Hiking
Good hiking in the surrounding area

Seasonal Info


SEASONAL TREATS
- Porcini mushroom seasons begins late September
- White Truffles season starts mid October and the area of San Miniato is famous for this rare product.
- The olive harvest and pressing is late October, early November.

MARKETSClick here for info on local Markets
please note all local markets are held in the mornings only:
Monday - Casole d'Elsa (every second Monday)
Tuesday - Poggibonsi
Wednesday - Siena and Certaldo
Thursday - San Gimignano
Friday - Colle Val d'Elsa
Saturday - Castellina-in-Chianti

OUTLETS
The Mall - Gucci, Armani etc.. Exit the A1 autostrada (Florence/Roma) at Incisa. Follow signs for Pontassieve. 'The Mall' is located in the area of Leccio.
Dolce and Gabbanna - Directions as for The Mall, but turn left at signs for Rignano Sul Arno.

ANTIQUE MARKETS
Chianciano Terme - second weekend of every month
Sarteano - third Sunday of every month
Arezzo - First Sunday of every month

FESTIVALS
Festival season is from June onwards. Every Small town / village will have saints day and the larger towns will have several. A selection:
Saints days - San Gimignano - 31 January and 12 March
Calcio in Costume - 19/24 and 28 June - Florence
Gioco del Ponte - Pisa - last Sunday in June
Il Palio - Siena - 2 July and 16 August
Settimane Musicale - Siena - last week July
Il Palio - Casole d'Elsa - July
Festival of Santa Fina - San Gimignano - First week August
Festival of Sant'Agostino - San Gimignano - 29 August
Festa della Bistecca - Cortona - 15 August
Wine Festival - Greve in Chianti - second week of September
Porcini Mushroom Festival - Pievescola - September
Cristalware exhibitions - Colle Val d'Elsa - September
The Giostra del Saracino, in piazza grande (Arezzo's answer to the Palio). Much safer for the horses as it is a joust rather than a race and not to be missed if you are here for the August 15th. A series of connected festivals are spread out from the last week in July for about a month.

GENERAL INFORMATION WEBSITES
Tuscany Tourism
www.turismo.toscana.it
Tuscany Direct Portal
www.tuscanydirect.it
Official site of the mayor's office Volterra (in English)
www.comune.volterra.pi.it

TUSCANY ACTIVITIES WEBSITES
Music and theatre in the city of Florence
www.maggiofiorentino.com - for programme click www.italydaily.it
Art festival in Montepulciano 24 July - 4 August
www.nautilus-mp.com
Spoleto Music, Cinema and Theatre festival - 28 June - 14 July
www.spoletofestival.it
Wine Trails
www.terreditoscana.regione.toscana.it
Opera festivals
www.operabase.com
Jazz music
www.umbriajazz.com
The Palio in Siena
www.ilpaliodisiena.com
The Giostra del Saracino
www.vps.it
Walking in Volterra
www.museumsinflorence.com

Local Cultural Association (workshops, language and culture classes)
www.arteemestieri.com

Martelli Pasta www.famigliamartelli.it