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Explore every episode of the podcast What's Up Tuscany English
Dive into the complete episode list for What's Up Tuscany English. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The peposo and why Tuscany loves meat - Ep. 165 | 26 Jan 2024 | 00:15:31 | |
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: podcast@larno.it 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/ | |||
| Pitigliano, Tuscany’s Little Jerusalem - Ep. 164 | 12 Jan 2024 | 00:18:41 | |
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.it 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/ | |||
| Lucignano and its amazing golden tree - Ep. 155 | 20 Oct 2023 | 00:20:23 | |
From the first day of this podcast we've been hellbent on demonstrating that even the more mundane corners of this land hide incredible things. Some of you might have rolled your eyes, thinking this is just another attempt to bring back Tuscany to its golden age but this land is really special. Even if you're a seasoned traveller, expert in the art of avoiding the usual tourist traps, chances are you'll miss some of the outstanding beauties of our region. Look at Valdichiana, for example: while people gravitate naturally towards Cortona or Pienza, not many give more than a passing look to an ancient castle not far from the A1 highway. The town is quite small and looks like it's frozen in the Middle Ages but this is hardly special in this neck of the woods. And yet it's here, tucked away in a small museum, that you can find one of this land's best kept secrets. This castle that was fought over centuries between the powers of Central Italy was rich enough to commission one of the most unbelievable pieces of jewellery you have ever seen. That's why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to the charming town of Lucignano to tell you everything there is to know about its amazing Golden Tree, a huge reliquary that has got to be seen to be believed. If you listen to the full episode you will learn about how it took 120 years and the death of a wealthy lady to finish it and how its outrageous value made it a magnet for thieves since the 1400s. People in Lucignano loved it so much because that exchanging marriage vows in front of it brought good fortune to the newlyweds but in 1914 a band of thieves actually managed to break down and steal the art treasure. It took years before most pieces were recovered and the Tree rebuilt but a few days ago a bunch of other ornaments were discovered, bringing it back to the original glory. I'll walk you through the charming alleys of this weird castle, explain a curious plaque placed on top of an escalade and tell you several quirky stories about this place. In the final chapter, then, I'll walk you through some festivals held in Lucignano throughout the year, from the explosion of colour of the Maggiolata to the nostalgic Christmas festival that brings back the Tuscany of old. Last but not least, a couple of charming hotels able to turn a weekend break into a real event and two really good restaurants where you can treat your taste buds without breaking the bank. This might not be the most popular part of Tuscany but if you come to Valdichiana you'll fall in love with it. That's a promise. Email: podcast@larno.it Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://viaggichemangi.com/italia/toscana/lucignano-cosa-vedere/ https://www.museodilucignano.it/il-museo/albero-d-oro/ https://www.intoscana.it/it/articolo/lalbero-doro-di-lucignano-stupisce-ancora-ritrovate-parti-trafugate-un-secolo-fa-al-via-il-restauro/ https://www.viaggiatricecuriosa.it/2020/11/11/lalbero-doro-di-lucignano/ https://www.tripadvisor.it/Restaurant_Review-g887269-d8594152-Reviews-Osteria_le_Botti-Lucignano_Province_of_Arezzo_Tuscany.html https://www.tripadvisor.it/Restaurant_Review-g887269-d2264112-Reviews-Locanda_del_Baraccotto-Lucignano_Province_of_Arezzo_Tuscany.html BACKGROUND MUSIC Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental) Wayne John Bradley - Waiting (Instrumental) Mike Chino - Calm and Harmony EzaOne - Supernova 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://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/waiting-original-uplifting-indie-pop-style-instrumentalcreative-commons https://soundcloud.com/argofox/mike-chino-calm-and-harmony https://soundcloud.com/argofox/ezaone-supernova https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Pipe_Choir/SGONS_Instrumentals/Pipe_Gemini_Instrumental https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons http://www.pipechoir.com/ | |||
| When Tuscany (almost) colonised America - Ep. 65 | 28 Jan 2022 | 00:23:41 | |
Despite Tuscans being completely in love with the past of their homeland, we haven't had the chance to talk about "big history" events, the ones that get into the books and are taught in schools. There is a reason for this: history hasn't been kind to this land. After being the centre of Western civilisation for half a millennia, the tide of history left Tuscany behind. When world trade shifted from the Mediterranean to the oceans, our land became just another backwater territory littered with relics of a glorious past. Things didn't necessarily have to go this way, though. There was a crucial time in our history when Tuscany funded a serious expedition to the Americas and was ready to build their very first colony overseas, on the north coast of Brazil. The expedition was a complete success but when the ships came back to Leghorn, the Grand Duke had died and his son was much more interested in what was going on in Lebanon than across the Atlantic. The story of the only expedition by an Italian state in the Americas is quite fascinating, with plenty of facts that are unknown by many Tuscans as well - myself included until a couple of days ago. What would have happened if Ferdinand I had lived just a few months longer and given the green light to the colony of New Tuscany? Would that have been enough to avoid Tuscany from sliding into irrelevance in just a few decades? Plenty of interesting food for thought in this episode. Let us know what you think about it by sending us a message on our social media accounts. Remember, folks, if you don't speak up, we're flying blind. Any feedback is crucial for the future of this podcast. Thanks in advance. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://www.corrieremarittimo.it/ports/da-livorno-la-spedizione-thornton-tentativo-coloniale-di-ferdinando-i-propeller-club/ https://www.polimathes.com/caffe-lettere/storia-della-spedizione-thornton/ http://falsariga.altervista.org/la-toscana-coloniale-la-spedizione-thornton/ https://www.nove.firenze.it/b402280923-toscana-e-mezzogiorno-spagnolo-nel-diario-dell-emiro-fakhr-ad-din.htm http://www.fmboschetto.it/Utopiaucronia/Darien_Scheme.htm BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Mapping The Stars (Instrumental) Artist: Pipe Choir Source: www.pipechoir.com Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-mapping-the-stars-instrumental License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License #Pipechoir #Mapping The Stars Instrumental #CreativeCommonsRock | |||
| The Tuscan Mardi Gras you don’t expect - Ep. 64 | 21 Jan 2022 | 00:37:40 | |
Not sure if you believe it or not, but this week is supposed to be the most depressing of the entire calendar year. Blue Monday might be just a clever marketing ploy but the whole January Blues is something that is quite real throughout the Northern Hemisphere. What was the solution that our ancestors came up with? Why not choose this time of the year and make it so that it is not only allowed to get silly, a bit rowdy and consume way too much sweets and alcohol? Yes, we're talking about carnival, something that Tuscans take very seriously. While the most famous carnival is the one in Viareggio, where hundreds of thousands of people gather to witness the massive, elaborate, satirical floats that parade on the Passeggiata every year, there are many other carnivals, a bit more quirky, that take place across the region. This week we've decided to tell you the stories of four of those special celebrations of the time before Lent, traditionally reserved to penance and restrain. There are some really unique and very ancient festivals that deserve way more attention than what they get now. Listen this episode and learn how a small town near Arezzo has pulled off an incredible feat: create from nothing a Venetian-style carnival that is neither cringeworthy or just plain awful. Listen to the story of how the workers of a massive steel mill on the coast managed to create a mascot for their carnival and use it as a way to express their grievances without getting arrested by the police. Find out how some clever partygoers used a very noble intention, helping out the poor, as a good excuse to have a massive banquet right before Lent. Plenty of surprises, as always so stick around! If you like what we do, just let us know what you think by dropping us a note on our social media accounts - all feedback greatly appreciated: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) http://www.carnevaledeifiglidibocco.it/ https://www.quinewsarezzo.it/castiglion-fibocchi-la-pademia-ferma-pure-vi-figli-di-bocco-comune-castiglionesi-carnevale.htm https://valdarnopost.it/edizioni-locali/il-carnevale-dei-figli-di-bocco-una-tradizione-storica-di-castiglion-fibocchi-apprezzata-da-tutta-italia/ http://www.carnevaledifoiano.it/ https://www.greenme.it/viaggiare/italia/carnevale-foiano-della-chiana-antico/ https://www.arezzonotizie.it/attualita/annullato-carnevale-foiano-2022.html https://www.facebook.com/carnevaledipiombino2014/ https://www.festedicarnevale.it/carnevale-di-piombino/ http://www.comune.piombino.li.it/moduli/output_immagine.php?id=3674 https://www.quinewsvaldicornia.it/piombino-la-leggenda-di-cicciolo-gordiano-lupi-blog.htm http://news.prolocosangiovannivaldarno.it/festivita/ https://www.quinewsvaldarno.it/san-giovanni-valdarno-uffizio-di-santantonio-le-immagini-e-la-storia.htm https://www.girovagate.com/2010/01/gli-uffizi-di-carnevale-di-san-giovanni.html https://www.arezzonotizie.it/eventi/cultura/festa-salacca-2021-san-giovanni-valdarno.html BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Waiting Artist: Wayne John Bradley License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License Links: https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/waiting-original-uplifting-indie-pop-style-instrumentalcreative-commons | |||
| The winter Palio up the hill - Ep. 63 | 14 Jan 2022 | 00:19:57 | |
We're back in our little studio in the Arno valley after almost three weeks in London, where I finally had the chance to spoil my 18-month-old nephew, which I had only seen once due to the pandemic. This gave me the chance to think about my homeland and to appreciate how many beautiful things and charming traditions can be found literally everywhere. To show that this is no empty bragging, think about the fact that a few miles from my home there is a town that has been organising for centuries a horse race that has nothing to envy to the world-famous Palio in Siena. Rather then in the heat of the summer, the Palio delle Contrade in Buti is held every year in the third Sunday of January. The seven contrade of the small town each have their horses and jockeys run a half-mile in-line course up the hill to claim a silk banner painted by a local artist. There are many traditions and culinary delicacies linked to this historic festival, the first of the year when it comes to traditional horse races. Yet I've never even bothered to show up to see what the fuss was all about. Listen this episode to learn everything there is to know about the winter Palio up the hill and the charming town that hosts it. If you want to let us know what you think about this episode and this podcast in general, drop us a line in our social media accounts. Every feedback is greatly appreciated: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://www.lanazione.it/pontedera/cronaca/palio-buti-1.7185576 https://magazine.dooid.it/destinazioni/toscana/palio-delle-contrade-citta-di-buti-dooid/ https://www.paliodibuti.eu/il-palio/storia/ https://necrologie.iltirreno.gelocal.it/news/24345 https://www.pisatoday.it/cronaca/cavallo-morto-palio-buti-2016-cause.html http://lanazione.campionatodigiornalismo.it/lanazione-archivio-20182019/2019/03/19/il-palio-di-buti-antico-ma-attuale/ https://fondoambiente.it/luoghi/castel-tonini?ldc https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palio_di_Buti BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Followers (Instrumental) Artist: Pipe Choir Source: www.pipechoir.com License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License #Pipechoir #Followers Instrumental #CreativeCommonsRock Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-followers-instrumental | |||
| The perfect Tuscan Christmas Eve dinner - Ep. 62 | 17 Dec 2021 | 00:23:20 | |
Christmas is now around the corner and everyone is getting ready for the most important holiday of the year. In Tuscany, every family has its own recipe for the perfect holiday meal, but can have some problems when it comes to Christmas Eve, when a still popular religious precept imposes to serve no meat. While there are endless variations on the theme, we chose to present you with our very own perfect recipe for a successful and proper traditional Tuscan Christmas Eve dinner. It won't be an easy or light meal, far from it. From starter to dessert, it is still going to impose heavily on your waistline. As there will be plenty of time to think about getting back in shape, why don't you try some of the staples of Christmas in Tuscany, from the humble pasta e ceci to the sformato di cardi, compose the perfect Christmas cheese platter or bake your own versions of the many cakes and cookies that Tuscans adore this time of the year. Get the detailed recipes in the links below and follow us in our guide on how to avoid the many pitfalls of the first culinary ordeal of the long holiday season that will last until January 6th. What do you think of these recipes? Do you have a favourite from your neck of the woods? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://www.chefsilvia.it/ricette-di-natale/item/insalata-di-polpo-e-patate.html https://blog.giallozafferano.it/max3cocco/pasta-e-ceci-alla-toscana/ https://www.elviradolciecucina.it/2019/12/20/crespelle-alla-fiorentina/ https://www.cacciuccopridelivorno.it/il-cacciucco/la-ricetta-del-cacciucco-5c/ https://www.repubblica.it/sapori/2020/11/11/news/stoccafisso_con_le_patate_alla_pisana-273887502/ https://it.julskitchen.com/contorno/sformato-di-cardi https://www.pecorinotoscanodop.it/fuoridalgregge/natale-a-tavola-cinque-consigli-per-un-perfetto-tagliere-dei-formaggi/ https://www.chefsilvia.it/ricette-di-natale/item/panforte-di-siena.html https://www.ricettedellanonna.net/ricciarelli-di-siena/ https://www.ricettedalmondo.it/castagnaccio.html https://turismoinmaremma.wordpress.com/2014/12/28/natale-porto-santo-stefano-pagnottella/ https://www.valcor.it/ricetta/cavallucci-toscani/ https://www.cucchiaio.it/ricetta/torta-ricciolina-del-monte-amiata/ BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Stand Up Artist: Pipe Choir License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License Links: www.pipechoir.com https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-stand-up-creative-commons | |||
| Christmas in Tuscany, 5 weird traditions - Ep. 61 | 10 Dec 2021 | 00:19:12 | |
People around the world go absolutely bananas for Christmas, coming up with all sorts of traditional celebrations for the holiday. The relationship between us Tuscans and Christmas is a bit contentious, so to speak. It's not that we hate the holiday, it's just that it's too cold to properly celebrate. Now, Easter, that's our thing. Despite this, there are several places around the region that have come up with quirky and fascinating ways to celebrate the birth of Christ. This week we've listed five of these ancient traditions that have managed to survive to this day. Most of them involve fire and most probably born in pagan times as a way to celebrate winter solstice. We go from the massive bonfires in the town at the foot of an ancient volcano to the even more massive torches on the hills surrounding a Garfagnana hamlet. Did you know that until not many years ago, Tuscan children thought that their presents were brought not by Santa but by the magical tree stump that burned for days in their fireplace? There are also fun ways to celebrate the festivity, as the panforte cake throwing contest organized from Boxing Day in Pienza. Listen to these five eminently quirky ways to celebrate Christmas, Tuscan style. Next Friday we'll go one step further and tell you the dishes and specialty you have to have on your table to have a proper Tuscan Christmas - stick around, you'll love them! What do you think about these traditions? Do you have a favourite from your neck of the woods? Let us know what you think by joining the conversation on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://www.firenzetoday.it/social/ceppo-natale-firenze-storia.html https://www.aneddoticamagazine.com/it/le-leggende-di-natale-in-toscana/ https://www.visittuscany.com/it/idee/5-tradizioni-di-natale-in-toscana/ https://www.ursamajorbubble.com/2020/12/01/natale-in-garfagnana-tradizioni-e-curiosita/ https://www.sienanews.it/toscana/siena/natale-in-toscana-e-il-rito-magico-del-ceppo/ https://www.snapitaly.it/abbadia-san-salvatore-tutta-la-tradizione-della-citta-delle-fiaccole/ https://sentieridicioccolata.it/fiaccolata-di-natale-di-monteriggioni-lungo-la-via-francigena/ https://garfagnanadream.it/storia/le-leggende-di-natale-della-garfagnana/ https://www.lagazzettadelserchio.it/garfagnana/2019/12/a-gorfigliano-la-magia-dei-natalecci-il-cielo-illuminato-a-giorno/ http://www.pienza.org/gioco_panforte_it.html BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Coffee And Time Artist: Pipe Choir License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-coffee-and-time-creative-commons-instrumental http://www.pipechoir.com/ | |||
| The Tuscan cowboys that beat Buffalo Bill - Ep. 60 | 03 Dec 2021 | 00:17:58 | |
As long-time listeners know for sure, we're not fans of the picture-perfect image of Tuscany that is so popular with foreigners. According to us, in order to figure out the real character of this land you have to look away from the manicured countryside and delve deep into the more savage parts of the land we call home. The wild region that lies across the Southern border with Latium has become integral to Tuscan character, providing us with many myths and legends. A few weeks ago we told you the story of Domenico Tiburzi, the Tuscan Robin Hood - now it's time for another Maremma legend, the one about the "butteri", the Tuscan cowboys that back in 1890 won a bet against none other than Buffalo Bill. When his Wild West Show arrived in Rome, he challenged the locals. He would give them the equivalent of a year's pay if they were able to tame and ride the wild horses he brought across the Atlantic for five minutes. Under a driving rain, the "butteri" were able to complete the task, drawing massive cheers from the crowd. While this legend is known and cherished by all Tuscans, some not-so-minor details are left aside. Despite this, "butteri" have come to represent the heart and soul of Maremma, with their "uniform" becoming very popular. As with their American cousins, "butteri" are nowadays barely surviving, now that the massive ranches they worked in have been broken up and the wild marshes have been drained in the 1930s. You can still see how they lived and worked in the past in many shows that are organized around Grosseto in the summer. Listen to the story of the Tuscan cowboys in this week's episode. If you like it, let us know what you think by joining the conversation on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) http://firenze.unuci.org/articolo.html https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/05/world/europe/05italy.html https://www.quinewspisa.it/i-butteri-dellalta-maremma-tra-storia-e-leggenda.htm https://romah24.com/prati/speciali/8-marzo-1890-quando-i-butteri-laziali-cacciarono-buffalo-bill-dal-quartiere/ https://www.maremmatoscana.it/blog-post/butteri-della-maremma/ https://ricerca.gelocal.it/iltirreno/archivio/iltirreno/1999/06/16/LF204.html http://www.anamcavallomaremmano.com/index.php?id=70&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=393&tx_ttnews[backPid]=117&cHash=4b5353d820 https://maremma-magazine.it/primo-piano/eventi/cera-volta-maremma-mito-dei-butteri-rivive-nella-cornice-del-marruchetone/ http://www.sferamagazine.it/sfera-today-attualita/120%C2%B0-anniversario-sfida-butteri-contro-cowboys-di-buffalo-bill/ https://www.historynet.com/how-the-west-was-spun-buffalo-bill-codys-wild-west-show.htm BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: A MIDNIGHT ON JAQUAY (Instrumental) Artist: Pipe Choir Source: www.pipechoir.com License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-a-midnight-on-jaquay-instrumental | |||
| The reluctant Tuscan Schindler - Ep. 59 | 26 Nov 2021 | 00:20:52 | |
If you happen to travel on Tuscan back roads on a sunny day, chances are you'll bump into a group of cycling enthusiasts. The love story between this land and the bicycle dates back to the glory days of the sport, when it was the most popular in the land. While the names of the champions are known by almost everyone, not many know that probably the greatest of the lot, Gino Bartali, was responsible for saving more than 800 Jewish Italians from deportation during the German occupation. Cycling alone between Assisi, Florence and Rome, knowing full well that if discovered he would be executed on the spot, the champion just did his part. The most extraordinary part of his story is that he didn't say a word about it until his death in 2000, when details of his work with the resistance finally came into light. Why he didn't say anything? According to him, "good deeds are better left unspoken" and that was the end of it. For him, cycling was a way to keep in touch with God and express his profound Catholic faith. Bartali, who became a figurehead for traditional values in the years after WW2, remained extremely humble and true to his values until the very end. That's maybe why an Italian bishop initiated three years ago the process of beatification of the Tuscan champion. Will there soon be a day dedicated to Saint Gino Bartali, patron saint of sportsmen? No one knows. One thing is sure: people will keep on talking about the grumpy Florentine champion for a long time. What do you think about this story? Let us know by joining the conversation on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://www.famigliacristiana.it/articolo/gino-bartali-nelle-parole-del-figlio-mio-padre-un-giusto.aspx https://www.elasticinterface.com/it/magazine/gino-bartali-shoah/ https://thevision.com/cultura/gino-bartali-ebrei/ https://www.viaggiatoriignoranti.it/2021/05/gino-bartali-il-giusto-e-lattivita-a-favore-degli-oppressi.html https://www.osservatoreromano.va/it/news/2021-10/quo-246/gino-bartali-beato.html https://www.tempi.it/bartali-yad-vashem-giusto-nazioni-firenze-seconda-guerra-mondiale-ebrei-salvati-bicicletta/ http://osservatorioglobalizzazione.it/dossier/ritratti/bartali-ciclismo-italia/ https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/gino-bartali-l-angelo-due-ruote-AFW33kK?refresh_ce=1 https://www.ildubbio.news/2020/05/05/ginettaccio-il-campione-che-salvava-gli-ebrei-nascondendo-carte-nella-bici/ https://www.bicidastrada.it/gino-bartali-beato/ BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: A Slave to Nothing (Instrumental) Author: Pipe Choir License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-a-slave-to-nothing-instrumental http://www.pipechoir.com/ | |||
| Marconi's forgotten radio station - Ep. 58 | 19 Nov 2021 | 00:15:20 | |
We Tuscans like to brag about the fact that every rock in our land can tell a fascinating story. While many other parts of the world have amazing vistas, beautiful buildings or artistic masterpieces, what makes this land unique is the incredible density of such beauties. Even the most uninspiring tracts of land, such as the flats south of the Pisa airport, have had a major role in history. In the hamlet of Coltano, Guglielmo Marconi installed his first "ultrapowerful" intercontinental station back in 1911, an installation that was at the forefront of technology for several decades. When the huge antennas were destroyed by the retreating German army, the station fell into disuse before being completely forgotten by everyone. Now only the original building remains standing, even if it is in a very sorry state. The latest effort by the Pisa municipality to restore the Coltano station and build a museum of wireless communication has failed a couple years ago. The structure needs urgent repairs to avoid the worst but maybe there is a ray of hope. A Pisa University professor has recently published a comprehensive study on the historical significance of the site on an international academic magazine. Hopefully the English language article will cause enough interest to convince another company to finance the renovation. Listen to the story of this remarkable installation and its sister station in Hawaii on the latest episode of this podcast. Let us know what you think about it by joining the conversation on our social media platforms: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN & ENGLISH) http://www.stilepisano.it/leggende/leg(g)ende_pisane_N09_coltano_27nov2017.pdf https://www.unipi.it/index.php/news/item/10131-ecco-la-vera-storia-della-stazione-di-marconi-a-coltano https://i0yqx.jimdofree.com/i-luoghi-della-memoria/ https://www.altreinfo.org/riflessioni/10766/2-luglio-1897-guglielmo-marconi-brevetta-la-radio-cosa-resta-oggi-della-sua-celebre-villa-stazione-radio-a-coltano-filippo-bovo/ http://www.giornidistoria.net/19-novembre-1911-coltano-alle-origini-della-radiotelegrafia/ https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2020/02/22/pisa-la-storia-della-stazione-da-cui-marconi-collego-litalia-con-il-canada-da-piu-potente-del-mondo-a-rudere-in-rovina/5708438/ https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/hawaii/abandoned-marconi-wireless-station-hi/ BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Almost Time (Instrumental) Author: Pipe Choir License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commons http://www.pipechoir.com/ | |||
| The prank of the century - Ep. 57 | 12 Nov 2021 | 00:17:29 | |
Not many foreigners are aware of it, but Tuscans have quite the reputation of being massive fans of practical jokes. While usually we don't care much about what other people think about us, this time the reputation is rather well deserved. Every Tuscan secretly dreams of being able to pull out massive pranks and make fun of everyone. Not many are actually able to turn this dream into reality but when it happens it's truly glorious. Back in 1984 three Leghorn university students threw into one of the city canals an imitation of one of Amedeo Modigliani's famous primitivist sculptures as the city government was looking for it. Incredibly everyone was so happy to have found a new sculpture of the artist 100 years from his birth that no one figured out it was a hoax. Art critics everywhere attested the sculpture was real until, the day after it was displayed in a new exhibition, they went public admitting they had made it the night before with an electric drill. The story of the biggest prank of the century is much more complex and fascinating, with a final surprising twist. Find out what it is by listening to this week's episode - you won't regret it. By the way, when you're done, let us know what you think about this kind of episode by joining the conversation on our social media accounts. Every feedback is wildly appreciated: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://firenze.repubblica.it/cronaca/2020/07/24/news/livorno_36_anni_fa_la_beffa_del_secolo_dei_falsi_modi_-262766078/ https://www.zetatielle.com/la-piu-grande-beffa-darte-le-teste-false-di-modigliani/ https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2017/01/24/modigliani-32-anni-fa-la-burla-delle-teste-false-che-fece-arrossire-il-mondo-dellarte/2957324/ https://www.ilgiornale.it/news/cos-brutte-teste-mod-ingannarono-i-grandi-critici-1974677.html https://www.quotidiano.net/cronaca/mod%C3%AC-le-altre-statue-finite-in-carrozzeria-il-mistero-resta-sono-quelle-vere-1.7019006 BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Hot soup on cold days Author: Pipe Choir Records License: Creative Commons Attribution Links: http://www.pipechoir.com/ https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-hot-soup-on-cold-days-creative-commons-instrumental | |||
| Alabaster dreams - Ep. 56 | 05 Nov 2021 | 00:15:46 | |
Very few places in the world are as enamoured with their history as is Tuscany. While this has slowed down progress in many ways, it has also allowed us to keep alive many traditions that date back to the antiquity. One of the most interesting is the alabaster carving industry that has survived in Volterra since the VIII century BC. It may not be as vibrant or creative as it was in the past, but there are still many master scupltors and artisans that work this deceptive and very versatile stone. Of the 52 varieties still present in the quarries around the town, artisans produce all sorts of sculpture, from the small souvenirs to the big and extremely expensive sculpture that end up in some of the most exclusive collections around the world. Using techniques that sometimes date back to antiquity, this very special industry is to this day one of the most characteristic of Tuscany. Let us know what you think about this kind of episode by joining the conversation on our social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS ALLE FONTI https://www.itinerarieluoghi.it/artigiani-dellalabastro-a-volterra-quattro-indirizzi-da-non-perdere/ https://www.itstuscany.com/it/le-origini-della-lavorazione-dellalabastro/ https://www.alialabastro.it/alabastro-estrazione-e-lavorazione.htm https://www.paesionline.it/italia/prodotti-tipici-e-artigianato-volterra/botteghe-di-alabastro https://www.stilemargherita.it/artieri-dellalabastro-centanni-di-tradizione-a-volterra/ https://www.quinewsvolterra.it/volterra-apre-al-pubblico-una-antica-bottega-di-alabastro.htm BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Children of the Son Author: Pipe Choir Records License: Creative Commons Attribution Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-children-of-the-son-creative-commons-instrumental | |||
| Ghizzano, a multicoloured art treasure - Ep. 154 | 13 Oct 2023 | 00:25:36 | |
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.it Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://www.tenutadighizzano.com/it/ https://www.daicollifiorentini.it/visitare-la-toscana-ghizzano-legoli-peccioli-larte-non-e-mai-troppo https://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-88582504 https://www.tripadvisor.it/Restaurant_Review-g1934166-d26656269-Reviews-The_View-Ghizzano_Peccioli_Province_of_Pisa_Tuscany.html https://restaurantguru.it/Da-Pasquino-La-Sterza BACKGROUND MUSIC Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental) Pipe Choir - A dark blue arc (Instrumental) Pipe Choir - Almost time (Instrumental) Aerocity - Love Lost Incompetech - Leopard Print Elevator 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/pc-one-a-dark-blue-arc-creative-commons-instrumental https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commons https://soundcloud.com/argofox/aerocity-love-lost https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077 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/ | |||
| The drink that made Leghorn - Ep. 55 | 29 Oct 2021 | 00:13:40 | |
Despite being seen as sort of a foreign object, there are a few things that everyone loves about Leghorn. Even the harshest critic must admit that their favourite drink, the "ponce alla livornese" is actually quite extraordinary. This special blend of espresso coffee, a local version of rum, sugar and lemon has become almost synonymous with the city itself. It is quite fitting, considered that its main ingredients come from all over the world. The ponce is indeed the symbol of a city that is much more open and cosmopolitan than the rest of Tuscany, which might explain why many Tuscans just don't like it. The story and the legends that surround this special drink and its mother church, the famous Bar Civili, are quite remarkable. Listen to them in this week's episode and be sure to let us know what you think of them by dropping us a line on social media. Any feedback is wildly appreciated. Thanks in advance! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://bottegheria.com/magazine/il-ponce-alla-livornese/ https://villatramonto.com/2014/10/ponce-livornese-caffe-tradizione-con-una-nota-alcolica/ https://web.archive.org/web/20030523115040/http://www.geocities.com/marcosisilivorno/ponce.html http://www.comune.livorno.it/_cn_online/index003b.html?id=13&lang=it https://www.coffeando.it/il-ponce-livornese-il-primo-cocktail-italiano-e-al-caffe/ https://www.beverfood.com/taccola-1895-orgoglio-toscano-difende-tradizione-wd107671/ https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/livorno/cronaca/2021/02/21/news/gt-la-bottiglia-magica-che-fa-del-caffe-una-dolce-bomba-1.39935533 BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Leopard Print Elevator Author: Kevin McLeod (incompetech.com) License: Creative Commons Attribution Links: https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077 | |||
| The white gold of the Tuscan hills - Ep. 54 | 22 Oct 2021 | 00:12:36 | |
Autumn in Tuscany is a bit of a mixed bag for locals. Some hate the rain and the sudden cold spells, others adore this time of year. They're not looking forward to pumpkin spice anything. The smell of the Tuscan autumn is that of mushrooms, a real passion for many of us. While many adore porcini or other varieties, the king of mushrooms is definitely the white truffles, especially those that grow in the area of San Miniato, a few miles from my hometown. White truffles are exceedingly expensive and in a bad season they can get to cost 5000 Euros a kilogram. There are families that make their living by looking for the white gold of the Tuscan hills, breeding champion search dogs that can be worth tens of thousands of Euros. Their stories are very fascinating, as the festivals that between October and November will happen in many Tuscan towns to celebrate these delicacies. What is your take? Are you a mushroom aficionado? Do you have a favourite recipe? Let us know by joining the conversation on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/firenze/notizie/cronaca/21_ottobre_11/tartufo-clima-fa-salire-prezzo-4500-euro-bianco-introvabile-deb41168-2ac1-11ec-a8a7-97c00bb2b6f7.shtml https://www.ilcuoioindiretta.it/altre-news/2021/10/11/il-tartufo-bianco-si-sta-facendo-attendere-preoccupata-coldiretti-siamo-a-un-deficit-di-raccolta-del-90-rispetto-alla-normalita/106259/ https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pontedera/cronaca/2021/10/13/news/il-tartufo-migliora-di-giorno-in-giorno-quotazioni-tra-2-000-e-2-200-euro-al-chilo-1.40805897 https://www.ilcuoioindiretta.it/altre-news/2021/10/16/a-ponte-a-ego-torna-la-sagra-del-tartufo-bianco/106585/ https://firenze.repubblica.it/cronaca/2021/10/11/news/toscana_tartufo_bianco_funghi_porcini_raccolta_prezzi_sagre_feste_-321781679/?rss https://tartufobiancosanminiato.blogspot.com/2013/08/per-trovare-i-tartufi-serve-un-cane.html BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Snow Ticket Author: Pipe Choir Records License: Creative Commons Attribution Links: http://www.pipechoir.com/ https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-snow-ticket-creative-commons-instrumental | |||
| The supercar next door - Ep. 53 | 15 Oct 2021 | 00:09:27 | |
Despite what many people think, not all Italians own a Ferrari or are obsessed with fast cars. Passion for cars and engineering isn't uncommon, though, but not many people are able to turn their dreams into reality. There are exceptions to the rule. One of them happens to come from my hometown. His story is quite remarkable. 47 year old Luca Mazzanti went from working in his father's classic cars workshop to designing and crafting a supercar with his own hands. From his first prototype back in 2005, he now has his own company that produces high performance, light, extremely exclusive cars that are sold to discerning car collectors in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. His cars are built to the client's specifications, turning them into something quite unique. Now that his dream is a reality, Mazzanti doesn't stop there. To fund the development of his new model, he has had a successful crowdfunding campaign a few months ago. His company is also the first to offer blockchain as a payment solution for his exclusive cars. The next step? Planning the entry into the very competitive US market with enthusiasm and optimism. After all, he's come a long way from restoring classic cars. Let us know what you think of this story by joining the conversation on our social media channels: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://www.ansa.it/canale_motori/notizie/acquisti/2021/09/30/mazzanti-automobili-ora-lacquisto-e-anche-con-criptovalute_b2e19ed6-0277-4220-a87d-591d4851775a.html https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pontedera/cronaca/2021/10/10/news/mazzanti-porta-pontedera-in-vetrina-a-dubai-ora-cinque-auto-all-anno-e-nuovi-mercati-1.40795318 https://www.lanazione.it/firenze/cronaca/lauto-di-lusso-come-un-abito-supercar-su-misura-negli-emirati-1.6900017 https://it.motor1.com/news/535364/mazzanti-evantra-pura-nuova-hypercar/ https://www.hdmotori.it/auto/articoli/n544176/mazzanti-evantra-bronze-modelli-prezzi/ https://www.lastampa.it/motori/attualita/2020/05/09/news/mazzanti-automobili-un-crowfunding-per-finanziare-la-crescita-del-marchio-toscano-1.38825179 BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: The Opening Closing (instrumental) Author: Pipe Choir License: Creative Commons Attribution Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commons http://www.pipechoir.com/ | |||
| The monk who invented the combustion engine - Ep. 52 | 08 Oct 2021 | 00:10:26 | |
While many Tuscan towns claim to have had a bigger role in history than they actually had, Pietrasanta is right in boasting to have had the inventor of the internal combustion engine born there, 200 years ago. While not many have heard about his story, the engine that powers most of our world today was invented not in Germany but in Tuscany, almost 20 years before Otto and Benz patented their versions. Father Eugenio Barsanti, a monk who loved mathematics and physics, created the first combustion engine back in 1854. Instead of gasoline or diesel, his engine used a mixture of hydrogen and air. The exhaust, therefore, was only hot steam. Despite his best efforts, the engine never gained much commercial traction and quickly became a footnote in engineering history. If only people would have been wise enough to realize how damaging to the environment hydrocarbons would become, our world would be very different today. Let us know what you think about this story by joining the conversation on social media and sharing this podcast with your friends - the more, the merrier! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://www.gonews.it/2021/10/07/linventore-del-motore-a-scoppio-e-toscano-per-i-200-anni-premio-a-bombassei-brembo/ https://www.versilia.org/it/territorio-versilia/cultura/padre-eugenio-barsanti https://www.informagiovani-italia.com/eugenio_barsanti.htm https://www.comune.pietrasanta.lu.it/home/comune/amministrazione-trasparente/amministrazione-trasparente-2/organizzazione/articolazione-degli-uffici/museo-barsanti/il-museo https://vehiclecue.it/il-motore-barsanti-matteucci/13867/ BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Blue Hope New Sky Author: Pipe Choir Records License: Creative Commons Attribution Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-blue-hope-new-sky-creative-commons-instrumental http://www.pipechoir.com/ | |||
| Sun and sea, 1820 style - Ep. 51 | 01 Oct 2021 | 00:13:28 | |
While the weather holds up, we've officially entered autumn, which means we'll have to wait almost a year before being able to get back to the beach and enjoy some sea and sun. If today a beach holiday is almost integral to the Tuscan idea of summer, this wasn't always the case. In the past centuries people would have found the idea utterly bizarre. This modern concept has a much longer history than most people think. The first establishments by the sea were founded in Tuscany in the beginning of the 19th century and were among the firsts in Europe. Viareggio was the first and quickly became one of the most fashionable resorts in the Mediterranean, catering to a wealthy crowd of sophisticated foreigners. Tuscany being Tuscany, its crown isn't undisputed. Leghorn can prove that the first "bagni" were founded there some 40 years before, around 1780. They looked a lot like thermal baths but they definitely came first. Crowned heads and aristocrats loved them, even if they sound really weird today. This is the story of the love affair between Tuscans and the sea. Hope you find it interesting. Let us know what you think of it or anything else that pops into your head by sending us a direct message on our social media accounts. The more, the merrier! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/versilia/cronaca/2021/05/27/news/nereo-e-dori-cosi-nacquero-i-bagni-ma-al-mare-uomini-e-donne-erano-divisi-1.40320909 https://www.tuscanypeople.com/stabilimenti-balneari-storia-viareggio/ https://ricerca.gelocal.it/iltirreno/archivio/iltirreno/2005/06/19/LA9LG_LA901.html BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Trampled Author: Pipe Choir Records License: Creative Commons Attribution Links: http://www.pipechoir.com/ https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-trampled-creative-commons-instrumental | |||
| When Florence was the capital - Ep. 50 | 24 Sep 2021 | 00:11:56 | |
For our 50th episode, we take a stroll down memory lane, going back to a special time in the history of Florence when the city, as a result of an international city, became the capital of the newborn Kingdom of Italy. What was thought as a permanent solution in order to avoid the fact that Rome is the seat of the Catholic Church, lasted only six years and caused massive upheavals to the cradle of the Renaissance. While the first move was accompanied by riots in Turin, the Florentines weren't particularly fazed when the crowd of diplomats and public servants left to move to Rome in 1871. The city was changed beyond recognition, though, as many of its Medieval features were razed to the ground. The fact that the Crown refused to contribute to the massive public works that had been ordered to make Florence a proper capital caused the city government to go into bankruptcy. The mayor, who had been one of the most enthusiastic supporters of the renovation, decided to fall on his sword and paid most of the debts with his own money, ending up penniless. Follow us into this controversial chapter of Tuscan history. Let us know what you think by joining the conversation on our social media platforms: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany I LINKS ALLE FONTI https://www.lanazione.it/cronaca/almanacco-del-giorno-15-settembre-1864-convenzione-verso-firenze-capitale-1.6797533 https://www.tuscanypeople.com/firenze-capitale-ditalia/ https://mole24.it/2020/11/14/spostamento-della-capitale-da-torino-a-firenze/ http://www.palazzospinelli.org/architetture/itinerari-scheda-dettaglio.asp?Id=10 http://www.storia-toscana.it/1865/ BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Children of the Son Author: Pipe Choir Records License: Creative Commons Attribution Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-children-of-the-son-creative-commons-instrumental | |||
| The Tuscan Robin Hood - Ep. 49 | 17 Sep 2021 | 00:14:56 | |
There is a part of Tuscany so wild and different from the rest of the region that many of us don't consider it to be a part of it. For centuries, Maremma was synonymous with disease, danger, hard living - many old Tuscans still use its name as a curse. This reputation was well deserved, as the area was plagued with brigands and highwaymen. The most famous of them, Domenico Tiburzi, became such a nuisance for the government to force a massive hunt to track his gang down. The people of Maremma, though, loved him, as he forced wealthy landowners to pay a special tax that he distributed to the poor. When he was finally killed, many mourned his passing. This is the story of the Tuscan Robin Hood, both the official version and the much more interesting tale told by the son of one of the few witnesses to his downfall. Let us know what you think about it by sending us a direct messages on our Twitter and Facebook accounts. If you like what we do, please share this episode with your friends - every little helps :-) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://www.ilgiunco.net/2021/06/13/chicche-di-maremma-la-storia-di-domenico-tiburzi-il-brigante-amato-dal-popolo-2/ https://www.ilgiunco.net/2019/10/23/la-vera-storia-di-tiburzi-raccontata-da-un-contadino-maremmano-che-visse-con-lui-intervista-esclusiva/ BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Gemini Instrumental Author: Pipe Choir License: Creative Commons Attribution Link: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Pipe_Choir/SGONS_Instrumentals/Pipe_Gemini_Instrumental | |||
| Hollywood on the Arno - Ep. 48 | 10 Sep 2021 | 00:13:56 | |
Not many know that my family's favourite seaside resort, Tirrenia, didn't exist until the 1930s, when between Pisa and Livorno existed only a large swamp riddled with criminals and prostitutes. The town was created from scratch by the Fascist regime, that wanted to build there an upscale resort. In order to convince people to shell out the big money to buy the expensive villas, they came up with a brilliant plan: make this new town the home of Italian cinema. Thanks to an ambitious producer and the heir of the Agnelli family, Tirrenia was home to the first studios in Italy able to produce talking movies. The "Hollywood on the Arno" was born. Follow us while we tell you the tale of this dream and how it was ultimately doomed by Mussolini's megalomania. Now of those state-of-the-art studios there are only a few decrepit buildings and the memories of those that learned their trade there. Things could have gone very differently, though. In 1957 a British producer almost chose Tirrenia as the location for his latest project: turning into movies a series of novels on a suave, womanizing but ultimately ruthless special agent. If not for the shaky financial situation, James Bond would have been shot in Tirrenia. Let us know what you think about the incredible story by joining the conversation on our social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://www.repubblica.it/spettacoli/cinema/2016/03/13/news/hollywood_in_riva_al_tirreno_il_lungo_sogno_di_pisorno-135289248/ https://news.cinecitta.com/IT/it-it/news/55/66251/alla-scoperta-di-tirrenia-citta-del-cinema.aspx https://larno.ilgiornale.it/2021/01/15/quando-tirrenia-era-la-hollywood-sullarno/ https://iris.unito.it/handle/2318/1575976#.YTiLsp0zaUk https://www.lanazione.it/pisa/cosa%20fare/tirrenia-studi-cinema-1.2291537 https://www.ilpost.it/2016/03/27/mostra-tirrenia-pisa/ http://www.boccadarno.it/pisorno-la-storia/ http://www.lakinzica.it/tirrenia-citta-del-cinema BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: The Opening Closing (instrumental) Author: Pipe Choir License: Creative Commons Attribution Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commons http://www.pipechoir.com/ | |||
| Science and Tuscany, a love story - Ep. 47 | 03 Sep 2021 | 00:11:46 | |
This week we will talk about one of the most prestigious research institutions on the planet, at the forefront of a very promising research field, gravitational waves. Not many know that it's in the middle of the countryside outside Cascina, in the lower Valdarno. We attended a public meeting with two lead scientists of the European Gravitational Observatory, better known as VIRGO, and learned many things about the facility's history, its amazing characteristics and the love story between Tuscany and science. Walking on the footsteps of Galileo and Leonardo da Vinci, their heirs follow a method that is both scientific and very Tuscan: never believe in anything unless you have experimental proof, never accept the status quo, always keep an open mind. One of the researchers like to say that "if it's beautiful, it works", a sentence that could both describe a physics equation or the Tuscan hills landscape. Follow us in this quick journey into the far reaches of the universe that starts just a few miles from my home. Let us know what you think and if you would rather us cover this kind of topics instead of our traditional mix of legends, traditions, cuisine and quirky facts about our land. Drop us a direct message on our social media accounts: we're more than happy to receive all sorts of feedback or suggestions. Links here below: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://larno.ilgiornale.it/2021/04/11/le-onde-gravitazionali-virgo-e-luniverso-a-cosa-serve-la-fisica-teorica-ce-lo-spiega-il-professor-federico-ferrini/ https://www.sif.it/riviste/sif/sag/ricordo/giazotto https://www.unipi.it/index.php/news/item/20059-ai-rivelatori-virgo-e-ligo-la-milestone-ieee-della-scienza-e-della-tecnologia https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/2017/press-release/ BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Leopard Print Elevator Author: Kevin McLeod (incompetech.com) License: Creative Commons Attribution Links: https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077 | |||
| 5 Tuscan breads you might not know - Ep. 46 | 27 Aug 2021 | 00:10:21 | |
Tuscany is almost synonymous with its unique bread without salt, with its thick and well-cooked crust. People always ask why we're the only ones in Italy not to use salt in bread but this stereotype is quite incorrect. Sure, most of us have the traditional "pane sciapo" on their desk but there are many other types of bread that are quite popular in our region. That's why we have decided to bring you along for a quick tour of five breads that have nothing to do with the traditional "panaccio". From the potatoes bread of Garfagnana to the saffron-infused panina of Arezzo, from the German-born semelle of Florence to the chestnut-rich marocca of Lunigiana, there are plenty of interesting choices. Some of these specialties have managed to gain traction and become popular in other parts of Italy and turning their homes into prime spots for foodies. What is your take? Would you be willing to try some of these weird concoctions if you had the chance? Is there a special bread from your homeland that you think should get more recognition? Please let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://www.visittuscany.com/it/idee/5-pani-tradizionali-toscana/ https://www.alimentipedia.it/pane-tipico-toscana.html https://www.taccuinigastrosofici.it/ita/news/moderna/pani---dolci/Pani-tradizionali-Toscana.html https://www.taccuinigastrosofici.it/ita/news/contemporanea/usi-costumi/Parole-e-cibi---semel-e-ciorba.html https://www.terredilunigiana.com/riviera-apuana/paniapuani.php https://www.arezzonotizie.it/cucina/panina-aretina.html https://www.ilgiornaledelcibo.it/pani-tradizionali-italiani/ https://www.fiorentininelmondo.it/it/home/243-pan-di-ramerino-il-dolce-tipico-di-firenze-per-il-giovedi-santo.html https://visitlunigiana.it/la-marocca-di-casola/ https://www.cittadiprato.it/IT/Sezioni/149/Il-Pane/ https://www.stamptoscana.it/anche-ad-arezzo-ci-si-prepara-per-la-pasqua-sul-piatto-panina-unta-e-gialla/ https://www.iviaggidelgoloso.it/2021/08/pane-di-vinca/ https://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/it/presidi-slow-food/pane-di-patate-della-garfagnana/ https://www.turismo.it/gusto/articolo/art/toscana-cosa-ha-di-speciale-il-pane-marocco-id-11160/ BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Hot soup on cold days Author: Pipe Choir Records License: Creative Commons Attribution Links: http://www.pipechoir.com/ https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-hot-soup-on-cold-days-creative-commons-instrumental | |||
| Buccellato, Lucca's most beloved cake - Ep. 153 | 06 Oct 2023 | 00:16:01 | |
Of all the famous art cities in Tuscany there is one that is a bit different, that always seems to march to its own drum. Despite being beautiful and fascinating, you sometimes have the impression that people are not really happy you're there to visit. They have nothing against tourists but they're accustomed to enjoying their wealth in peace, far away from the troubles of the land. Their splendid isolation lasted for centuries and this is why some people think that this is not really Tuscany but something else, quite different. This is also reflected in their cuisine, which is quite unlike that of the Arno valley. As we haven't been talking much about this little masterpiece of a town, rather than describing its splendid churches or art treasures, we thought it best to explain it through one of its most beloved specialties, a simple cake that has been driving its citizens insane for many centuries. This is why, this week, What's Up Tuscany will bring you back to Lucca, to tell you everything there is to know about its famous "Buccellato", the real taste of this Mediaeval town. If you listen to the full episode you will learn the very ancient origins of its weird name, how the recipe evolved with time, where it originated and how, due to its incredible popularity, in the 16th century, the Republic put a tax on it to raise money to fix the Serchio river. Buccellato is so popular that people say that if you don't have at least one slice, you can't say you've actually been in Lucca. This ubiquity opens up quite a conundrum, though: where can you find the best cake in town? Luckily for you, you've got someone that knows a thing or two about this town and can point you to two excellent bakeries where you will be able to taste this special cake in all of its glory. If you don't live around here or haven't booked a ticket to visit us already, in the final chapter I will detail you a great recipe that will allow you to bake this simple but amazing cake in your kitchen. On top of practical advice and some tricks, I'll also explain how to use it as a foundation for the "Zuppa Lucchese", a variant of the famous tiramisu that is absolutely amazing. It won't be as great as having a slice with a coffee in downtown Lucca but it will help you get to know a bit better this fascinating and sometimes puzzling city. If you bake a buccellato, don't forget to post a picture, tag us and let us know your thoughts. It would make our day :-) Email: podcast@larno.it Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://www.taccuinigastrosofici.it/ita/news/medioevale/pasticceria/Buccellato.html https://it.julskitchen.com/dolci/buccellato-di-lucca https://visitlunigiana.it/il-buccellato-il-dolce-delle-nonne-lunigianesi/ BACKGROUND MUSIC Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental) Catmosphere - Candy-coloured Sky EzaOne - Supernova Pipe Choir - Coffee and Time 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/catmosphere-candy-coloured-sky https://soundcloud.com/argofox/ezaone-supernova https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-coffee-and-time-creative-commons-instrumental https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons http://www.pipechoir.com/ | |||
| Who's afraid of the linchetto? - Ep. 45 | 20 Aug 2021 | 00:08:33 | |
The woods and mountains of Garfagnana are very different from the typical image of Tuscany that many have. According to locals, their wild beauty also hides many secrets and a whole lot of supernatural creatures. Traditions and legends have been rediscovered lately and there are many that believe that this ancient land would host many creatures. Some are funny, a bit mischievous, others are definitely more scary. This week we have decided to have a quick trip into Tuscan folklore and tell you some of the tales that involve elves, witches and other creatures. Most of the stories revolve around little pranksters like the "linchetto" of Lucca and the "buffardello" of Garfagnana, that looks a lot like your regular leprechaun. These small people walk around at night, making a mess of people's houses and making small pranks to humans and farm animals. Some of the legends are a lot darker and tell tales of satanic rituals, magic potions, curses and all sorts of dark rituals that happen on a New Moon. At the end of the XVI century, the Lucca countryside had its own version of the Salem trials, with a lot of young single women being burned alive or strangled. While no one has seen witches lately, their stories are still alive in this magical part of Tuscany. What is your take? Do you believe that the woods hide some sort of supernatural creature that sometimes just wants to have a laugh at our expense? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://www.justinlucca.it/2019/10/12/che-cose-il-linchetto/ https://www.welcome2lucca.com/il-linchetto/ https://www.lagazzettadelserchio.it/mediavalle/2019/08/linchetto-fest-cultura-tradizioni-e-leggende-lucchesi-rivivono-nel-centro-di-pescaglia/ https://www.fantasymagazine.it/6080/lucca-streghe-folletti-e-diavoli https://terraevita.forumfree.it/?t=52978584 https://www.tuscanypeople.com/folletto-buffardello-leggenda-garfagnana/ http://paolomarzi.blogspot.com/2014/05/il-buffardello-folletto.html https://www.aneddoticamagazine.com/it/non-solo-il-buffardello-ecco-gli-altri-folletti-toscani-che-leggenda-narra/ http://www.economiaitaliana.it/it/articolo.php/La-Garfagnana-che-non-ti-aspetti-tra-folletti-streghe-misticismo-e-magia?LT=CULT&ID=29705&ARCHIVIO=1 BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Children of the Son Author: Pipe Choir Records License: Creative Commons Attribution Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-children-of-the-son-creative-commons-instrumental | |||
| 5 good luck charm that (might) work - Ep. 44 | 13 Aug 2021 | 00:12:10 | |
Tuscans are generally considered a very down-to-earth, sceptic people but we're not immune from being fascinated with certain popular superstitions, especially when they should bring us some luck. In this week's episode we will present you with some of the most interesting rituals that, according to believers, are guaranteed to bring you good luck. Many were born around Tuscan universities so that students would have good grades in their finals. When facing a tough exam, even the most rational of students will be tempted to court Lady Luck. If in Pisa they resort to a famous lizard sculpture, in Leghorn they have some seriously complicated rituals involving a famous Catholic sanctuary nearby. If in Siena students stay well clear of a cursed archway, in Florence the best way to get some extra luck is to rub the nose of the famous Porcellino Fountain. I wouldn't bet on the effectiveness of these good luck charms but some people swear by them. What is your take? Are you a believer or a sceptic? Do you know any specific good luck charm or ritual from your neck of the woods? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://www.visittuscany.com/it/idee/la-toscana-portafortuna-le-tradizioni-e-i-riti-di-buon-augurio/ https://www.pisatoday.it/social/laurea-superstizioni-universitarie-toscana.html https://www.toscanainside.com/it/aneddoti-e-curiosita/post/i-riti-propiziatori-dei-maturandi-toscani/ https://www.tuscanypeople.com/fontana-porcellino-firenze-fortuna/ https://www.teladoiofirenze.it/storie-firenze-2/la-fontana-del-porcellino-perche-porta-fortuna/ BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Pick You Up Author: Wayne John Bradley License: Creative Commons Attribution Links: https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/pick-you-up-slow-poprock-style-instrumental-creative-commons | |||
| 5 hidden gems of Tuscan cuisine - Ep. 43 | 06 Aug 2021 | 00:13:24 | |
One of the most terrifying questions for a Tuscan is what are the local dishes that every tourist should taste before going back home. Aside from the greatest hits like ribollita or cacciucco there is an enormity of thousands of local recipes that not even a born and raised Tuscan know and appreciate as they deserve. As our mission is to illustrate what it means to be a Tuscan in 2021, we decided to tell you the stories of five amazing dishes coming from various parts of our region that not many people outside of their hometown are aware of. Did you know that in Lucca there is a vegetable soup that can only be made for a couple of weeks each year or that in Pistoia the most traditional dish came into being as the result of a prison riot two centuries ago? Have you ever tasted the "Tuscan spaghetti", a recipe so old that people think originated with the Etruscans centuries before Rome? I myself have never tasted what locals say is the best cake in the world, despite it being born in a town a little more than 20 miles from my hometown? Follow us into a quick trip into traditional Tuscan cuisine and discover five recipes that should get a lot more respect and recognition. What is your take on it? Do you have a recipe from your neck of the woods that we should try? What of these dishes inspired you the most? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO RECIPES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://darcontadino.it/pages/prodotti-toscani-10-piatti-tipici-per-10-province https://www.dissapore.com/cucina/14-piatti-tipici-toscani-la-cucina-della-toscana-da-provare/ https://www.lifebeyondtourism.org/it/viaggio-in-toscana-per-assaporare-i-piatti-tipici-del-territorio/ http://www.lavocedelserchio.it/vediarticolo.php?id=13698&page=0 https://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/firenze/notizie/cronaca/21_aprile_06/torta-co-bischeri-che-unisce-san-giuliano-terme-san-paolo-3caa27fc-9635-11eb-930b-4b9ae8ba9cd7.shtml https://tuttatoscana.net/storia-e-microstoria-2/microstoria-in-cucina-la-scottiglia/#:~:text=L'origine%20di%20questo%20piatto,pezzi%20di%20carne%20o%20avanzi. https://www.universy.it/2014/01/il-carcerato-pistoiese-una-ricetta-dalla-toscana/ https://www.acquabuona.it/2011/04/il-carcerato-pistoiese/ https://tuttatoscana.net/storia-e-microstoria-2/microstoria-in-cucina-i-pici-e-laglione/ https://coccolatime.wordpress.com/2014/04/12/un-piatto-antico-la-garmugia-lucchese/ BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Trampled Author: Pipe Choir Records License: Creative Commons Attribution Links: http://www.pipechoir.com/ https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-trampled-creative-commons-instrumental | |||
| Tuscan 101: 5 words you need to know - Ep. 42 | 30 Jul 2021 | 00:11:24 | |
Many of the words Tuscans use every day are quite unique and incomprehensible to anyone not born and raised here. Aside from causing problems to foreigners, the funny thing is that not many Tuscans are aware of their origins and how they became so popular. Many of their stories are quite fascinating. That's why this week we have decided to present you with five words you need to know to get the most from your trip to Tuscany and to gain some insight into this land and the people that makes it so special. Why acting like a fool makes you a "bischero"? Where does the word "ghiozzo" comes from? What is a "grullo"? How many meanings the word "ganzo" has? Did you know that until a few decades ago "bucaiolo" was not an insult? Follow us into this small trip into the intricacies of our incredible language and into the mind of Tuscans. What is your take? Do you have a favourite Tuscan word? Is there a term used in your neck of the woods that is impossible to translate? Is there a Tuscan word that still puzzles you? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts and we'll do our best to help: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://amp.firenzetoday.it/cronaca/dialetto-toscano.html https://www.055firenze.it/art/103015/Guida-modi-di-dire-fiorentini https://www.firenzetoday.it/cronaca/bischero-storia-motivo-firenze.html https://www.firenzetoday.it/cronaca/grullo-significato.html https://www.firenzetoday.it/cronaca/bucaiolo-origine-parola-firenze.html https://www.florencecity.it/ganzo/ https://acasadisimo.blogspot.com/2015/07/la-ganza.html http://www.lavocedelserchio.it/vediarticolo.php?id=22582&page=0&t_a=da-ganzo-a-ghiozzo BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Cold Weather Kids Author: Aerocity License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Links: https://soundcloud.com/aerocity/cold-weather-kids | |||
| Tuscany's Area 51? - Ep. 41 | 23 Jul 2021 | 00:12:29 | |
Despite Tuscany is one of the regions in the world where human presence is more visible, there are places out of time, shrouded in a mystical, sometimes unsettling, atmosphere. Garfagnana has always been a land rich in legends, myths and stories passed down for generations. Lately, though, one of its mountains have become famous as a sort of interstellar crossroads, where sightings of unidentified flying objects are common. Mount Palodina, near the small town of Gallicano, has become a mecca for mystery and UFO aficionados after a long series of sightings starting from the 1950s. Apparently, some of this alien visitors liked the place so much they've decided to take a walk in the woods. The sighting of a 2 meters high reptilian monster in the late 1980s brought Mount Palodina all over Italian media, turning into a must visit destination for eccentric mystery hunters. There are some that call it the "Tuscan Area 51" and stories about crazy compasses, electromagnetic interferences, black unmarked helicopters looking for something in the woods abound. Lately a series of mysterious symbols appeared randomly in the woods. Some say they mark the path to the entrance of a secret alien base, others say that they're markers for illegal rave parties. One thing is sure: the "mystery mountain" has been fascinating people for decades. What is your take? Did you ever had a close encounter of any kind? Have you seen things in the sky you can't explain? Do you think aliens are real and are visiting us all the time or do you think there is always a scientific explanation? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://www.lagazzettadelserchio.it/l-evento/2016/01/ennesimo-avvistamento-ufo-a-gallicano/ https://grupposhado.wordpress.com/2016/09/21/avvistamento-ufo-sul-monte-palodina/ https://www.noitv.it/2016/09/un-ufo-fornaci-barga-cosa-puntino-bianco-cielo-134012/#comment-16895 https://www.intoscana.it/it/articolo/alla-scoperta-di-gallicano-e-del-monte-palodina-luogo-dei-mille-misteri/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cX__Em6wD08&ab_channel=DavidMelani-MidnightTeam http://paolomarzi.blogspot.com/2014/07/leggende-metropolitane-il-mostro-della.html https://umbertogaetani.blogspot.com/2013/05/monte-palodina-dal-folklore-agli-x-file.html?view=flipcard https://www.verdeazzurronotizie.it/ufo-e-creature-misteriose-la-garfagnana-oltre-il-folklore/ https://ilnavigatorecurioso.myblog.it/2013/05/13/monte-palodina-dal-folklore-agli-x-files-uomini-rettili-ufo/ https://www.lagazzettadelserchio.it/garfagnana/2013/04/il-mistero-della-palodina-qualcuno-riesce-a-svelarlo/ https://www.welcome2lucca.com/monte-palodina-il-monte-dei-misteri/ https://www.itstuscany.com/it/garfagnana-terra-di-misteri-e-folklore/ https://www.segretiemisteri.com/2013/05/misteri-sul-monte-palodina-in-garfagnana/ https://www.verdeazzurronotizie.it/monte-palodina-larea-51-italiana-torna-alla-ribalta-grazie-ai-simboli/ https://portalemisteri.altervista.org/blog/ufo-alieni-misteri-monte-palodina/ BACKGROUND MUSIC WATER WOOD AND STONE by Audionautix | http://audionautix.com Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US | |||
| 5 Tuscan stories you might not know - Ep. 40 | 16 Jul 2021 | 00:15:54 | |
We've been saying from day one how Tuscany is so rich of beauties that has a legend under every rock but even us Tuscans know only a fraction of those amazing stories. This week we've decided to tell you five of them, coming from all corners of our region. Some are really extraordinary, from the tale of the Pisan Joan of Arc that saved the city from a Saracen raid around the year 1000 to the quirky story of a street in downtown Pistoia called "Be Patient Alley". We will explain why the Chianti Classico consortium chose to use a black rooster as the logo on their bottle and tell you the story behind the small pyramid that lies in a mystical garden built almost a century ago by a former Garibaldi fighter as a tribute of his Masonic allegiance. We will end up with the monumental tree that dominates the land near Lucca that, after hosting many witches in the Dark Age, became the inspiration for Carlo Collodi when he was writing his masterpiece Pinocchio. Some say that the dark legends surrounding the tree influenced him to write the first ending of the novel, where Pinocchio died hanged from that very tree. Do you know any particular story from your neck of the woods that would deserve to be shared? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) http://www.giugnopisano.com/regata-repubbliche-marinare-pisa/la-leggenda-di-kinzica/ http://zweilawyer.com/2017/06/21/storia-di-pisa-la-guerra-contro-gli-arabi-in-sardegna-1005-1022/ https://www.montefioralle.wine/it/blog/dettaglio/6 https://initalia.virgilio.it/bosco-isabella-giardino-esoterico-romantico-radicofani-34832 https://www.natifly.com/it/bosco-di-isabella-esoterico-massonico-radicofani/ http://www.amiatanews.it/radicofani-nuova-vita-bosco-isabella/ https://www.placidasignora.com/2011/09/21/via-abbi-pazienza-storia-di-una-strada-pistoiese/ https://www.domanidoveandiamo.it/2020/04/quercia-delle-streghe-toscana/ BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Almost Time (Instrumental) Author: Pipe Choir License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commons http://www.pipechoir.com/ | |||
| A month by the sea, would you do it? - Ep. 39 | 09 Jul 2021 | 00:17:36 | |
Now that summer is in full swing, many are trying to figure out how to spend some time in a cooler place to recharge the batteries. According to many reports, Tuscan families are looking to escape the hustle and bustle and spend their holidays in the many small towns that dot our region. No one seems to consider reviving the traditional summer holiday of the last century, when Italians spent the entire month of August in seaside resorts. In an uncertain time like ours, a return to tradition would make sense but no one seems to be biting. Is it possible that those summers spent lazily on the beach, killing time by walking up and down the promenade have scarred us so much to turn the only holiday we knew in our youth a relic of the past? Times have changed, but those quiet, boring summers were really so horrible? Spending our summers in the same place, year after year, created a parallel reality, a new community you were part of, that of the "friends from the sea". Maybe the past will never come back but one thing is sure: for many Tuscans the warm season will always mean beach, sun and sea. Maybe once in a while, for a day or two, but it will always be "our sea". What is your take? Would you consider spending an entire month by the sea in the same place? What are your most cherished summer memories? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://www.teladoiofirenze.it/firenze-life-style/fiorentino-al-mare-se-lo-riconosci-lo-eviti/ https://www.firenzetoday.it/cronaca/come-riconoscere-fiorentino-mare-stereotipi.html http://www.bassavelocita.it/la-villeggiatura-chi-se-ne-ricorda-piu/ https://www.iodonna.it/attualita/costume-e-societa/2020/06/27/vacanze-italiane-anni-60-nostalgia/ BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Leopard Print Elevator Author: Kevin McLeod (incompetech.com) License: Creative Commons Attribution Links: https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077 | |||
| My father's land - Ep. 38 | 02 Jul 2021 | 00:19:13 | |
A very special episode this week, influenced by the peace and quiet of my small house in the hills of Deep Tuscany. The boredom of small town life has made me think about my father, who sadly passed away three years ago, taken away by an intestinal aneurysm in literally five minutes. He didn't like this small town at all, despite being born in a slightly bigger town in an even more harsh and remote corner of Tuscany, in the middle of the Cecina Valley. Whenever we went there to visit our relatives, I could never shake the impression of not being really welcome there, as if that place would have never been home to me. A few years ago I tried to know this harsh land better and get acquainted with this proud and rough people through the tales and legends that populate this place. Some are really extraordinary, like the one that Don Mario, the historian of our family, told me to explain how one of the most picturesque corners of the area, the Maidens' Rock, got his name. Seeing those bare hills from the walls of the Rocca Sillana, proud and remote fortress in the middle of nowhere, explore the tunnels of the Pavone mine, trying to imagine the lives of the ancient miners who risked their lives every time they ventured into the bowels of the earth is an experience that will definitely touch you very deep. Maybe you won't understand the small talk mindset, what brings them to remain there, clinging to those hills now that the metals and the jobs are gone but maybe you'll have a glimpse of the mysterious beauty that makes this land unique. Let us know what you think about this hidden corner of Tuscany by joining the conversation on our social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN) http://www.weekendromanticotoscana.info/blog/percorsi-e-idee-romantiche/il-masso-delle-fanciulle-pomarance/ https://www.tuscanypeople.com/pomarance-larderello/ https://carrozzadergambini.it/it/berignone/masso-fanciulle.html http://www.girosognando.it/2019/02/06/museo-geotermia-larderello/?fbclid=IwAR3nYkJ3MB0GiWfmHiMCbx0C_WqH9QLHfqrcWQlucvnEbOeFaPwWJ1sbB6c http://www.girosognando.it/2018/11/28/visitare-museo-delle-miniere-montecatini-val-di-cecina/ https://www.parkhotellefonti.com/casa-bicocchi-mostra-dei-guerrieri/ http://stats-1.archeogr.unisi.it/repetti/includes/pdf/main.php?id=3647 https://carrozzadergambini.it/it/pavone/la-racca-sillana-e-la-pieve-di-san-giovanni.html https://carrozzadergambini.it/it/pavone/la-miniera-del-pavone.html https://carrozzadergambini.it/it/2013-10-01-10-16-32/san-giusto.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6B3hxfR-DA&ab_channel=PaulLambs BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Gemini Instrumental Author: Pipe Choir License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-gemini-instrumentalcreative-commons | |||
| Are Tuscans funny or just mean? - Ep. 37 | 25 Jun 2021 | 00:15:10 | |
A simple Google search reveals how much the perception of Tuscans around Italy has changed. We've been described as "bad mannered", "mean" and "unfunny", a veritable U-turn from just 30 years ago, when our accent was considered charming and our penchant for making fun of everything was quite cool. Have we really changed or is this only a result of the success of Tuscan comedians like Roberto Benigni and his brand of over the top, manic, crass humour? According to many, this wave of ill will towards Tuscans has been caused by the fact that comedians only pointed on the most trivial, obnoxious stereotypes on our region. The worrying thing is that the success of this popular brand of humour has started a downward spiral towards vulgarity and general unpleasantness in the population as a whole. Maybe the question is a bit deeper, maybe our determination of poking fun of everyone and everything is a way to hide the fact that we're afraid to be left behind in this constantly changing world. Maybe the fact that we cling tight to the time when Tuscany was the economic powerhouse of Europe, our language was universally used in commerce and people traded with Florentine Florins is a way to cope with the belief that those times will never come back. Maybe it's something even deeper, the fact that we're not even sure of what being a Tuscan today really means. What is your take? Are we funny or just mean? Is it just the comedians or have we lost our way, being forced to describe ourselves just using the stereotypes promoted by media and advertising? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN) https://www.vice.com/it/article/v7ga53/analisi-antipatia-per-i-toscani https://italianintransito.com/2014/11/19/ma-i-toscani-son-tutti-delle-malelingue/ https://flanauchocolat.wordpress.com/2013/12/13/perche-e-difficile-vivere-con-un-toscano/comment-page-4/ https://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/firenze/notizie/cronaca/2014/28-agosto-2014/irene-grandi-fiorentini-diffidenti-pensiamo-essere-migliori-siamo-23031210506.shtml https://ricerca.gelocal.it/iltirreno/archivio/iltirreno/2005/02/06/LA9PO_JXX01.html https://www.lanazione.it/firenze/commento/ma-noi-toscani-siamo-simpatici-o-antipatici-1.5572939 BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Snow Ticket Author: Pipe Choir License: Creative Commons Attribution Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-snow-ticket-creative-commons-instrumental | |||
| Disneyland Tuscany, living in a postcard - Ep. 36 | 18 Jun 2021 | 00:16:51 | |
Many lovers of our region envy us "natives" as we are lucky enough to live a few miles from a wealth of historic, architectural and natural landmarks unparalleled anywhere else. Sometimes, though, living in a postcard-picture region has a long list of drawbacks that can turn your life into a nightmare. Ask the residents of the many towns and villages that are touched from mass tourism for reference. The arrival of hordes of tourists makes that many of the historic shops downtown are replaced by restaurants, bars, ice cream and souvenir shops overflowing with all sorts of tacky knick-knacks that have nothing to do with the products of our land. Lured by the prospects of renting to tourists, many landlords turn their flats into bed and breakfasts or places to offer on AirBnB. The locals, sooner or later, move away, starting a vicious cycle that in a few short years turns a vibrant community in a desert that comes to life only during the summer months. More and more towns are therefore turned into open air museums, where the most vital members of the community are slowly cast aside. Looking for the lowest common denominator to lure tourists have pushed local governments to cast aside centuries old traditions to try to reinvent themselves as beacons of "high culture". The events they organize sometimes lure wealthier tourists but have nothing to do with our real culture. How can we make sure that Tuscany isn't turned into a sort of "Renaissance Disneyland"? As far as we're concerned, we should go back to our centuries-old traditions. Our popular culture has nothing "low" about it, we should stop being ashamed of it. Tuscany lovers from all over the world would be thankful for it. What is your take on it? Are you aware of events and initiatives that are trying to recover old traditions in towns and cities in your area? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://www.nove.firenze.it/jazz-and-wine-in-montalcino-la-musica-conquista-le-terre-del-vino.htm https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/grosseto/cronaca/2021/06/13/news/feste-paesane-sagre-palii-marinari-e-non-il-covid-impone-un-altra-estate-di-rinunce-1.40385833 https://www.sienanews.it/toscana/siena/monteriggioni-inaugura-piazza-dante-barbero-si-puo-fare-cultura-anche-fuori-dalle-metropoli-qui-ce-lesempio/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=monteriggioni-inaugura-piazza-dante-barbero-si-puo-fare-cultura-anche-fuori-dalle-metropoli-qui-ce-lesempio https://www.sienanews.it/in-evidenza/antonio-carapelli-tartuca-continuate-a-voler-bene-alle-contrade-sono-determinanti-per-la-citta/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=antonio-carapelli-tartuca-continuate-a-voler-bene-alle-contrade-sono-determinanti-per-la-citta https://firenze.repubblica.it/tempo-libero/articoli/arte-e-fotografia/2021/06/12/news/cavriglia_parco_arte_museo_opere_arezzo-305756021/?rss https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pontedera/cronaca/2021/06/15/news/fino-al-25-giugno-volterra-e-esoterica-1.40394749 https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pontedera/cronaca/2021/06/12/news/ottimismo-per-il-grande-ritorno-del-teatro-del-silenzio-a-lajatico-1.40384394 https://www.nove.firenze.it/perche-a-new-york-non-costruiscono-un-bellalbergo-nel-central-park.htm BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Children of the Son Author: Pipe Choir Records License: Creative Commons Attribution Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-children-of-the-son-creative-commons-instrumental | |||
| Larderello and the spooky Devil’s Valley - Ep. 152 | 29 Sep 2023 | 00:20:44 | |
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.it Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS 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-njwyjhi5 https://patatofriendly.com/il-museo-della-geotermia-a-larderello/ BACKGROUND MUSIC Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental) Pipe Choir - A Midnight on Jaquay (Instrumental) Aerocity - Love Lost Pipe Choir - Followers AlmightyZero - Aetherial Jinxspr0 - Generation Bounce 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-a-midnight-on-jaquay-instrumental https://soundcloud.com/argofox/aerocity-love-lost https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-followers-instrumental https://soundcloud.com/argofox/almightyzero-aetherial https://soundcloud.com/argofox/jinxspr0-generation-bounce https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons http://www.pipechoir.com/ | |||
| When Italy lost against a 4th division team - Ep. 35 | 11 Jun 2021 | 00:12:14 | |
In a few hours, Italy will be swept by football fever again, when the Euro 2020 tournament will kick off in Rome. We have decided to tell you a story from the past, when a few months before the USA 1994 World Cup, the Italian national team was defeated in a friendly match against a fourth division team. The historic 2-1 in the Coverciano Federal Training Centre allowed Pontedera to beat Arrigo Sacchi's Italy and brought Francesco D'Arrigo's men fifteen minutes of global fame. Many know how things went for Italy in the World Cup, with the heartbreaking penalties at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena when a miss by Roberto Baggio handed the fourth cup to one of the worst Brazil squads of all time. Not many know what happened to the players that had stunned the world. Many had a great career, almost reaching the national team. After retirement, several of them became successful coaches or assistant coaches to famous managers such as Spalletti or Simone Inzaghi. What is even less known is how the famous upset could have had an even more incredible follow-up. Pontedera owner invited the World Champions of Brazil to play a "super-final" in the Valdera capital to settle scores once and for all. Brazil liked the idea but then changed their mind later. Many think that that defeat helped Italy to become more resilient, while others think it was just a bad day from a squad of champions that weren't able to switch gears when facing an aggressive, physical opposition. One thing is sure: no one in Pontedera will ever forget the "miracle in Coverciano". Do you have memories from past international football tournaments? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN) https://ilnobilecalcio.it/2020/02/18/quella-volta-che-la-nazionale-perse-contro-il-pontedera/ https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pontedera/sport/2019/04/02/news/quando-il-pontedera-batte-l-italia-di-sacchi-e-tutti-volevano-mandarlo-al-mondiale-1.30154707 https://www.tuttoc.com/altre-news/6-aprile-1994-quando-il-pontedera-sconfisse-l-italia-63505 https://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/firenze/notizie/sport/18_ottobre_08/clamoroso-coverciano-quando-pontedera-batte-l-italia-2a567f8e-cad5-11e8-8ff3-092f2dbc882c.shtml https://gianlucadimarzio.com/it/6-aprile-1994-Italia-Pontedera-1-2-racconto https://calciatoribrutti.com/it/quella-volta-che-il-pontedera-batte-la-nazionale-italiana-video https://www.goal.com/it/notizie/pontedera-italia-2-1-limpresa-piu-incredibile-del-calcio/lqm4vyozwc4e1kn8y13r9ybhp http://www.calcioromantico.com/una-giornata-particolare/6-aprile-1994-pontedera-batte-italia-2-1/ http://www.delinquentidelpallone.it/6-aprile-1994-pontedera-italia-2-1/ https://2017.gonews.it/2015/04/13/pontedera-italia-2-1-giulio-drago-racconta-di-quando-batte-la-nazionale/ https://www.ultimouomo.com/italia-pontedera-sconfitta-amichevole/ https://www.radiobruno.it/6-aprile-esattamente-27-anni-fa-il-pontedera-batteva-la-nazionale-di-sacchi/ https://www.calciofere.it/2021/04/24/la-promozione-della-ternana-vista-dal-preparatore-atletico-bartali/ BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: A Slave to Nothing (Instrumental) Author: Pipe Choir License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-a-slave-to-nothing-instrumental http://www.pipechoir.com/ | |||
| When fashion had heart and soul - Ep. 34 | 04 Jun 2021 | 00:10:34 | |
This week we will tell you a different, more personal story, that brings us back to the roaring 1980s, when the right brand was enough to make you feel at peace with the world. The recent bankruptcy of the historic Tuscan brand Rifle and the sad sale of the remaining inventory for a couple euros brings us back a lot of memories to those of us who were going through adolescence in their heyday. Back then some brands were necessary to be considered part of one of the urban tribes that dominated the youth landscape of the time. Those that like myself were branded a "paninaro" dreamed to own Timberland boots, Best Company sweatshirts, Stone Island or Schott jackets. Back then fashion was not all about marketing, though. Behind the brand there was the courage of many entrepreneurs, the genius of fashion icons such as Enrico Coveri or Elio Fiorucci. The sky was the limit for them, who dared to dream big, of world domination. In our complicated times, when even a slight deviation from the dominating ortodoxy can cost you your life, their courage and spirit should be our inspiration to build a better future for our children. What do you think about it? Do you have any memories of those years? Were you also a part of an urban tribe? A metalhead, a goth? Let us know by joining the conversation on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN) https://www.vanityfair.it/fashion/abbigliamento/2018/12/04/paninari-look-moncler-timberland-vans-cult-anni-80?refresh_ce= https://primacomo.it/glocal-news/da-capo-dabbigliamento-cult-dei-paninari-alla-svendita-totale-addio-jeans-rifle/ https://www.esquire.com/it/stile/moda-uomo/g16800011/moda-anni-80/?slide=1 https://womoms.com/moda-anni-80-ma-come-ti-vestivi/ https://www.linkiesta.it/2016/04/marchi-resistenti-i-miti-degli-anni-ottanta-che-pensavamo-di-aver-pers/ https://st.ilsole24ore.com/art/notizie/2013-07-29/best-company-171627.shtml?uuid=AbbZTVII#navigation https://www.lastampa.it/cultura/2015/07/21/news/chiude-il-mcdonald-s-di-san-babila-e-si-spegne-un-icona-degli-anni-80-1.35243977 https://donna.fanpage.it/da-el-charro-ad-american-apparel-i-marchi-di-moda-falliti-o-che-sono-stati-ceduti/ https://www.financialounge.com/news/2021/01/22/fast-food-burghy-monza/?refresh_CE https://docmanhattan.blogspot.com/2013/03/il-dizionario-del-paninaro.html https://www.wired.it/lifestyle/food/2021/01/21/burghy-tornando-campagna-pubblicitaria/?refresh_ce= https://diotifaboca.wordpress.com/2020/02/24/vestirsi-bene-comportarsi-male-come-ha-fatto-stone-island-ha-cambiare-per-sempre-il-modo-di-pensare-del-calcio-europeo/ https://www.angelo.it/it/best-company-the-cool-factor https://www.heddels.com/2013/03/meet-your-maker-cone-mills-of-greensboro-north-carolina/ https://donna.fanpage.it/fiorucci-celebra-il-50esimo-anniversario-con-il-rilancio-sul-mercato/ BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Blood Problems (Instrumental) Author: Cityfires License: Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0 Links: https://soundcloud.com/ljayofficial/blood-problems-instrumentalby-cityfires | |||
| When Livorno was champion for 20 minutes - Ep. 33 | 28 May 2021 | 00:10:01 | |
After our trip across the legends of our distant past, this week we will revisit the much more recent past of Tuscan sports with one of its most controversial episodes, game 5 of the Italian national basketball championship of the 1988/89 season. From that May 27th of 32 years ago, everyone still remember the buzzer beater of Andrea Forti and those two points that would have earned Libertas Livorno their first title of champion of Italy. The many non-basketball fans definitely remember the pitch invasion at the end, the wild celebrations and the aggression to Milan shooting guard Roberto Premier. Everyone also remembers how the final basket was considered valid first and how the most popular evening news reported on the win of the Tuscan minnows against the Milan dynasty. Unfortunately the second referee had clearly heard the siren before the ball left the hand of the Livorno player. Olympia Milan won their 24th national crown, starting a controversy that continues to this day. Let us know if you like these stories by joining the conversation on our social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN) https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/livorno/cronaca/2021/05/25/news/ritorno-in-grande-stile-e-la-pl-sogna-di-nuovo-1.40312782 https://www.corriere.it/sport/20_maggio_01/basket-livorno-batte-milano-anzi-no-quando-1989-l-enichem-perse-scudetto-mentre-gia-festeggiava-ab13f012-8b03-11ea-a2b6-e57bd451de7e.shtml https://www.basketworldlife.it/basket-room/enichem-philips-la-finale-piu-discussa-compie-trentanni.html https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2014/11/12/livorno-milano-finale-scudetto-1989-arbitro-zeppilli-troppo-tardi-non-era-canestro/1207132/ https://losservatore.com/index/2021/05/27/32-anni-fa-la-finale-scudetto-tra-livorno-e-milano/ https://www.livornotoday.it/cronaca/morto-bucci-finale-scudetto-enichem-philips-1989.html https://www.museodelbasket-milano.it/leggi.php?s=&idcontenuti=356 BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Almost Time (instrumental) Author: Pipe Choir License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commons http://www.pipechoir.com/ | |||
| The tragic tales of Tuscan ghosts - Ep. 32 | 21 May 2021 | 00:15:00 | |
In this week's episode we will tell you some of the most fascinating stories linked to the ghosts that, apparently, would haunt many of the stately homes and castles that dot our countryside. The tales of these young women are inevitably tragic and harrowing, suspended as they are between myth, legend and real history. Some of them are in fact historical figures, even if the legends surrounding them are most certainly made up. Our brief walkabout into mysterious Tuscany will bring us from Fosdinovo to Poppi, from Capannori to Fiesole, with the legends that have managed to somehow preserve the memory of some extraordinary women for centuries. What is your take on it? Are you between those that would swear that ghosts are real or do you belong to the possibly wider skeptical camp? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media channels, which you will find here below: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN) https://www.firenzetoday.it/cronaca/leggenda-fantasma-castello-vincigliata-fiesole.html https://www.mitiemisteri.it/castelli-infestati-case-maledette/castello-malaspina-fosdinovo https://www.arezzonotizie.it/social/fantasma-matelda-castello-poppi.html http://dimensioniocculte.blogspot.com/2017/04/fantasmi-dianora-lo-spettro-del-castelo.html http://ifantasmi.it/il-fantasma-di-dianora/ https://www.tuscanypeople.com/lucida-mansi/ https://www.toscanaovunquebella.it/it/sovicille/il-ponte-della-pia BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: The Opening Closing (instrumental) Author: Pipe Choir License: Creative Commons Attribution Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commons http://www.pipechoir.com/ | |||
| Why do Tuscans hate each other? - Ep. 31 | 14 May 2021 | 00:12:13 | |
In this week's episode we will tackle the complicated issue of the extreme localism that involves towns big and small in our region in a perennial battle of mockery and slights. If the roots of these rivalries are well identified when it comes to the feud between Pisa and Leghorn or between Siena and Florence, when we get to much smaller towns, it becomes almost impossible to explain why people don't like each other's guts. Foreigners are always bewildered by this phenomenon and by the enthusiasm that Tuscans have for mocking their neighbours mercilessly. What do you think about it? Are you aware of other local rivalries that involve towns in your neck of the woods? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN) http://lacompagniadeirubbaorsi.it/la-storia-del-ponzacchiotto/ https://www.quinewsvaldera.it/campanili-e-campanilismi-tra-orsi-cispia-e-mota.htm https://ricerca.gelocal.it/iltirreno/archivio/iltirreno/2010/02/24/LN2PO_LN202.html https://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/politica/articoli/2008/08_Agosto/29/battaglia_montaperti_toscana.html http://www.lavocedilucca.it/post.asp?id=44688 https://www.tuscanypeople.com/perche-livornesi-e-pisani-si-odiano/ https://vittynablog.wordpress.com/2018/07/22/toscani-tutti-contro-tutti/ https://www.toscanaoggi.it/Cultura-Societa/Le-eterne-rivalita-dei-campanilismi2 BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Snow Ticket Author: Pipe Choir Records License: Creative Commons Attribution Links: http://www.pipechoir.com/ https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-snow-ticket-creative-commons-instrumental | |||
| The real story of the "Little Atlantis" - Ep. 30 | 07 May 2021 | 00:08:57 | |
After a long spring break, we come back with a new episode and a peculiar story, that of a small village that came to fame after centuries of peace and quiet when it drowned under the water of a hydroelectric dam reservoir back in 1947. The tale of Fabbriche di Careggine, hamlet of less than 200 souls that went under the lake created by the new Vagli dam, has been made popular by the fact that it came back to light four times since then, when the reservoir was emptied to perform maintenance on the dam. Last time this happened, in 1994, almost a million tourists from all over the world flocked there to visit the sunken village. The new resurfacing, planned for this summer, has been postponed to 2022 due to the pandemic but we take the chance to tell you the story that not many people know, that of the seven centuries that happened before the so-called "Little Atlantis" went under. The story began when a group of blacksmiths from Brescia was forced to leave their homes from the cruelty of an extraordinarily despotic ruler. They brought to the Garfagnana hills their love for forging iron, something that made the fortunes of the village until recently. An extraordinary story that we hope to narrate more in detail next summer, when the houses and the church of the village will see the light once again. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/lucca/cronaca/2021/05/03/news/il-paese-sommerso-dal-lago-ora-e-pronto-a-riemergere-1.40226356 https://www.verdeazzurronotizie.it/prima-del-paese-sommerso-la-vera-storia-di-fabbriche-di-careggine/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZQMKoCTvtc&ab_channel=piemme71 https://www.pensierinmoto.it/lago-di-vagli-sara-svuotato-nel-2021-e-riemergera-il-paese-fantasma/ https://www.artribune.com/arti-visive/fotografia/2021/02/fabbriche-di-careggine-toscana-progetto-silvia-camporesi/ BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: earth2earth Author: Pipe Choir Records License: Creative Commons Attribution Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-earth2earth-creative-commons-instrumental | |||
| Easter in Tuscany, the traditions we all miss - Ep. 29 | 02 Apr 2021 | 00:06:05 | |
As the pandemic continues to have most of Europe under strict lockdown, for the second year in a row all the celebrations and festivals that make Easter in Tuscany a truly unique experience have been cancelled. In order to lift our spirits and maybe offer some hints for a future travel, today we have decided to illustrate some of the most famous festivals across our region, from the famous ones such as the "Scoppio del Carro" in Florence to the more peculiar, such as the flowers display in San Casciano or the Palio of the Barrels in Bibbona. We take this chance to wish all those who love Tuscany, wherever they may live, a happy and blessed Easter, hoping to be able to meet each other next year for a finally normal Easter. Are you aware of some special Easter traditions in the area where you live? Let us know by joining the conversation on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://www.nove.firenze.it/torna-lo-scoppio-del-carro-per-pasqua-2021-si-fara.htm https://www.seidifirenzese.it/2018/03/30/le-tradizioni-fiorentine-pasqua/ https://www.italybyevents.com/eventi/toscana/scoppio-del-carro-firenze/ http://www.frammentiditoscana.it/processioni-settimana-santa-arezzo-siena/ https://www.livornosera.it/eventi-livorno/usanze-pasquali-dalla-ruzzolata-delluovo-alla-gita-porta/ https://www.intoscana.it/it/articolo/pasqua-in-toscana-feste-tradizioni-e-rievocazioni-della-passione/ https://firenze.repubblica.it/cronaca/2014/04/18/news/pasqua_le_tradizioni_in_toscana-83957137/ https://www.nove.firenze.it/pasqua-una-tradizione-secolare-in-toscana.htm https://www.firenzetoday.it/eventi/pasqua-2015-firenze-toscana.html https://www.coopfirenze.it/informatori/notizie/ovunque-in-toscana https://www.vignaiolidiscansano.it/la-pasqua-in-maremma/ BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Cold Weather Kids (Argofox release) Author: Aerocity License: Creative Commons Attribution Links: youtu.be/ZIPM4w0ZdU0 https://soundcloud.com/argofox/aerocity-cold-weather-kids | |||
| Under the sea or in a can? The weird future of Tuscan wine - Ep. 28 | 30 Mar 2021 | 00:07:49 | |
The economic crisis, a constantly shifting marketplace and the change of consumers' habits are forcing many Tuscan winemakers to innovate their production techniques in order to expand their market share. Responses vary wildly: there are those that seek a return to a more natural approach to grow grapes next to those that come up with cutting edge techniques such as aging their wine 40 meters under the sea, where temperature is constant year round. There are also much more extravagant attempts, such as that of a new winery in Verona that decided to offer their wines not in bottles but in monodose aluminium cans with very bright colours, QR codes and cartoons that seem taken straight from DC or Marvel comics. What would be the best way to guarantee the survival of a century old tradition such as Tuscan winemaking? Let us know what you think by joining the conversation on our social media channels: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://larno.ilgiornale.it/2021/02/23/aiutiamo-le-viti-ad-autogestirsi-riducendo-lintervento-delluomo-intervista-allenologo-jacopo-vagaggini/ https://larno.ilgiornale.it/2019/06/17/export-il-vino-toscano-supera-quello-veneto-e-piemontese/ https://larno.ilgiornale.it/2020/06/08/lazienda-la-croce-dei-fratelli-zari-arte-del-vino-da-generazioni/ https://larno.ilgiornale.it/2020/07/01/il-buon-vino-toscano-arriva-sullape/ https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/grosseto/cronaca/2021/02/26/news/diecimila-bottiglie-sotto-i-mari-all-argentario-una-cantina-da-record-1.39956864 https://st.ilsole24ore.com/art/food/2016-12-27/dalla-liguria-mare-nord-cosi-ivini-invecchiano-sotto-mare-133227.shtml?uuid=ADaM09KC https://www.ligurianautica.com/viaggi/vino-sottacqua-a-sestri-levante-ormai-e-una-consuetudine/14893/ https://www.finedininglovers.it/articolo/fondo-al-mar-4-cantine-sommerse-intorno-al-mondo https://winecouture.it/2021/03/22/zai-e-la-nuova-sfida-ecosostenibile-del-vino-in-lattina/ https://it.businessinsider.com/tiene-lexport-dei-vini-italiano-nel-2020-malgrado-il-covid-scalza-la-spagna-dal-trono/ https://www.lanazione.it/arezzo/cronaca/anche-il-vino-nella-bufera-ma-ci-aiuta-l-e-commerce-1.6183242/amp https://larno.ilgiornale.it/2021/02/23/aiutiamo-le-viti-ad-autogestirsi-riducendo-lintervento-delluomo-intervista-allenologo-jacopo-vagaggini/ BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Pick You Up Author: Wayne John Bradley License: Creative Commons Attribution Links: https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/pick-you-up-slow-poprock-style-instrumental-creative-commons | |||
| Dante's eternal Tuscany - Ep. 27 | 26 Mar 2021 | 00:06:49 | |
In today's episode we take the chance of the huge wave of celebrations across Italy to mark the 700 years from the death of Dante Alighieri to look into the unique relationship between Tuscany and its most famous poet. Aside from the many events that will be organized all over the region in the next weeks and months, the bond between everyday Tuscans and Dante is much more intimate, almost visceral. For centuries there were many sharecroppers that couldn't read or write but were able to recite by heart entire chants of the Divine Comedy. The influence of his poetry extended across all aspects of everyday life, including popular festivals that lasted for millennia. The "Calendimaggio", a spring festival of Celtic and Etruscan origins, created the so-called "maggianti", groups of travelling troubadours that went from farm to farm to improvise poems to wish good luck to the owners. They always used the "ottava rima" made famous by Dante seven centuries ago. Sometimes they had battles, like today's rappers, to demonstrate who was the best or to settle scores. If for "the others" it may be enough to visit the places where Dante lived, for us Tuscans the only way to pay homage would be to make his poetry a living part of our lives, like it used to be in the past. Are you aware of some particular way people in your area celebrate the arrival of spring? Let us know by joining the conversation on our social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN) https://www.danteotosco700.it/ https://firenze.repubblica.it/tempo-libero/articoli/cultura/2021/03/25/news/dante_alighieri_commedia_orme_poeta_paesaggio-292401377/rss https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/empoli/cronaca/2021/03/24/news/gli-studenti-della-vanghetti-rendono-omaggio-a-dante-1.40066661 https://www.lanazione.it/cronaca/dantedi-1.6165518 https://firenze.repubblica.it/tempo-libero/articoli/cultura/2021/03/25/news/dante_alighieri_casa_museo-293597192/?rss https://www.valdichianaoggi.it/notizie/cortona-il-programma-delle-celebrazioni-dantesche-oltre-30-appuntamenti/ https://www.ilgiunco.net/2021/03/24/tutti-leggono-dante-i-follonichesi-recitano-il-canto-di-pia-per-i-700-anni-dalla-morte-del-sommo-poeta/ https://firenze.repubblica.it/tempo-libero/articoli/cultura/2021/03/24/news/firenze_dante_poesia_novecento_universita_di_firenze_centro_studi_palazzeschi_700_anni_della_morte_anno_dantesco-293580460/?rss https://www.gonews.it/2021/03/24/dantedi-una-cartolina-speciale-da-poste-italiane/ https://www.gonews.it/2021/03/23/dante-mosaico-ragazzi-cerbaiola/ https://www.lanazione.it/massa-carrara/cultura/verso-il-danted%C3%AC-il-sommo-poeta-e-la-lunigiana-dove-si-incontrano-storia-e-leggenda-1.6161012 https://www.gonews.it/2021/03/20/palazzo-blu-dantedi-anteprima-mostra-tom-phillips-dantes-inferno/ https://www.carmignanodivino.it/it/2017/05/la-tradizione-del-calendimaggio/ https://www.carmignanodivino.it/it/2017/05/a-carmignano-si-canta-maggio/ https://www.toscanaoggi.it/Cultura-Societa/Siam-venuti-a-cantar-maggio https://www.ilfilo.net/cantamag.htm http://www.cantamaggiobarberino.it/i-maggiaioli/ BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: A Dark Blue Arc (Instrumental) Author: Pipe Choir One License: Creative Commons Attribution Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-a-dark-blue-arc-creative-commons-instrumental | |||
| Escape from the cities, a real solution? - Ep. 26 | 23 Mar 2021 | 00:07:32 | |
In today's episode we will be talking about a phenomenon that is gaining traction in the last few months, the escape from the city to resettle in a small village. If there are many that are taking advantage of remote working to move to communities much more tightly knit, those charming towns have their own set of very real problems. Pandemic aside, the lack of infrastructure could turn the dream into a real nightmare. What is our take? Better to be extra-cautious before taking the plunge, as going back could be very complicated. Running away from the chaos of the city can be an attractive proposition but it could also be disastrous once things go back to normal. Let us know what you think about it by joining the conversation on our social media profiles: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN) https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/versilia/cronaca/2021/03/10/news/carolina-la-superdonna-che-alleva-le-pecore-ai-piedi-del-monte-corchia-1.40011229 https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/massa/cronaca/2021/03/07/news/nasce-nell-agriturismo-di-famiglia-mulazzo-in-festa-dopo-48-anni-1.39996786 https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pontedera/cronaca/2021/03/11/news/stop-allo-spopolamento-con-lo-smart-working-1.40013711 https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/cecina/cronaca/2021/03/13/news/anche-santa-luce-in-zona-rossa-in-bilico-riparbella-e-casale-1.40024173 https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/grosseto/cronaca/2021/03/14/news/il-tampone-di-massa-nei-piccoli-borghi-1.40026445 https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/piombino/cronaca/2021/03/17/news/vaccino-di-massa-all-elba-adesso-l-ancim-fa-sul-serio-1.40038819 https://www.toscana-notizie.it/archivio/-/asset_publisher/Lyd2Is2gGDzu/content/id/49105980 https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/massa/cronaca/2021/03/12/news/montagna-senza-internet-e-problemi-quotidiani-servono-infrastrutture-1.40019749 https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pontedera/cronaca/2021/03/07/news/torna-il-bancomat-a-lari-1.39998481 https://www.ilcuoioindiretta.it/altre-news/2021/03/05/cerretti-avra-la-sua-farmacia-autorizzata-lapertura-dopo-anni-di-attesa/93558/ https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/lucca/cronaca/2021/03/05/news/armati-di-guanti-e-sacchi-contro-i-rifiuti-i-cittadini-si-prendono-cura-del-territorio-1.39989788 https://www.ilgiunco.net/2021/03/17/i-cacciatori-ripuliscono-i-boschi-dai-rifiuti/ https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pontedera/cronaca/2021/03/06/news/derubata-a-105-anni-in-casa-mentre-dorme-basta-servono-piu-controlli-1.39992677 https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/massa/cronaca/2021/02/28/news/la-banda-del-buco-assalta-le-poste-portati-via-30mila-euro-a-caniparola-1.39967033 https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/lucca/cronaca/2021/02/24/news/colpito-con-un-sasso-dal-ladro-mascherato-ragazzino-perde-i-sensi-1.39948418 BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Trampled Author: Pipe Choir Records License: Creative Commons Attribution Links: http://www.pipechoir.com/ https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-trampled-creative-commons-instrumental | |||
| Castiglioncello, a masterpiece of a town - Ep. 151 | 22 Sep 2023 | 00:22:03 | |
After a very long and extremely warm few months, it looks like summer is finally on its way out. This will undoubtedly cause some sadness to those of us that cannot imagine their lives away from the sea. While it will be a long time until we finally get to swim in the sea and bask in the sun, this doesn't mean that we're not allowed to spend some time in our favourite vacation spots while the weather doesn't turn ugly and cold. Tuscany has many great places where you can have a great day trip by the sea in autumn but few are as charming as one of the most exclusive villages on our coast. This fishermen's village became a hot spot for intellectuals and artists around 150 years ago, slowly turning into one of the most interesting places you can go to have a relaxing and very culturally enriching vacation. For a few decades this was the favourite refuge of movie stars, artists, politicians and a place where you could always meet interesting people. Now things have slightly changed but it's still a great place to visit. This is why this week, What's Up Tuscany will bring you to the coast to tell you everything there is to know about one of my favourite places in the whole world, the lovely village of Castiglioncello. If you listen to the full episode you will learn how it all began around 150 years ago, when, completely by chance, a group of talented artists chose to spend their summers in this tiny village. They loved the nature and scenery so much that they started incorporating what they saw in their paintings, which became the best advertisement ever for the developing resort. I will also tell you how famous politicians, writers and actors chose Castiglioncello to spend their holidays and why this brought many well-off people in town. Today you can go there and walk in their footsteps, from the castle that has taken the place of the house where the Macchiaioli stayed to the stocky tower that dominates the little bay to the little museum where you can see copies of their masterpieces. While you're at it, I will describe you the many coves and beaches where you can have a great day by the sea, a bunch of stuff to do in this interesting town and a couple great places where you can have a great meal. Summer may be far away but you won't be disappointed if you spend a couple of days in Castiglioncello. If you give it a chance, it will steal your heart. Email: podcast@larno.it Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES https://www.thegrandwinetour.com/en/famous-italian-art-sites/castiglioncello-macchiaioli-tuscany https://www.visittuscany.com/it/citta-e-borghi/castiglioncello/ https://tuscanyplanet.com/castiglioncello/ https://www.iltirreno.it/cecina/cronaca/2022/07/08/news/venduto-lo-storico-hotel-miramare-di-castiglioncello-diventera-un-albergo-di-lusso-1.100048757 BACKGROUND MUSIC Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental) Pipe Choir - Children of the Son (Instrumental) Wayne John Bradley - Pick You Up Mike Chino - Calm and Harmony Incompetech - Leopard Print Elevator 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/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-children-of-the-son-creative-commons-instrumental https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/pick-you-up-slow-poprock-style-instrumental-creative-commons https://soundcloud.com/argofox/mike-chino-calm-and-harmony https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077 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/ | |||
| Tourism, is Tuscany ready to re-open? - Ep. 25 | 19 Mar 2021 | 00:08:12 | |
In today's episode we talk about how Tuscany is getting ready to get the most from the return of international travel that could be happening this summer thanks to the progress of the vaccination campaign and the introduction of the COVID pass by the European Union. While many operators are still struggling, there have been a series of innovative initiatives across the region that are becoming more popular with tourists. From five star luxury camping resorts to sites dedicated to forest theraphy, from remote working places in scenic villages, tourism operators are getting creative and this could be a way to get some visibility in the increasingly crowded tourism market. Will it be enough to avoid the collapse of the hospitality industry, severely hit by the lockdowns? As far as we're concerned, while these initiatives are encouraging, only a serious discussion on the many inefficiencies that have slowed down the growth of this sector in the past will be the real way of guaranteeing a future to the industry in our region. This is our take, let us know what you think by joining the conversation on our social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN) https://www.quotidiano.net/esteri/pass-covid-ue-1.6143225 https://firenze.repubblica.it/cronaca/2021/03/15/news/montepulciano_e_pienza_trendy_secondo_airbnb_firenze_fuori_dalla_top_ten-292234341/?rss https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/grosseto/cronaca/2021/03/11/news/nei-camping-di-lusso-della-maremma-i-turisti-stranieri-hanno-gia-prenotato-1.40012978 https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/versilia/cronaca/2021/03/14/news/l-estate-della-rinascita-1.40025385 https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/versilia/cronaca/2021/03/14/news/a-lido-il-mercato-e-fermo-ma-la-stagione-sara-buona-1.40027719 https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/versilia/cronaca/2021/03/13/news/estate-con-restrizioni-le-aziende-del-turismo-non-ce-la-faranno-1.40024035 https://www.toscana-notizie.it/archivio/-/asset_publisher/Lyd2Is2gGDzu/content/id/47159627 https://www.gonews.it/2021/03/10/il-palio-di-siena-si-fara-il-sindaco-decisione-dipendera-anche-da-vaccini/ https://www.ilcuoioindiretta.it/cultura-e-spettacoli/2021/03/10/la-torre-di-pisa-riapre-il-10-aprile/93932/ https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pistoia/cronaca/2021/03/06/news/nella-foresta-sopra-maresca-nasce-il-campeggio-sospeso-1.39991236 http://www.sienafree.it/turismo/319-turismo/123192-turismo-esperienziale-sulle-strade-del-vino-di-toscana-e-online-il-portale-di-prenotazione-delle-attivita-turistiche https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/massa/cronaca/2021/03/09/news/nomadi-digitali-c-e-un-ufficio-felice-in-un-agriturismo-nel-borgo-di-apella-1.40006822 BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Snow Ticket Author: Pipe Choir Records License: Creative Commons Attribution Links: http://www.pipechoir.com/ https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-snow-ticket-creative-commons-instrumental | |||
| Pisa v Florence, the war of the airports - Ep. 24 | 16 Mar 2021 | 00:07:06 | |
In today's episode we talk about how the incomprehensible war between the airports of Pisa and Florence could precipitate the situation in a sector devastated by lockdowns and the collapse of international air travel. The possible sale of the company that handles ground services in the Galilei and Vespucci airports could be the first step towards the acquisition of the two hubs from an international operator. After a disastrous 2020, the future of airports in Tuscany is at risk, despite the launch of new internal routes from Pisa to various city in the South of Italy from June 1st. Despite this, the investment plan keeps ignoring the coastal airport in favour of the Florence one. As far as we are concerned, such a behaviour could have dire consequences for tourism in Tuscany, just when a partial re-opening looms at the horizon. This pointless feud between cities and interest groups is the last thing our region needs in this complicated period. Let us know your thoughts on our social media profiles: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it LINKS TO SOURCES https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pisa/cronaca/2021/03/12/news/anziche-la-smentita-arriva-la-conferma-toscana-aeroporti-handling-e-sul-mercato-1.40021247 https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pisa/cronaca/2021/03/11/news/sostegno-convinto-alla-nuova-pista-di-peretola-1.40015756 https://www.gonews.it/2021/03/12/associazione-in-pista-attacco-a-nardella-allaeroporto-esprimiamo-solidarieta/ https://www.pisatoday.it/cronaca/toscana-aeroporti-handling-vendita-stato-agitazione.html https://www.pisatoday.it/cronaca/sindacato-di-base-cub-su-vendita-handling-all-aeroporto-di-pisa.html https://www.firenzetoday.it/economia/toscana-aeroporti-handling-vendita-offerta-sindacati.html https://www.pisatoday.it/economia/traffico-passeggeri-bilancio-2020-aeroporto-pisa.html https://www.firenzetoday.it/economia/passaporto-vaccinale-viaggi-cina-italia-europa-green-pass.html https://www.gonews.it/2021/03/10/lavori-straordinari-aeroporto-vespucci-firenze/ https://www.gonews.it/2021/03/10/aeroporto-di-firenze-prc-toscana-e-firenze-scalo-autorizzato-a-funzionare/ https://www.pisatoday.it/cronaca/volo-wizz-air-pisa-brindisi-catania-palermo.html https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pisa/cronaca/2021/03/09/news/altri-tre-mesi-di-cassa-integrazione-per-i-lavoratori-aeroportuali-toscani-1.40007077 https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pisa/cronaca/2021/03/09/news/ryanair-scommette-sul-galilei-per-l-estate-43-rotte-una-in-piu-dello-scorso-anno-1.40003946 https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/regione/toscana/2021/03/02/news/ora-l-europa-indaga-sullo-scalo-fiorentino-1.39972691 https://www.gonews.it/2021/03/02/toscana-aeroporti-arrivano-10-milioni-per-la-toscana/ https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pisa/cronaca/2021/03/06/news/lavoro-a-rischio-ipotesi-di-vendita-e-presto-niente-piu-cassa-integrazione-1.39991162 BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Blue Hope New Sky Author: Pipe Choir Records License: Creative Commons Attribution Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-blue-hope-new-sky-creative-commons-instrumental http://www.pipechoir.com/ | |||
| Vespa at 75, a sombre party - Ep. 23 | 12 Mar 2021 | 00:07:14 | |
In today's episode we will talk about the very low-key celebrations of the 75 year anniversary of Vespa, the scooter that made famous Piaggio and the city of Pontedera. The celebrations planned for April 23 and 24 by Piaggio and the municipality have been cancelled due to the COVID pandemic. Maybe it's for the best, as both the company and the Lower Valdarno city are light years away from their respective heyday. An uncertain future, the risky transition to electric mobility, the shift to a mainly seasonal workforce have caused the decline of many areas of the small city. What is our take on it? It's pointless to dream about going back to the past. Jobs guaranteed for life are gone forever - in the future each worker will have to face the market on his own, offering his skills to the best offerer. Instead of looking back, much better to think of something new, just like those workers of a devastated airplane company back in 1946. What do you think about it? Let us know on our social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it LINKS TO SOURCES https://www.lanazione.it/pontedera/cronaca/covid-ferma-fetsa-1.6117003 https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pontedera/cronaca/2021/03/04/news/l-ex-culla-dell-ape-ora-e-un-inferno-di-droga-degrado-e-prostituzione-1.39981617 https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pontedera/cronaca/2021/03/10/news/piaggio-migliorano-le-prospettive-secondo-l-agenzia-standard-amp-poor-s-1.40008320 https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/pontedera/cronaca/2021/03/01/news/piaggio-alleanza-con-ktm-honda-e-yamaha-per-la-produzione-di-batterie-elettriche-intercambiabili-1.39968543 https://www.pisatoday.it/politica/vertenza-precari-piaggio-mozione-reintegro-consiglio-comunale-pisa.html https://www.ticonsiglio.com/piaggio-assunzioni/ https://www.lanazione.it/pontedera/cronaca/ben-vengano-le-assunzioni-ma-con-certezze-1.5988281 BACKGROUND MUSIC Title: Children of the Son Author: Pipe Choir Records License: Creative Commons Attribution Links: https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-children-of-the-son-creative-commons-instrumental | |||
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