MAPPING TUSCANY

Incontri in Terra di Siena festival at Locanda dell'Amorosa (photo Paul Flanagan)  Stellar locations and classical music executed by with  world-class musicians is the hallmark of the Incontri in Terra di Siena festival. Cellist Antonio Lysy, grandson of writer Iris Origo, organized the first concert in the Val d'Orcia 30 years ago and since then the festival has become one of the backbones of Tuscany's classical music season. This summer Incontri celebrates its round birthday wit h an impressive line-up of musicians flying in from all over the world. Flutist  Emmanuel Pahud, pianists Leif Ove Andsnes, Lucille Chung, Alessio Bax (the festival's artistic director  who appears on the Oscar-winning soundtrack of 'Call Me By Your Name'), tenor  Ian Bostridge, violist Lawrence Power and many more reunite in some of the most stunning venues of southern Tuscany.  The concerts are accompanied by a dedicated program called 'Oltre La Musica' which include...

Looking for Tuscany related travel advice? Wondering when to visit, which city to spend an extra day in and what restaurant to avoid at all cost? I can provide local trip planning help for individual travelers and small groups, who plan to taste the best wine and dodge the worst meal.  Some Siena or Florence  tips are relevant for most visitors and can be easily found on the internet or right here on my blogs (e.g.  how to skip the Uffizi queue  and which organic  Brunello winery to visit) -  other recommendations for your stay in Tuscany will depend  on taste, age and interests of the traveler exploring our hills. TRIP PLANNING HELP IN TUSCANY For more local insight and  info about Map It Out's expert advice for your Tuscan itinerary send Katja an email (more about me here ). My t ailor-made tips for recommended sights, winery visits and booking service of hands-on activities or guided tours during  your holiday normally ...

Queues, overpriced gelato and queues again. Florence can be tiring. Let alone with kids. But exploring the Florentine Renaissance dream can also be lots of fun thanks to the many educative and inspiring guided tours - especially with kids. With a playful and less intellectualizing introduction to Italy's art, history and cultural heritage everybody has a better time, the adults too.  The most knowledgeable person I turn to when planning a day in Florence with children is Molly McIlwrath. As a licensed tour guide with a five year old daughter she knows from first hand experience what will work for families traveling with kids, and - maybe even more importantly - what definitely won't.  Molly explaining the techniques in Luigi Mecocci's wood carving studio in Florence Avid reader and creative mind at large, Molly is also involved in the planning of hands-on activities in some of Florence best museums and art schools (many of them are available in English thanks to t...

I normally wouldn't tell my best friend to come to Tuscany to attend a yoga seminar.  I love yoga and thankfully there is a wide choice for any of its practices all around. And yes, it sounds great to spend a week  bending and stretching with awe-inspiring views over the rolling hills. But it sounds sad - at least to me - to have to forego Tuscany's fabulous wine and food whilst you're out here because of all that downward facing dog.  To make sure I can at last recommend a yoga seminar in Tuscany, the people from It's  Yogafirenze and Villa Le Pianore organize a joint venture stretch with plenty of chances to taste, eat, drink and explore some of the area's best in food, wine, culture and nature.  VINYASA WINE AND WALKING AT LE PIANORE Daily Ash tanga yoga, organic winery visits, great food, guided countryside walks, sightseeing (e.g.  Sant'Antimo Abbey , Tuscany's Romanesque treasure) and a hot dip in Bagno Vignoni .  Join the troupers ...

When I first visited the Amiata Piano festival I called beforehand to make a reservation. An unnecessary one since the concert was attended by a handful of people: two of my neighbors, the mayor of our town and me with a couple of Swiss friends in tow.  Waiting for Amiata Piano Festival at the ColleMassari winery Ten years later the festival rightly celebrates its first decade and reservations have become a must for the three concert cycles that bring world class musicians to Cinigiano , a little known Tuscan town in central Maremma. Dedicated to the great Claudio Abbado, the 2014 edition will put the spotlight on some of the major names in Italy's classical music scene. The first two cycles (called Baccus and Euterpe) take place in the Sala di Musica near Poggi del Sasso (with exclusion of the concert at the church of the Montecucco estate on the 29th of June).  The final concerts at the end of August will be hold in the ColleMassari winery; its contemporary wine c...

Tuscany in November is a mixed bag of emotions. At least considering the weather. In regard to sightseeing, museum visits and foodie pleasures I couldn't think of a better month to visit. You may need to bring an umbrella, but you'll feel like art galleries opened just for you. And you're adventurous spirit will be generously awarded with freshly picked porcini mushrooms,  mouthwatering  truffles and the region's famous extra virgin olive oil straight from the press.  PEOPLE UP ON TREES ON EVERY HILL MELANCHOLIC AFTERNOONS ù PERFECT SKIES