FAI Spring Days are upcoming on the last week end of March 28^th and 29^th just a few days form now.

FAI is a non-profit trust with the purpose to protect and preserve Italian artistic and environmental heritage. FAI spring days are the chance to visit monuments and museums normally not accessible to the general public, a great opportunity for those visiting Italy and Tuscany to see famous inaccessible places such as:

• Convento di Santa Maria Novella (Florence)
• Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa maria Novella (Florence)
• Giardino di Villa Mazzarosa (Lucca)
• Villa Medicea di Coltano (Pisa)
• Palazzo Chigi alla Postiera (Siena)

The complete list of locations open on FAI Spring Days is available online at the FAI website.

Photo by Special K_lllini on Flickr

The Sea has played an important part in the history of Italy. With nearly 7.500 Km of coasts, 578 of which are in Tuscany, it is inevitable that Tuscany would play a significant role in the making of yachts and sailing boats.

Tuscany is home to producers of some of the most exclusive Yachts and sailing boats produced toady and exported worldwide.

In Viareggio (where this photo was taken) you’ll find:

• Perini Navi – a world class leader in the design and production of sailing boats. In December 2008 Perini Navi announced the delivery of the 56 m ketch Silvana to her owner and the sale of a new 56 m ketch.
• Benetti Yachts – Delivering World Class Yachts from 85 feet and up since 1873. Benetti Yachts is a traditional shipyard with the right combination of skill and experience along with innovation and state of the art technology, making Benetti one of the worlds leading yacht builders.
• Cantiere Navale Arno is based in Pisa dedicated to the production of Luxury Yachts and Sailing Boats since 1935, heirs of a tradition dating back to the 1600s. The Cantiere Navale Arno is known for it’s world class production of Leopard Boats proudly produced for many Clients in Italy, Europe, United States, and Far East.

Halloween in Siena is a new initiative that will make your travels to Tuscany during this time of the year even more fun. Just picture yourself in Siena chasing ghosts, dressed in your halloween costume !

Confesercenti and Confcommercio in cooperation with the restaurants of Siena have organized “Esploratori a caccia di fantasmi” – explorers hunting ghosts, to celebrate October 31^st, the 5^th national Urban Trekking event

A great way to discover Siena in all it’s beauty.

For more information: assturismo@comune.siena.it

and

Urban Trekking (only in Italian, but with itineraries and photos of Siena)

Photos by: Scouit.it^TM

The Crete Senesi is an area in the region south of Siena (Tuscany), consisting of hills and woods among villages and includes the comuni of:

• Asciano
• Buonconvento
• Monteroni d’Arbia
• Rapolano Terme
• San Giovanni d’Asso

all within the province of Siena. Crete senesi are literally ‘Siennese clays’.

You can tour the Crete Senesi on board a steam train, departing from Siena touring the countryside. Each stop is a little adventure – discover towns and castles, enjoy typical Tuscany Cuisine and Wines.

These are the dates for the Crete Senesi train departures:

• October 5th – Treno della Vendemmia (Grape Harvest)
• October 12th – Treno del minatore (Miner)
• October 19th – Treno del fungo porcino (Porcino Mushroom)
• October 26th – Treno della Castagna (Chestnuts)

The October 5th tour is dedicated to the farming traditions of Tuscany. After a pleasant ride in the countryside the train will stop at Ascanio Scalo where locals will prepare lunch – a pork based menu, followed by traditional dances and wine tasting in a winery in Montalcino . A ride through the town in a horse-drawn carriage will end the day.

Return to Siena is foreseen at 18:05

There are many possible options to combine train with bike, trekking or other selected wine tasting destinations

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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

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