Where to enjoy autumn treats in Tuscany this November

Autumn is showing itself from its best side with the sun warming up the darkening days and the leaves turning a gorgeous reddish brown. Chestnuts, wine, game, olive oil and truffle are on the menu in Tuscany this November and we’ve selected the events where you can enjoy these autumn treats best. Buon appetito!

Sweet for my sweet

The yearly baking Walhalla Dolcemente Pisa is blowing out ten candles this time around – meaning that it’s going to be sweeter than ever! The theme for this anniversary edition is ‘in vino veritas’, uniting Italy’s love for dolci with its fine wine tradition. Get your sweet treat at Stazione Leopolda in Pisa on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November from 10.30 am to 8 pm. More info here (in Italian).

Redvelvet cupcake and Cappuccino to start @dolcementepisa #pisa #breakfast #cake

A photo posted by Valentina Dainelli (@toomuchtuscany) on Nov 23, 2014 at 2:04am PST

Wild boar galore

Like game? Then the Sagra del Cinghiale di Chianni is definitely your thing. The second and third weekend of November the town of Chianni is all about enjoying wild boar, the hunting tradition and folkloric celebrations. Traditional local dishes, good wine and merrymaking with a backdrop of sloping hills; it doesn’t get any more Tuscan than this! More info here (in Italian).

Feeling peckish?

Every weekend from the 14th of November to the 8th of December your table is set in Lucca during the market/fair Il Desco – Sapori e Saperi Lucchesi. Discover the local food tradition through workshops, exhibitions and, of course, a lot of tasting. Head to the Real Collegio and save your seat to start eating your way through Lucca. More info here (in Italian).

Green gold

Are you a big sucker for Italian olive oil? Then make sure you join the festivities of the Festa dell’Olio di Montemurlo. The party starts on the 15^th of November with a market, a farmer’s lunch, tasting and a gospel choir performance. The last three weekends of the month are all dedicated to the green gold and oil-related activities. Check out their website for the entire programme (in Italian).

Truffle hunting by train

San Giovanni d’Asso is all about white truffle for the 30th time in a row during the Mostra del Tartufo Bianco. A special steam engine train is taking you there on the 8^th (from Siena) and 15^th of November (from Grosseto). It’s an unforgettable experience that Valentina was lucky enough to enjoy. Read about her adventures on the Treno Natura Crete Senesi here and find out more about the Mostra del Tartufo Bianco and the steam train timetable here (in Italian).

TooMuchTruffle

And the truffle fun doesn’t stop there! The world famous white truffle fair of San Miniato is back and takes over the hilltop town during the last three weekends of November and the first weekend of December. The different stalls sell everything that is made with truffle, from sausages to cheeses and from chocolate to beer. It’s a very entertaining and popular pre-Christmas shopping occasion that gets you into high spirits right away. More info here (in Italian).

Ultimate autumn event

Last, but not least is the ultimate autumn event Castagne e Vino Novo, ‘chestnuts and new wine’, organized by the Cavalieri di Santa Fina, which takes place in San Gimignano on the following days: 31 October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 November and 6, 7, 8 December. Head to Piazza del Duomo and follow the smell of chestnuts towards the Loggia del Comune to find the locals handing out wine and caldarroste. More info here (in Italian).

Cheers to autumn!