MAPPING TUSCANY

Italy hasn’t gotten much of a good rep recently with its economic and political stagnation and the brain drain of the country’s talented youth. But not just Matteo Renzi is out there to change this. In rough times like these it's encouraging to hear that an unexpectedly high number of Italian cities joined the European Capital of Culture competition last year. The ECoC title is awarded each year to two cities from two different European countries – Umea in Sweden and Riga in Latvia are the European Capital of Cultures 2014. Italy’s turn is up again in 2019 and a fierce competition is going on right now between the participating Italian cities to secure the title. Past European capitals have proved that ECoC cities with a thought-through program receive major investments, speed up local development, and secure a long-lasting influx of culturally interested travelers - the welcome species of tourists, who prefer quality of experience to number of sights seen in a day.  Les...

Israeli singer Noa's tribute to Naples' music in Southern Tuscany Leave your Wellies at home. Rain and mud are no issues during Tuscany's summer festivals. And all those fabulous medieval or Renaissance locations will make Woodstock seem a teenage hangout. CLASSICAL MUSIC I've already written about Melodia del Vino , Musica Reale in Montalcino,   Amiata Piano Festival and San Galgano's  Opera Festival, which are some of the top  classical music festivals in Tuscany  in July 2012. But there is much more to be had when it comes to classical music down South. 

Siena's Osteria 'Il Grattacielo' - hard to get more Tuscan than this Don't want to schlep bulky guide books through Italy? I know, I too prefer filling my suitcase with bottles of Tuscan red instead. And neither are you a friend of tourist guides? You need the hand of a local then. And if you're too shy to chat one up on some Tuscan square, just check out my Siena guide - from local to traveller. It can be found on National Geographic's 'I Heart My City' series; a great project that involves locals giving visitors an introduction to their favourite sites, restaurants and hidden gems in town. My and my Tuscan native's take on Siena, and on what to do whilst in town, where to chill out and even more importantly what NOT to do and when NOT to come can be found on National Geographic's Intelligent Travel Blog:  I Heart My City - Katja's Siena . If you're trip to Italy doesn't just take you to Tuscany but also to Rome, hang...

Steam train adventures in Tuscany  Steam train lovers reunite... in Tuscany. The provinces of Siena and Grosseto share a train line that (sadly for the locals) has been in disuse since 1994.  Nevertheless the tracks are kept in good shape and the natural beauty surrounding the Asciano - Monte Antico line makes for a perfect scenery for the steam train adventures in spring and autumn. The TRENO NATURA (nature train)  has become a tourist attraction not just for old-style public transport lovers but also for food and nature aficionados. The train is a perfect way of transport to arrive at some of the region's best food fairs and local festivals (just the fact that you don't have to worry about all that wine running through your veins..).

If you're not fluent in Italian but still would like to join some life events in Siena, reserve a Friday this month for some classical music with the Accademia Musicale Chigiana. You can do any day this March, just not Fridays? You're in bad luck then. 

 CONSORZIO AGRARIO SIENA - foodie's paradise! Some people visit Italy to shop madly for shoes and clothes. Others go ballistic in a food store. Siena obviously has it all. But don't get tricked into buying your Cinta Senese prosciutto in one of the touristy shops. Go straight to the Consorzio Agrario di  Siena. The farmer's association of the province of Siena has a fantastic selection of all things Tuscan; plus you'll be sure that your Sienese salami wasn't produced in Naples or China. 

Just checked the weather forecast and wonder whether you'll ever make it out of Siena again? Yes, it's still snowing. No, we don't know how long it will last. So your best bet is to relax, check out Siena's restaurant guide  and shoot a look at the events in town this February. 

Palazzo Chigi Saricini Siena during Palio No fan of classical music? It's not like you have all that much choice event-wise during winter in Siena . So summon up some courage and check out the  Accademia Musicale Chigiana's concert program: great concerts taking place in beautiful venues (in one of Siena's theaters or in the Palazzo Chigi Saracini's own Rococo style concert hall).  It's worth it!