Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
AVERAGE MONTHLY RAINFALL
M
M
120
Rainfall Chart
Autumn is the wettest
time in Tuscany, with
heavy downpours
which can last for
days, especially late in
the season. Late
summer storms often
bring relief from the
intense heat. Winter
and spring usually
have fairly low
rainfall.
In
c
hes
4
90
3
60
2
30
1
0
0
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
AUTUMN
Autumn is the season of the
vendemmia
, the grape
harvest. Visitors should watch
for public notices of the many
sagre
, or festivals, that take
place throughout the region.
These are family-oriented
events which typically feature
a single local speciality which
is in season, such as
funghi
porcini
(porcini mushrooms).
The first frosts will occur any
time from the end of October,
and at this point the great
tracts of woodland all over
Tuscany begin to turn brilliant
shades of red and gold.
Autumn in the Val d'Orcia, in southern Tuscany
OCTOBER
Florence. Children from all
over the city carry candle-lit
paper lanterns to honour the
eve of the birth of the Virgin.
Palio della Balestra
or
Crossbow Festival
(second
Sunday)
, Sansepolcro
(see
pp196-7)
. Costume parades
and flag throwing accompany
a crossbow competition
between Sansepolcro and the
Umbrian town of Gubbio.
Luminara di Santa Croce
(13 September)
, Lucca
(see
pp178-9)
. The city's famous
relic, the
Volto Santo
, a
wooden statue of Christ, is
paraded around by torchlight.
Rassegna del Chianti Classico
(second week)
, Greve in
Chianti. The biggest Tuscan
celebration of local wines.
Mostra Mercato Interna-
zionale dell'Antiquariato
(Sep-Oct, in odd-numbered
years)
, Florence. A major
biennial antiques fair.
Amici della Musica
(Oct-Apr)
,
Florence. The “Friends of
Music” concert season begins.
Sagra del Tordo
or Festival of
the Thrush
(last Sunday)
,
Montalcino
(see p39)
.
Grape-picking by hand in a
Chianti vineyard
SEPTEMBER
Giostra del Saraceno
or the
Joust of the Saracen
(first
Sunday)
, Arezzo
(see p39)
.
Festa della Rificolona
(7 September)
, Piazza della
Santissima Annunziata,
Participant in the Joust of the
Saracen festival in Arezzo
