If you’re visiting Tuscany you certainly won’t want to miss the important cities that are rich in history, where it seems that little has changed in the last 500 years and the Renaissance seems as alive today as it was then. Indeed, if you’re in Florence on June 24, you may feel like a time traveler as the city honors San Giovanni, the patron saint. The day is celebrated with a Renaissance fair commemorating the city’s history.  

The costumes are glorious and the experience totally immersive. It takes place in Piazza Santa Croce, where stalls of crafts, food, music and performances are set up. Highlights include the historical costume procession that starts in Piazza della Signoria and finishes at the basilica of St. John the Baptist, and the Florentine Historical Football Tournament, a violent and spectacular sport that dates back to the 16th century.