One of the things that annoy us Tuscans to no end is that most of what people know about our land is just wrong. The image that comes to mind to 90% of foreigners that come to visit us is mostly incorrect, just a result of the work of spin doctors, marketing guys and pretty much anyone that wants to sell stuff at an inflated price. This is quite obvious when it comes to food stuff: apparently, just adding the word "Tuscan" to anything allows the manufacturer to raise its price by a significant margin. Everything can be Tuscan, from herbs mixtures that no Tuscan has ever heard of to stuff that would make us cringe. If you ask anyone that knows a little about this land, they will tell you that Tuscan cuisine is all about vegetables, pasta, simple ingredients cooked in creative ways. While dishes like this exist, we Tuscans LOVE our meat. Maybe because it was a rare treat, we worship what we affectionately call "ciccia". The most famous of our meat dishes were born out of necessity: being meat very expensive, we would invent ways to turn the most lowly cuts into masterpieces. The recipe that was invented near Florence was so spectacular that it goes strong six centuries after its creation, which explains why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Impruneta to discover all the secrets of the amazing peposo.

If you listen to the full episode you will learn how this beef stew was invented by terracotta workers that looked for a way to turn cheap cuts of meat into a sensational taste bomb. The slow cooked marvel was so incredible that Filippo Brunelleschi, while building the cupola of Florence cathedral, made it the official dish of the building site, spreading the recipe across Tuscany. In the second chapter we will go through the mandatory steps you have to follow to prepare a proper peposo and I will also give you a simple recipe to make this amazing dish in your very kitchen. There's going to be a few practical tips, suggestions on side dishes and the perfect wine to match. In the final chapter I will tell you how Impruneta is so in love with this meat lovers dream to have a November festival with a spectacular cook-off that will make you drool in anticipation. If you can't wait until then, I'll point you to several restaurants both in Impruneta and in Florence where you can enjoy this masterpiece of Tuscan cuisine at its best. While i can't say this is the signature dish of this land without incurring in the wrath of anyone who is not from Florence, I'd so as far as to say that the peposo should be its standard bearer. it has got everything we love about this land: it's made from cuts of meat no one wanted, cooked at low temperature for a long time which makes the meat extra-tender and super tasty. Next time you come to visit us, try it. If you love meat, it's a no brainer!
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.lacucinaitaliana.it/tutorial/le-tecniche/peposo-impruneta-ricetta/
https://www.discoverpistoia.it/peposo-storia-curiosita-ricetta/
https://www.today.it/benessere/alimentazione/storia-peposo-ricetta-impruneta-toscana.html
https://www.gazzettinodelchianti.it/impruneta/peposo-day-2023-super-successo-alla-cena-del-peposo-oggi-la-sfida-fra-rioni/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)
Incompetech - Leopard Print Elevator
Mike Chino - Calm and Harmony
Wayne John Bradley - Pick You Up
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077
https://soundcloud.com/argofox/mike-chino-calm-and-harmony
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/pick-you-up-slow-poprock-style-instrumental-creative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

After three years spent looking for stories about this incredible region of mine, coming back from a little break was never going to be easy. No matter how ahead you plan, the dread of being late or having chosen the wrong subject is always around the corner. Luckily, though, this land is so full of amazing things that you just need a bit of luck and inspiration. A while ago, as I was researching for stuff to talk about, I bumped into an article that was talking about a town in Maremma that I had heard something about a long time ago. As it's quite far from where I live I never actually visited it but then I read a couple words that almost prompted me to take the car and drive there immediately. What were those words, you might ask? Possibly the best nickname for a town I've come across in the past 10 years: "Little Jerusalem". Being an history buff I immediately started thinking about the Templar Knights, relics stolen during the Crusades but the explanation was much simpler and, possibly, more intriguing. This charming village earned its nickname by being one of the very few places where Jews expelled from Rome actually were free to live and prosper. This story was so interesting that I had to look into it, which explains why, this week, What's Up Tuscany will travel south, to the heart of Maremma, to tell you everything there is to know about Pitigliano, a tuff masterpiece of a town that has got to be seen to be believed.

If you listen to the full episode I will tell you about the many landmarks in this hilltop village, from a pretty church to a monumental fountain, from the aqueduct that was a gift from the Medici to an ancient monastery that became a fashionable palace in the Renaissance after being revamped by a famous architect. Then we will focus on the history of the Jewish community, how the ghetto grew with time and how the relationship between them and the general populace was strong enough to convince many regular families to risk their lives in order to hide their neighbours from the clutches of the Gestapo. The synagogue is still active and, even if the community is much smaller than in the past, people in Pitigliano still celebrate it by producing kosher wine and organising events to promote this interesting heritage. After some info on how to know the ghetto a bit better, I'll also point you to a couple amazing walks in the surrounding countryside that will let you know the mysterious and incredible Vie Cave, tens of metres deep man-made roads carved into stone that still baffle experts.

In the final chapter I'll provide you with plenty of tips on stuff to do, eat and drink in this part of the Maremma that has a lot of things to offer. If you know what's good for you, try a good acquacotta, the old-time soup that is part of local folklore but don't forget to try some of the sweets that are produced around here. Some, like the migliaccio or the cialdino del tufo, sound quite simple and similar to other stuff you find around Tuscany but there are a couple, from the "tortello dolce" to the "sfratto dei Goym" that you can find only in Pitigliano. We will wrap things up with two excellent local wines that are quite great and don't cost a fortune plus a bunch of events that you should sign on your calendar. The Count's Banquet in late August sounds like a very smart choice. This is not your regular Tuscany: it's a place that is at the same time very real, hearty and charming. Rather than cramming on the beach with thousands or fighting with random tourists in downtown Florence, spend some time here, in the heart of Maremma. You'll thank me later.
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.expedia.it/stories/10-cose-da-vedere-a-pitigliano-e-dintorni/
https://pitigliano.org/palazzi-e-monumenti/fontana-delle-7-cannelle/
https://www.quotidiano.net/itinerari/pitigliano/
https://www.visittuscany.com/it/idee/viaggio-nella-piccola-gerusalemme-di-pitigliano/
https://pitigliano.org/la-piccola-gerusalemme/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Walking the Wall
Pipe Choir - Fortress (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - A dark Blue Arc (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Trampled (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-walking-the-wall-creative-commons-music
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-fortress-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-a-dark-blue-arc-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-trampled-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

We come back after a little Christmas break trying to answer one of the most annoying questions ever: "what are you doing on New Year's Eve?". While it looks quite harmless, it has the potential to unleash a world of pain, both to your sanity and your beleaguered wallet. I've made so many mistakes trying to follow the party imperative that I pretty much gave up completely on this tradition, choosing to spend the last hours of the year mostly at home. As not many people ascribe to this rather austere fashion, I was wondering if it was indeed possible to have a great time in Tuscany without breaking any further the proverbial bank. Happy to report that there are indeed quite a few interesting options available that you might still be able to book if you're already in this neck of the woods. This explains why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you all over this remarkable region to give you five smart choices for a New Year's Eve to remember for a long time.

If you listen to the full episode you will find that we tried to cater to all sorts of people. If you're a history buff like yours truly, you might be able to attend a real Mediaeval banquet, organised in an ancient abbey that is just a trebuchet throw away from Monteriggioni, one of the most outstanding walled towns in Italy. If the whole idea of spending a night wearing potentially silly costumes, looking at court jesters or magicians playing some tricks doesn't sound particularly appealing, don't fret: we've got you covered. Are you in love with the paranormal? Why don't you have your party in an ancient castle that is said to host the restless soul of a famous commander, murdered brutally centuries ago in Florence? While we don't really believe in this kind of things, people say that this very pretty castle actually experiences strange phenomena, from sabre rattling to sounds of chains quite regularly. Who knows? You might be able to actually meet old Baldaccio d'Anghiari.

In the last three chapters we will provide you with a wealth of information on how to spend a perfect New Year's Eve if you have quite specific needs. If you're a discerning traveller that appreciates some quality time in a quiet and refined locale, we've got the right place for you: a 14th century monastery that has been recently converted into a B&B. You know what the best part is? This cloister is very close to the mysterious and fascinating Etruscan town of Volterra, which has many things to explore in its cramped alleys. If you can't resist the call of the crowd, why don't you head to Lucca, which truly shines in the time between Christmas and Epiphany. From gourmet meals in Piazza Anfiteatro to the historic Christmas market that offers the best products of this land, you'll also be able to celebrate 2024 twice in just a few minutes. Want to know why? Listen to the episode, it's really a fun little oddity.

While I would advise you to head to the Teatro del Giglio for their New Year's Eve concert and dinner, if you're more inclined to have some wholesome fun, nothing better than heading to Leghorn. Here you'll find pretty much anything you might want: from a laughter-filled vernacolo show at the Teatro Quattro Mori to a very fancy cenone in a five star hotel that is just on the Terrazza Mascagni, where you can see the amazing fireworks on the sea. Probably the best way to spend your night is to wander downtown, jumping from a bar to some great quick food options. Just be sure to be in Ardenza the next morning to witness the first swim of the year of the sea-crazed Livornesi. Whatever you choose, I hope your 2024 will be full of peace, good fortune and health. After all we've been through, we all need a lucky break.
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES
https://www.chiostrodellemonache.com/
https://www.castellodisorci.it/
https://www.medievalitaly.it/
https://www.capodannissimo.com/toscana/capodanno-a-firenze/
https://www.ghpalazzo.it/
https://www.teatrodelgiglio.it/it/news/dettaglio/concerto-di-capodanno-2024/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)
Incompetech - Leopard Print Elevator
Pipe Choir - Almost Time (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Fortress (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Blue Hope New Sky
Pipe Choir - Gemini (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-fortress-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-blue-hope-new-sky-creative-commons-instrumental
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Pipe_Choir/SGONS_Instrumentals/Pipe_Gemini_Instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

The last weeks of the year are always a time of great excitement and a little bit of dread. Despite your religious tendencies, the idea of meeting with loved ones and indulge in some culinary excesses sounds tempting but there's always the mandatory happiness, the pressure to spend and consume like there's no tomorrow. In the last few years, our episodes ahead of Christmas have told you about traditional festivities, weird festivals and the food that must be on every Tuscan holiday table. This year we've decided to do things a bit differently, focussing on a very special event that takes place in one of this region's most wonderful villas, just a few miles from Lucca. Since the last couple of years, the new owners of this prestigious palace have embarked on an extensive renovation campaign, opened the villa to the public and organised for the last two weekends before Christmas an event that turns the place into a winter wonderland. That is why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Marlia to tell you everything there is to know about the amazing Villa Reale and how, twice every year, it becomes a place of endless wonder for kids and adults alike.

If you listen to the full episode you will learn about the ancient origins of the place, how it was the sister of a very notorious emperor to turn it into something really special and how, not too many years ago, it became a veritable hotspot for international celebrities and famous artists. In the following chapter we will go through the many additions to this sizable estate that in the centuries have transformed its massive garden into a place full of art, exotic plants and intricate geometries that can be found in very few other places. Then we will go into the event that on the weekend of December 16-17 will transform the stables into Santa's Workshop, the many clever games for children that have been built out of reclaimed wood, the amazing lighting of the garden and how spending a day into this incredible palace can leave a lasting impression in both yourself and your children.

The last part of the episode is again dedicated to our usual travel tips: this time I will give you two very different but equally valid options to have lunch or dinner very close to the Royal Villa. One is a Michelin-starred restaurant that cares a lot about tradition, the other a quirky trattoria that is just next door and offers great food, excellent service, a rustic atmosphere at a very reasonable price. Whatever you might think about this time of the year, spending some time in this incredible place will definitely put a smile on your face. Given everything we're going through in these crazy times, maybe that's the most we can hope for.
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES
https://villarealedimarlia.it/conosci/la-storia/
https://villarealedimarlia.it/eventi/magico-natale/
https://www.europeanbusinessreview.com/henric-and-marina-groenberg-restoring-history/
https://passionegourmet.it/2021/07/08/butterfly-marlia/
https://www.labottegasullafraga.it/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Pick You Up
EzaOne - Supernova
WUFO - Hyde Park
Incompetech - Leopard Print Elevator
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/pick-you-up-slow-poprock-style-instrumental-creative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/argofox/ezaone-supernova
https://soundcloud.com/argofox/wufo-hyde-park
https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

For someone whose stated mission is to at the very least be aware of everything there is to know about Tuscany, coming to terms that this is not the case isn't exactly easy. Quite recently, as I was scouring the internet for interesting stories, I came across some amazing pictures. Problem is, they didn't look anything like Tuscany. If all, they looked like they were coming from either India or the Middle East, something that puzzled me to no end. When I realised that such a place actually exists, I was flabbergasted. How come I knew nothing about it? It's not like it's in the middle of nowhere, just some 20 miles from Florence. When I found out why is that the case, I was even more surprised. The problem is that this ancient castle transformed into a kaleidoscope of colours in the late 19th century is impossible to visit. Why, you might ask? Because it's been abandoned decades ago and is literally falling apart. This explains why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Reggello to tell you everything there is to know about the amazing Sammezzano Castle, the Tuscan Taj Mahal you can't visit.

If you listen to the full epidode you will learn about the ancient origins of this castle, how in 780 hosted for a few days none other than Emperor Charlemagne and how it progressively lost its military significance. After going from one noble Florentine family to the other, the Medicis turned it into one of their favourite hunting reserves. Grand Duke Ferdinand didn't like it too much, so it sold the castle to a powerful Spanish family that had plenty of assets in Tuscany. The transformation happened from 1853 to 1889 under the direction of a marquis that was quite the character: while having never left Tuscany, he adored the East, so much that he trained a number of local workers to imitate Moorish and Indian techniques to replicate the landmarks he read about in his beloved books. The palace was so amazing that even the King of Italy had to see it with his own eyes. Building from scratch something that can rival both the Alhambra and the Taj Mahal is truly an amazing feat.

Unfortunately, it were the extravagant decorations to doom the splendid castle. The marquis heirs couldn't care less about living in such a weird place and let it be ransacked by looters until there was almost nothing left. Several owners tried turning it into a luxury hotel but they ultimately failed as it was so expensive to maintain. Now the castle is for sale and people hope that the new owners will want to bring it back to its heyday. In the final chapters I'll describe you the amazing park, which hosts many giant sequoias brought from California, the stuff that you can do in the area and an ancient tavern turned hotel where you can either stay or have an amazing meal. While it's impossible to enter it, Sammezzano from the outside is stunning enough. Think about visiting it next time you're around. It needs all the attention it can get: such an amazing place simply cannot disappear.
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/sammezzano-the-most-magnificent-castle-you-cannot-see
https://www.archeotravelers.com/en/2020/07/31/sammezzano-castle-a-corner-of-the-east-in-tuscany/
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/italy/tuscany/articles/sammezzano-tuscan-castle-up-for-sale-14-million/
https://www.marieclaire.it/lifestyle/viaggi/a38548856/castello-di-sammezzano/
https://www.toscana.info/firenze/provincia/castello-di-sammezzano/
https://www.sammezzano.info/
https://www.villarigacci.it/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)
Profound Beats - Lo-fi
Pipe Choir - Almost Time (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Fortress (Instrumental)
Inova - Seamonster
Pipe Choir - Followers (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/profoundbeats/profound-beats-lo-fi-free-download
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-fortress-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/argofox/inova-seamonster
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-followers-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

After spending almost three years talking about my wonderful homeland, some of you might wonder how a one man band seems always able to find reasonably interesting topics. The process is a lot messier than I'd like but sometimes it borders sheer madness. This week, for example, I had scheduled a completely different episode but decided against it. I tossed the notes I had already taken and started staring at the map, looking for inspiration. A name immediately attracted my attention, a weird but auspicious name of a little town near Siena. I had been there years ago and found it very pretty but I had no idea it was hiding so many interesting things. This is why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Buonconvento, what many consider one of Italy's prettiest villages and tell you everything there is to know about this small but very quirky hamlet.

If you listen to the full episode you will learn how, for a hot minute, this town had all the eyes of Europe on it due to the mysterious death of an emperor and how, centuries ago, the famous writer Boccaccio immortalized forever the crazy tale of a cheeky and very unfaithful servant. Then I will walk you downtown to discover the secrets of the town hall, the funny clock tower that looks like a smaller replica of Siena's Torre del Mangia and why this Mediaeval town is so full of Liberty-style buildings, Italy's answer to Art Nouveau architecture. In the following chapter I will tell you about the outstanding museum that hosts some of Italy's greatest sacred art masterpieces and a smaller barn conversion that is dedicated to the life of regular farmers of the past. If you're into the spooky side of life, I will guide you to a beautiful villa on a nearby hill that, according to many locals, is haunted by the ghost of its owner.

In the final chapters I'll tell you about a small pastry shop nearby that, since 1959, has become a must stop for sweets lovers everywhere. As Queen Elizabeth II was a great fan of their cookies, they have built quite a following overseas but some of their unique creations are so good that it's worth travelling there so that you can taste them out of the oven. Last but not least, I'll let you know about a very interesting day trip through the Orcia and Arbia Valleys with historic locomotives, an incredible hotel that was built from restoring an abandoned village and, at least as far as I'm concerned, one of the best restaurants around. While its name is odd, "The Crazy Count", the food they serve is out of this world, especially the local cheese. The Val d'Arbia is nowhere near as popular as some other parts of Tuscany but it has so much to offer. Think about going there next time you plan your next visit.

Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.tuscanypeople.com/buonconvento-di-nome-e-di-fatto/
https://www.finestresullarte.info/viaggi/buonconvento-luogo-felice-crete-senesi
https://www.tuscanysweetlife.com/province/provincia-siena/buonconvento/
https://siviaggia.it/borghi/borgo-buonconvento-toscana/217877/
https://www.ledolcezzedinanni.com/
https://www.pieveasalti.it/
https://www.trenonatura.terresiena.it
[email protected] / +39 0577 48003

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)
Incompetech - Leopard Print Elevator
Wayne John Bradley - Pick You Up
Mike Chino - Calm and Harmony
WUFO - Hyde Park
Pipe Choir - Gemini (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/pick-you-up-slow-poprock-style-instrumental-creative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/argofox/mike-chino-calm-and-harmony
https://soundcloud.com/argofox/wufo-hyde-park
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Pipe_Choir/SGONS_Instrumentals/Pipe_Gemini_Instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

One of the best things you can do in Tuscany is just to take your vehicle and drive without a real destination in the back roads of this amazing land. The least you will find is many charming villages, vistas to die for and, maybe, a place where you can get great food without breaking the bank. Sometimes, though, Lady Luck throws you a very juicy bone. I came to this little village near Mount Amiata absolutely by chance, as I was driving through the Brunello region with my motorbike. When I saw that lonely, imposing tower in the distance, I had to turn and see what it was all about. That was a very lucky detour as it allowed me to learn a lot about this special part of my region and get to know better one of the most fascinating characters of our region.

While his name was made popular back in the 1980s by leading Italian politician, Bettino Craxi, who used it as a nom de plume while writing his caustic editorials, this fellow was a real character. A former nobleman, when the powerful in Siena ganged up against him, stealing all his wealth and power, he struck back by becoming one of the most feared highwaymen ever. He had a heart of gold, though, as he never robbed poor people and frequently gave some of the loot to the people of his town. That's why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Radicofani to tell you everything there is to know about Ghino di Tacco, Tuscany's answer to Robin Hood and the town that never forgot him.

If you listen to the full episode you will learn how his sad tale was just an episode of the bloody struggle between the Holy Roman Empire and the Papacy, how the people of Radicofani came to appreciate this gentle brigand and how a completely random act of kindness saved Ghino di Tacco from the hangman and turned him into a staunch defender of the Pope. After telling you his tale and legend, I will walk you through the imposing fortress that he stole from the Papacy and how it now hosts a very interesting museum that comes with a 100% working Mediaeval catapult. While from the top of the mast you can have outstanding views of the two most charming valleys of this region, the town of Radicofani has a lot to offer. This mandatory stop on the famous Via Francigena is a real Mediaeval gem, has some seriously pretty churches and an ancient post station that the Medici turned into a small palace. If you're into the dark and mysterious parts of life, don't forget to stop at Bosco Isabella, a Romantic garden that is full of charm but also hosts many secretive rites from the Italian Masonic Order.

While very small, just over a thousand inhabitants, Radicofani is very much alive and comes with several festivals sprinkled across the year. While in June you can learn about ancient artisans, the main event is in September, when the Palio will see youngsters carrying a heavy barrel across town running like mad men. This is a seriously special village that is becoming more and more popular with foreigners. What's not to like? The countryside is amazing, the food is great, you can get real Brunello at almost bargain prices and enjoy some peace and quiet. Next time you think about coming to visit us, think about Radicofani and the Valdichiana. You will absolutely love it.
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.raffaellabonsignori.it/blog/?ghino-di-tacco--un-bandito-gentiluomo-e-la-fortezza-di-radicofani
https://www.chiarentana.com/it/blog/ghino-di-tacco-una-storia-di-altri-tempi-133
https://www.valdorciamiata.it/radicofani/
https://www.visittuscany.com/it/attrazioni/fortezza-radicofani/
https://www.visititaly.eu/it/luoghi-e-itinerari/radicofani-cosa-vedere

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Followers (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Fortress (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - A dark blue arc (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - The Opening Closing (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-followers-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-fortress-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-a-dark-blue-arc-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

When we started out this podcast, back in February 2021, our main mission was to tell you everything about the lesser known parts of our beloved region, those places you won't find on the cover of your travel guide. While we still try to stick to our original vision, we also love to help out any tourist to get the most of his time in Tuscany. Look for example at one of the most famous landmarks of this land, a bridge that is very quirky and exceedingly popular. I'm sure that the millions of tourists that wander on its cramped road are completely unaware of its incredible history and the many curiosities on this very special place. While it is true that tis bridge is very old, it took many centuries before it was able to withstand the wrath of the notoriously mercurial Arno river. Back in the day it was a much more lively place but also very messy and not particularly reputable. It took a powerful man to turn it into the boutique collection that we see nowadays and make it one of Europe's most sought after shopping place. This place is full of curious things, anecdotes and details that most tourists will never figure out. That is why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you back to Florence to tell you everything there is to know about the amazing Ponte Vecchio, a bridge that is both very famous and exceedingly quirky.

If you listen to the full episode, I will tell you about its troubled history and how, since the time of the Romans, bridges here usually didn't last more than a few years before being swept away by one of the notoriously devastating floods of the Arno. It took a pupil of the famous artist Giotto to figure out the right structure that would allow the bridge to survive even the most destructive of floods and cement its place in Florentine history. The bridge was popular but a bit crass, with noisy shops and very strong smells, something that Grand Duke Ferdinand I found utterly disgusting. It was his decree that evicted the traditional shops and allowed only goldsmiths and jewellers to set up shop there. Now the relationship between Ponte Vecchio and gold is so strong to have become almost symbiotic. While this has kept the venerable bridge alive, it also has some drawbacks. In September 2022 when an upscale bag maker opened a shop on the bridge, it caused a veritable feud that will end up in court soon. Florentines are dead serious when it comes to defending their traditional shopping streets, even if it's turning downtown into an open air museum

In the final chapters I will tell you many curiosities about this famous bridge, from the crazy reason why it's not exactly straight to the curious sun dial that is hidden there to the reason why you will find many small locks under a bronze bust to much much more. If you're in Florence with your significant other, I'll tell you the best place for a memorable snapshot and the best way to experience the bridge from a brand new perspective. Last but not least, I will tell you about an incredibly exclusive restaurant that is not open all the time and allows you to dine quite literally on top of the bridge. This unique experience is all about extreme luxury and comes with an eye-watering price tag: more than 6.000 Euros per couple. For this outrageous price, you will get a menu that is so refined to be filled with real gold. While the scenery is great, you definitely don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy this incredible bridge. It is a bit a monument to consumerism but it's also the heart and soul of this amazing city. Next time you're there, make sure you pay it a visit. It's been around for almost a millennia and is still going strong. Long may it live.
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://associazionepontevecchio.it/storia-del-ponte-vecchio/
https://www.firenzetoday.it/social/ponte-vecchio-storia-orafi.html
https://turistipercaso.it/diari-di-viaggio/e-alla-fine-ne-restera-solo-uno-ponte-vecchio.html
https://www.055firenze.it/art/220107/Firenze-prorogato-fino-al-2026-il-Regolamento-Unesco-per-la-tutela-del-centro-storico
https://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/firenze/notizie/vivitoscana/15_gennaio_25/ponte-vecchio-cena-mozzafiato-terrazzino-dell-orafo-ae46890c-a4b8-11e4-8530-6130dfbb15a2.shtml

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)
Inova - Seamonster
AlmightyZero - Aetherial
Tavs - Control
Incompetech - Leopard Print Elevator
Mountswift - Amethyst
Pipe Choir - Almost Time (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/argofox/inova-seamonster
https://soundcloud.com/argofox/almightyzero-aetherial
https://soundcloud.com/argofox/tavs-control
https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077
https://soundcloud.com/argofox/mountswift-amethyst
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

We come back to you after our only second break in almost 3 years, something of which we sincerely apologise. Unfortunately, this time, we had a pretty good excuse as my little corner of the world was ravaged by some serious floods. While we are all well, we had a lot of cleaning up and helping to do, which made it impossible to publish our weekly window on this incredible land. In order to forget about the sorrow and destruction around us, this time I decided to talk about a little town not too far from where I live that has a particular claim to fame. As it happens quite frequently around here, in the Middle Ages it was an important stronghold and was a mandatory stop on the famous Via Francigena, the road that brought pilgrims to Rome from Northern Europe. What sets it apart from the other hill towns is the fact that, several centuries apart, two famous emperors were instrumental in its fortunes, leaving an indelible mark on the town. The place is both spectacular and full of little oddities, which explains why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to San Miniato, the town of the two emperors, to tell you what makes it so special.

If you listen to the full episode you will learn how it was Frederick II to make sure that the pilgrim road passed here and how he commissioned the imposing tower that, to this day, is the symbol of this town. I will then tell you how Napoleon Buonaparte came here at least twice to meet some relatives and how his elderly relative was fundamental in his spectacular rise to power. In the middle chapters we will explore the imposing palace that follows the ancient walls and delve into the many inscriptions on its facade. Then we will take a look at the mysterious cathedral, whose ceramic basins replicate the shape of the two constellations that were supposed to bring good luck to the town and the marble rectangle that was a sign of the presence of the powerful Templar Knights. We will continue our tour of this town by looking at the ancient crucifix that, according to legend, was able to protect people from floods and the clever roads behind the walls, which were built in order to unleash a veritable firestorm on any assailant.

In the final chapter I will walk you through a little museum dedicated to the suffering endured by Tuscans in the Second World War, give you some pointers on the famous festival dedicated to white truffles to top it off with our mandatory travel tips on the best places where you can taste great food without breaking the bank. This time they're rather weird, as we go from a farmer's market to the backroom of a butcher shop to a small shop that hides an amazing wealth of taste. Word to the wise: don't leave San Miniato without trying their truffles crisps, they're absolutely addictive. This might not be a town as famous as Florence or Siena but if you come here you will discover that it has so many incredible things to see and do. Next time you plan a trip to Tuscany, think about coming to San Miniato. You definitely won't regret it.
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.discoversanminiato.it/storia/la-torre-di-federico-ii-a-san-miniato/
https://www.discoversanminiato.it/cosa-vedere/
https://limes.cfs.unipi.it/sanminiatopalazzoseminario/
https://bonespirit.provincia.lucca.it/it/divulgativa/563/i-buonaparte-a-san-miniato.html
https://viaggichemangi.com/food-and-wine/dove-mangiare/dove-mangiare-san-miniato/

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)
Romos - Helios
Profound Beats - Lo-fi
Catmosphere - Candy-Coloured Sky
WUFO - Hyde Park
Wayne John Bradley - Waiting
Pipe Choir - Ignite to Light (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/argofox/romos-helios
https://soundcloud.com/profoundbeats/profound-beats-lo-fi-free-download
https://soundcloud.com/argofox/catmosphere-candy-coloured-sky
https://soundcloud.com/argofox/wufo-hyde-park
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/waiting-original-uplifting-indie-pop-style-instrumentalcreative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-ignite-to-light-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/

Now that the weather has decidedly turned for the worst, even the most obstinate summer lover has got to admit that autumn is upon us. This is a weird time in Tuscany, where almost everyone adores the sun and the beach. While we long to complain again for the excessive heat, nature offers us a lot of seasonal treats to get ready for the cold and dark evening of the year. Back in the day, when poverty reigned over vast tracts of this land, people were eager to exploit one of nature's best treats that were sitting on trees: the lovely chestnuts. As regular flour was expensive, people in the mountains learned how to turn them into flour and use them in many recipes. One of them was so successful that, at least for us Tuscans, has become inextricably linked with this time of the year. It's a simple cake, not too sweet and was so cheap that everyone could afford it. Now things are quite different but this amazing treat is still very popular around here and it comes in many different versions, enough to be one of Tuscany's most popular sweets. That's why this week, What's Up Tuscany will tell you everything there is to know about the amazing castagnaccio, the most genuine taste of a Tuscan fall.

If you listen to the full episode, you will learn about its curious history, how the recipe evolved with time, becoming more and more refined as it gained traction in the North of Italy and how it was almost forgotten during the economic boom of the 1950s. Now chestnuts have come back with a vengeance and people everywhere are rediscovering traditional recipes that use them. Chestnut flour sweets are almost ubiquitous in Tuscany but, if you look at Garfagnana and Lunigiana, they have gone above and beyond. Their "necci" are so good that they rival the famous Sicilian cannoli, with their incredible ricotta filling. In the last two chapters of the episode I will give you two options. If you haven't planned to come visit us in this period, I'll give you a step-by-step recipe that will allow you to bake an excellent castagnaccio to enjoy by the fireplace during the long winter evenings. If you're around here or plan to come to Tuscany before March, I'll give you a list of six places around our region where you will be able to find an amazing castagnaccio. Whatever your choice, this simple cake is really incredible. For us Tuscans it's almost impossible to think about autumn without craving a slice of this great cake. If you taste it just once, I'm sure you will agree.
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it
Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castagnaccio
https://www.ciaotoscana.it/cucina-toscana/castagnaccio-la-ricetta-originale-toscana/
https://www.visittuscany.com/it/ricette/La-Torta-di-Neccio-o-Castagnaccio-di-Stazzema/
https://www.lacucinaitaliana.it/gallery/castagnaccio-toscana-dove-mangiarlo-buono/
https://www.discovertuscany.com/it/mangiare-e-bere-in-toscana/le-castagne-in-toscana.html

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Summercycle (Instrumental)
Erio - Monolith
Cityfires - Blood Problems (Instrumental)
Incompetech - Leopard Print Elevator
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/summercycle-original-indie-style-instrumental-creative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/argofox/erio-monolith
https://soundcloud.com/ljayofficial/blood-problems-instrumentalby-cityfires
https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/