laurelh

We are on our way to Italy (Rome, Venice, Tuscany)next week and thanks to the Fodorites who've helped me! I am bursting with excitement. However my research doesn't seem complete. How do you find out the "little things" that can make a vacation so memorable like small town festivals, church events, local music, market days...

cmeyer54

Go to the local Tourist Info office in each town - they will have plenty of information and ideas. All are easily identified with a "TI" logo...I think its in a circle.

Steve_James

Hi Laurelh - You might find the following links useful for events, concerts etc:

ROME
www.romaturismo.it
http://www.romeguide.it/index1.php


TUSCANY
www.festivals-of-tuscany.com
http://www.discovertuscany.com/practical-information/
http://www.initaly.com/travel/info/tboards.htm
www.theitalyinsider.blogspot.com


VENICE
www.aguestinvenice.com

Hope this helps ...

Steve

StuDudley

Don't expect too much out of the markets in Tuscany. The market in Florence is OK, and the one in Siena is huge - but mostly clothes (shoes, jackets). We saw only one food vendor when we were there - selling pork sandwiches - that's pork & tasteless (no salt) Tuscany bread - no mayo, mustard, or anything else. The market in Montalcino is OK - but if you've visited a market in France (particularily Provence) you'de probably give the Montalcino market a C-.

Festivals were lots of fun.

Stu Dudley

jnjfraz

I love the markets in Tuscany. Some are very small other larger.
This is a great site for entertainment all over the world
http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm

Here is the list of markets close to where we stay.

The weekly markets are great fun to shop and watch the people. Open from 8am to noon
Monday and Friday: Lucca (also a antique market the 3rd weekend of the month.)

Tuesday: Poggibonsi Wednesday: Siena (Huge)

Thursday: Montevarchi (Antique Market 4 Sunday of each month) or Montepulciano - Orvieto

Friday – Montalcino or Pienza

Saturday: Greve (One of our favorites)

mvor

<b>Laurelh</b>, thanks -- we leave for Venice/Tuscany/Rome tomorrow so this info is helpful. Have a great time on your trip!

<b>Steve</b>, thanks for the Venice link, I found a great Giuseppe Santomaso exhibit that I'm looking forward to seeing:

http://www.cini.it/en/event/detail/1...ent/detail/1/3

mvor

<b>Laurelh</b>, thanks -- we leave for Venice/Tuscany/Rome tomorrow so this info is helpful. Have a great time on your trip!

<b>Steve</b>, thanks for the Venice link, I found a great Giuseppe Santomaso exhibit that I'm looking forward to seeing:

http://www.cini.it/en/event/detail/1/3

laurelh

Thanks Meyer, Steve, Stu and jnjfraz - you've been a great help.

Mvor - maybe we'll see you there - we leave on Sunday for Venice Tuscany and Rome!
- cheers!