Thanks to the excellent Pitcher & Flaccomio monthly newsletter, I read about a flag tossing competition on May 10 at 3 pm in Piazza Signoria, Florence, and the Open Courtyards and Gardens and event (Cortili e Giardini Aperti) that takes place in Florence on May 11 and in Pisa, Lucca, and Siena on May 18.

Having once attended a major procession for a wine event in medieval costumes in the Piazza Signoria, I can highly recommend the flag tossing event. The pageantry, the costumes, and the athletic skill are all on magnificent display, and the Piazza Signoria can accommodate many attendees.

The Open Courtyards and Gardens event is very special because these are private and rarely open to the public. At some locations, music is provided. This event takes place in Florence on Sunday, May 11 from 10-1 and 3-7 and in Pisa. Lucca and Siena on Sunday, May 18 from 10-1 and 3-7. For a complete list, see http://www.adsitoscana.it/eventi/comunicati.php?pos=2. The site is in Italian but you can scroll down and find the list of places with addresses.

I hope some readers will be able to take advantage of one or both events.

Edited at Suzy's request to update dates and locations of these events.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Doru,

Thank you so much! What a treat. I will be in Florence for a week starting in a few days so this is just perfect. I knew about the flag tossing but not the open palaces and courtyards.

You're welcome. I'm so pleased to hear that this benefits a reader.

This is a correction to the date for the Open Courtyards and Gardens in Lucca, Pisa, and Siena. For those cities, it is May 18, not May 11, the same times:

Lucca, Pisa, Siena - Cortili e Giardini Aperti
Domenica 18 maggio 2008
dalle ore 10 alle ore 13 e dalle ore 15 alle ore 19

My apologies for missing that date. I will change it in the original posting, if I can.

quote:

Originally posted by Suzy Kane:
This is a correction to the date for the Open Courtyards and Gardens in Lucca, Pisa, and Siena. For those cities, it is May 18, not May 11, the same times:

Lucca, Pisa, Siena - Cortili e Giardini Aperti
Domenica 18 maggio 2008
dalle ore 10 alle ore 13 e dalle ore 15 alle ore 19

My apologies for missing that date. I will change it in the original posting, if I can.

Suzy, there isn't enough space in the title to cover all events, locations and dates. Please see if the changes I made cover everything. Basically, I put the names of the events in the title and the dates in the post. I can change it any way you want, if this is not satisfactory.

Cheers,
Doru

Suzy,
I sent my friend Kim your note as she is the one who writes the newsletters!

She appreciates the praise!

Thank you, Doru, for the edits. Excellent solution!

Diva, thanks so much for telling Kim what I think of their newsletter. It is superb. I think it's the best English newsletter for Florence and Tuscany that I've seen.