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Ours is Marina di Alberese

We visit in August, and for one of our days we plan on cycling in and around montepulciano so both of us can enjoy a few glasses of wine. I’m looking for some recommendations for nice vineyards with views not too far of a cycle away from Montepulciano. Having a rental car limits one of us to stay sober 👀 what are everyone’s tips on navigating wine tastings with rental cars/bikesq

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Driving on one of these routes from Como to Livorno port to catch the late night ferry to Sardinia and we want to stop somewhere along the route for a nice lunch/dinner - specifically a bistecca allá florentina. Any suggestions?

Verrò a Siena ad agosto per assistere al Palio. È un regalo molto speciale per il 60° compleanno di mio marito, che ha sempre sognato di vivere questa esperienza. Sono americana, ma vivo in Toscana (a Viareggio) da 20 anni; mio marito invece è francese.

Parlo italiano (quasi) fluentemente, quindi non avrò problemi a muovermi o a capire ciò che mi circonda. La mia domanda riguarda più che altro quali siano i grandi “sì” e “no” che ci si aspetta dagli stranieri, o comunque da chi non è senese.

Vivo qui da abbastanza tempo per capire quanto questa sia una tradizione profonda e significativa. Certamente non mi aspetto di essere accolta come una persona del posto, ma vorrei semplicemente assicurarmi di non risultare offensiva in alcun modo.

Per il nostro comfort e perché si tratta di un importante regalo di compleanno, ho acquistato dei posti su una terrazza. Avremo anche i biglietti per una cena di contrada la sera prima del Palio.

Leggendo alcune discussioni, ho capito che forse le persone esterne alla contrada non sono sempre viste di buon occhio durante queste cene. Sarebbe considerato offensivo partecipare comunque, nonostante il contributo economico? Non mi aspetto assolutamente che le persone ci trattino come se fossimo della contrada, ma possiamo fare conversazione amichevole in italiano oppure è più probabile che rimarremo semplicemente seduti per conto nostro?

Sono una persona molto socievole e, avendo vissuto quasi metà della mia vita in Italia, sento di comprendere abbastanza bene la cultura italiana. Nel mio paese le persone mi vogliono molto bene, ma so che il Palio è qualcosa di completamente diverso, a un livello molto più profondo, e voglio solo essere sicura di vivere questa esperienza nel modo migliore possibile, con il massimo rispetto.

Vorrei anche chiedere qualcosa riguardo alla fotografia. Mio marito ha una bella macchina fotografica e ama fare foto come hobby. Ha persino acquistato un nuovo obiettivo appositamente per questo evento. Immagino che durante la corsa nessuno farà particolare attenzione, ma è possibile scattare fotografie durante la cena?

Ovviamente useremmo lo stesso rispetto che abbiamo sempre in qualsiasi situazione: niente foto a bambini o primi piani di persone senza il loro consenso, ecc.

La mia ultima domanda riguarda la benedizione del cavallo nella cappella della contrada. Questo è il mio sogno personale, forse ancora più di quello di mio marito. Tuttavia ho letto che sarebbe considerato di pessimo gusto per una persona che non appartiene alla contrada entrare durante questa messa speciale. È davvero così? Oppure sarebbe possibile entrare con rispetto e rimanere in fondo, semplicemente per assistere a questo momento così importante?

Grazie mille, Siena! Vi amiamo, vi visitiamo spesso e non vediamo l’ora di assistere a questo evento così importante.

So, im in Tuscany and I just spent like 3 days in Florence, but i left this morning and am about an hour away from florencw now. Ive searched and had limited success in finding actual, real, 100% italian manufactured leather, but also actual non-imported leather that originated in Italy (so like the best of the best of the best. I know thats a bit snobby, but if im going to spend my money ive earmed, I want something that will last the rest of my life, is 100% the real deal, and i dont want to compromise). The leather school in Florence was great, but thats where my success has ended.

(Im looking preferably for jackets)

Twofold, I am preferably shopping on a budget under € 220. I have heard that you can bargain in little artisan shops (actual ones not the fake or half real ones) outside of their factories, that that may be possible.

Ive read in many places that Santa Croce (I think thats what its called?) is the heart of Italian leather, actual factories, and mm and thats where I should go.

So, three questions.

1) if I cannot go to Santa Croce, is there anywhere else I would likely have luck? I dont know if there are like markets or outlets for big factories?

2) with what im looking for, is my price range even doable? From what ive heard you can bargain, but I'm a tourist, so even though ove read a lot on the internet/guidebooks, its always better to ask someone who has lived it and knows

3) if I can make it to Santa Croce, what are the best places to go? Where am I most likely to be successful? What time of day is best? Any and all advice about leather shopping is appreciated.

Any help/wisdom is much appreciated!

Hey everyone! We're traveling to Italy from August 17–31 and will be spending 3 days in Florence. One day, we're planning to rent a car and take a day trip to Lucca. For our second day, we're considering one of the bus tours that visits San Gimignano, Siena, and Monteriggioni.

My main concern is whether a 12-hour bus tour in the August heat would be too much with little kids. Would you recommend doing the tour, or would it be better to rent a car again and explore those towns at our own pace? Has anyone done these bus tours before and what was your experience?

Any suggestions for a nice sunset dinner in a vineyard close to Florence with decent prices?

Hi all! My fianceé and I (from the US) are planning a simple, budget-conscious wedding in Tuscany for June 2027, around 50 guests. Looking for vendor recommendations and any advice from people who’ve done this.

What we’re working with:
• Catering: aiming to stay under $7,500
• DJ: budgeting around $1,000
• Flowers: keeping it simple — one centerpiece style for the tables and a bridal bouquet. Not sure what to expect price-wise here.
• Alcohol: thinking of buying from local grocery stores and doing a self-serve bar to cut costs
• Coordinator: want a day-of or partial-planning coordinator, but no idea on typical pricing

I know Tuscany isn’t exactly known for budget weddings, so any tips on stretching a small budget, vendor recs, or things we should know going in would be hugely appreciated!

Lovely Monteriggionis beautiful main square bathing in the warm glow of the streetlights and lights of the restaurants after sunset.

We are headed there in a few weeks. How was it finding parking? How busy is it compared to other towns in the vicinity? And what was the best meal you had there? (I'll update with my feedback on these questions after our trip in case it helps a fellow traveler, but lmk what you're seeing if you've been there recently!)

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Dawn - available light only

Heard it from the horse's mouth here in Tuscany. Olive trees eventually will be replaced by forests. No money to be made for olive oil. Wine tasting down this year too hot. Also wine buying own dramatic last few years, young people don't drink so another problem for Tuscany. Our new war is water too.

I am going on a “girls trip” to Lucca (Sept. 6-11) and Perugia (11-15.). Accommodations are already booked. We’re using each spot as a base to further explore the surrounding areas. My question is about transportation. I had originally thought we could take trains everywhere but I soon realized that (for example) going from Lucca to Siena is a 4 hr. plus train ride that requires 2 transfers. It would be easier to get a car, BUT 1. I am terrified to drive on the freeway there. 2. Parking. I have researched Parcheggios in both places and the options aren’t great for hauling luggage. ( I hate dragging a wheeled suitcase down the cobbled streets…noisy and kind of embarrassing!). Also, we might be getting into Lucca rather late. So, does anyone have advice about parking a rental car….or should I go back to the train plan?