Tuscan Way appears in Fine Living's August newsletter.   Tuscan Way announces new "Cheese Tour" itinerary. Learn More...   Carlo Innocenti has further renovated his home "Casa Innocenti" with a charming walled-in garden. Learn More...   Villa Gaia is now like a *5-star* country villa. This month, Villa Gaia's Cannaviello family is inaugurating the thermal pool and now Villa Gaia is officially a Tuscan "Spa". Click here to read more... Isabel, Thank you, your brother and his beautiful wife Fede for contributing to the most wonderful vacation I have ever experienced. Romeo is such a charmer and was attentive to all our needs. Chef Carlo Innocenti's Featured Recipe: Risotto con funghi porcini "Rice is born in the water and dies in the wine." Italy is Europe's largest producer of rice. The cool temperatures and wetlands of the Lombardi region harbor the ideal conditions for lush rice fields. Resourceful Italians of generations past combined rice with other items common to their area and created a dish they could be proud of and claim as their own--risotto. Rich, creamy risotto is one of Northern Italy's gastronomic delights. The key ingredient in authentic risotto is the short, thick grained rice known as Arborio. This rice is the perfect grain for risotto because its cooking properties and texture allow it to remain firm throughout preparation. Risotto con funghi porcini / ROSSO di Montalcino DOC 2005 This Rosso is made from 100% Sangiovese from estate vineyards. The vineyards have southern exposure and are located in the southern part of Montalcino. Argillaceous soil mixed with fossil material makes this location perfect for the production of Sangiovese. The harvest takes place from September to October. After fermentation, the wine is aged for one year in new oak barrels, providing for extra elegance and refinement. Deep ruby red in color, this Rosso offers aromas typical of the Montalcino area, consisting of ripe red fruit over more subtle notes of fine oak and earth. It enters full on the palate with smooth tannins, and an crisp, appealing acidity. This Rosso pairs perfectly with Risotto con funghi porcini. Click here for more wine and food parings. April 26 – 30 Mostra Mercato dell'Artigianato, Anghiari Anghiari Upper Tiber Artisans Market (Mostra Mercato dell'Artigianato) Enjoy demonstrations from local artisans as they create their unique crafts and shop for a wide range of hand-made traditional goods from the area. May 7 – 9 Assisi Calendima Assisi Calendimaggio is a three day costume festival in which the upper and lower sectors of Assisi compete against one another in various ancient games along with a choir competition. Enjoy day and evening costume processions and other entertainment throughout the weekend. May 24 Balestro del Girifalco, Massa Marittima Held in Piazza Signorelli, the competition known as the Giostra dell'Archidado commemorates the wedding of Francesco Casali, Lord of Cortona, and the noblewoman Antonia Salimbeni of Sienna, which took place in 1397. Every year, a procession of 300 or more people wearing wonderful mediaeval costumes as well as many riders on their horses parade through Cortona's historic centre. The crossbowmen from Cortona's five quarters, "quintieri", compete for a golden arrow. June 16 – 23 Luminara, Regatta and Battle of the Bridge - Pisa On the night of June 16, the Luminara begins the festivities to honor Saint Ranieri, the patron saint of Pisa, the following day. Over 70,000 candles light up the palaces along the Arno river, with a fireworks display afterwards. The next day four boats representing the most ancient districts of the city compete in the Regatta of Saint Ranieri along the Arno River, heritage of the past glory of Pisa as an ancient maritime republic. June 23 Gioco sul Ponte, Pisa Pisa reenacts the Battle of the Bridge, a medieval "push of war" contest which takes place on the central bridge in Pisa. The six teams from the two banks challenge each other to push a 70 ton cart on a 50 meter rail over the opponent’s line. The contest is preceded by a huge procession through the city with citizens wearing period costumes. June 24 Calcio Storico Fiorentino - Florence Fabulous fireworks along the Arno conclude Florence's celebrations to St. John the Baptist, the city's patron saint. The festivities begin with a parade with citizens wearing historical costume. The procession starts at the Church of Santa Maria Novella and ends at the Church of Santa Croce, where the Calcio Storico is then played in the dirt-covered square in front of the church. The game is a combination of soccer, rugby, and wrestling, all while wearing 16th century costumes. The four teams represent the four traditional neighborhoods of the city: Santa Croce (blue), Santo Spirito (white), Santa Maria Novella (red), and San Giovanni (green). The prize is a whole Chianina calf. June 20-21 Giostra del Saracino - Arezzo Arezzo's Piazza Grande is the setting of the Giostra del Saracino, or Saracen Tournament. This tournament has its origins in the early 16th century and in its present form, commemorates Christian efforts to hold back the tide of Islam in the 14th century. Beginning with a lively and colorful procession preceding the event, eight costumed knights charge towards a wooden representation of the Saracen, aiming to hit the Saracen's shield with lances. The target swivels and can actually hit back! Each pair of knights represents one of Arezzo's four rival districts and their supporters each occupy a side of the piazza. The winner receives a golden lance. June 20 – 21 Ferie delle Messi, Giostra dei Bastoni, San Gimignano San Gimignano Ferie delle Messi and the Giostra dei Bastoni, the Knights of Santa Fina re-enact the old "Feriae Messium.” These days were once celebrated by the entire population as a festivity that preceded the harvest, and it is now a two-day mediaeval-style festival with costumed knights on horseback, jousts, parades, acrobats, fireworks, musicians, art and crafts market and plenty of good eats. July 2 Palio di Siena - Siena The Palio horse race is a colorful, bareback horse race round the dirt-packed Piazza del Campo, Siena's main square. The contrade (traditional neighborhoods) compete for the palio, or banner dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The square is filled with costumed pageantry before the race, and massive feasts are set up on long outdoor tables that can stretch for blocks on the medieval side streets. July 4 -5 Festa Medievale, Monteriggioni Monteriggioni Festa Medievale (Mediaeval Festival) takes place on the first weekend of July. This is one of the best costume festivals in Italy with local and also professional performers, music, demonstrations of mediaeval trades, food stands filling the piazza inside the fortified town of Monteriggioni. Tuscan Way 2829 Bird Ave., Suite 5, #242 Coconut Grove, FL 33133 USA Tel: 800-766-2390 or 305-598-8368 Fax: 305-598-8369, Email: inquire@tuscanway.com