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At a glance
Take the waters... at Bagni di Lucca in the Garfagnana and follow in the footsteps of European literati, including Shelley, Flaubert and Victor Hugo " at chic Montecatini Terme which is where contemporary sophisticates head for, enticed by a holiday of light-hearted relaxation, gossip and serious shopping Visit... the atmospheric Garfagnana where ruins of medieval ramparts and bastions can be seen in the spectacular hilltop town of Barga and abandoned churches adorn many a wooded peak " charming Lucca with its monthly antique market, quaint shops, fabled extra virgin olive oil and restaurants all tucked away into its picturesque narrow streets " the Mugello, which, with around a thousand ancient churches, has possibly the highest concentration of Romanesque churches in Italy- San Lorenzo and San Giovanni Maggiore in Borgo San Lorenzo are two of the finest " the Medici country residences; the fortified Castello di Trebbio and the castellated Villa Cafaggiolo, preferred estate of Cosimo il Vecchio & Lorenzo il Magnifico " the Medici fortress which broods high above delightful San Pietro a Sieve " enchanting Scarperia, on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Sieve Valley, a medieval town fortified by Florence " the exquisite porticoed monastery church of Bosco ai Frati Enjoy the music of Giacomo Puccini.... in an outdoor festival in Torre del Lago by Lake Massaciuccoli where he lived and composed. Festivals... Florence Iris Garden, open to the public " Palio dei Micci near Lido di Camaiore in May, a Medieval procession with bustles, corsets and ruffles aplenty " Medieval Festival in San Gimignano in June, with locally produced wine and olive oil plus a tournament featuring locals dressed as knights " Feast of San Ranieri in Pisa in June, when locals line the banks of the River Arno with flaming torches to honour their patron saint " Feast of San Giovanni in Florence in June, featuring fireworks and a Medieval-style football game " The Palio in Siena in July and August, a wacky horse race in authentic Medieval costume " Puccini Music Festival in Torre del Lago near Viareggio in July, in an open-air theatre just a stones throw from the Villa Puccini where the great man once lived " Bravio delle Botti in Montepulciano in August, with more than 200 costumed locals taking part in a barrel-pushing race.
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