FREE MUSEUM VISITS IN PIENZA, BUONCONVENTO AND THE CRETE SENESI, MAY 2013

The art museums in Pienza, the truffle museum in San Giovanni d'Asso, the Mezzadria museum in Buonconvento and the Etruscan museum in Murlo all have decided to join the European museum night on the 18th of May. 

Food, art and Etruscan heritage lovers can visit the museums for FREE on Saturday night. If you drive as fast as the Italians, you may even be able to combine two free museum visits in one night. 

The truffle museum in San Giovanni d'Asso grants free access from 8 - 10 pm. This interactive visit is not just for foodies, but great fun with kids too. The Mezzadria museum in Buonconvento, which tells the story of Tuscany's sharecroppers, can be visited from 9 - 11 pm. This is another great visit for kids - at least if yours stay up as late as our Italian ones (if in Buonconvento on Saturday also check out the Mille Miglia website - the oldtimers will roll through town from around 11 am). 

The archaeology museum in Murlo near Buonconvento organizes a star gazing the Etruscan way (from 9 pm), and the art museum at Palazzo Borgia in Pienza will not just open its doors at night time, but also tie in a dance performance (Zbandaj Ballet at 9.30 pm and at 11am, 3.30 and 5.30 pm on Sunday).  

Last but not least, there is Montalcino's sacred art museum. No nighttime opening from what I can see (these people probably have to be back in the vineyards early in the morning), but a vernissage from 5 to 7 pm with local artist Carlotta Parisi, who will present her installation called 'Nunziatina' in the museum's Sant'Agostino courtyard (last time I was there world class wine journalists were slurping Brunello).

Carlotta's work will be at the museum till the end of October. The Montalcino born artist and illustrator also has a little studio and shop near the town's cathedral (via Spagni, 57), where you can find lots of bric-à-brac, some of it made with used wine corks (not surprising she came up with that one in Brunello town). 

Still looking for more freebies? Three of Siena's art museums have joined the crowd, so you better hit the gas pedal. 

PARTY TIME IN CASTELNUOVO DELL'ABATE: MAY 2013

Vineyards and olive groves: Castelnuovo dell'Abate seen from Sant'Antimo 

Castelnuovo dell'Abate is one of Montalcino's beautiful small villages that most people only see from afar when visiting Sant'Antimo abbey. 

It's time you took a closer look. The medieval village is alive and kicking and its inhabitants are proposing village feasts (in this case called Festa Campagnola) that are always fun to join. 

CASTELNUOVO DELL'ABATE, SUNDAY, 12th of May - FESTA CAMPAGNOLA

• 9am opening of the food stalls (and remember it's totally acceptable to accompany your second breakfast with a glass of wine in Tuscany) 
• but make sure you leave some room for lunch at 12.30 pm
• at 4 pm dance it all off with the Ballo del Trescone (Montalcino's folk music group) 
• at 6 pm try and win a prosciutto, Pecorino cheese or Tuscan salami during the TOMBOLA GASTRONOMICA
• at 8 pm join everybody for dinner (better eat some more after all that wine)
• at 9.30 check whether you can still stand on your feet and - if yes - dance along (or in the contrary case just hum along) to the tunes of Luca e la sua fisarmonica (Luca and his accordion). 

And don't even think of suing me for the headache the day after!

Ps. If you're an abstinent race car lover stranded in Montalcino, have a look at the program of the 2013 edition of Tuscan rewind instead. The race cars will parade through Montalcino's historic town center on Saturday at 4.30 pm. 

VISITING SANT'ANTIMO ABBEY WITH KIDS?

The Terre di Siena tourist office has put up a nice little activity for people travelling with kids. Bring along some felt colored pencils and have your youngsters fill in the silhouette of Sant'Antimo whilst you enjoy the Gregorian chants (or do it the other way round). 

Your kids' version of Sant'Antimo will look much more interesting than this