All about Tuscan Christmas markets and other season activities.

One of the pleasures of this time of the year is strolling around on Christmas markets; alone to buy presents or with your loved ones just to enjoy the special atmosphere. When you are or go one of these days to Tuscany, you are in luck, because this region and especially the major cities have a lot to offer. Here is Santa Claus his secret stock and here you will have a fantastic Christmas.

The month of December is extremely important in all Italian regions. Lights, decorations, Christmas trees, presepio; you will find them everywhere. Smell the fragrance of roast chestnuts, sold from improvised stalls, hear the street artists singing Christmas songs and watch the shops dressed like in a Dickens story. No other time of the year releases a more exiting atmosphere than this one. Small local or organised markets, displaying a wide range of typical and local products, seem to multiply in this time of the year.

To give you an impression of the wide range of Christmas markets and other fairs, here follows a list with the upcoming ones:

Siena

The Mercato di Natale.

Monte Amiata

Inverno sull'Amiata.

Castiglione d'Orcia

A Christmas market, famous for its local and artisan products where many restaurant owners come to buy for the Christmas days, is hold on December 17th from 9am to 7pm in Castiglione d'Orcia (Sienna region).

Christmassy Afternoons in Sarteano

In Sarteano (Sienna region) is on December 16th and 17th at 3pm on the main square of the town, there will be roasted chestnuts, Christmas cakes and wine for everybody.

A variety of organic foods, from cheeses to honey and more, will be on sale at the organic Christmas market in Siena on December 22nd in Piazza del Mercato, from 8.30am to 12.45pm.

Waiting for Father Christmas in Chianciano Terme

In Chianciano Terme (Sienna), there will be a market with additional music, cakes, entertainment and Father Christmas for the little ones on December 23rd in the old town centre.

Equality and Solidarity Christmas Market in Sarteano

Christmas Fair in Casole d'Elsa

From December 18th to 24th, there will be on Piazza Arnolfo a Christmas fair selling gifts, typical Christmas delights and more.

A special slow food fair

"Degustazioni ad Arte" will be hold in San Casciano dei Bagni (Sienna region). The "Degustazioni ad Arte" is part of a series of meetings in places of particular artistic or historical interest. On December 28th at 5pm the Fonteverde Natural Resort will be hosting an afternoon of savouring delicacies from the Terre di Siena.

In the series "Degustazioni ad Arte", there will be on December 29th at 5.30pm at the Acquasanta Park, a tasting of the fine wines from around Chianciano Terme. Free entrance but advance booking required.

In the series "Degustazioni ad Arte", there will be on December 30th at 5pm in the conference room of the Palazzo Comunale at Cetona an afternoon of savouring typical local culinary delights.

Free entrance but advance booking required. Info: 0578-671122

New Oil Festival in Cetona

In its 10th edition, the oil festival in Cetona, with the tasting of the freshly pressed olive oil from this year, will run from December 28th to 30th in the old town centre.

Old year's Fair - Etruscan Market in Chiusi

Chiusi (Sienna region) has on December 31st an Etruscan market selling a broad range of goodies from local crafts to agricultural produce.

TUSCANWEB WISHES YOU "BUON NATALE".

For more information visit

• Comune Siena
• Comunita Montana
• Comune Sarteano