What's Up Tuscany English

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: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS 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 MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Walking the WallPipe Choir - Fortress (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - A dark Blue Arc (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Trampled (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-walking-the-wall-creative-commons-musichttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-fortress-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-a-dark-blue-arc-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-trampled-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://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: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCEShttps://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 MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Pick You UpEzaOne - SupernovaWUFO - Hyde ParkIncompetech - Leopard Print ElevatorWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/pick-you-up-slow-poprock-style-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/ezaone-supernovahttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/wufo-hyde-parkhttps://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://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: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.tuscanypeople.com/buonconvento-di-nome-e-di-fatto/https://www.finestresullarte.info/viaggi/buonconvento-luogo-felice-crete-senesihttps://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.itinfo@visionedelmondo.it / +39 0577 48003BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Incompetech - Leopard Print ElevatorWayne John Bradley - Pick You UpMike Chino - Calm and HarmonyWUFO - Hyde ParkPipe Choir - Gemini (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/pick-you-up-slow-poprock-style-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/mike-chino-calm-and-harmonyhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/wufo-hyde-parkhttps://freemusicarchive.org/music/Pipe_Choir/SGONS_Instrumentals/Pipe_Gemini_Instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://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 museumIn 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: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://associazionepontevecchio.it/storia-del-ponte-vecchio/https://www.firenzetoday.it/social/ponte-vecchio-storia-orafi.htmlhttps://turistipercaso.it/diari-di-viaggio/e-alla-fine-ne-restera-solo-uno-ponte-vecchio.htmlhttps://www.055firenze.it/art/220107/Firenze-prorogato-fino-al-2026-il-Regolamento-Unesco-per-la-tutela-del-centro-storicohttps://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/firenze/notizie/vivitoscana/15_gennaio_25/ponte-vecchio-cena-mozzafiato-terrazzino-dell-orafo-ae46890c-a4b8-11e4-8530-6130dfbb15a2.shtmlBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Inova - SeamonsterAlmightyZero - AetherialTavs - ControlIncompetech - Leopard Print ElevatorMountswift - AmethystPipe Choir - Almost Time (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/inova-seamonsterhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/almightyzero-aetherialhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/tavs-controlhttps://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077https://soundcloud.com/argofox/mountswift-amethysthttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://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: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castagnacciohttps://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.htmlBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Summercycle (Instrumental)Erio - MonolithCityfires - Blood Problems (Instrumental)Incompetech - Leopard Print ElevatorWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/summercycle-original-indie-style-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/erio-monolithhttps://soundcloud.com/ljayofficial/blood-problems-instrumentalby-cityfireshttps://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

One of the things that puzzles the most my foreign friends is how, sometimes, people in Tuscany are completely unaware of stuff that just lies a few miles from where they live. This can be explained with two simple facts: nothing in Tuscany ever changes and, sometimes, places that look quite close on a map are actually much harder to reach than they look. More than 25 years ago, for example, I landed somehow in a thoroughly unremarkable village around 20 km from my hometown. It was just another hamlet where a few hundred people lived and completely uninteresting, just another place left behind by the tides of time. Recently a friend of mine told me that this place in the middle of nowhere has been completely transformed in a few years and is now a veritable internet sensation. This left me quite startled, as things like this are exceedingly rare around here, enough to let me research a bit what happened there. The story I found was so interesting that I had to drop the episode I had planned for this week and venture into this veritable rabbit hole. The transformation happened in just a few years, thanks to the money obtained by a controversial landfill and was part of the work of some well-known modern artists that have used the village as the canvas for their artistic vision. That's why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Ghizzano, the small but incredibly colourful village that is the favourite of Instagram aficionados in Tuscany.If you listen to the whole episode, you will learn about the ancient history of this hamlet, how it was forgotten by time until the money obtained by the Peccioli municipality from a very controversial landfill allowed the mayor to entice some foreign artists to the village and transform it into an open air museum. The most famous work, that of British artist David Tremlett, has turned a normal road into a festival of colours, a project that should represent the contrast between the natural and urban dimensions of this land. There are several other high-concept sculptures that dot this tiny village: while I'm no fan of modern art, this has firmly put Ghizzano on the map, with tourists and art aficionados that come to visit this open air museum. The Venerosi family, which still owns most of the land in Ghizzano, has turned an ancient orchard into an innovative garden where art and nature go hand in hand, a place where they organise art exhibitions, musical happenings or other art events. They applied the same logic to their estate, which is now a modern farm where they produce wine and olive oil with innovative techniques. While the villa they rent looks a bit too expensive for regular tourists, their approach to wine is quite up to date, with a newsletter to popularise their idea of winemaking and a wine club where they try to create a community of wine lovers from all over the world.In the last chapter I will also tell you about the fascinating walks you can do in this little-known part of Tuscany and the festivals dedicated to olive oil that are organised in this little village both in February and May. While you don't have a plethora of choices when it comes to eating, the only restaurant in town is quite interesting. It has a stunning view and offers dishes that are produced exclusively with what is grown locally, staying faithful to traditional Tuscan cooking. If you're lucky you can also take part in the many art events that the owners organise, turning a meal into a unique experience. A few miles away there is a veritable local institution, a restaurant that is the favourite of locals when they want to eat great traditional dishes in huge portions without breaking the bank. It is definitely not the most modern or fancy restaurant but offers a lot of bang for your buck. This is also valid for Ghizzano and Valdera in general: you won't find it on the front page of any glossy magazine but, if you give it a chance, it will steal your heart.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.tenutadighizzano.com/it/https://www.daicollifiorentini.it/visitare-la-toscana-ghizzano-legoli-peccioli-larte-non-e-mai-troppohttps://www.intoscana.it/it/articolo/il-borgo-colorato-alle-porte-di-peccioli-dove-larte-contemporanea-e-di-casa/https://www.ricordinvaligia.it/2022/01/25/visita-a-ghizzano-di-peccioli/https://www.terredipisa.it/attrazione/ghizzano-peccioli/https://www.artribune.com/arti-visive/arte-contemporanea/2019/06/peccioli-piccola-capitale-italiana-dellarte-contemporanea-opere-di-tuttofuoco-kwade-e-tremlett/https://www.terredipisa.it/events/giardino-sonoro-di-ghizzano-peccioli/https://www.terredipisa.it/events/sagra-dellolio-novo-peccioli/https://it.wikiloc.com/percorsi-escursionismo/trekking-anello-di-ghizzano-peccioli-pi-88582504https://www.tripadvisor.it/Restaurant_Review-g1934166-d26656269-Reviews-The_View-Ghizzano_Peccioli_Province_of_Pisa_Tuscany.htmlhttps://restaurantguru.it/Da-Pasquino-La-SterzaBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - A dark blue arc (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Almost time (Instrumental)Aerocity - Love LostIncompetech - Leopard Print ElevatorPipe Choir - Trampled (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-a-dark-blue-arc-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/aerocity-love-losthttps://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-trampled-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

I've been telling y'all from day one that this homeland of mine is incredibly varied and that there are many places that look nothing like the postcard image that so many people have in their head when they think about Tuscany. And, yet, some of these areas positively look alien, like literally out of this world. A few miles from the town where my father was born, the vistas you could see were so strange that people could only think about Hell. Up until a few decades ago, a trip on these roads would mean looking at boiling lakes, powerful bursts of stinking steam and an unmistakeable smell of rotten eggs. It took a French engineer and a Tuscan prince to figure out that you could use the power of the earth to extract precious minerals and, later, produce a lot of electricity. That valley that looked so blighted and cursed now produces almost a third of all the electricity needed by Tuscany without any pollution. The story of how this harsh land and its hardy people learned how to thrive in such a weird environment is quite fascinating. That's why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you back to my father's land, the Val di Cecina, to tell you everything there is to know about the largest geothermal plant on the planet and the many quirky things of this remarkable valley.If you listen to the full episode, you will learn how it took a geological oddity to create the steaming hot water lakes and the noisy geysers that used to terrify people and make them think that the entrance to Hell was around here. Then I will tell you the tale of the clever engineers that learned how to exploit this power to extract valuable materials and, later, produce a lot of clean energy. The latest technological developments allowed more than 10000 houses and small businesses to get cheap heating and hot water cutting drastically their CO2 emissions. If you're interested you can visit the small museum in Larderello and see how these remarkable plants actually work. Now the Devil's Valley has been tamed, with every pound of steam used to produce electricity but if you go around Larderello you can still find some places where you can have an idea of how this valley used to look back in the day. Etruscans and Romans used to love coming here to have hot baths and in Sasso Pisano you can still access for free these hot springs. They've been recently renovated and are a lot less crowded than Saturnia: here you can actually relax and enjoy the surrounding nature, rather than fighting with 10000 tourists.The village itself is quite interesting, even if it was built just to house the workers of the power plant but if you want something more, just head to Pomarance. This mediaeval town hides a couple of little quirky museums, a living house where everything seems frozen in time at the end of the 19th century and an old palace where you can find ancient weapons and tools that were dug in the countryside. In the final chapter, then, I will point you to a couple excellent restaurants where you can have a great meal without breaking the bank. One of this places looks like it's stuck in the 1970s and is run by volunteers but if you go there you'll get a feel of genuine Tuscan cuisine and save a lot of money. This land looks nothing like Tuscany and is not easy to understand. Its people have that pride that comes out of surviving in a very harsh place but, if you get to know them a bit, you'll understand why they always try to come back. Even if my father was born here, I've always felt a bit of a foreigner but it's a great place to visit. You can't find anything similar anywhere else in Europe. If you give it a chance, you'll fall in love with this place.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://siviaggia.it/idee-di-viaggio/larderello-cosa-vedere-paese-dei-soffioni/249265/https://www.viaggimust.it/larderello-cosa-vedere-e-fare-nella-citta-dei-soffioni/https://www.visittuscany.com/it/attrazioni/il-museo-della-geotermia-di-larderello/https://www.visittuscany.com/it/attrazioni/casa-bicocchi-e-mostra-guerrieri-e-artigiani-a-pomarance/https://www.lanazione.it/cronaca/geotermia-riaperto-al-pubblico-il-museo-di-larderello-njwyjhi5https://patatofriendly.com/il-museo-della-geotermia-a-larderello/BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - A Midnight on Jaquay (Instrumental)Aerocity - Love LostPipe Choir - FollowersAlmightyZero - AetherialJinxspr0 - Generation BounceWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-a-midnight-on-jaquay-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/aerocity-love-losthttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-followers-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/almightyzero-aetherialhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/jinxspr0-generation-bouncehttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

In the 2 1/2 years we've spent telling you the stories of this incredible land, we've hardly ever talked about the river that made it what it is. That's not a coincidence as with rising urbanisation and pollution, Tuscans have lost the primal connection to our mother river. While nowadays people only think about the Arno when it becomes dangerously high, things weren't always like this. Up until not many years ago, when people had less disposable income and travelling was much harder, people of the interior spent their summers by the river. The relationship of Florence with its river was much more complex and is now only recovering after the devastating 1966 flood and several decades of neglect. This is why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you by the river to tell you everything there is to know about how Florentines loved their river very deeply.If you listen to the full episode I'll talk about how, from the 1700s, many establishments sprung up on the banks of the Arno. You had a bit of everything: posh places where you had barbers and hairdressers on call and more rowdy spots where furious gossiping often degenerated in wild brawls. The youngsters used the river to prove their prowess, in races that sometimes became quite dangerous. The problem became so serious that the Chamber of Commerce offered a substantial reward for every life saved, only to back down when people started faking drownings. The relationship with the Arno was so deep that, until the 1960s, the famous Rari Nantes waterpolo team used to train and play their games on the river. In the final chapter, I will tell you how Tuscans are rediscovering the Arno, pointing you to several interesting river mini-cruises and even what they call the "Florentine Gondola". There are also trips you can take all along the course of the river, from Pisa to my hometown of Pontedera. Next time you come visit us, why don't you get to know the Arno a bit better. It's got a nasty temper, but it's still a very fascinating river.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.conoscifirenze.it/come-vivevamo-a-firenze/126-Bagni-in-Arno-uno-stile-di-vita..htmlhttp://www.archivi.toscana.it/visti-da-vicino/percorsi/una-citta-e-il-suo-fiume-firenze-e-la-vita-lungo-larno/divertirsi-in-arno-i-bagnihttps://ilpopolopisano.it/1595-bagno-in-arno?amp=1https://www.trattoriazaza.it/larno-non-solo-dargento/https://www.larno.it/2022/03/21/quando-larno-era-una-grande-e-bella-piscina-e-un-campo-da-gioco/https://www.turismo.pisa.it/place/le-piagge-e-san-michele-degli-scalzihttps://www.quinewsfirenze.it/amp/firenze-nel-1950-i-fiorentini-nuotavano-in-arno.htmhttps://www.firenzetoday.it/eventi/battello-crociera-arno-gita-costo-come-fare.htmlhttps://townsofitaly.com/it/firenze-toscana/crociera-imbarcazione-tipica-fiume-arnoBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Aerocity - Love LostWayne John Bradley - SummercycleProfound Beats - Lo-fiEzaOne - SupernovaWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/aerocity-love-losthttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/summercycle-original-indie-style-instrumental-creative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/profoundbeats/profound-beats-lo-fi-free-downloadhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/ezaone-supernovahttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

Early September is a weird time of the year: summer isn't technically over but the weather is sometimes rubbish and the feeling of sliding towards winter is overwhelming. Luckily there is a way out of the late summer blues: using your weekends to explore this crazy land of ours, especially the least known parts. Take, for example, the Valdarno Superiore, the first part of the Arno valley: while it's nowhere near as popular as the big cities, there are plenty of places with a long history and fascinating festivals. Few are as curious as the one that takes place on the first weekend of September in a big town between Arezzo and Florence. There are Mediaeval costumes, music, food and ceremonies but people in town are actually more attached to a silly little game that, according to locals, has been played since forever. What makes it strange is that it looks a lot like a strange mixture between wrestling and a very popular sport. That's why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Montevarchi to tell you everything there is to know about the Gioco del Pozzo, the game that might have been the father of basketball.If you listen to the full episode, I'll tell you everything about this festival, how it was born many centuries ago from the generosity of a bloodthirsty count and how this crazy game has been resurrected back in the late 1980s to make this festival more popular with youngsters. Later we will delve into the many oddities of these celebrations, how they are at the same time very real and absolutely fake and so on. Then I'll tell you how this little known town has got a lot of interesting stuff to see, from a couple little museums to a 1920s villa just outside town where a famous film was shot. In the next chapter we will go through some of the local delicacies that you absolutely cannot miss if you happen to be there and, finally, two excellent restaurants where you will be able to taste great food without having to remortgage your house. If you're in Tuscany this weekend, make sure you pop in to Montevarchi: that silly little game is at the same time very violent and quite addictive. You've been warned.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.lanazione.it/arezzo/cronaca/montevarchi-finanziamento-regionale-per-il-gioco-del-pozzo-e-la-rievocazione-storica-s9jay29whttps://www.visitarezzo.com/it/rievocazioni-storiche/il-gioco-del-pozzo-di-montevarchi-arezzohttps://www.visittuscany.com/it/eventi/il-gioco-del-pozzo/https://valdarnopost.it/edizioni-locali/gioco-del-pozzo-la-storia-dietro-la-tradizione-che-unisce-i-montevarchini/https://www.visitvaldarno.com/eventi-folklore-e-tradizioni/#pozzoBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)The Passion HiFi - BuriedPipe Choir - Rocking Back and ForthCityfires - Blood Problems (Instrumental)Audionautix - Standard Jazz BarsZentra - SiegeWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/freehiphopbeatsforyou/free-the-passion-hifi-buriedhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choirrocking-back-and-forth-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/cityfires/blood-problems-instrumentalhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntLBQvEKdcEhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/zentra-siegehttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

With Ferragosto finally behind us, most Italians feel like the summer is actually over. It's a relic of the past, when everybody was on vacation for the whole month of August and the 15th was hump day, when you start to think about work, school and the usual routine. That's rubbish, as this is actually some of the best time of the year for a beach break. There is a place on the Tuscan coast, south of Leghorn, where everything seems perfect: the beach is long, astoundingly white, the sea is turquoise blue, you don't even need to pay to access. As most other things in life, when something is too good to be true, there is a catch. In this case it's a pretty big one and it comes with a lot of controversy. You see, the impossibly white beach that has earned this place the nickname of Tuscany's Caribbean is not natural, but the result of more than a century of pollution from the nearby chemical plant. Despite this, people love this white beach, enough to go there in droves all year round. This place is at the same time fascinating and a bit scary, which explains why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Spiagge Bianche, the 4 km long white beach between Rosignano Marittimo and Vada to see what the fuss is all about.If you listen to the full episode you will learn why this place was chosen by two Belgian brothers to open one of Italy's biggest plants, why people say that the white sands makes it easier to get a tan and what was the impact of the pollution on this area. Despite everything, it's still possible to have a bath almost everywhere, as the concentration of pollutants is actually quite low. If you go there only once, you will be fine even if the UN environmental agency considers this stretch of coast one of the worst of the entire Mediterranean. In the last part of the episode I will give you a bunch of practical advice for turning your trip to Spiagge Bianche into a memorable day, where to stay if you want to explore the area, a great resort with a fantastic spa, one of Tuscany's most beloved fun parks that will entertain your children and a bunch of other things to do in this area. Again, it's a bit of a novelty, you might want to come here to see the whitest beach ever only to realise that this part of Tuscany has a lot to offer. Just don't stay too long on that beach. They say it's fine but, if I were you, I'd snap some pictures and move on. Better safe than sorry.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://www.viaggi-estate.com/toscana/spiagge-bianche-rosignano/https://siviaggia.it/viaggi/spiagge-bianche-rosignano-paradisi-toscani-inquietante-segreto/282670/https://www.viagginews.com/2021/05/11/spiaggia-bianca-italia-caraibi/https://www.repubblica.it/green-and-blue/2022/03/26/news/solvay_spiagge_bianche_rosignano_inquinamento-342829196/https://www.domaniandiamoa.com/2021/06/i-caraibi-toscani-domani-andiamo.htmlBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Audionautix - SoulstonePipe Choir - The Opening Closing (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - Rocking Back and ForthWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyyMXafoL-Ahttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choirrocking-back-and-forth-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

There are some places in our incredibly varied region that sometimes leave even us locals a bit baffled. Take, for example, a charming little village not far from Siena. It's sure nice, surrounded by lush nature and has a rich history but you would never guess what's the party trick it has up its metaphorical sleeve. You see, after realising that most people came to visit because of the curative properties of their thermal spring, they just decided to build the entire village around it. Befuddingly enough, instead of a regular square, the cornerstone upon which the place has been built is a massive pool filled with hot, sulphuric water rising from the bowels of the earth. The place is at the same time extraordinary and not very well known, which is why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Bagno Vignoni, the town of water and steam, one of Tuscany's best kept secrets.If you listen to the full episode you will learn how, after being quite popular since the time of Rome, in the 14th century it became one of the favourite vacation spots of the rich and powerful. Both the greatest ruler of this land, Lorenzo the Magnificent and one of Tuscany's most beloved saints spent most of their summers here, together with future Popes and generals. I will also tell you about the other weird source of wealth that made this village special, four water mills that used thermal waters to run and therefore were active all the time, even when the rivers went dry. In the final chapter I will let you know about an interesting hike in the Val d'Orcia, the best places where to enjoy the benefits of the waters and where you can have a great meal in this charming town. It might not be as famous as other places but this valley has got so much to offer. Beware, though: people tell me that if you stay here too long you might never want to leave. You've been warned.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)http://www.sienaonline.it/bagno_vignoni_acque_termali.htmlhttps://www.10cose.it/bagno-vignoni/borgo-bagno-vignoni-sienahttps://www.siena-agriturismo.it/bagnovignoniterme.htmhttps://www.voloscontato.it/ristoranti/bagno-vignoni-dove-mangiare-bene-spendendo-poco.phpBACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)Elitro - MidnightZentra - SiegeAudionautix - SoulstonePipe Choir - The Opening Closing (Instrumental)Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/elitro-midnighthttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/zentra-siegehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyyMXafoL-Ahttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/

When July comes to an end, something stirs the soul of every Italian, the ancestral memory of the summers of old, when August was the month when the entire country shut down for the mandatory vacations. While it was unnerving to see big cities turn into veritable ghost towns, Italians were quite happy to migrate to their favourite resorts, either in the mountains or by the sea. My family never had their own favourite spot, which allowed us to know many towns all over Tuscany but when I think about the sea, I always remember that little town not far from here that was our go-to place for a day trip. The incredible thing is that this charming little resort, up until 90 years ago, was nothing but a swamp. To turn this disease-ridden hellhole into a model seaside resort it would take two very powerful politicians and the desire to impress of a controversial regime. That's why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you back to Tirrenia to tell you the amazing tale of the tailor-made seaside resort that sprung up from nothing in a few short years.If you listen to the entire episode you will learn how this was just one of the many new towns created by the Fascist regime to showcase their vision for a new Italy, modern, efficient, designed using the most advanced architecture in the world. Tirrenia didn't follow closely the diktats of the regime, which was a blessing, as the town is still quite pretty even today. We have told you the story of the Hollywood on the Arno a year ago but, even without the pull of the movie stars of the time, people didn't line up to buy the expensive villas built between Pisa and Leghorn. That's why the two powerful politicians behind the plan decided to use the less valuable plots of land to house many working class children so that they could have some time in the sun. The "colonie" are still around, with their modernist architecture that was lauded back in the 1930s but people hate that they're so linked to the hated regime. I will tell you why these establishment played an important role in Italian history and how many of them are still operational today, either in their original form or as quirky hotels. In the last chapter, I will show you around, providing you with plenty of practical advice from a local, from the best "bagno" in town to the place where you can get an unforgettable gelato. To me it will always be special, as it's the closest way to go to the sea but it's still very worth a trip next time you come to Tuscany. It might not be the perfect seaside resort as they thought back in the day but it's still a very pleasant place where to get some r&r.Email: podcast@larno.itFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.itTwitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscanyLINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)https://pastapizzascones.com/guida-colonie-marine-tirrenia-calambrone/https://www.corriere.it/cronache/cards/littoria-mussolinia-tirrenia-citta-immaginate-fascismo/latina-bonifica-dell-agro-pontino_principale.shtmlhttps://tirrenia.weebly.com/storia.htmlhttps://tuscanyplanet.com/tirrenia/BACKGROUND MUSICPipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)The Passion HiFi - Buried (Instrumental)Pipe Choir - The Opening Closing (Instrumental)Elitro - MidnightA Himitsu - Isolated MindAudionautix - SoulstoneWayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original InstrumentalAll released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licensehttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumentalhttps://soundcloud.com/freehiphopbeatsforyou/free-the-passion-hifi-buriedhttps://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commonshttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/elitro-midnighthttps://soundcloud.com/argofox/a-himitsu-isolated-mindhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyyMXafoL-Ahttps://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commonshttp://www.pipechoir.com/