If you are looking to plan a trip to the Renaissance centre of Tuscany and find a luxury villa in Florence, you might consider heading in September in order to make it to the annual Rificolona festival.
This festival celebrates the birth of the Virgin Mary who, according to Christian tradition, was born on September 8th in an unknown year, somewhere near Nazareth. The large basilica of Santissima Annunziata is dedicated to her worship and her birthday is a day of celebration that involves religious ceremonies, paper lanterns...and spit wads?
It all began in the 17th century and became a tradition wherein hundreds of peasants and farmers from the surroundings would come to the city to celebrate, bringing their wares with them; cheeses, honey, fruit and vegetables and handmade crafts.