The oak tree where Pinocchio hanged himself, a 15th century stained glass window with an image of Mussolini, a forgotten statue by Leonardo da Vinci, a luxury hotel that is now a public lavatory, a 17th century milk distributor, a wine-drinking frog, a unique astronomical phenomenon, a staircase in Siena bearing St. Catherine’s teeth marks, a whale in Lucca, an authentic phial of Christ’s blood, a faith that moves rocks, diamonds within marble, the location of the amphora from the Marriage Feast of Cana, an extraordinary anatomical theatre in Pistoia, Fata Morgana’s spring of eternal youth, an unusual stroll along a marble quarry monorail …
Far from the crowds and the usual clichés, Tuscany still reserves any number of hidden treasures for those who know how to wander off the beaten track.
This is a guide that is indispensable for those who think they know Tuscany … or those who want to discover another side to the region.
Jacopo Mauro has led a nomadic existence throughout Europe for 18 years. Following a spell as an opera singer, he now specialises in seeking out authentic experiences where they are most difficult to find, at major public events such as the Palio of Siena, the Venice Carnival or the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona. Through his international network of personal contacts, he involves people in these events according to the principle: “Be there, but without the crowds.”
Roberto Di Ferdinando, born in Viareggio in 1971, graduated in 1997 from the “Cesare Alfieri” Faculty of Political Science at the University of Florence with a dissertation on the history of journalism, under the direction of Prof. Cosimo Ceccuti, entitled: “The federal question through the pages of Piero Calamandrei’s Il Ponte.” In the same faculty he took an advanced course in international relations and then obtained a Master’s in Content Design from the Faculty of Engineering. He is now employed by the university. As a member of the Tuscan Order of Journalists, he writes for the press on the history of Florence, Tuscany and military affairs. He runs the Recinto Internazionale website and two blogs: Curiosità di Firenze and Fotografie del Mondo. Since 2013, he has been a member of the scientific committee of the Florentines in the World Association. He is also a holistic consultant specialising in psychosomatic analysis techniques and personal growth, registered with the professional association Olocounseling (Overcoming Life’s Obstacles) since 2016.
AUTHORS: Jacopo Mauro & Roberto di Ferdinando
PAGES: 320
FORMAT: 10.5 x 19 cm
ISBN: 978-2-36195-225-9
PRICE: 17,95 € – US$ 21.95 – £14.99
CONTACT: [email protected]