The delightful medieval town of Casole d’Elsa, located near Siena (Tuscany) hosts a residence called Borgo al Cerro offering several apartments endowed with any kind of comfort and many services dedicated to the guests’ wellness, such as massages, swimming-pools, keep-fit area and much more.

Borgo al Cerro is a wonderful Residence near Siena placed in the middle of the countryside and surrounded by the Tuscan rolling hills. From here, it’s possible to easily reach several famous and interesting Tuscan cities and ancient towns, like Florence, Volterra or San Gimignano.

In addition, this year Borgo al Cerro joins the fabulous initiative promoted by Trivago, Europe’s biggest hotel price comparison, which make you win a free holiday!

Yes, you’ve got it! If you are football experts or just lovers, bet on the outcome of the World Cup matches and you will have the chance to win one of more than 150 hotel vouchers available!

Participating is very very simple. Let me explain you. First of all, you have to review at least one hotel on Trivago website and then place a winning a bet for a match.
1 hotel review = 1 chance to bet.

One winning bet means one chance to win a hotel voucher! In addition, you can earn score that allows you to choose your favorite voucher. You need 55 scores to get ours!

So…what are you waiting for? Guess and bet! You could win an unforgettable, relaxing week-end at the Borgo al Cerro Residence.

Visit now Trivago.it, review your favorite hotel and place your winning bet for the next match!

Borgo al Cerro is already considered as one of the best holiday apartments in Tuscany by users, as the positive reviews on Trivago and Tripadvisor show.

More info about Borgo al Cerro Residence
Website: www.borgoalcerro.com
Email: info@borgoalcerro.com
Tel. +39.0577.949004

Italy GP is scheduled from 4th to 6th June 2010, and on Sunday about 80,000 spectators are expected to be there.

This year, the circuit offers its visitors higher security and very liveable spaces by strengthening the organization more and more.

In fact, in particular at the entrance turnstiles, the number of the employees has been increased for the welcoming of the visitors and the tickets check, while the parking has been enlarged and will be able to host until 30,000 cars. In addition, special attention will be given to the outside surveillance in order to avoid people leaving their cars along the street.

And now, let’s talk about numbers. This year, the employees reach about 1,500 people, among which we find 120 employees for the medical care, 400 superintendents, 400 guards and over 300 employees for the logistic service.

In addition, there are 4 tribunes (the central indoor one located near the winning post and hosting 3000 people) and other three open-air tribunes, which can be host until 10,500 people. Nine big screens located in front of the several tribunes and in the most important points of the circuit, in order to provide an excellent view.

During the week-end the area of Mugello will be hold up by visitors, and for those who purchased a ticket valid for the entire weekend, there is the opportunity to have free access to the pit-lane and to look closely to the boxes of their idols. A good occasion for taking a picture with them!

So, you will have the chance to see great personages like Valentino Rossi, called “the Doctor”, Jorge Lorenzo, Casey Stoner, Nicky Hayden, Loris Capirossi, Marco Meandri, Marco Simoncelli and the new emerging champion Ben Spies.

The appointment awaits you all from 4th to 6th June 2010 at the Circuit of Mugello.

For further information and tips about the area of Mugello, please take a look at the online tourist guide to Mugello, www.aboutmugello.com

It is for this reason that the city of Siena celebrates this recurrence with an event including several fields that aim to involve all the city with many initiatives: children, adults and elderly people.

Such an event will go on until May 31st 2010…so if you are in the neighborhood of Siena or you have never visited the city, this could be a perfect chance!

In fact, the programme of the “La Città del Sì” - a periphrasis of a famous sentence by Dante Alighieri - includes many reviews, exhibitions, shows and conventions.

Every weekend – from Friday to Sunday – visitors will find many appointments and events for tourists and Siena citizens, who will proudly show to be the heirs of the prosperous Republic of the Middle Ages. Good old times!

Until May 31st 2010, visitors will find also an interesting exhibition at Santa Maria della Scala Museum entitled Libri e fotografie del fondo Giuliano Briganti e dell’Istituto d’arte, a beautiful itinerary into Siena’s art between 13th and 14th centuries (opening hours from Monday to Thursday, from 9 am to 5 pm).

In addition, on next Saturday May 1st 2010, from 10 am to 1 pm, with the initiative called “Le Contrade aprono i loro luoghi più sacri”, it will be also possible to visit (booking at Comune di Siena) the museums of Contrada Imperiale della Giraffa, Contrada Sovrana dell’Istrice, Nobile Contrada del Nicchio, Contrada Capitana dell’Onda, Contrada della Pantera e Contrada della Torre.

Events, museums, culture…for a May dedicated to fun in the medieval and wonderful city of Siena.

Further information about events in Siena are available on the useful online tourist guide to Siena, www.aboutsiena.com

Tuscan and Florentine wines are renowned all over the world, thanks to the green areas surrounding Florence which have been producing wine for centuries.

Tuscany is one of the most stunning and culturally lively wine region in the world: it is a perfect scenery for discovering new different tastes and smelling the fragrances of red and white Tuscan wines.

Tuscan landscape is made of green rolling hills where ageless villages and ancient towns seem to be untouched by time. Here, in the neighborhood of Florence, it is very easy to find many wine houses, from tiny family-run farms to huge wineries owned by coops.

Producing wines in Tuscany represents a very ancient tradition which anyway keeps on being in step with the times, introducing new techniques and innovations. One of the most famous wine-producing area in Tuscany is the Chianti region, a landscape which seems to be painted on a canvas: woods, olive groves, vineyards, country roads, farmhouses, typical villas and castles of rare beauty.

Here it is possible to have a Wine Tour with an expert guide who will let you discover and taste some of the finest wines in the world, such as Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, or the famous Ornellaia.

In addition, in the city of Florence you will find hundreds of wineries, wine bars and wine cellars, where it is possible to taste and enjoy typical, fine Tuscan wines. And furthermore, there are many small stands where people can sip a glass of wine and taste an “aperitivo” sitting by the street. It sounds delicious!

Visitors will have the chance to have excursions and trips to the most suggestive areas in Tuscany, where they will learn all about Tuscan and Italian wines with the help of a professional sommelier.

In other words, a different experience to try, tasting good wines in wineries and towns tucked away among the green Tuscan rolling hills.

Further information about Wine Tasting and Wine Tours in Florence are available on the website www.aboutflorence.com

Not to mention the aristocratic palaces and the historical residences in the centre of many cities of art, including Arezzo, Siena, Pisa, etc.

Even the famous tenor Enrico Caruso, at the apex of his career, decided to buy two villas located on Florentine hills. In short, Tuscany is really rich in villas.

And in the last few years, an increasing number of tourists chose to spend their holidays in a villa in Tuscany.

Would you like to spend pleasant holidays in a villa in Tuscany?

In the website of “Holiday Homes Tuscany srl” you will find a wide range of Tuscan villas of different sizes, very convenient prices and conditions.

Choose the villa that best fits your requirements among those suggested in the website of “HolidayHomesTuscany srl”.

E-mail or phone us and book the villa of your dreams in just a few minutes, for unforgettable holidays in the charming Tuscany…in one of the several Tuscany Villas.

Now you can find all the information you need also on the page of About Italy on Facebook! It’s really easy, become our fan and you will receive real-time updating about events, exhibitions, performances, sport and cultural events in the most beautiful Italian cities: Florence, Milan, Pisa, Rome, Siena, Turin, Venice…and don’t forget about the valley of Mugello, the Versilia coast and the Region of Liguria!

Italy is full of wonderful places to discover and visit among mountains and the sea, from the North to the South…you will be spoilt for choice! In order to know the events of the week, you need just a click and will find practical and useful information and tips for knowing and taking part in the several events in Italy. You won’t miss a thing.

Now that we are on Facebook, you will find every single information you need also on Networkedblogs!

Follow About Italy Blog also on Networkedblogs, our continuously up-to-date page with the brand new articles about events in Italy.

Over 200 of you already became our fans, about 60 people keep on follow our updating through Networkedblogs….So we would like to thank you all, keep it up! We wait for you in great numbers!

We remind you also that all kind of feedbacks, comments, suggestions and tips about our blog are always welcome.

With her old tatty shoes, this funny and lovely old lady has always made children, teens and adults very happy, bringing sweets, candies and chocolates in her multicolored socks!

This year, you will have the chance to see the Befana and to celebrate her in several Italian cities and villages, which want to go on with traditions.

For instance, in Rome there will be the 25^th edition of the beloved event “Viva la Befana” (“Long Live the Befana”), the traditional historic and folkloristic costumed parade which will bring to the capital many musical bands, folkloristic groups, in a historical commemoration with hundreds people who will parade following the Wise Men and the Befana along Via della Conciliazione.

In addition, in Borghetto Santo Spirito, a little village in the province of Savona (Region of Liguria), there will be a really funny event: the election of “Miss Befana 2010”, a contest where the winner will be the nicest and funniest Befana. An amusing catwalk with strange and fun Befanas who will entertain people in Piazza Madonna della Guardia from 3.00 pm on. And for the children, there will be many games, music and candies.

In Milan there are as well many appointments dedicated to Befana: in fact, on Wednesday 6^th January from 2.30 pm there will be La Befana arriva al Barrio’s, a party full of games, music, shows and fun. Baby dance, creative workshops, balloons and the arrival of Befana with many sweets and candies. At 3.30 pm the Teatro dell’Erica presents Da dove viene la Befana?.(Where does Befana come from?).

And for an alternative Befana, on Wednesday 6^th January from 2.30 to 3.00 pm, the Befana will immerse into the Gardaland Sea Life Aquarium with a black hat, a broom and fins.

In addition, in Urbania (in the province of Pesaro Urbino) from 2^nd to 6^th January the Festa Nazionale della Befana 2010 is scheduled (The Befana National Celebration 2010), with many appointments dedicated to the children and side events. Markets with sweets and candies, workshops, music and taste.

So, these and many more events in Italy to celebrate the Epiphany with the funny and lively old lady, who will bring sweets and fun to everyone!

In the Belpaese, you will be spoilt for choice! We would like to remind all our visitors the best events and parties organized in the most beautiful Italian cities, where you will find great celebrations, fireworks, music at full volume, dances and delicious wine and food.

The cosmopolitan city of Turin, in the region of Piedmont, in 2010 will be elected “European Capital of Youth”. In order to show such a merit, the young city of Turin for the New Year’s Eve 2010 organizes a special evening with loud music, a concert which will take place in Piazza Vittorio Veneto from 9.30 pm, an event dedicated to people under 35! The absolute protagonists of the night will be the famous English group Groove Armada and the American group Juliette Lewis and New Romantics, followed by many other artists until midnight, when it will be time for spectacular fireworks.

In Milan on the other hand, in Piazza Stuparich from 10.00 pm to 2.00 am there will be the Galà at Palalido: the event will start with the concert of Nora De Stefani and after, the famous italian singer Fausto Leali with his orchestra.

In the charming Venice, we underline the fabulous and romantic New Year’s Eve celebration called “Love”, which is characterized by a general kiss at midnight and also by much music in the streets and many fireworks.

In the wonderful city of Florence there will be many famous Italian artists in concert, such as Lucio Dalla, Irene Grandi and the group Negrita, which will exhibit between the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella and Piazza della Stazione.

In Siena, it could be a good idea to spend the New Year’s Eve in the streets and squares of the city, among the enlightened little streets which make Siena even more beautiful; otherwise, it could be very nice to spend the night in an agriturismo, to taste typical food and wine. In the famous square Piazza del Campo there will be a great party for everyone, with music and images screenings, between innovation and tradition, music and art,

Otherwise…we could go to Rome for the New Year’s Eve 2010! And why not, near the Roman Coliseum, with much good music and great Italian guests such as the singer Antonello Venditti and the group Zero Assoluto, with a free concert. Much entertainment and fun waiting the end of the year in company with great singers of Italian music.

So guys…you’ll find fun and entertainment of any kind here in Italy…choose your Italian city! Squares, Clubs and discos, concerts with much music at full volume, spectacular fireworks…a perfect New Year’s Eve celebration!

From Milan, to Tuscany, Liguria, Rome and Sicily…Spend the New Year’s Eve 2010 in Italy!

Happy New Year to Everyone from About Italy Staff !!!

With no doubts people love and hate them, but the season of Christmas markets has come and it will be in all the Italian cities!

Colored lights, stands full of sweets, traditions and handicrafts products, toys and decorations will be placed along the streets and in the most famous (and not) squares in Italy. So, get ready to snoop around, nibbling and why not, to purchase the first Christmas gifts!

From Sicily to Valle d’Aosta, Italy in this period is full of such nice markets which welcome many Italians and foreign visitors, who come here to just take a look at the stalls rich of curious and original things. The list is endless, but we want to remind you the most unique noteworthy ones.

So…how not to mention the very famous Christams markets typical of Northern Italy! In Arco (in the province of Trento) there’s the Mercatino Asburgico until 23rd December 2009, an event which takes place every week-end with several appointments, such as the Alpenzoo and for the children, the fantastic little Christmas train which will bring them around the city! In the historic centre you will find 25 stands set up with typical handicrafts products: sweets and decorations, biscuits and little gift ideas, rag dolls, candles, little wood statues, glass and ceramics objects, toys, etc.

Still in the Northern Italy, in the cosmopolitan and dynamic city of Milan, in December there’s the Christmas and Artistic Handicrafts Market in Largo Corsia dei Servi (between Piazza Duomo and Piazza San Babila), all days from 10 am to 10 pm.

And in Turin, come and see the Christmas Market “Natale in Quinta”, with many stalls full of handicraft and food products, gifts of any kind in the Area Pepe in Via Gugliemo Pepe (Opening Hours: weekdays from 3 pm to 7.30 pm; days before a holiday and Saturdays from 10 pm to 7.30 pm; Sundays from 10 am to 7 pm).

And now, let’s go by the sea, in Liguria region! In fact since November, in the city of Genoa, in piazza Matteotti, there’s the Bottega Equo-Solidale with textiles and gastronomy products coming from the South of the World, whereas until 23^rd December there will be the traditional Market of St. Nicola (in Piazza Piccapietra) where there’s a Middle Ages setting and traders wear medieval costumes. Obviously, you can find handicraft products on sale, but some stalls which sell objects to give to charity.

Moving towards Savona, we find several Christmas markets in the city, among the others, the ones remaining are: on 20^th December in via Guidobono, on 18th December Santa Rita, on 23rd and 24th December the Fiera di Natale in piazza del Popolo and via Guidobono.

In the magical city of Florence, which in Christmas time becomes even more beautiful, from 2^nd to 20^th December 2009, as every year, the Heidelberg German Christmas Market will take place in the historical Piazza Santa Croce (“Heidelberger Weihnachtsmarkt”): here you will find Christmas decorations, wood decorations for your houses, typical products like brezen, beer, wurstel and many sweets.

In Pisa, go visit the Christmas Market which is held all December long under the Loggias dei Banchi from 8.30 am to 9.30 pm: here you will find several stalls offering local handicrafts products, toys, Christmas decorations, sweets, wines and gastronomy products.

Still in Tuscany, in the medieval city of Lucca surrounded by its ancient and high walls, there’s the “Fiera di San Michele di Natale”, a Christmas fair which takes place from December 8^th to 26^th 2009, with over 70 stands offering handicrafts and gastronomy products, Christmas decorations, toys and sweets.

Finally, we remind you that in Rome from 1^st December 2009 to 6^th January 2010 there will be traditional and expected Christmas Market in Piazza Navona, where visitors will find many stands offering sweets, decorations and toys. By the way, the absolute protagonist of the event will be the Befana: in fact, on stalls you will find many beautiful little statues dedicated to the Befana of all shapes and size, and also her famous and beloved socks!

I told you so! You’ll be spoilt for choice! And this is just a small part of the long list of Christmas markets in Italy.

If you would like to have more information about events in Italy, Christmas markets in Italy and fairs during Christmas time, keep in touch with us on our blog! For the moment, I wish you happy holidays and have nice shopping days!!

Well, if your answer is “no”, then we’ll suggest you something unique to do.

This weekend in fact, on Saturday 26^th and Sunday 27^th September 2009, there will be a fully cultural event: as usual, also this year all the European countries will celebrate the European Heritage Days, which were conceived in 1991 by the European Council in order to encourage and promote the cultural dialogue and exchange between European countries.

As every year, MiBAC participates in the event with the slogan “Italy, the treasure of Europe” and organizes throughout Italy several initiatives intended to increase the value of Italian culture and heritage, with the aim to share all this great richness with other European countries.

In fact, throughout the country, many events and activities will take place in order to increase the national heritage value: over 1000 sites will be open to the public with free entrance, extraordinary openings, art exhibitions, concerts, shows and guided tours in the main places representing Italian culture, which include archaeological sites, museums, monuments, theatres, national galleries, in other words, the archaeological, artistic, historical, architectonical, musical, theatrical and archives’ Italian heritage.

On the occasion of the edition 2009, there are thousands booklets distributed throughout Italy which will remind visitors the great programme rich of events, initiatives and extraordinary openings which will take place in many Italian cities. We remind you a few:

If you are in the neighborhoods of Milan, you could visit the Sforza Castle, or the Art Gallery of Brera, where on the occasion of its bicentenary, the famous “The marriage of the Virgin” by Raffaello will be put on display again, after one-year restoration.

In Genoa (Liguria), you will have the chance to marvel at the Royal Palace, in Palermo (Sicily) you will nose around in the State Archive, and in Turin you will have the opportunity to go for a walk in the botanic garden. In addition, in the province of Turin, in Castellamonte, visitors will have the chance to take part to the review “Paths of ceramics” through guided itineraries in the city.

In addition, we remind you that the New Antiquarium of Ostia Antica (province of Rome) will show to public small bronze and bone tools in order to illustrate unknown aspects of daily life during the age of ancient Rome.

And if you are in the neighborhoods of Venice, in the park of Villa Pisani in Stra, you will find an original guided tour called “Sapor di forte agrume” (“Strong taste of Citrus fruit”), which as I was just saying, will guide you in an itinerary of the citrus fruit-growing, made up of visual, auditory, olfactory and tactile sensations.

Finally, if you would rather prefer to spend a weekend abroad entirely dedicate to culture, then we remind you that in Budapest there’s the chance to visit the Salterio di Santa Elisabetta for free, whereas in Cracovia there will be an interesting exhibition dedicated to the Italian scientist Galileo Galilei.

So…What are you waiting for? Dedicate this weekend to culture and fun!

For further information about events and exhibitions in the main Italian cities, please visit our websites about Venice, Turin, Rome, Milan, Florence, Siena, the areas of Mugello and Versilia.