Prato? It has got everything: an ancient castle, some amazing frescos, a modern art museum and some of the best biscotti in the world. If you follow our advice, you'll have a perfect day out without breaking the bank. Just let us know how it goes :-)Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)The Passion Hi-Fi - BuriedAudionautix - Standard Jazz BarsPipe Choir - Rocking Back and ForthPipe Choir - The Opening Closing (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/freehiphopbeatsforyou/free-the-passion-hifi-buriedhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntLBQvEKdcEhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choirrocking-back-and-forth-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

There are some places in our incredibly varied region that sometimes leave even us locals a bit baffled. Take, for example, a charming little village not far from Siena. It's sure nice, surrounded by lush nature and has a rich history but you would never guess what's the party trick it has up its metaphorical sleeve. You see, after realising that most people came to visit because of the curative properties of their thermal spring, they just decided to build the entire village around it. Befuddingly enough, instead of a regular square, the cornerstone upon which the place has been built is a massive pool filled with hot, sulphuric water rising from the bowels of the earth. The place is at the same time extraordinary and not very well known, which is why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Bagno Vignoni, the town of water and steam, one of Tuscany's best kept secrets.If you listen to the full episode you will learn how, after being quite popular since the time of Rome, in the 14th century it became one of the favourite vacation spots of the rich and powerful. Both the greatest ruler of this land, Lorenzo the Magnificent and one of Tuscany's most beloved saints spent most of their summers here, together with future Popes and generals. I will also tell you about the other weird source of wealth that made this village special, four water mills that used thermal waters to run and therefore were active all the time, even when the rivers went dry. In the final chapter I will let you know about an interesting hike in the Val d'Orcia, the best places where to enjoy the benefits of the waters and where you can have a great meal in this charming town. It might not be as famous as other places but this valley has got so much to offer. Beware, though: people tell me that if you stay here too long you might never want to leave. You've been warned.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)http://www.sienaonline.it/bagno_vignoni_acque_termali.htmlhttps://www.10cose.it/bagno-vignoni/borgo-bagno-vignoni-sienahttps://www.siena-agriturismo.it/bagnovignoniterme.htmhttps://www.voloscontato.it/ristoranti/bagno-vignoni-dove-mangiare-bene-spendendo-poco.phpBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Elitro - MidnightZentra - SiegeAudionautix - SoulstonePipe Choir - The Opening Closing (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/elitro-midnighthttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/zentra-siegehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyyMXafoL-Ahttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

If you ask any red-blooded Tuscan what does he really think about his land, he will undoubtedly say that it's the most beautiful place in the entire planet. While I've travelled enough to know that there are places on this green and pleasant planet that are even more stunning, I'm still convinced that no other place has the same density of beautiful things to offer. Need a proof? Think about the least known corners of this very popular region, those that tourists usually skip, the ones that are not on the cover of the travel guides. Between Arezzo and Umbria there is a charming valley chock full of hamlets, castles, churches and much more, the Val Tiberina. While it isn't as popular as the art cities, it hosts a charming little village whose claim to fame was to have been the place where a bloody battle was fought and where one of Italy's greatest artists made one of its biggest mistakes. That's why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Anghiari and tell you everything there is to know about this lovely hamlet, its history and all that you can see and do in this little known valley.If you listen to the full episode, I will tell you how the battle was crucial enough to convince the Florence rulers to hire the world's most famous artist, Leonardo da Vinci, to paint it on the walls of the heart of the city government, the splendid Salone dei Cinquecento in Palazzo Vecchio. Leonardo, though, wanted to experiment with an innovative technique and made a huge mess, enough to be fired on the spot. 60 years later, another great artist, Giorgio Vasari, would paint over the famous fresco and make a new one, starting the legend of the missing masterpiece. Now it has been proved that Leonardo didn't actually paint anything but people in Anghiari have still dedicated an interesting museum to it and the battle it was supposed to portray. This little village has got many more things to offer, from many picturesque alleys in the town centre to an ancient cloth factory that is open to the public. In the last chapter I will give you some practical advice, from the best restaurants in town to the spooky castle next door, to the most recent addition in the valley, Tuscany's biggest lake. It might not be as famous as many others, but Anghiari and the Val Tiberina offer an insight into the true soul of this land. Next time you come to visit, think about staying here for more than a day. You won't regret it.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.italyyoudontexpect.com/anghiari-cosa-vedere-borgo-della-battaglia/https://www.fanpage.it/cultura/perche-leonardo-da-vinci-non-dipinse-la-battaglia-di-anghiari-il-mistero-nellultima-puntata-della-fiction-rai/Museo della Battaglia - +39 0575787023 – battaglia@anghiari.itBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Cityfires - Blood Problems (Instrumental)The Passion HiFi - Buried (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Rocking Back and Forth (Instrumental)Zentra - SiegeAudionautix - SoulstoneWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/cityfires/blood-problems-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/freehiphopbeatsforyou/free-the-passion-hifi-buriedhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choirrocking-back-and-forth-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/zentra-siegehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyyMXafoL-Ahttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

When July comes to an end, something stirs the soul of every Italian, the ancestral memory of the summers of old, when August was the month when the entire country shut down for the mandatory vacations. While it was unnerving to see big cities turn into veritable ghost towns, Italians were quite happy to migrate to their favourite resorts, either in the mountains or by the sea. My family never had their own favourite spot, which allowed us to know many towns all over Tuscany but when I think about the sea, I always remember that little town not far from here that was our go-to place for a day trip. The incredible thing is that this charming little resort, up until 90 years ago, was nothing but a swamp. To turn this disease-ridden hellhole into a model seaside resort it would take two very powerful politicians and the desire to impress of a controversial regime. That's why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you back to Tirrenia to tell you the amazing tale of the tailor-made seaside resort that sprung up from nothing in a few short years.If you listen to the entire episode you will learn how this was just one of the many new towns created by the Fascist regime to showcase their vision for a new Italy, modern, efficient, designed using the most advanced architecture in the world. Tirrenia didn't follow closely the diktats of the regime, which was a blessing, as the town is still quite pretty even today. We have told you the story of the Hollywood on the Arno a year ago but, even without the pull of the movie stars of the time, people didn't line up to buy the expensive villas built between Pisa and Leghorn. That's why the two powerful politicians behind the plan decided to use the less valuable plots of land to house many working class children so that they could have some time in the sun. The "colonie" are still around, with their modernist architecture that was lauded back in the 1930s but people hate that they're so linked to the hated regime. I will tell you why these establishment played an important role in Italian history and how many of them are still operational today, either in their original form or as quirky hotels. In the last chapter, I will show you around, providing you with plenty of practical advice from a local, from the best "bagno" in town to the place where you can get an unforgettable gelato. To me it will always be special, as it's the closest way to go to the sea but it's still very worth a trip next time you come to Tuscany. It might not be the perfect seaside resort as they thought back in the day but it's still a very pleasant place where to get some r&r.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://pastapizzascones.com/guida-colonie-marine-tirrenia-calambrone/https://www.corriere.it/cronache/cards/littoria-mussolinia-tirrenia-citta-immaginate-fascismo/latina-bonifica-dell-agro-pontino_principale.shtmlhttps://tirrenia.weebly.com/storia.htmlhttps://tuscanyplanet.com/tirrenia/BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)The Passion HiFi - Buried (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - The Opening Closing (Instrumental)Elitro - MidnightA Himitsu - Isolated MindAudionautix - SoulstoneWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/freehiphopbeatsforyou/free-the-passion-hifi-buriedhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/elitro-midnighthttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/a-himitsu-isolated-mindhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyyMXafoL-Ahttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

While I was finally able to get to my little house on the hills near Volterra, the stifling heat still persecutes all of us, making us wonder if there are places around where it's not so freaking hot. Thankfully our little homeland has plenty of them, carefully hidden from sight, back in the day, when the safest choice was just to find the most remote location possible. While Tuscany has plenty of charming monasteries that dot our hills, few are more special than the one that for more than a thousand years has been a magnet for men of faith and weary travellers. It's not easy to reach, being in the heart of Casentino, the wooded region tucked between the Arno and Romagna. That's not the reason why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Camaldoli. We want to celebrate a little known fact that changed the course of this country. 80 years ago it was here that a group of Catholic intellectuals hid from the Fascist police to write down the guidelines for a new Italy. Thanks to their courage this country became what it is now: a more or less functioning Western democracy.If you listen to the full episode you will learn how this ancient monastery was founded, what made it so special and how it managed to become bigger and bigger year after year. I will tell you the tale of the 30 courageous scholars, some of whom were very young, how a bishop helped them escape the attentions of the secret police and how their gamble paid off big time. Some of them, from La Pira to Vanoni, from Andreotti to Moro, came to dominate Italian politics until the 1990s. In the last part of the episode I will also tell you of the charming villa where the monks produce some extraordinary wine, the best parts of the Eremo and plenty of travel tips to get the most from your time there. Instead of clashing with millions of other tourists, next time you're in Tuscany, head to Camaldoli for a few days. It's got everything: scenery, atmosphere, great nature, excellent food and wine. On top of that, it's also good for the soul. You just can't beat that combo.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.ilbelcasentino.it/camaldoli.htmlhttps://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codice_di_Camaldolihttps://formiche.net/2018/07/codice-di-camaldoli-rinascita-italia/BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Zentra - SiegeCityfires - Blood Problems (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Rocking back and forth (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Lifeline (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/zentra-siegehttps://soundcloud.com/cityfires/blood-problems-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choirrocking-back-and-forth-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-lifeline-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

As we keep on exploring the unusual corners of this incredible land, I have decided to go back to one of the places of my childhood. Many years ago my parents brought me to a little town between Florence and Lucca to go to a theme park dedicated to one of the most famous children books on the planet. To be perfectly honest I never really liked it: I've always found it a bit preachy but countless children all over the world can't be all wrong. I came back home a bit disappointed but the place is positively splendid. That's why this week, to celebrate the anniversary of the publication of its first chapter, What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Collodi to tell you everything there is to know about the real magic kingdom of Pinocchio.If you listen to the full episode you will learn how Carlo Lorenzini, his author, wrote it only to make some money to pay off his gambling debts and never considered it more than a "silly little story". When it became massively popular, the people of Collodi thought to turn a green area into a park dedicated to the world's most famous puppet. They enrolled many modern artists that created statues and buildings dedicated to the characters of the book. From the 1970s they placed them in a theme walk that tells the tale of the book. It's a bit highbrow and not very accessible to children but the park is really special. If you're there, check out the amazing villa next door. Its Italian garden is one of the most beautiful in Europe. A recent addition will bring you in the middle of the rainforest, surrounded by exotic plants and hundreds of rare butterflies. It's a bit pricey and it's exceedingly warm but it's a surreal experience to find yourself in the Amazon in the middle of Tuscany.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.finestresullarte.info/opere-e-artisti/parco-pinocchio-collodi-parchi-toscanahttps://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_avventure_di_Pinocchio._Storia_di_un_burattinohttps://www.visittuscany.com/it/attrazioni/la-villa-e-il-giardino-garzoni-a-collodi/http://creareverde.it/casa-delle-farfalle-collodi-butterfly-house/BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Incompetech - Leopard Print ElevatorPipe Choir - Children of the Son (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Fortress (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Almost Time (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-children-of-the-son-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-fortress-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

Early July in Tuscany is all about surviving the heat, dreaming about being on the beach or anywhere but the office. Things are very different in a picturesque town of the interior, where everyone's mind is focused completely on an ancient festival that is the only game in town. Despite being around for more than seven centuries, this is so much more than a horse race for the people, it's the only thing that matters. In order to figure out why they're so attached to this ancient tradition we need to get into the rich subtext that comes with it, a product of so many incredible things happening in that cramped square bursting at the seams with enthusiasm. This is why, in order to celebrate the Palio di Provenzano this Sunday, What's Up Tuscany brings you back to Siena to tell you everything there is to know about the seedy underbelly of the famous Palio.If you listen to the full episode, you will learn about the incredible lengths many jockeys of the Palio went to in order to either win the trophy or avoid their rivals from achieving this goal, something that for Senesi is almost as important as winning. We will go through several renowned jockeys that threw away their race to wait for their rival and pummel them with their whips, just to be extra-sure they didn't win. We will also talk about that time when the idea of having your rival winning the coveted "drappellone" pushed a fan so hard to make him pull the craziest stunt ever seen in the famous Piazza del Campo. In the last chapter, we will also tell you the tale of the famous jockey that, right when he had almost won, decided to just bail out, enraging the entire population for God only knows what reason. Follow us into this crazy rabbit hole and get a feel of why Senesi are so crazy for their little horse race. Trust me, it's going to be a crazy ride!Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.oksiena.it/news/storia-del-palio-i-fantini-cattivi-130616190300.htmlhttps://www.ilpalio.org/sch1911.2.7.htmhttps://www.ilpalio.org/sch1901.2.7.htmBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)WUFO - Hyde ParkWayne John Bradley - Pick you upProfound Beats - Lo-fiEzaOne - SupernovaWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/wufo-hyde-parkhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/pick-you-up-slow-poprock-style-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/profoundbeats/profound-beats-lo-fi-free-downloadhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/ezaone-supernovahttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

Summer in Tuscany is a truly glorious season, even if sometimes it gets really hot and muggy. If you're lucky enough to be in this neck of the woods, you'll be spoilt for choice between many fairs, events that are sometimes quite quirky. Last year we talked to you about the Gioco del Ponte, the reverse tug of war on one of Pisa's most famous bridges, an event so unusual that baffles foreigners since the Middle Ages. Up the Arno, the main rival of the city of the Leaning Tower had plenty of particular events, but no one is as crazy as the tournament that dominates one of its most beautiful squares at the end of June. This very ancient version of football is, frankly, an acquired taste. What makes it weird? Well, let's start by saying that literal fighting on the pitch is pretty much ignored by the referees. Despite being so brutal, Florentines adore it, so much that it's almost integral to the city identity. That is why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you back to Florence to tell you everything there is to know about the wonderfully bonkers "calcio storico".If you listen to the full episode, you will learn how the origins of this game are quite unclear, possibly dating back to the Roman Empire and how, especially in the Renaissance, Fiorentini loved it so much that it was played in almost every street. It wasn't just regular people: heirs of the most powerful families, like the Medici, played in Piazza Santa Croce. It took a long siege and a crazy act of defiance to consolidate its place in the heart of every Florentine. After being banned for a couple centuries, since 1930 the tournament is held every year following the rules written back in 1580 by a famous scholar. In the final parts I will explain to you the not so crazy rules of this game and try to convey what makes it so close to the hearts of many Tuscans. It is not to everyone's taste, many people find it abhorrent, brutal, unnecessarily violent but by looking at how the players and fans get so crazy that you can have a look into the real soul of this land. It may be bonkers, but it's much more genuine than many others events that seem catered only to tourists.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://sportgang.it/calcio-storico-fiorentino/https://www.vanityfair.it/sport/altri-sport/2017/07/09/calcio-storico-fiorentino-rispetto-polizia-campo-zenahttps://www.intersport.it/get-inspired/calcio-storico-fiorentino-storia-regoleBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Everous & Canonblade - GleamCatmosphere - Candy-Coloured SkyRender - PrismPipe Choir - Gemini (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/catmosphere-candy-coloured-skyhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/render-prismhttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Pipe_Choir/SGONS_Instrumentals/Pipe_Gemini_Instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

The weather isn't great these days but summer is right around the corner and chances are it's going to hit hard. When temperatures and humidity rise way above what normal human beings consider bearable, any Tuscan only wants to do one thing: head for the hills to get some fresh air. What if you're just passing through? A day trip might be the answer. Right, now you only have to decide where to go between the hundreds of great places Tuscany has to offer. If you're spoiled for choice, let me give you an advice: Garfagnana is the place to go. The wild heart of this region has it all: great scenery, awesome food, plenty of history and quirky traditions. The perfect place for a day trip is right on the border with Emilia, in a small town dominated by an ancient fortress. That's why this week, What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Castiglione di Garfagnana to have a look at the charming castle on the mountain.If you listen to the full episode you'll learn everything there is to know about the perfectly preserved Lion Fortress, a castle that has been around since the time of the Romans that has a lot to offer, from beautiful views to a secret passageway that is open to the public.This small village has a lot to offer, from a nearby mediaeval bridge to an even smaller place that is the highest permanently inhabited place in the Apennines mountains. Castiglione is also a rather weird place where people still celebrate a miracle happened four centuries ago, dress up as Befane for a January Halloween and have an entire month dedicated to mediaeval celebrations. All in all, the best reason to come around here, even for a single day, is the people. Garfagnini may be gruff but have a heart of gold. Having to brave the elements and the crippling poverty for centuries has made them kinder and more generous than most. The fact that the wilderness is beautiful, the food great and the temperatures much more bearable it's just a happy coincidence, I guess.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.tuscanypeople.com/castiglione-di-garfagnana/http://www.castiglionegarf.altervista.org/visite-guidate.htmlhttps://tuscanyplanet.com/castiglione-di-garfagnana-cosa-vedere/Pro Loco Castiglione+39 347 2789387 / prolococastiglionegarf@gmail.comBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)WUFO - Hyde ParkPipe Choir - A midnight on Jaquay (Instrumental)Inaki - PhoenixMike Chino - Calm and HarmonyWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/wufo-hyde-parkhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-a-midnight-on-jaquay-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/inaki-phoenix-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/mike-chino-calm-and-harmonyhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

No matter how much we Tuscans believe that everyone comes here because we're lovely people, chances are that people that land in our region come here because they love our food and wine. We might cringe thinking about it, but we tend to agree. The problem is that this land is so varied that you can't just know every single specialty. There is stuff that is well known here and completely ignored just a few miles away. This means that even someone like myself, born and raised in Tuscany can always be surprised. It happened to me a while ago, when I was visiting a friend in Florence. In a small bakery I had some cake that was out of this world. As I didn't even know it existed, I looked for information and discovered another great story. That's why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you back to the city of the Duomo to tell you the amazing tale of the Torta Fedora, the best cake you never had.If you listen to the full episode you will learn how this cake was born not even a century ago so that a baker could get out of trouble with his enraged wife. This innovative cake became super popular in Florence but has gone a bit out of fashion lately. Luckily for you, while not very easy to make, it's still possible to bake it yourself. In the episode I will guide you step by step into preparing your very own slice of Florentine goodness. If you are curious but not exactly willing to waste an afternoon to have a slice of this cake, your best bet is to head to downtown Florence and taste it in a local caffè. To help you get the most from your time here, I've listed my very subjective and questionable list of the top 5 bakeries in town. Just make sure you get at least a slice of the Torta Fedora. You definitely won't regret it. A lot of empty calories but it's also exceedingly good.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.tuscanypeople.com/torta-fedora/https://toscanascosta.blogspot.com/2015/01/fedora-la-torta-scomparsa.htmlhttps://www.tuscanypeople.com/migliori-pasticcerie-a-firenze/http://www.pasticceriasieni.it/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46&Itemid=54&lang=itBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)EzaOne - SupernovaZentra - SiegeRender - PrismIncompetech - Leopard Print ElevatorWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/ezaone-supernovahttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/zentra-siegehttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/render-prismhttps://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

In the past we've talked several times about the odd harbour town that looks and feel nothing like Tuscany. We've explored its famous coffee punch, the street food, its rivalry with the neighbouring Pisa but we have never talked about the odd monument that is so close to the hearts of livornesi. Its story is quite curious and not well known outside of town, as the many controversies that surround it since it was commissioned in the 16th century. That is why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you back to Leghorn to tell you everything there is to know about the Four Moors, its inconvenient symbol.If you listen to the full episode you will know how this statue was built to celebrate the Medici family and Tuscan victories during the long privateering war that raged for centuries in the Mediterranean. And yet, no one cares about the Grand Duke: the four Barbaresque prisoners at his feet were so lifelike and vibrant to steal the show. Despite being beloved by its inhabitants, many feel that the monument celebrates slavery. Livornesi vehemently disagree: for them it's a symbol of freedom, second chances at life and the rebellious spirit of a town that still remembers how it was built from prisoners and ex-convicts.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.viverelatoscana.it/i-quattro-mori-il-monumento-di-livorno-tra-leggenda-e-curiosita/https://www.turismo.it/cultura/articolo/art/titolo-id-8323/https://www.livorno-effettovenezia.it/luoghi-di-interesse/i-quattro-mori/https://www.iltirreno.it/livorno/cronaca/2020/06/14/news/uniti-contro-il-razzismo-ai-piedi-dei-quattro-mori-ma-la-statua-non-si-tocca-1.38967022BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Aerocity - Love LostWayne John Bradley - Pick you upWayne John Bradley - WaitingProfound Beats - Lo-FiWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-a-dark-blue-arc-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/aerocity-love-losthttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/pick-you-up-slow-poprock-style-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/waiting-original-uplifting-indie-pop-style-instrumentalcreative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/profoundbeats/profound-beats-lo-fi-free-downloadhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

While we like to say that things never change in Tuscany, going back to the places of your youth is always a mixed bag. You'd like for everything to stay just the same as you remember it but, sometimes, you're up for a pleasant surprise. Last time I was in Pisa I went back to one of the places I loved the most when I was in university, an old coffee house that reeked of history. We didn't go there because the coffee was great, but because we wanted to be part of that great tradition. That coffee house, the third oldest in Italy, had been the go-to place for university students, artists, writers, scholars for almost 250 years. It was so relevant also because it was the birthplace of a curious phenomenon; a volunteer regiment made exclusively from university students and professors that fought in the First War of Italian Independence. That's why, to celebrate the 175th anniversary of that battle, What's Up Tuscany will bring you back to Pisa to tell you everything there is to know about the amazing Caffè dell'Ussero, my favourite coffee house.If you listen to the entire episode you will learn the origin of the weird palace that hosts it, how it became the cultural cornerstone of liberal politics and how on its back the first Italian cinema was founded in 1905. I will also tell you how this rich cultural heritage made it the place where liberty-minded speakers roused the crowds cheering for Italian unification. It was thanks to them that in 1848 two thirds of Pisa University students enrolled as volunteers in the University Guard, a regiment that fought with the army of Sardinia-Piedmont against the Austrian Empire. You'll learn how many of them were very young and had absolutely no idea of what they were going to go through. Despite being very green, their courage and sacrifice allowed the Italian army to escape encirclement and escape from an Austrian trap. Without the student warriors of the Ussero, Italy might have been very different. In the last chapter I'll also tell you about how the new owners plan to make the Ussero great again, transforming it into a place where people are in no rush to leave. Next time you come to Pisa, spend some time there. Even without any of my memories, this historic coffee house will find its way into your heart.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://localistorici.it/rinasce-lo-storico-caffe-dellussero-la-scommessa-di-jacopo-e-lorenzo/https://blog.agenziareaimmobiliare.it/palazzo-agostini-caffe-dellussero/https://libri.icrewplay.com/caffe-letterari-il-caffe-dellussero-a-pisa/https://www.homolaicus.com/letteratura/ussero.htmhttps://www.corriere.it/cultura/speciali/2010/visioni-d-italia/notizie/4curtatone-e-montanara-Gli-universitari-e-il-battaglione-scomparso_71006f58-550e-11df-a414-00144f02aabe.shtmlBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - A dark blue arc (Instrumental)The Passion HiFi - BuriedPipe Choir - A slave to nothing (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Followers (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Mapping the stars (Instrumental)Jinxspr0 - Generation BounceWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-a-dark-blue-arc-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/freehiphopbeatsforyou/free-the-passion-hifi-buriedhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-a-slave-to-nothing-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-followers-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-mapping-the-stars-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/jinxspr0-generation-bouncehttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

In this episode we will go back to one of our original missions: shed some light into the least known corners of this land and tell you what makes them so special. In Tuscany it's still possible to just bump into amazing stuff, as it happened to me many years ago while I was roaming the back roads of my region on my motorcycle. The place is, frankly, baffling: what does a great cathedral, a lovely piazza and many ancient palaces do in a town literally in the middle of nowhere? As it happens quite frequently, this little-known town hides some incredible stories and a rich past. If you come here on the 4th Sunday of May, you will also have the chance to witness one of the most famous crossbows competition in the land. That's why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to the hidden masterpiece that is Massa Marittima to tell you everything there is to know about this remarkable gem of a town.If you listen to the full episode you will learn how mining made this town rich enough to buy out its freedom and tough enough to defend itself for more than a century. I'll tell you about the lovely square and its quirky secrets, before delving deep into the history of the crossbow festival, how it was resurrected 60 years ago and how it still celebrates to this day the grit and determination of this fierce little town. in the last chapter, you will also know about a peculiar wine trail that will let you know some very special products, a mysterious lake that, according to local legend, would hide an entire town and a theme park dedicated to the history of metalmaking and the mining industry. While it may not be as popular as Chianti, this part of Tuscany will find many ways to surprise you. If you give it a chance, it will definitely steal your heart.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.societaterzierimassetani.it/balestro-del-girifalco/https://www.societaterzierimassetani.it/126-balestro-del-girifalco-28-maggio-2023/https://www.visittuscany.com/it/idee/massa-marittima-5-motivi-per-visitare-la-citta/https://www.massamarittima-toscana.net/storia_1.htmlhttps://www.toscanaovunquebella.it/it/massa-marittimaBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Profound Beats - Lo-fiPipe Choir - The Opening ClosingPipe Choir - Coffee and TimeWUFO - Hyde ParkWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/profoundbeats/profound-beats-lo-fi-free-downloadhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-coffee-and-time-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/wufo-hyde-parkhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

After a few weeks we come back to talk about the amazing history of this land, one that Tuscans are generally very fond of. While it's true that many other places can boast about a rich past, what makes this place different is that ancient events always find a way to sneak into everyday life. There are Tuscans squabbling about battles happened centuries ago! Despite this, many of the more interesting events about this land are unknown to many. Few people, for example, know that up until the 17th century, Pisa had a different patron saint, Saint Sixtus. Even fewer people are aware that behind the choice of Saint Rainier there was the not-so-subtle land of Pisa's sworn enemy, the Medici family. That's why this week "What's Up Tuscany" will bring you back to the city of the Leaning Tower to tell you everything there is to know about this remarkable tale of faith, superstition and political intrigue.If you listen to the entire episode, you'll know about the remarkable history of the unfortunate Pope that is one of the few saints celebrated by both the Catholic and the Orthodox church. I'll tell you also about the very odd reason that made him so close to the hearts of the Pisa faithful and how a devastating defeat broke this special relationship. In the final chapters, we will explore how the fight between the Emperor and the Pope gave rise to the figure of Saint Rainier and why, several centuries later, it was the Florentines that pushed to have him as the patron saint of their arch-rival so that people forgot about their proud past. This is truly a special story that speaks volumes about how history is never far from this land. It always come back to haunt you.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)http://www.stilepisano.it/leggende/leg(g)ende_pisane_N20_sanranieri_26feb2018.pdfhttps://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiesa_di_San_Sisto_(Pisa)https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papa_Sisto_IIBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - SummercycleAerocity - Cold Weather KidsWayne John Bradley - WaitingCityfires - Blood Problems (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Children of the SonWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/summercycle-original-indie-style-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/aerocity-cold-weather-kidshttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/waiting-original-uplifting-indie-pop-style-instrumentalcreative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/ljayofficial/blood-problems-instrumentalby-cityfireshttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-children-of-the-son-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

The worst question you can ask to any Tuscan is also one of the most popular: "what should I absolutely see next time I come to visit". Talk about a fool's errand. There is hardly a town in this region that would't deserve to be explored. Some of the loveliest places are sometimes overlooked just because they are close to more popular places. Think about one of the main towns in the Valdelsa. It's very pretty and full of interesting stuff to do but it's so close to San Gimignano that most tourists just skip it. As we constantly strive to offer you useful advice to make the most of the time you spend here, we thought it would be a good idea to show you everything that this place has to offer. That's why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Certaldo, one of Tuscany's best kept secrets.If you listen to the entire episode you will learn everything there is to know about the odd palace that dominates the main square, why there is a genuine Japanese tea house in the courtyard, why the museum dedicated to Giovanni Boccaccio, one of Italy's greatest writers has a lot of ancient shoes and many other things. If you spend some time here you must try the many recipes that use one of Certaldo's specialties, a very particular onion, sweet enough to be used as a jam. You'll learn about the quirky little museum dedicated to nails, the best place where to get amazing views and much much more. Next time you come to Tuscany, think about spending some time here. You definitely won't regret it.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.italyyoudontexpect.com/certaldo-cosa-vedere/https://www.visittuscany.com/it/attrazioni/la-casa-del-boccaccio-a-certaldo/https://www.comune.certaldo.fi.it/it/page/prodotti-tipici-b5422c10-2ca6-48b0-ba32-1e95a51c3a82https://toscananelcuore.it/museo-del-chiodo/BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Followers (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Talk to me (Instrumental)EzaOne - SupernovaProfound Beats - Lo-fiThe Passion Hi-Fi - BuriedWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-followers-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-talk-to-me-instrumentalwavhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/ezaone-supernovahttps://soundcloud.com/profoundbeats/profound-beats-lo-fi-free-downloadhttps://soundcloud.com/freehiphopbeatsforyou/free-the-passion-hifi-buriedhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

There are few places in the world that are as deadly serious as we Tuscans are when it comes to defending our traditions. While it is untrue that this land is nothing but an open-air museum, every little change causes enormous backlash by people that believe tradition to be absolutely paramount. Despite this, things change in Tuscany as well. Sometimes stuff disappears into thin air, grinded down by the relentless march of time. When it involves things that are near and dear to so many people, this becomes a bit weird. Take for example a special bread that was integral to the identity of Florence. In a few years we went from having people sell it on the street to be impossible to find. The story is both weird and interesting, which is why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you back to the Tuscan capital to tell you the story of the "semelle", Florence's ghost bread.If you listen to the full episode you will learn why this panino was so important for people living in downtown Florence, why the name sounds so weird, where it was really born and why it became almost impossible to find. We will bring you to one of the bakeries that still prepare this yummy panino and, if you listen to the last chapter, I will walk you through a great recipe to make sure that you'll be able to prepare it in your kitchen. On top of being absolutely delicious, this will be a great way to bring a piece of Tuscany in your home and to keep alive a great Florentine tradition.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.vice.com/it/article/z3nd98/semelle-panino-storico-firenzehttps://www.sonoiosandra.it/il-semelle-ovvero-il-panino-all-olio-fiorentino/BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Romos - HeliosPipe Choir - Mapping the Stars (Instrumental)Audionautix - Water Wood and StonePrezzur - Midnight MoonlightIncompetech - Leopard Print ElevatorWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-ignite-to-light-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/romos-helioshttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-mapping-the-stars-instrumentalhttps://www.free-stock-music.com/audionautix-water-wood-and-stone.htmlhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/prezzur-midnight-moonlighthttps://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

While at first the idea of having hundreds of episodes dedicated to a relatively small region sounded preposterous, the more we delve into Tuscan history, the more surprises we bump into. Take, for example, a place like Pisa: I've gone to college there and almost every day I went into one of Italy's best piazzas, Piazza dei Cavalieri. Little did I know that the small church right next to the imposing Palazzo della Carovana hosts a veritable treasure trove for history buffs like yours truly. Inside this richly decorated church there is the largest collection of war banners from the other side of the Mediterranean. How did they end there? Well, they were the spoils of war of a very weird chivalric order that, for a couple of centuries became rich and powerful by capturing ships and ransoming their captains. Their story is as incredible as little known, also by locals. That's why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to the city of the Leaning Tower to tell you everything there is to know about one of its best kept secrets, the Chiesa di Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri, the church of the pirate knights.If you listen to the full episode I will tell you the remarkable history of the order created by the Medicis to avoid another nationalist uprising in Pisa, how it became powerful enough to play a crucial role in the battle that pretty much decided the future of Europe and how carrying there the war flags of the captured ships became an important tradition. There will be also space to look at the most beautiful of those flags, their symbolism and also the many souvenirs of the days where the ships from Pisa fought the infidels on the Mare Nostrum are kept both inside the church and in the palace next door that now hosts one of Europe's top academic institutions. Next time you come to Pisa, take some time to explore this amazing part of town. It has much more to offer than Piazza dei Miracoli: you only need to know where to look.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://altmarius.ning.com/profiles/blogs/le-bandiere-ottomane-come-bottino-da-guerra-a-pisa-le-icone-dellehttp://www.antropologiaartesacra.it/ALESSIO_VARISCO_PISASantoStefanoDeiCavalieri.htmlhttps://alleanzacattolica.org/i-vessilli-della-battaglia-di-lepanto/BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Ignite to Light (Instrumental)Mike Chino - Calm and HarmonyPipe Choir - Children of the Son (Instrumental)Cityfires - Blood ProblemsPipe Choir - A Slave to Nothing (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-ignite-to-light-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/mike-chino-calm-and-harmonyhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-children-of-the-son-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ljayofficial/blood-problems-instrumentalby-cityfireshttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-a-slave-to-nothing-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

After spending more than two years trying to figure out what it is that makes Tuscany so uncommonly beloved around the world, the sensation to be missing something obvious is quite strong. With all the art, amazing food, wonderful vistas and great wine, this region is still greater than its parts. Maybe a way to get some insight is to look at some of the people that made Tuscany so famous and see what made them tick. Some of these people have been so great to forever change the landscape. Look at a small town in the hills between Florence and Pistoia. Doesn't look much from a distance but once you hear its name, you cannot but think of the illegitimate son of a small landowner that, despite everything, became an absolute superstar, famous all over Europe. This is why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Vinci, the town that Leonardo put firmly on the map.If you listen to the full episode you'll know about the celebrations that in this weekend his hometown will dedicate to him on his birthday, the great museum that hosts life-size models of the amazing machines he dreamt in his drawings and so much more. We'll tell you about how his unassuming birth home was transformed a few years ago into a state-of-the-art multimedia experience and the many interesting things that his hometown has to offer, from a great wine to some hearthy recipes to die for. If you're in Tuscany this weekend, this would be the perfect time to head to Vinci and check how the beauty that surrounds this place was instrumental into creating one of the world's greatest geniuses.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.lanazione.it/firenze/cronaca/vinci-da-il-via-alle-celebrazioni-per-lanniversario-della-nascita-di-leonardo-a6e20611https://www.visittuscany.com/it/itinerari/un-giorno-a-vinci/https://tuscanyplanet.com/vinci-cosa-vedere/https://www.ilturista.info/ugc/info/da_visitare/1353-Museo_Leonardiano_di_Vinci_le_macchine_e_le_altre_invenzioni_di_Leonardo/https://www.discovertuscany.com/it/cosa-vedere-in-toscana/casa-di-leonardo-da-vinci.htmlBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Prezzur - Midnight MoonlightPipe Choir - Gemini (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - A midnight on Jaquay (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Almost Time (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/prezzur-midnight-moonlighthttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Pipe_Choir/SGONS_Instrumentals/Pipe_Gemini_Instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-a-midnight-on-jaquay-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

As we have a reputation for enjoying the good things in life and never taking ourselves too seriously, you might think that Tuscany is not a very spiritual place. Well, you'd be very wrong. As much as we like to be contrarian, our roots are firmly into tradition and religion. Aside from the many beautiful churches, there are many places in our region that are perfect for prayer and meditation. Few are as popular as arguably the most famous monastery, home to a certain Saint Francis. In order to prepare for Easter, this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to a remote mountain in Casentino, the place where the patron saint of italy received the Stigmata, the sanctuary of La Verna.If you listen to the entire episode you will learn how this mountain was donated more than 8 centuries ago by a pious nobleman and how it became a very popular pilgrimage spot. We'll walk together through the many interesting spots in this remote monastery while exploring a remarkable art treasure that, until a few years ago, was hidden in an underground vault. We'll also talk about how the monks used the pandemic to embrace technology and help many more people in their moment of need. In the last part, I'll tell you everything there is to know about the most fascinating walk you can do around here, a 10 day trek that will bring you to Assisi, the home of Saint Francis. A definitely interesting way to explore this remarkable part of Italy and pay homage to the pilgrims of the Middle Ages.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.abbazie.com/laverna/storia_it.htmlhttps://www.sanfrancescopatronoditalia.it/notizie/francescanesimo/la-verna-le-stimmate-di-francesco-tra-storia-e-attualit%C3%A0-50684#accepthttps://www.tuscanypeople.com/la-verna-santuario-della-verna/https://apiediilmondo.it/le-tappe-della-via-di-francesco-la-verna-assisi-a-piedi/https://www.casentinopiu.it/i-tesori-del-casentino-alla-verna-un-crocifisso-ligneo-attribuito-a-della-robbia/BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Followers (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - The Opening ClosingProfound Beats - Lo-fiWayne John Bradley - Summercycle (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Almost Time (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-followers-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/profoundbeats/profound-beats-lo-fi-free-downloadhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/summercycle-original-indie-style-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

Now that Spring is finally upon us, the temptation to leave everything behind and just go out to enjoy the weather is sometimes overwhelming. Thankfully, the calendar comes around to help with Tuscany's favourite holiday of all times, Easter. While it is not as heartfelt as it used to be back in the day, it's still a great time to come out, celebrate and go around the region to find out interesting corners and historic celebrations. This is why, rather than delving deep into yet another little-known page of history, this week What's Up Tuscany will offer you a quick tour of this land to show you the quirkiest festivals that have been welcoming Easter for many centuries.If you listen to the full episode, you'll learn everything there is to know about Tuscany's most famous Easter celebration, the very odd "Scoppio del carro" in Florence, where fireworks and an historic promenade have been the coronation of the Holy Week since the Middle Ages. if you like your Easter to be all about the reason for the season, you're only spoiled for choice, considering the wealth of processions and reenactments that are hosted throughout the region. Few are more complex and charming as the one in Castiglion Fiorentino, a week long festival that culminates in the so-called "flight of the redentor", that features a flying Jesus statue.If you're into even quirkier celebrations, how about the "ruzzolata delle uova" in Mugello or the massive flower festival in San Casciano that has two churches fighting each other. Whatever you choose to do, just unplug for a bit and enjoy the company of your loved ones. There's no time like today: might as well enjoy it while you can.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.seidifirenzese.it/2018/03/30/le-tradizioni-fiorentine-pasqua/https://www.italybyevents.com/eventi/toscana/scoppio-del-carro-firenze/http://www.frammentiditoscana.it/processioni-settimana-santa-arezzo-siena/https://www.livornosera.it/eventi-livorno/usanze-pasquali-dalla-ruzzolata-delluovo-alla-gita-porta/https://www.intoscana.it/it/articolo/pasqua-in-toscana-feste-tradizioni-e-rievocazioni-della-passione/https://firenze.repubblica.it/cronaca/2014/04/18/news/pasqua_le_tradizioni_in_toscana-83957137/https://www.nove.firenze.it/pasqua-una-tradizione-secolare-in-toscana.htmhttps://www.firenzetoday.it/eventi/pasqua-2015-firenze-toscana.htmlhttps://www.coopfirenze.it/informatori/notizie/ovunque-in-toscanahttps://www.vignaiolidiscansano.it/la-pasqua-in-maremma/BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - A Slave to Nothing (Instrumental)WUFO - Hyde ParkWayne John Bradley - Pick you upWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-a-slave-to-nothing-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/wufo-hyde-parkhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/pick-you-up-slow-poprock-style-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

Despite the great wealth of interesting and fascinating corners our homeland has to offer, the main reason many people come to Tuscany is to visit the most famous landmarks and experience the beautiful things that made this land famous all over the world. Few of these places are as packed of incredible things as the imposing museum stuck between the Arno and Palazzo Vecchio in downtown Florence. Despite it being one of the most visited places in the world, thanks to the amazing masterpieces that are conserved there, not many people are aware of its curious back story, the remarkable man who turned it into what it is and the many secrets that it hides. In order to celebrate the 482nd birthday of its founder, this week What's Up Tuscany brings you back to Florence to tell you everything there is to know about the beautiful Uffizi Museum.If you listen to the entire episode you will learn about the wacky Grand Duke that decided to turn the massive office building his father commissioned into a place where to show the beautiful things he had bought around the world. We will tell you how the Uffizi got its weird name, how back in the day inside you could find crazy things like a fully fledged theatre, a foundry and a room where the Medicis displayed oddities from all over the world. In the last chapter you will have a better idea of how many incredible things are hidden in the Uffizi vault, including one of the world's leading portrait collections that hasn't been shown for a few decades due to lack of space. The Uffizi is truly a living representation of this land: you can go there 10 times and you'll always learn something new. This, among many things, is what makes Tuscany so special.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.tuscanypeople.com/francesco-i-dei-medici/https://www.uffizi.it/gli-uffizi/storiahttps://www.fiorentininelmondo.it/it/home/338-dietrofront-il-lato-nascosto-delle-collezioni-agli-uffizi.htmlhttps://www.partecipart.it/arte-cultura/5-curiosita-uffizi/BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Children of the Son (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - A dark blue Arc (Instrumental)The Passion HiFi - BuriedPipe Choir - Almost Time (Instrumental)Render - PrismWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-children-of-the-son-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-a-dark-blue-arc-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/freehiphopbeatsforyou/free-the-passion-hifi-buriedhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/render-prismhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

Now that spring is literally around the corner, time to dust up your light jackets and respond to the call of the wild. For Italians the answer can only be one: a "gita fuori porta". This centuries old tradition quite literally mean "small trip outside the gate", as back before mass motorization the farthest you could go on a day trip was close to your hometown. Now that the range of our escapades has increased vastly, you're spoilt for choice. Allow us to help you with a suggestion, one of the towns that I enjoyed the most back in the day, when I was younger and loved to roam the back roads of Tuscany. Not only this town is very ancient but has got many art treasures hidden in plain sight, an amazing atmosphere and even a place that will do a lot of good to your soul. That's why this week, What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Cortona, the town made famous by the novel "Under a Tuscan sun" that has so much more to offer than a bunch of selfies.If you listen to the entire episode you will learn about the millennia-long history of this town, how it was razed several times in the past and rebuilt time and time again. You will know about the little fortress that has dominated the valley for many centuries, in several different forms. We will bring you to several fascinating churches that are all at the same time beautiful and quite weird. If you're more into spirituality, a few miles from Cortona there is an ancient monastery where Saint Francis of Assisi stayed for many years and wrote his spiritual testament. To top it off, we will tell you the many other things you can do in town, the best restaurant, the local specialties you must try and much, much more. This part of Tuscany is absolutely spectacular and Cortona is one of my favourite towns ever. If you give it a chance, it will charm you as well.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.italyyoudontexpect.com/cortona-cose-da-vedere/https://www.visittuscany.com/it/attrazioni/la-fortezza-del-girifalco/https://www.turiscortona.it/cosa-visitare/chiese/eremo-le-cellehttps://www.cortonamia.com/en/history-of-cortona/BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Incompetech - Leopard Print ElevatorPipe Choir - A Slave to Nothing (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - SummercycleWayne John Bradley - Pick you upPipe Choir - A Midnight on Jaquay (Instrumental)Aerocity - Love LostWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-a-slave-to-nothing-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/summercycle-original-indie-style-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/pick-you-up-slow-poprock-style-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-a-midnight-on-jaquay-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/aerocity-love-losthttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

When the weather is nice and warm, one of my favourite things to do when I was younger was to pick up my motorcycle and explore the little villages in my region. The back roads of Tuscany are charming and lead you to many special places, but in order to discover some of the hidden gems you need to do a bit of homework. Many years ago I visited the village of Montespertoli, not far from Florence, and I found it rather unremarkable. Little did I know that the tower on the hill that dominates the area was hiding an incredible secret and was much more interesting than I thought. That historic small castle was the favourite place in the world of Sidney Sonnino, one of Italy's quirkiest and most respected statesmen from the early 20th century, the place where he wanted to turn his ideas about modern agriculture and societal issues into practice. This ancient castle has found a way to preserve its heritage and become both sustainable and a great cultural centre. That's why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to this village 15 miles from Florence to tell you all you need to know about the remarkable Castle Sonnino.If you listen to the entire episode you will learn about how the heirs of the famous statesman made this place one of the leading producers of wine and olive oil in the Florentine Chianti and also how they paired up with US and Canadian universities to have students and teachers come here to have specialised courses on all sorts of subjects. You will also learn about the great man himself, how he was very different from the rest of Italian politics and how his ideas on modernity changed the country forever. In the final part you'll also know about the luxury apartments you could rent in this very special castle, the wine tasting tours and the more cultural events that are held in this little gem hidden in plain sight in the hills around Florence.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.castellosonnino.it/history/https://www.castellosonnino.it/contacts/https://www.lastampa.it/cultura/2017/01/15/news/caterina-de-renzis-sonnino-nel-mio-castello-insegno-la-cultura-del-made-in-italy-1.36626556/BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Catmosphere - Candy Coloured SkyPipe Choir - Earth 2 EarthWUFO - Hyde ParkThe Passion Hi-Fi - BuriedPipe Choir - Almost Time (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/catmosphere-candy-coloured-skyhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-earth2earth-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/wufo-hyde-parkhttps://soundcloud.com/freehiphopbeatsforyou/free-the-passion-hifi-buriedhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

While the calendar might be telling us that we're very close to spring, the weather begs to differ. That's probably why our minds wander beyond the equinox, towards Tuscany's favourite season, summer. Every family has their preference when it comes to where you spend your holidays but for most Tuscans, summer means sun and sea in the Versilia region. The funny thing is that possibly the poshest resort in the area didn't actually exist until a couple centuries ago. What is now one of the most exclusive and expensive places where you can unwind in peace in the entire Mediterranean was no more than a couple of fishermen's huts. To change its destiny forever was the intervention of someone you might have heard about, a certain Tuscan that knew a thing or two about painting and sculpture named Michelangelo Buonarroti. In order to celebrate properly his 548th birthday, What's Up Tuscany will bring you to the town that owes the most to this extraordinary artist, Forte dei Marmi.If you listen to the entire episode you will learn how this very swanky seaside town was a non starter, surrounded by disease, treacherous swamps, pirates and brigands until Michelangelo built a road to bring his favourite marble to the sea, where it could be shipped everywhere in the world. The real changing moment was when the house of Lorraine decided to build a small fortress to protect from pirate attacks and protect the merchants that operated from there. Then, right when it was about to go bust due to the competition of bigger harbours like Genoa or Leghorn, Forte dei Marmi reinvented itself as an exclusive resort, catering to VIP, heads of industry, artists and intellectuals. The long march that brought this unassuming village from absolute obscurity to the heights of luxury and sophistication is absolutely amazing and not very well know. If you stay with us until the end, you will also learn what to do and see in this very charming, albeit a bit expensive, seaside town. If you love Italy, you can't really miss this episode!Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.welcome2lucca.com/le-origini-di-forte-dei-marmi-e-il-suo-legame-con-pietrasanta/https://www.visitforte.com/it/vivi-il-forte/storia-cultura-e-arte/storia/https://www.fortedeimarmi.it/guide-forte-dei-marmi-articolo-la-storia-di-forte-dei-marmi.aspxhttps://www.versilia.org/it/territorio-versilia/cultura/storia-ed-origini-di-forte-dei-marmihttps://www.versiliamo.com/forte-dei-marmi/fortino-forte-dei-marmi/BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Hot Soup on Cold DaysThe Passion Hi-Fi - BuriedPipe Choir - Fortress (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - WaitingMike Chino - Calm and HarmonyWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-hot-soup-on-cold-days-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/freehiphopbeatsforyou/free-the-passion-hifi-buriedhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-fortress-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/waiting-original-uplifting-indie-pop-style-instrumentalcreative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/mike-chino-calm-and-harmonyhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

With Ash Wednesday behind us, Catholics all over the world get ready for Lent, the 40 days period where the faithful are supposed to do penance for their sins by abstaining from all sorts of pleasurable activities. While nowadays is nowhere near as strict as it was once in the day, Tuscans have never been big fans of this time of mandatory suffering. While, in theory, the idea to cleanse yourself after the Carnival overdose of partying and food, spending so much time mortifying the flesh wasn't high on their to-do list. That's why they found clever ways to keep having some fun while respecting part of the dictates of the Catholic Church.In Florence, in particular, they were quite big on these shortcuts. From the early 19th century a particular type of cookies became very popular during Lent. They paid lip service to the "no animal fats" prohibition but managed somehow to be really great. Their story is quite interesting which is why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you back to Florence to tell you the tale of how nuns came out with the Quaresimali, Tuscany's favourite Lent cookies.On top of consuming vast quantities of these great biscotti shaped like letters that smell of cocoa and orange, Fiorentini tried to make this time of the year less painful by organising neighbourhood festivals every Sunday. These celebrations were very popular and were used for all sorts of purpose, making them really unique. Their nicknames and traditions are really something else, a slice of life of a city that has unfortunately disappeared from the face of the Earth. Now, if you're curious to taste the Quaresimali, chances are you won't be able to buy them. They are in fact only popular near Florence and are not easy to get anywhere else.Luckily for you, they're exceedingly simple to bake. If you listen to the full episode, you'll get both the recipe and the instructions to have the perfect cookies to cheer up your Lent. This episode is a bit different, as we went for something more conversational, less scripted. This is an experiment so if you don't like it, let us know by getting in touch on our social media accounts. We try posting as much as we can on Twitter: if you're there, come say hello. We'd love to know you better.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.firenzetoday.it/cucina/biscotti-quaresimali.htmlhttps://www.nonsolopiccante.it/2012/04/07/biscotti-quaresimali-di-firenze/https://www.turismo.it/gusto/articolo/art/quaresimali-fiorentini-labc-dei-biscotti-id-7909/https://www.quinewsfirenze.it/firenze-quaresimali-biscotti-storia-peccato-gola.htmhttps://www.florencecity.it/le-fiere-quaresimali/https://www.blmagazine.it/quaresima-chiama-quaresimali/BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Mapping the Stars (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Almost Time (Instrumental)Incompetech - Leopard Print ElevatorWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-mapping-the-stars-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

If I asked each and every one of you, chances are that mountains and snow are not something that you would normally associate with Tuscany. That is a bit weird, considering that a sizeable part of our region is occupied by the Appennines. While most Tuscans definitely prefer our lovely sea, those who go crazy about skiing have a domestic option rather than spending time and money to travel to the Alpine resorts. This remarkable town was born in the 18th century as a frontier post but it remained very poor and isolated until very recently. It took a great exploit by a local sportsman to put it firmly on the map and turn it into one of Italy's most renowned ski resorts. That's why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to the mountains above Pistoia to tell you the story of how Abetone became the most beloved choice for snow lovers thanks to the talent of a great sportsman.Zeno Colò, born and bred in these remote mountains, was one of Italy's greatest skiers and was the one that put this remote village firmly on the map as a great ski resort. The destiny of Abetone changed in just a few minutes 71 years ago, when the Tuscan champion triumphed in the 1952 Winter Olympics in Norway, inflicting more than a second to his rivals. The "Hawk of Oslo" was for 20 years the fastest skier in the world before reinventing himself as a course designer and a ski instructor. In 1969 he was instrumental in a popular initiative that provided Abetone with some much needed infrastructures that doubled the tourist capacity of the town, making it the only one in Central Italy able to rival the Alpine resorts. No one in Abetone will ever forget Zeno Colò.If you know someone that loves Italy just as much as we do, why don't you send him the link to this episode? I'm sure he'll thank you for it. If you're on Twitter, come and say hello: we'd love to get to know you better. If you have any question or comment on our episodes, drop us a note. We'll be very glad to answer any of your doubts.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)http://www.storiedisport.it/?p=10203https://www.abetonecutigliano2022.it/territorio/abetone/https://www.sciaremag.it/professione-montagna/lovovia-dellabetone-tra-i-trionfi-di-zeno-colo/BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)A Himitsu - Icy VindurAlmightyZero - AetherialTavs = ControlWayne John Bradley - Pick You UpAerocity - Love LostWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/a-himitsu-icy-vindurhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/almightyzero-aetherialhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/tavs-controlhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/pick-you-up-slow-poprock-style-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/aerocity-love-losthttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

Maybe you're not aware of it but our little Tuscany podcast is about to celebrate two years on the air. While we changed a couple of times our format, focussing more on timeless content rather than regular news, we've always stayed true to our original mission: spreading love and knowledge for our beloved homeland as far and wide as humanly possible. While having a look at our archive, which by the way will remain online for the foreseeable future, we realised that we haven't talked about one of the most famous Tuscans in history, the remarkable Galileo Galilei.Considering that in a few days it will also be his 459th birthday, we have decided to dedicate an episode to arguably the greatest scientist to ever come out of this remarkable land. As pretty much everyone in the world has heard of him, of his discoveries, his experiments, his trial and tribulations we just didn't want to rehash old content. After long consideration, we figured out an interesting angle to pay a homage to the great man and at the same time stay true to our mission. That's why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you back to Pisa to guide you on a walking tour following the footsteps of Galileo Galilei, the man who reinvented science.If you listen to the full episode you will learn how it took centuries and a fair amount of research to figure out where Galileo was really born, how the story about the experiment from the Leaning Tower with the weights everyone heard about did actually happen pretty far away from Tuscany, where the famous pendulum is now and the various places where the scientist worked while he was living in the city of the Leaning Tower. While definitely not as stunning as Lucca and Florence, Pisa has a lot of incredible places that are not well known and that would well deserve a bit of your time. Maybe next time you come visit us, stay an extra day in Pisa: you definitely won't regret it.While we are definitely not as active as we'd like, we are present mostly on Twitter, where we occasionally post some stuff that is both Tuscany-related or just regular things that pop into our head. Actually we don't really know what type of content to provide there, which is why we're not really active. What would interest you? Small travel advice? Pictures of our beloved homeland? Idioms and quirky expressions explained? Pronunciation audio guides? If you're around, say hello and let us know. It would help us quite a lot.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.ua-magazine.com/2021/04/23/galileo-tower-of-pisa-experiment-done-in-delft/https://www.turismo.pisa.it/itinerario/pisa-is-segretahttps://www.terredipisa.it/percorso/galileo-a-pisa/https://www.travelstales.it/2021/06/30/pisa-luoghi-insoliti-segreti/https://www.visittuscany.com/it/idee/alla-scoperta-di-pisa-sulle-orme-di-galileo/BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Incompetech - Leopard Print ElevatorErio - MonolithPipe Choir - Mapping the StarsSybranax - EuphoriaPipe Choir - Almost TimeWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077https://soundcloud.com/argofox/erio-monolithhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-mapping-the-stars-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/sybranax-euphoriahttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

During a poll we conducted on our Twitter profile we realised that one of the things you were curious about our beloved Tuscany was to know the quirkiest places, those hidden spots that only locals know about. We thought long and hard before coming up with a serious candidate for the crown of most peculiar village in Tuscany. Hidden in the hills above Pistoia, this tiny hamlet has a very odd name; it's known as the Valley of the Elves. It has nothing to do with the Lord of the Rings or Tolkien and everything to do with a particular community of people that in the early 1980s left everything behind to experiment an alternative way of living far away from the trappings of modernity. 40 years later the 150 people that live mostly without electricity have carried on their experiment remaining faithful to their ideals of sustainability, communion with nature and communitarism. Their remarkable way of living has caused some protests between their neighbours but it's becoming more accepted with time, especially now that sustainable living is all the rage. That's why this week What's Up Tuscany will tell you everything there is to know about the remarkable Valley of the Elves and the many other places in this region where people do their best to prove that another world is possible.If you are on Twitter, come say hello: it's the best way to keep in touch, to provide some very needed feedback and to influence the evolution of our little podcast. We'd really love to know you better and to find new ways to engage your curiosity and satisfy your cravings for everything Tuscan.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://ecovillaggi.it/rive/ecovillaggi/13-elfi.html?jjj=1675189004766https://www.reportpistoia.com/gli-elfi-il-covid-e-una-comunita-a-cui-tutto-e-consentito-in-barba-alle-leggi/https://www.lanazione.it/pistoia/curiosit%C3%A0/comunit%C3%A0-elfi-1.2018499https://denunceinrete.blogspot.com/2011/05/chi-sono-gli-elfi-di-sambuca-pistoiese.htmlhttps://www.lanazione.it/firenze/cronaca/ecovillaggi-toscana-1.6512529https://www.dolcevitaonline.it/popolo-elfi-ecovillaggio-pistoia/https://www.iltirreno.it/pistoia/cronaca/2023/01/08/news/mondo-di-sopra-e-mondo-di-sotto-piu-vicini-grazie-al-padre-degli-elfi-1.100219645https://www.quinewspistoia.it/pistoia-barella-a-spalla-per-soccorrerla-tra-gli-elfi.htmBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - A dark blue arc (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - The Opening ClosingWayne John Bradley - Summercycle (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Earth 2 EarthWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-a-dark-blue-arc-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/summercycle-original-indie-style-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-earth2earth-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

As we are a bilingual podcast we have some problems that are quite uncommon for content creators. What to do when your Italian audience is all about our great food while the international audience cares most about wine? You find a way to satisfy both, which is exactly what we did this week. On top of a great dessert that has been making Tuscans happy since the Renaissance, we'll also talk about the ancient liquor that is instrumental in making it. Both these products come with a fair amount of legends and interesting facts on their name, which explains the reason of the funny title. One thing is sure: the fact that they're so popular after so many centuries is a testament to their outstanding quality. That's why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Florence to tell you everything there is to know about the amazing zuccotto and the remarkable alchermes, a great combo that will make your taste buds rejoice!From the ancient recipe to the modern revival of the herbal liquor with a bright red colour to the great architect that had to build a lot of ice houses before being able to serve this great cake in Europe's most refined banquets, these stars of Tuscan cuisine sure have a lot of great stories to tell. As they're not easy to find abroad, if you listen to the entire episode you will also learn how to prepare the great zuccotto from scratch. It looks complicated but it's definitely not. I'm absolutely not the best cook around and if I can make a decent one, so can you!If you want to get in touch, follow us on Twitter. We don't post nearly as much as we'd like but hopefully this will change in a few days. If you're on the platform, say hello: we'd really love to get to know you better!Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://angelasimonelli.it/zuccotto-toscano-e-gli-architetti-in-cucina/https://tuttatoscana.net/storia-e-microstoria-2/lalchermes-il-liquore-de-medici/https://www.gamberorosso.it/notizie/storie/alchermes-storia-curiosita-e-novita-sul-liquore-rosso/https://tuttatoscana.net/storia-e-microstoria-2/lo-zuccotto-storia-di-un-semifreddo/https://www.tuscanypeople.com/zuccotto-fiorentino/https://www.spignattando.it/zuccotto-fiorentino-ricetta-originale/BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Romos - HeliosA Himitsu - Icy VindurWayne John Bradley - WaitingIncompetech - Leopard Print ElevatorWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/romos-helioshttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/a-himitsu-icy-vindurhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/waiting-original-uplifting-indie-pop-style-instrumentalcreative-commonshttps://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

After devoting several episodes of our podcast to the great food of our amazing Tuscany, time to talk about its inseparable companion: the great wine of this land. More in particular we will explore everything there is to know about a very special wine that comes from one of the most charming wine towns in the entire region, the pearl of the Val d'Orcia, Montepulciano. The Vino Nobile is one of the highest quality wines around and was the first to achieve the coveted DOCG certification, the most difficult to obtain in Italy. Despite winemaking in this area has been around for at least three millennia, it took a long time before they were able to produce a wine able to conquer the world markets and bring great renown to this Mediaeval gem.If you listen to the whole episode you will learn everything there is to know about this remarkable wine, the history behind the very curious name, the rules producers have to respect to bear it and much more. On top of that, we will give you some ideas for creative and interesting wine tours in the area and a truckload of travel tips on the many things to see in this charming little town perched on the gentle hills of this part of Tuscany. That's the beauty of this land: you come for the wine and you discover an incredible wealth of beautiful things.If you love Italy, its art, culture, food, follow us on your favourite podcasting platform and on Twitter. We post there several times a day, when not swamped by our day jobs so it's the best way to keep in touch and to start a conversation. Say hello if you're there: we'd love to get to know you better!Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.valdichianaliving.it/blog/il-vino-nobile-di-montepulcianohttps://www.consorziovinonobile.it/la-storia/https://www.consorziovinonobile.it/disciplinari/https://www.viaggiandoatestaalta.it/cosa-vedere-a-montepulciano/http://montepulciano.org/torre_pulcinella_it.htmlBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Prezzur - Midnight MoonlightPipe Choir - Followers (Instrumental)Erio - MonolythPipe Choir - Talk to Me (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Pick you Up (instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/prezzur-midnight-moonlighthttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-followers-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/erio-monolithhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-talk-to-me-instrumentalwavhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/pick-you-up-slow-poprock-style-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

If us Tuscans have a superpower, it would be the ability to turn anything, even the cheapest and least loved ingredient into a masterpiece. Need some proof? Just look at the street food that has captured the heart of Florence. At first sight it doesn't look like much: cow entrails in a simple panino, not particularly appealing. Try asking Fiorentini what they think about it and prepare to be overwhelmed by their love. They adore their poor man's meat, enough that people consider it the unofficial symbol of the city. That's why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you back to Florence to tell you the story of the lampredotto, the street food you absolutely need to try.If you listen to the entire episode you will learn how this great panino was born, how Florentines learned how to turn these low quality leftovers into the perfect to-go food and how it needed German bread to become really special. On top of that, we will tell you the three places where you can get a perfect lampredotto next time you're in town. Until you get to Florence, you can use our proven recipe to cook it yourself. It won't be as good as the real deal but it's still pretty good.When we're not swamped with work or other chores, we post quite regularly on Twitter. That's the best way to keep in touch and learn a lot of quick travel tips to help you plan your next visit. If you follow us there, we will be soon providing extra content. You can also have your say on the future of this podcast. Drop by, we'd love to know you!Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://magazine.lorenzovinci.it/recipe/lampredotto-di-firenze-cose-calorie-ricetta-e-storia/http://www.festadellampredotto.it/2019/08/09/origini-del-lampredotto/https://www.toctocfirenze.it/cultura-fiorentina-storia-lampredotto/https://www.iltrippudio.it/storie-di-trippa/storia-del-lampredotto/https://aaaaccademiaaffamatiaffannati.blogspot.com/2015/02/lampredotto.htmlhttps://www.vice.com/it/article/4awyk9/lampredotto-piu-antico-firenzehttps://www.vice.com/it/article/qjddqv/migliori-lampredotti-firenzeBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Romos - HeliosCatmosphere - Candy-Coloured SkyIncompetech - Leopard Print ElevatorCityfires - Blood Problems (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/romos-helioshttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/catmosphere-candy-coloured-skyhttps://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077https://soundcloud.com/ljayofficial/blood-problems-instrumentalby-cityfireshttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/