San Biagio: Renaissance Jewel in Montepulciano, Tuscany
The church of San Biagio in Montepulciano, Tuscany, is considered one of prime examples of Renaissance architecture.
The Iconic Landscape of Val d’Orcia, Tuscany
Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, the hills, valleys, and trees of the Val d’Orcia “exemplify the beauty of well-managed Renaissance agricultural landscapes.”
The Best Ever In-Depth Video of Siena’s Palio
Inspiration always seems to find me when I’m not looking and that is exactly what happened as I settled in to watch a few minutes of television last night. Lucky for me, I clicked over to Kenny Mayne’s Wider World of Sports, a show on ESPN that puts sports into a cultural context. One of…
Five Favorites: Art in Tuscany
To many a traveler, Tuscany and art are synonymous. From the architecture to the numerous galleries to those gorgeous, green, and cliché hills, there’s an element of art in every corner of Tuscany.
Siena 101: What To See and Do On a First Visit to Siena
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. 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 can…
Carnival in Italy: Floats, Parades, and Other Carnevale Celebrations
The following post refers to information about carnival during normal times. Carnival celebrations around Italy were largely suspended in 2020 as the coronavirus emergency came to light. And most 2021 celebrations have been cancelled, postponed, or moved online. Corriere della Sera reports on various Carnevale plans around Italy: Carnival in Venice will be live-streaming from…