tuscan and umbrian festivals

Arezzo - third Sunday in June and the first Sunday in September - Medieval jousting competition in full medieval costume in the spectacular historic square of Arezzo. Joust of the Saracen.

Arezzo - First Sunday of every month and the preceeding Saturday - renowned antiques fair.

Arezzo - July - Arezzo Wave - one of the best festivals of ro ck and blues music in Europe. Important showcase for emerging artists.www.arezzowave.com

Arezzo - The Oscar winning film Life is Beautiful by Roberto Bengni about wartime Italy was set and filmed here the streets have information boards about the film locations.

Arezzo - The biggest ever Piero della Francesco Exhibition is on until July 22 2007. It is called "Piero della Francesca e le corti Italiane" and takes place at the Basilica di San Francesco, Capella Bacci and Cattedrale dei San Pietro e Donato.

Assisi - Easter week - Caendimaggio (celebration of Holy Week) - celebration of spring according to rites dating back to medieval times.

Florence Easter Sunday - Scoppio Del Carro (Explosion of the Cart) A pyramid of fireworks in the Cathedral Square is set off by a mechanical dove driven from the Altar during High Mass.

Florence - May and June - www.Maggio Musicale Fiorentino.com - music festival

Florence - June 24 to June 28 - Calcio Fiorentino (Soccer Match) - revival of the 16th century football match in medieval costumes.

Florence - June 24 - To celebrate the patron Saint of Florence (San Giovanni) the locals play medieval style football in Piazza Santa Croce by day and hold spectacular fireworks display from the terraced gardens overlooking the city by night. NOTE: The football has been cancelled for the 2007 season to discuss the rules. It should re commence in 2008.

Florence - many Trade Fairs including the world famous Bi-annual Antiques Fair (held in even years).

Gubbio - May 15 - Festa dei Ceri (Race of the Candles) - a procession in local costume in which tall shrines are carried to the church on the top of Mount Ingino.

Gubbio - Last Sunday in May - Palio dei Balestrieri (The Palio of the Archers) Medieval crossbow competition between Gubbio and Sansepolcro with medieval costumes and arms.

Lake Trasimeno - Castiglione del Lago - Isola Maggiore - venetian street and churches.

Montone - August - Palio della Santa Spina Medieval festival and procession

Montone - First Sunday in November - the trade fair of truffles and woodland produce.

Orvieto - The town is set on top of a plug of stupa volcanic rock with cliffs which seem to surround the town. The Duomo has the finest Gothic façade in Italy with slender gables, soaring buttresses and pinnacles, enriched with coloured marble, mosaics and sumptuous sculpture. Also see St Patricks Well. It is 203 ft deep and was dug to ensure pure cool water was available during any siege.

Perugia - July and end of December through to January - Umbria Jazz - European Jazz festival. All the big names of jazz, blues and other fusion genres (Keith Jarrett, BB King, Enrico Rava) major shows, jam sessions, street music, "round midnight events and daily seminares taught by professional musicians. Long summer version or 4 day edition in winter.

Perugia - mid - end of October - Eurochocolate - a world of chocolate for chocolate fanatics.

Perugia - morning market Saturdays. Antique market last Sunday of each Month

Perugia - principal sights - Piazza 4 Novembre; Fotana Maggiore; Palazzo dei Priori; Duomo; Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria. Great selection of designer shops of all sorts and a huge selection of restaunts. Perugia has a cosmopolitan feel as it is home to one of

Italy

’s best Universities which attracts international students.

Pisa - Torre Pendente (The Leaning Tower); Battistero; Duomo façade and pulpit; Museo dell’Opera del Duomo.

San Gimignano - Palaces and unique Tower Houses built for security by Noble Families. There is nothing quite like it anywhere else. – Medieval Manhattan

San Marino

- One of the smallest states in the world- only 23 square miles. Founded in the 4 th cent.

San Marino

issue their own stamps and coins. Attractive setting on a sandstone ridge with 3 rocky peaks which are each crowned with a tower linked by a walkway. Spectacular views of the Apennines Mountains, the city of Rimini and the Adriatic Sea.16 km south west SAN LEO a rock fortress atop 2000ft limestone outcrop. Panoramic views. Famous in Dante’s Divine Comedy.

Sansepolcro - Last Sunday in May - Palio dei Balestrieri ( The Palio of the Archers) - Medieval crossbow competition between Gubbio and Sansepolcro. Participants wear colourful costumes.

Siena - July 2nd and August 16th - Palio - Procession and horse race. Participants are members of ancient city districts (Contrada), competing for the banner (Palio) a frenzied bare back horse race fiercely contested with much pride and ceremony. It is held in the Piazza del Campo. Colourful Medieval pageantry. Visitors and locals alike can pre-purchase tickets in stands, balconies, windows for view points over the circuit or attend free if standing within the centre of the square. It is also worth noting that if you visit in the days before the contest you are likely to be able to watch the horses and men practising for the contest.

Siena - principal sights - a fascinating medieval city with wonderful buildings, art treasures, and great shopping. See also the Palazzo Pubblico; Duomo; Museo dell’Opera del Duomo; Pinacoteca Galery with fabulous collection of Sienese paintings: the elegant Via di Citta a street bustling with city life and well dressed strollers all busy talking (talking is an artform in its own right for Italians). A must buy in Siena is some PANFORTE--a unique Sienese cake enriched with almonds, honey and candied fruit And in the autumn season you can at least have a good look in the Delicatessen shops at the weird looking misshapen truffles and other wild mushrooms.

Spello - Infiorita Festival, carpets of flower petals lavishly decorate the streets, many depicting religious scenes - 21 June.

Spoleto -Duomo; Ponte delle Torri. The Festival dei DUE MONDI is a dance, music and drama Festival held late June into early July.

Terni - Marmore Cascade spectacular artificial waterfalls down sheer marble (mamore) walls--made by the Romans.

Urbino - Palazzo Ducale; Galleria Nazionale delle Marche; birthplace of the painter Raphael.