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Italy doesn’t really celebrate Halloween. It’s one of my life’s greatest sticking points.

I hate the fact that my home country, Australia, and adopted country, Italy, don’t celebrate Halloween or Thanksgiving – I love the idea of turkey and pumpkin pies!

The Maremma has its own scary stories perfect for the campfire. They tell of monsters and devils and demons catching travellers unaware on deserted highways.

Many of these stories were warnings about real dangers. In Castiglione della Pescaia, a witch trapped in the tree was a metaphor for malaria, her burning eyes a symbol of the infection’s burning fever.

My favourite scary Maremman story comes from Santa Fiora. In the endless countryside around this mountain town is a huge rock formation called Sasso Clel. The rock is home to a horrible witch.

As the moon made its way across the sky, this witch would leave her lair and sneak into the bedrooms of Santa Fiora’s children.

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When she found them, she would tie their hair into knots and sneak back out. It’s not exactly the stuff of nightmares, but I just love the simple beauty of it. As far as I know, it was probably just a way to get kids to brush their hair before bed.

In recent years, globalisation has given birth to a few 31 October festivities that have managed to reach the otherwise isolated plains of the Maremma.

My idea of a perfect Halloween is dressing up like something ridiculous (this year it’s a squirrel), eating food that’s been purposefully made to look gross and watching a badly made scary teen movie.

Luckily for anyone who happens to be in the Maremma, the festivities promise to be much more exciting. Here are my top picks for Halloween 2013.

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1. Gustatus, Orbetello

It’s not really a Halloween festival, but this fantastic food event in Orbetello is not to be missed. 31 October is the first day of the festival, so expect a kids’ workshop, music through the streets and plenty of food stalls.

2. Festa delle Streghe, Montemerano

A suitable scare-tastic festival held on 1 and 2 November. Be prepared for spider webs and witches’ lairs as Montemerano is transformed into a real life nightmare. During the day, there are games and frights for kids of all ages, while after dinner, rock music will shake the medieval buildings of Piazza del Castello.

 3. It’s Halloween, Albinia

This country fete gets spooky with kids’ animation, music and free sweets in Albinia. Restaurants and bars will be serving up Halloween themed menus and “magic potion” cocktails, wine tasting and roasted chestnuts. Watch out for the witches that will be roaming the streets!

4. Festa della Castagna, Sassofortino

Again, not a Halloween festival, but a great artisan festival dedicated to the castagna or chestnut where you can pick up some fantastic handicrafts. There’ll also be plenty of free food and wine to go around.

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