Want to enjoy Easter in one of the most beautiful cities in Italy? With a package designed by Villa Campestri, you’ll be able to not only breathe the magical atmosphere of the world’s best Olive Oil Resort, but also dedicate three days to cultural entertainment in nearby Florence.
We know that Easter weekend can be less than satisfying: it’s over too quickly, and much too intense. But we can make it really enjoyable, a three day excursion away from home to enjoy the first glimpse and perfumed air of spring. We’ve already presented our Easter gift to you: a complete package for those who would like to spend the weekend at Villa Campestri Olive Oil Resort, with Sunday Easter dinner included, along with our great breakfast buffet and tickets that bring you to Florence by train and a visit to the city’s wonderful museums. We’re especially happy to offer Florence this particular weekend, a short ride by train from Borgo San Lorenzo station (to where we bring you). Florence this weekend is especially inviting to its guests and tourists, offering a gay carnival atmosphere that blends into the more traditional austerity of Holy Week.
After you’ve passed the first night in one of our beautifully restored rooms, and enjoyed the breakfast buffet of the freshest products, all raised and grown within kilometers of the Villa, you are off to Florence to spend the day. In our package is included a ticket to a site of your choice. Pick from the Uffizi Gallery, the Academy (where the slaves and David of Michaelangelo are beautifully displayed), the elegant Boboli Gardens, or the wonderful Palatine Gallery of the Pitti Palace. After your visit you can just wander into the festive atmosphere of the city. And return Easter morning for a special Florentine tradition. Undoubtedly the biggest attraction on Easter in Florence is the colorful rite called Scoppio del Carro, or the Explosion of the Cart, a tradition that dates back to Crusader times in the 11th century.
An elaborately towered, fireworks-embellished cart – known as the Brindellone – drawn by a team of white Chianina cattle, is brought, accompanied by a grand procession of music, drummers and flag wavers in medieval garb, to the Cathedral square, where it is “exploded” by the blazing Colombina, a “rocket” in the shape of a dove that travels by special cable from the Cathedral altar out to the cart to make it explode. All the fireworks also explode as the Colombina heads back to the altar. Inside and out, the crowd roars. Fireworks explode and it’s a grand Florence moment! Tradition tells us that, if all goes well, Tuscany will have a happily abundant harvest this year. This is what awaits when you book your weekend visit to Villa Campestri Olive Oil Resort this Easter. Enjoy three days of a holiday so filled with various enjoyments that it will seem the double.
