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by Jacopo Mauro (Author), Roberto Di Ferdinando (Author)
Far from the crowds and the usual clichés, Tuscany still has well-hidden treasures that it reveals only to locals and travellers who know how to get off the beaten track.
An indispensable guide for those who thought they knew Tuscany well or for those who wish to discover another side of the region. The city of Florence is not covered in this book since another guide is specifically dedicated to it: see 'Secret Florence' from the same publisher. 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 ...Author Biography
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 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.
