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AVOIDING HALLOWEEN in SOUTHERN TUSCANY

Palm trees in Orbetello Tuscany
No Jack-O'-Lanterns in sight: Gustatus Festival, Orbetello

My Tuscan native is no narrow minded person (as long as you don't count his tendency to some exagerated Tuscan Campanilismo...). Neither is he a xenophobic - remember he lives with one of Italy's many Extracomunitari (a foreigner who comes from a country not belonging to the European Union, e.g. a Swiss like me). He even went as far as having two kids with me. But all this open-mindedness comes to a sudden halt when he hears of Halloween. The problem not being Halloween in itself, but Halloween in connection with Tuscany. Why here? Of all places!

He has a point. Celtic traditions haven't had a stronghold in Italy since... the invention of television?

In case you belong to the many people who didn't book a holiday in Italy to celebrate Halloween, here are some alternatives to a weekend full of Tuscan Jack-O'-Lanterns: 


Sausage and meat food stall Orbetello Tuscany
Food stall at Orbetello's Gustatus - Not just fish 

ORBETELLO - GUSTATUS: yet another food festival in Southern Tuscany. No tricks or treats, just the usual Tuscan deal: Extra Virgin Olive Oil and local foods like fresh fish and the famous bottarga from the Tyrrhenean Sea.
Food stands, street artists and artisan markets from 28th to 1st of November. 
Friday and Monday from 3pm to midnight
Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday from 11am to midnight
And every day at 5pm guided free Chocolate tasting. Not sure what link Orbetello has with chocolate... But who cares as long as it's good and high quality (yeah you'll meet me in that queue).

GROSSETO is going to turn part of its medieval town walls into one big street market. The event is called Piazze d'Europa, which probably means that you'll find local delicacies next to Chinese bargains. But I may be mistaken. Let me know... 
From the 28th to the 30th of October on Piazza De Maria, Piazza Esperanto, Piazza Dante and along Viale Ximenes.

Street art at Orbetello's Gustatus
a bit of Halloween after all?
SIENA agrees with my Tuscan native and dedicates the 31st of October to the 8th edition of URBAN TREKKING. This year the guided walks through the participating cities are dedicated to the 150th anniversary of Italy's unification. You can't get much further away from Halloween. Even though... a few skeletons in the cupboard do come to mind when thinking of Italy and its past 150 years of history... 
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