Archive | Siena RSS feed for this section
siena-piazza-del-campo

Siena 101

On the other side of the Chianti countryside, some 35 miles south of Florence, you will find Siena, a Tuscan town rife with tradition and mood. WHERE: Medieval Siena is best known as the site of the Palio, a twice-yearly, bareback horserace that takes place in the wide, shell-shaped Piazza del Campo. The race, which [...]

Read full story Comments { 3 }
Rome, Siena, Sardinia, and more

Rome, Siena, Sardinia, and more

We hope you’ve had an enjoyable August. Obviously, we took a little time off for rest and relaxation (and a move!), so there’s been little time to fill you in on some of the latest Italy travel news. Here’s a recap: Some people in Rome think it’s a good idea to create a Disneyland-like theme [...]

Read full story Comments { 0 }
What’s On in Italy: August 2008

What’s On in Italy: August 2008

Lots of summer festivals are winding up this month. Then, after Ferragosto on August 15, most Italians head for the hills…or the beach. Stay tuned for a full slate of fall events beginning next month. Puccini Festival. This festival in Torre del Lago (near Lucca, Tuscany) is a must for opera buffs. It runs through [...]

Read full story Comments { 3 }
The Best Chiantis

The Best Chiantis

In my opinion, Financial Times columnist Jancis Robinson provides some of the best, most accessible coverage of wine anywhere. This past weekend, in the FT Life & Arts Section, Robinson looks at the 2006 vintage of Chianti Classico as “something to celebrate.” Apparently, this is the first year that “white wine grapes have been outlawed” from [...]

Read full story Comments { 2 }
What’s On in Italy: July 2008

What’s On in Italy: July 2008

As we noted today in an earlier post, tomorrow, July 2, will be the first of this year’s Palio races in Siena. But, that’s not all that’s happening in Italy this month. Here’s the rundown: Music and Performance Festivals: Roma Estate 2008 continues with various music, comedy, and sports events. Throughout July, Rome will also hold [...]

Read full story Comments { 1 }
Siena Ready For Tourists and the Palio

Siena Ready For Tourists and the Palio

According to TripAdvisor, by way of Italy Magazine, the Tuscan town of Siena ranks 5th among the most-visited cities in Europe. No doubt, one of its allures is the twice-annual Palio, which takes place on July 2 and August 16. This year’s first installment kicks off tomorrow (!) and you can watch a live feed [...]

Read full story Comments { 0 }
Unofficial Guide to Central Italy, 4th Ed., is Here!

Unofficial Guide to Central Italy, 4th Ed., is Here!

We are pleased to announce that the 4th edition of The Unofficial Guide to Central Italy: Florence, Rome, Tuscany & Umbria arrives in stores – and is available for shipment from Amazon – today! Like previous editions, this UGCI has the best information about travel in Tuscany, Lazio, Umbria, and the Marches (Le Marche). But it [...]

Read full story Comments { 1 }
Green Guide Tuscany, 6th Ed., Now Available

Green Guide Tuscany, 6th Ed., Now Available

In an effort to beat the rush on all the spring travel book releases, Michelin very quietly released the 6th edition of its Green Guide Tuscany in mid-November. This is a leaner, meaner version of the guide, with a crisper layout, helpful maps and driving instructions, and more restaurant and lodging suggestions. I oughta know [...]

Read full story Comments { 0 }
What’s On in Italy: September

What’s On in Italy: September

Thanks to a long (U.S.) holiday weekend, we’re a little late in posting the September events. Here goes… La Notte Bianca, Rome: Profiled recently in the NY Times, Rome’s Notte Bianca on September 8 will be an all-night celebration of music, dancing, cinema, dining, and art. Events start at 8pm and go all night until [...]

Read full story Comments { 0 }
And the winner is…

And the winner is…

.flickr-photo { } .flickr-frame { float: left; text-align: center; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px; } .flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Siena, Palio, originally uploaded by pedro prats. Contrada Leocorno won the second round of this year’s Palio. So they will have bragging rights until next July. Auguri! By the way, some spectators at the [...]

Read full story Comments { 0 }