If you are in Tuscany this time of year and enjoy spirits, you should definitely visit “Gocce di Grappa” an event taking place in Colle val D’Elsa near Siena in Tuscany.

Gocce di Grappa takes place tomorrow Saturday March 7, and Sunday starting at 3 PM and will remain open to the public until 11:00 PM

Further information is available (in Italian) at:

http://www.terrediarnolfo.it/grappa/gocce.html

More information on Colle Val d’Elsa here.

Nativity sparks creativity and inspires some of the best talents in Tuscany.

Visiting Tuscany for Christmas is the occasion to visit places putting on display original and creative presepi – here are other locations with unique nativity scenes:

• Cigoli, San Minato (Pisa), an 80 square meter presepe visitors walk through reaching the cave of the nativity scene.
  Open during festivities from 9:00 to 20:30 – info +39.0571.49442
• Manarola, cinque terre, located between Tuscany and Liguria, is home to a unique ecological presepe powered by solar energy – 300 characters using 15.000 lights: a project developed by a retired railroad worker.
• Borro di San Giuliano Valdarno – a mechanical representation of nativity built by Don Pasquale Mencattini in the 1940s
• Rampolano Terme, close to Siena, home to the Museo Nazionale del Presepe in Santa Maria Assunta, a church in the town center: every year a group of people called “friends of the presepio” choose a different location to set it up
  info: +39.0577 723213
• Bientina, in the province of Pisa, hosts the electronic multimedia presepe attracting large crowds. Free entrance from 16:00 to 19:30 – remains open until January 11^th 2009
• Other places in Tuscany featuring presepi and nativity events:
  • Bettolle, città dei Presepi
  • Veragio, nativity amongst chestnut trees
  • Palazzuolo sul Senio, Mugello
  • Santa Brigida near Pontassieve where a live representation takes place with 50 people in costume re-enacting nativity

The tradition of presepi is present throughout Italy and Tuscany. In my last post I suggested you visit Bettolle the town of Presepi. For those interested in the art and creations related to the nativity, Natale nel mondo is another event taking place these days in San Giovanni Valdarno.

You can read up on the event on their website.

Visitors hours:

• Week days: 16:00 – 19:00
• Holidays: 10:00 13:00 16:00 – 19:00

Here at Hotel Relais we strive to make your holiday an unforgettable experience and made a short Video of Tuscany just for you, our Guests traveling to Tuscany for a holiday. Tuscany is the travel destination offering a variety of locations in the chianti countryside or along the shore.

We have had many requests asking where the video has been shot and who did the work and we gladly make the information available here on our blog:

2 of our finest hotels hosted the indoor locations:

• Castello di Vicarello an exclusive luxury hotel, a retreat where you will feel the welcoming, comforting touch of the owners, Aurora and Carlo Baccheschi Berti
• La Suvera Nestled among the rolling hills of Tuscany, Relais La Suvera offers award winning service and a historic 5 star luxury hotel experience

Other locations include:

• La Diaccia Botrona
• Valdorcia
• Villa Mansi
• Villa Pietraia
• Giardino dell’Orticultura in Florence
• Tettuccio of Montecatini

Music: Patrizia Barrilà

Filming took place between January and February 2008, produced by Scoutit^TM

According to a recent survey by Tripadvisor Siena in Tuscany is rated one of the most popular travel destinations in the world listed as the 15th most preferred destination and one of the most popular in Italy, followed by San Gimignano and Florence.

The results of the survey are very much in line with Travel & Leisure, the famous travel magazine

One of the greatest pleasures of a holiday in Tuscany is the ever changing landscape and the possibility to enjoy it.

Starting March and ending in October, Tuscany offers an outstanding weather conditions making cycling tours and cycling vacations ideal for those who enjoy the outdoors.

Cycling tours in Tuscany are popular and bikes readily available at the numerous bike rental shops, making your cycling holiday in tuscany so much easier.

More information on cycling in Tuscany and bicycles at Florence By Bike.

Oh and once you’ve found your bike don’t forget to Book your hotel in Tuscany

Tuscany is one of the most sought after destinations for the variety and beauty of the landscape, the outstanding wines and cuisine, and … to make movies.

How many time have you wondered where those famous movies in Tuscany were filmed ?

Now you can book a tour of locations home to the most famous move sets in tuscany.

Tours visit a number of famous set locations, including the famous Under the Tuscan Sun by A. Wells in Crotona.