Pitigliano- off the beaten beauty

Pitigliano is no doubt one of the most interesting towns in Tuscany for its history and its beauty.

As you reach Pitigliano by car you will immediately see its great beauty.

The town is totally perched on top of an abrupt tuff butte and is surrounded by green vegetation and the typical Maremma�s intense brown.

The whole town is constructed on a hill of "Tufo" (that is the name of this special rock which is typical of many areas of Tuscany and Lacio) and gives the impression that its walls and houses are a continuation of the same hill.

From the historic point of view there is no doubt that Pitigliano was inhabited by the Etruscans (500 AC), taking into account its many grottos that the archaeologists have found in town, although its present aspect is more medieval. Called the little Jerusalem, Pitigliano is one of the few towns of Tuscany which keeps a Jewish quarter with its synagogue.

Pitigliano is perfect to discover on foot and an hour is enough to get lost in its little narrow lanes, see the Jewish quarter and the synagogue. Pitigliano�s white wine is also famed. It is called Bianco de Pitigliano. So if you stop to eat in the village ask for the local white and more importantly, do not miss one of the best restaurants of the area: el "Tufo Allegro", located very near the synagogue.

A visit to Pitigliano can be combined with other two very pretty places which are off it: Sovana, and the Termas de Saturnia which are probably the prettiest thermal baths in Tuscany (see last photo).

How to travel around Tuscany

Dear Friends,

We receive many mails from the blog�s following asking what the best way to know Tuscany is and mainly whether it is necessary to go around by car. That is why here I will give you the following information:

1- If your trip is only devoted to Florence and a day dedicated to Siena and San Gimignano you should avoid hiring a car. Florence is a relatively small town which must be known on foot. Besides, the access to cars in the historic heart is not permitted, therefore hiring a car to know Florence is unnecessary expense. Besides parking is another problem. As it is a town dating back to the 16th century, it is not logistically prepared with car parks and they are not enough. The rail and road communications to Siena and San Gimignano are excellent and buses leave hourly.

2- If you want to know the real Tuscany, its little villages and its ravishing countryside, it is essential to travel by car as it is the only way to reach the most enchanting off the beaten places where no public transport can take you.

As I always have, I hope this information is useful to prepare your trip.

Best wishes,

Giovanni

How to save in a trip to Tuscany

How to save in a trip to Tuscany

Tuscany is an area of Italy visited by high standing tourism. However, it is also possible to visit this splendid region on low budget following the recommendations below:

1- Accommodation
All those who do not want to spend a fortune in a trip around the region should hire an apartment with kitchen in a rural house in Tuscany. Having a kitchen will help them avoid having breakfast and dinner out and save.
Tuscany offers many accommodations of this kind but beware of high season as they only rent from Saturday to Saturday.

2- Shopping
If you are in a little touristic village, avoid shopping in the village stores. It can be too expensive, therefore always ask where the nearest COOP to your apartment is. COOP is one of the best inventions of our period of �socialism�: it is a producers� cooperative where you will be able to buy excellent food products at very low prices.

3- Transport
Avoid public transport as it is expensive and does not go to the most enchanting off the beaten places to visit in Tuscany.
Hire a car, a diesel or a CNG one if possible. Fuel in Italy is very expensive, much more than in US.

4- Eating out
If you need to stick to a lower budget, do not despair as in Tuscany it is possible to eat at very fair prices for there are many "Pizza al Taglio", shops where for a few Euros you will be able to eat excellent pizza with fresh beer.

Another option is visiting some Alimentari which can be located at villages or in bigger towns, such as COOP or a Consorzio Agrario. Go to the section of sausages, then choose the bread you like most (in Tuscany we have excellent bread) and prepare it with the most delicious cheese or sausages that our region offers.

And if, when you go out at night, you want to spend little, do not despair as it is also possible. In the summer Tuscany offers many Feste Unit� or Sagre in which it is possible to eat at prices more than appropriate: (10-15 Euros).

Well Friends,

enjoy Tuscany!

Castiglione D'Orcia and Bagni San Filippo. (Sylvia visiting Tuscany)

Yesterday morning, departing from my Villa in Monticchiello, whose beauty and comfort as well as stupendous service they give their guests still captivates me, I decided to go on an excursion by car to Castiglione D'Orcia and Bagni San Filippo.

Villa Montecchiello is so well situated that by car all towns of Val D'Orcia are within easy reach, each with its peculiarities making it hard to say which one is the most beautiful and interesting.

Castiglione D'Orcia is a very old and precious town. It was a fortress, dominated by the Aldobrandeschi in the 1^st century. From the park next to the fortress ruins situated atop a hill, there are marvellous vistas dominating the whole town, the nearby Fortress of Tentennano and Monte Amiata. It makes true pleasure.
The little streets of Castiglione D�Orcia are made of cobblestones and in the heart of town there is an original and pretty square, known as Piazza Il Vecchietta, an artist of the 15th century that as many other humanists of the Renaissance in Tuscany , was a prodigy in painting as well as in sculpture and architecture.
In the square I was visiting the town hall that extends from one side to the other of the square, creating an emblematic atmosphere. Besides I visited the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria Magdalena and the Renaissance Chiesa di I Santi Stefano e Degna, considered the most important in town, as until recently it housed sacred masterpieces by Simone Martini and Pietro Lorenzetti, today under restoration in Siena.
In the meanwhile, I got terrible hungry, so after visiting the shops and handicrafts galleries of town, where very tasteful and affordable specialities are sold, I took a car and head for a restaurant that the very charming owner of one of the shops had recommended. You cannot imagine how enchanting and polite the people I am meeting here are�
The restaurant is "I tre Rioni" and is situated in Campiglia D'Orcia, a very little nearby village.
It is an elegant Bed and Breakfast, with a restaurant where to eat superlatively.
I eat pecorino salad (an exquisite typical Tuscan sheep cheese) with pears and rucula, and after that a very tender veal escalope with authentic aromatic and delightful forest mushroom ("funghi porcini"), all of that accompanied by a very fresh and excellent white wine: Collazzi Bianco di Montepulciano. After the dessert and coffee, the maitre invited me to drink a drop herb acquavite, a strong liqueur yet of a very delicious flavour.
I left the restaurant so pleased, not only because of the liqueur...but for the food had been stupendous and the relationship quality/price is very fair. I spent �35 including tip.

Bagni San Filippo is a very little and pretty town with a one-of-a-kind scenery, because of the whitish limestone deposits surrounding the thermal baths. They were already very prestigious in the Ancient Romans epoch and were restored in the 16^th century, under Cosme I Medici�s orders. In the "La Mandragora" by Maquiavelo there is a passage devoted to them (another book to read in Monticchiello after dinner).

This town has five springs of sulphurous waters of important curative properties whose temperature reaches 52� C. There are endless options of spa hotels chosen by the Italians and foreigners to enjoy healthy and relaxing holidays.

The following foreigner will be me, loaded with books and good music...emerging from water fresh as a daisy. Wait and see how some good writer includes me in a novel.

Sylvia

Vinci, where Leonardo was born

If you area staying in the north of Tuscany or nearby Florence it is interesting to devote half a day to know the town of Vinci, where the famous Leonardo da Vinci was born.

The village is very little: there are 4 houses, a church, a souvenir shop , a trattoria which was obviously named after the master of the Italian Renaissance and a very interesting museum that keeps many of Leonardo�s pieces of writing and some models. I remember visiting this museum with my school when I was very little but it made a great impression on me because of the brilliant ideas of the great Leonardo and for his vision 300 years ahead of his time.

Leonard came up with the idea and designed many machines that we use in our times. One of them is the fascinating tank that he designed in 1500, that is, about 400 years ahead of his time.

Here is an attached video in English that I have found in Youtube. The video is quite exhaustive, made almost professionally and gives a full insight of what the village is.



All my best,

Giovanni

Pictures of Tuscany in May

Please find below some nice pics of Tuscany I have taken during the month of May, enjoy!






Dear Friends

Tuscan Cheese

After my previous post on Tuscan wines I have come up with the idea that it can be interesting for all of you who will shortly visit Tuscany to know about the cheese of my homeland.

Tuscany has excellent cheese that I would classify among the best in Italy. The art of cheese making has been brought to the highest point of perfection over the years mainly thanks to the Sardinians (inhabitants of the island of Sardinia) who live and produce cheese in Tuscany. The Sardinians are the masters of the production of Pecorino sheep cheese. At present, mainly in the area of Pienza many of them produce part of the best pecorino cheese in Italy.

Besides the pecorino cheese you should taste the fresh ricotta di pecora that has nothing to do with what you can buy in Spain, made and packed by Galbani.

Ricotta is very hard to find in restaurants as it is fresh cheese that tends to spoil in a day or two maximum but you can buy it in the dairy products shelves of COOP supermarkets, El Consorcio Agrario as well as in the small grocer�s shops. There are two varieties of ricotta: from cow, less tasty, similar to the flavour of Mat�, and from sheep, very good and delectable, ideal to flavour salad in the hot summer days�

By the way friends, if you enter Pienza, in town there are many shops only selling the best quality pecorino but if you want to buy directly from the producers, on the road from Pienza to Montepulciano you will find many who sell directly to the customer obviously at lower prices.

Certainly, I hope this article about Tuscan cheese turns out useful.

Warm regards,


Giovanni

Tuscany Under the Snow

Dear friend

Please find below some pictures of yesterday of Montepulciano (Southern Tuscany) under the snow.

The pictures are a gift to us of Giacomo from Casa Cornacchi.

Enjoy!









Big Hug to all of you!

Giovanni

Tuscan wines

Dear friends,

Today I want to tell you about the wines of Tuscany� the wines of my homeland that are classified among the best wines of the world year after year.

Tuscany has an autochthonous grape called San Giovese and many Designations of Origin where this grape tends to be mixed with others such as Cabernet or Merlot.

Although there are many Designations of Origin I will tell you about the most famous and some of their best red wines which are four: Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, Nobile di Montepulciano and Morellino di Scansano.

The most famed and world renowned area at international level is maybe Chianti, which is the zone of vineyards between Florence and Siena. Chianti wines tend to be excellent wines although you have to pay attention at the time of buying as the region of Chianti also has many producers who buy grapes in other places and produce cheap wines of poor quality to which they call Chianti. It is the reason why you will always have to check it is Chianti Classico wine.

Another much smaller and exclusive Designation of Origin is the one from Montalcino. The town is nowadays the little "Saint Tropez" of Tuscany where some of the wealthiest men from all over the world tend to spend some days of holidays. In Montalcino all wine cellars are extremely elegant, refined and constructed with an almost null environmental impact. Montalcino is a little jewel that protects its scenery from tremendous urbanization which unluckily has been carried out in some areas of Tuscany. Montalcino today leads the fight against the unrestricted urbanization and has managed to create its wealth producing exquisite wines and keeping its scenery, focusing on luxury tourism.

Another great Designation of Origin (DO) is the one from Montepulciano. Montepulciano is a little DO but quite bigger than the one from Montalcino. Excellent wine is produced in Montepulciano, mainly the high quality range of wines called Vino Nobilae (noble wines) from Montepulciano (do not confuse it with the Montepulciano wines from Abruzzo). The Nobile wines of Montepulciano are also exquisite; they are generally stored for 2-3 years in French barrels before coming onto the market.

The last Designation of Origin I want to talk about is the one from Morellino di Scansano. The Morellino wines also are very good wines which are reaching the excellent levels of Brunello. The Morellino wines are produced in the area of the Maremma, therefore they are vineyards that grow in very mild areas because of their nearness to the sea. In this zone, more precisely in Bolgheri the Sassicaia wine, one of the best wines worldwide, is also produced.

Here is an attached video telling you about the typical products of Tuscany among which is wine obviously�

Well friends, if you are in Tuscany never forget to drink a good red wine as there is too much to choose from�

Best,

Giovanni

Useful links on Tuscany

Holidays in Florence and Tuscany Vacation Resources

Florence and Tuscany Directories | Florence Hotels | Florence & Tuscany Bed and Breakfast | Florence Apartment Rentals | Florence Restaurants | Farm Holidays in Tuscany | Wedding Planners in Tuscany | Other Useful Links

Florence and Tuscany Touristic Directories

• Castellitoscani.com,The Castles of Tuscany - A trip through castles, fortresses, walled town and other medieval treasures of this Italian region with history, photos, maps, touristic itineraries in the heart of Italy.
• Apartments for Holidays to Rent in Florence - Web site dedicated to those who are looking for an accommodation in a flat, a studio, a loft, a student room or apartment, a tourist home or villa to let in the historical center of Florence, in the charming hills around the city, in the residential area or close to the Florence University campus...
• Apartments Rental in Tuscany, Farm Holidays and Villas in Italy - A selection of charming private villas, farm holidays resorts, country apartments, lofts for your pleasant holidays in the historical city of Florence and Tuscany countryside.
• Bed and Breakfast in Florence - Locate bed and breakfast inns of Florence, Italy thanks to our useful interactive map! Florence bed and breakfasts, Italy, bed and breakfast inns directory. BedandBreakfastflorence.com - The Florence Bed and Breakfast accommodations directory - Bed and Breakfast Lodging, B&B Vacation Travel!
• Studentsville - Florence Study Abroad Guide - We tell you everything about studying and living in Florence. Museums and monuments, accomodations, restaurants, discos and pubs...
• Florence Rooms to rent- Housing in private apartments and rooms, rent your room or apartment in Florence. With more than 300 rooms and aparts in town, is the easiest way to find an accommodation in Florence ...
• Hotels in Florence, Italy - Florence Hotels Directory: the best hotels, guesthouse and many other type of accommodation in Florence selected in terms of quality and price.
• Tuscany Bed and Breakfast - Bed and Breakfast Guide detailing B&Bs, Inns, Boutique Hotels. Bed & breakfasts accommodation in Florence and its outskirts, Tuscany, Italy.
• Florence Photos - Discovering Florence, Italy, cradle of the art through high quality photo gallery and all the toruist information you need.
• Tuscan Farm Holiday Homes - Tuscany Farmhouse Rentals - Vacation rentals in Florence and Tuscany offers you the chance to choose the villa, city apartment or country home that mostly suits your needs.
• Florence Museums: On line tickets reservation - Buy Florence museums tickets online and you will have guaranteed immediate access to the masterpieces of Florence without wasting time. Reserve Uffizi Gallery, Accademia Gallery and many other museums without queueing up ...
• Guided Walking Tours of Florence - Customized tours, imaginative itineraries and the assistance of an official guide make for an unforgettable experience. We specialize in history of art, fashion, handicrafts, restoration and gastronomy, and organize visits to historical residences, private collections, gardens and workshops. Avoid entrance queues with us!
• Tourist Apartments to Rent in Florence, Italy - Universal Reservations come from a very long experience in Italian tourism, mainly based on carrying out its activities in the most loved cities in the world, like Rome, Venice and Florence in Italy.
• Welcome to Florence Holiday Luxury Accommodations - Italy, Tuscany, Florence; a country where you breathe art whilst walking along the streets and the sights are an open air museum, where you will be absorbed into the Tuscan atmosphere, filled with colour and typical local products and delicacies.
• Florence Prestigious Holiday Apartments - If you�re looking for the key to enter the heart of Florence, you�ve found it. Florencehouse.it Rentals offers a large range of luxury apartments.
• I-Florence therefore I blog - The cool side of the Renaissance, all about living and studying in Florence, events and more ...
• Villas in Italy - For weekly rental, luxury concierge properties, charming apartments in farmhouses and boutique hotels in Tuscany, Sicily, Umbria and Amalfi Coast.
• Find in our websites on Italy: Tuscany Villas with private swimming pool, rooms in Boutique Hotels and apartments in charming farmhouses.
• Italian and culture Language Schools in Florence - Study Abroad in Florence - Italian Language Schools in Florence, Italy, and more: universities, colleges, libraries, biblioteques, arts and crafts, cooking, visual arts.

Florence Hotel

• Three Stars Hotel Liberty Florence - The warm and elegant atmosphere of a Florentine Villa of the beginnings of the 19th Century, this is Villa Liberty, an accomodating, romantic and charming hotel diven into the greens of Viale Michelangiolo.
• Hotel Roma - Florence - Our Hotel is located in the heart of Florence historical center, in an ancient palace of 18th century overlooking one of the most fascinating squares of the city, Piazza Santa Maria Novella.
• Hotel Donatello Firenze - The three-star superior Hotel Donatello is located in one of the greenest and most tranquil squares in the center of Florence a few steps away from the principal monuments of the city.
• 2 Two stars Budget Hotel in Florence - La Noce - The perfect cheap accommodation for your stay in the historical centre of Florence. Located in the heart of the Medicean district of San Lorenzo.
• 2 Stars Superior Hotel - Hotel Accademia Firenze - Elegance and sophistication just a short walk from the prettiest, most interesting places in Florence. The Hotel Accademia is a place where everything is cared for down to the finest detail: Carrara marble, ancient window panes and a warm welcome to make your stay just unforgettable.
• Real Cheap One Star Hotel in Florence - Hotel Regina - One star hotel accommodation in Florence, just a short walk from the prettiest, most interesting places of the historical center.
• Florence Hotel Reservation - 3 Stars Hotel City - Situated within the ancient city walls of Florence, Italy in the historical San Lorenzo District, the Hotel City is near all of the main museums, monuments and shopping areas.
• Hotel Collodi Two Stars Superior in Florence Center - The Hotel Collodi Florence is an intimate, family run two star city centre hotel located within walking distance of the Michelangelo's David, Santa Maria Novella railway station, the Cathedral and the Uffizi Gallery.
• Villa Morghen Florence Hills B&B Resort - Villa Morghen is a hotel/vacation home that offers the pleasure of experiencing Florence while staying in the heart of the beautiful hills of Settignano and Fiesole.
• Together Florence Inn 4 stars Hotel Florence Countryside - Together Florence Inn, a brand-new four star hotel, welcomes you and proposes an unforgettable stay in perfect harmony with nature, art, hospitality and well being.
• Hotel Three Stars Corte dei Medici, Florence center - A lovely Florentine hospitality structure found on the second floor of an antique building in the historical center of Florence in front of the Medici Chapels and the Basilica of San Lorenzo.
• Three Stars Hotel dei Macchiaioli Florence Center - Three stars hotel located in Florence's historical centre, the perfect choice for those looking to spend a holiday in the very heart of the city known as the cradle of the Renaissance.
• Hotel Centro Campi Bisenzio - Cheap hotel in the outskirts of Florence.
• Hotel Abaco Florence - Cheap hotel in Florence center with baroque style rooms and free wireless internet.

Bed and Breakfast in Florence and Tuscany

• il Gattopardo B&B Florence - The Gattopardo Bed & Breakfast is located in the heart of the historical centre of Florence, on a corner of the wonderful Piazza della Signoria. The apartment sits in an ancient �palazzo�, dating back to 1200 ...
• Bed and Breakfast Novecento Firenze - [Florence] - Bed & Breakfast in Florence center, offers short term luxury accommodation, in elegantly furnished rooms very close to the Cathedral with a magnificent view of the city.
• Bed and Breakfast Villa la Sosta - [Florence] - High Class Bed and Breakfast nearby the Florence historical center, located in a 19th century Villa immersed in the green of one of the most charming Florentine residential areas.
• Bed and Breakfast Martin Dago - [Florence] - Charming Bed and Breakfast located in Sant'Ambrogio, one of the most lively district of the historical city center of Florence.
• Ancora del Chianti Bed and Breakfast - [Greve in Chianti, Florence] - In the heart of Chianti Classico, enjoy the best of Tuscany with a rural holiday in a converted farm house with bed and breakfast and apartment, located between Florence and Siena.
• Cimatori Bed and Breakfast - [Florence] - Cimatori Bed and Breakfast is a hidden gem in the heart of Florence right next to the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio in Florence�s famous Piazza della Signoria and Dante Alghieri�s house.
• Farm Holidays Bed and Breakfast near Florence - Savernano - [Reggello, Florence] - Bed and breakfast at the owners immersed in the Tuscan hills, between Florence, Arezzo, Siena and all the tourist attractions of Tuscany. Swimming pool and Tuscan typical products tasting ...
• Soggiorno Pezzati Bed and Breaklfast in Florence - [Florence] - Located in a historical building in the heart of Florence, this family owned Bed & Breakfast has six bedrooms, each with a private bathroom.
• Bed and Breakfast in Florence Soggiorno Alessandra - [Florence] - B&B at the owner located in an historic palace of 15th century in the center of the town, in the heart of the Oltrano, Santo Spitiro and San Frediano Florence districts.
• Casa Rovai Bed and Breakfast in Florence - [Florence] - B&B Casa Rovai offers guests six rooms for rent with Bed & Breakfast accommodation in Firenze. A nice, quiet apartment for bed and breakfast stay.
• Il Bargello Firenze Bed and Breakfast - Bed & Breakfast takes name from the National Museum "Il Bargello" which is located right beside the B&B. Situated in a historical 15th century building, this tastefully decorated B&B can transport you back in time and still make you feel right at home.
• Residenza Vespucci B&B and Suites in Florence - Residenza Vespucci is located along Florence's riverside, on Lungarno Amerigo Vespucci, in an historical building which once housed the prestigious Hotel du Sud.
• Residenza Casanuova B&B Florence - A romantic and beautiful b&b with only three exclusive bedrooms for your holidays in the centre of Florence, Italy. Florence italy lodging.

Apartment and Villa Rentals in Florence and Tuscany

• Suites and Luxury Apartments in Florence Palazzo Alfani - The historic Residenza �Palazzo Alfani� is located the heart of Florence, close to the Duomo �Cathedral� and directly opposite the ��Accademia Gallery� which houses the original of Michelangelos� David .
• Firenze Loft - Brand new, stylish lofts located in the heart of Florence. The Lofts were elegantly designed from an old textile factory, recently revamped by a space designer and divided into SpaceOne & SpaceTwo and The Penthouse Apartment.
• Dante States - Apartment Rentals in Florence Center - Dante States offers seven newly remodeled and finely furnished apartments in the very center of Florence. The Uffizi Museum, Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, the Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio, and the train station are all within a 5-10 minute walk...
• Florence and Tuscany Apartments to let - Florence and Tuscany offers apartments for rent in the historical center of Florence and city centers of other towns in Tuscany as well as accommodation in bed & breaksfast, villas and farmhouses in the Tuscan countryside.
• Florence Apartment Rentals - Holiday Vacation Homes in Florence, five apartments located in an ancient building few steps away from Piazza Santissima Annunziata, on the back of Accademia Gallery, about 10 minutes walking from the Cathedral.
• Rooms in Florence - We offer beautiful rooms in florence for travelers and student at budget rates. The ideal accomodation to enjoy Florence and Tuscany. Housing in Florence, in the inner part of the historical city center.
• Florence apartment to rent - Apartments San Marco & Allegri are a charming choice for your Florence short term rentals.Centrally located in Florence,both apartments arefurnished and with a nice view. San Marco & Allegri apartments would be your right choice for Florence apartment rentals.
• Residenza la Fonte Holiday Apartments in Florence and Italy - We will help you choose the best accommodation according to your wishes and needs. Our properties range from apartments in the city and on the beach, villas in Tuscany and we can also help you find alternative accommodation to please all your needs and wishes.
• Colli di Firenze - Florence Center Tourist Apartments to rent - A selection of tourist apartments for short or long term stays in the heart of Florence historical center.
• Florent.it - Holiday Apartments to rent in Florence - Our tourist apartment are In the historical center of Florence, in San Frediano district, very close to Palazzo Pitti and Ponte Vecchio few steps from Piazza della Signoria.
• Palazzo Gamba Luxury Apartment to Rent in Florence Center - In an unbelievable location, with Florence Duomo and Brunelleschi�s dome almost within touching distance, we offer apartments with view featuring all the latest comforts of home, including extremely clean and well equipped kitchens.

Florence Restaurants & Wineries

• Restaurants in Florence, Italy - In Florence there are hundreds of restaurants and the quality is eccellent almost everywhere. In this site we've selected some of the best restaurants in town for the quality of food and wines but also for their price, location and atmosphere...
• Restaurant Giannino in Florence - Restaurant - Winery in Florence. Restaurant Giannino in San Lorenzo, in the heart of Florence, Tuscany. The original Florentine beefsteak!
• Restaurant 'La Reggia degli Etruschi' - [Fiesole] - Located on the hill of Fiesole, very close to Florence in a relaxing and panoramic place. This typical and exclusive restaurant offers its guests the best traditional Tuscan dishes.
• Chianti Real Estate Tenuta Bonomonte - Production and tastings of Chianti Classico wines and extra virgin olive oil in the heart of Chianti hills, in Barberino Val d'Elsa, between Florence and Siena. Farm holidays accommodation.
• Birrificio San Quirico - In Tuscany, in the heart of Val d'Orcia, the San Quirico Brewery produces home-brewed beers of outstanding quality, using carefully selected local raw materials.

Farm Holidays in Tuscany

• Farm Holidays near Florence - Tuscany Farm Stay at Agriturismo Petrognano - Rentals of Vacation Apartments, Country Holiday Homes in the Tuscan Hills, immersed in the Florentine countryside.
• Chianti Hills Farm Holidays Independent Villa L'Oliveta - Farm Holiday accommodation in a charming big independent villa, on the Aretine hills of Chianti, Tuscany, along the Setteponti road.
• Tuscany Villa Rentals - Agriturismo - Farm Holidays Apartments in San Gimignano -Il Borghetto Holiday homes and apartments, located in an ancient villa, the ideal setting for your stay in San Gimignano, Siena, in the heart of Tuscany. Farm Holiday Vacation.
• Chianti Farm Holiday Accommodation Podere San Bartolo - Charming apartments, agritourism, country holiday homes in a medieval hilltop village located in heart of Chianti, Tuscany, between Florence and Siena.
• Villa Prumiano Chianti Villa Rental - Tuscan holiday complex consisting of a large farmhouse and a hayloft, set in a charming and panoramic position, immersed in the vineyards of the Chianti countryside.
• Farm Holiday Apartment and Villa Rental in Tuscany, Chianti, Barberino Val d'Elsa (Florence) - The agriturismo San Silvestro, located in the heart of Chianti, has two cozy apartmens, skilfully constructed from an 18th-century barn, and a small apartment next to the Villa.
• Independent Villa with pool Farm Holidays in Chianti, Tuscany - The farm, made of the big private villa and two smaller cottages, is in the heart of Tuscany, in the Chianti hills, at 500 m. above sea-level, deep in the green of trees and hills surrounding it.
• Agriturismo Tuscany Apartments Farm Stay at Colle da Vinci - Farm holidays estate Colle da Vinci, an ancient rural villa restored in the best Tuscan tradition, with 5 independent apartments, swimming pool, in the land of Leonardo ...
• Tenuta di Lilliano Chianti Tuscany Farm Holidays - Real Estate in the heart of Chianti Classico, Castellina in Chianti, Tuscany, offers holiday homes and villas with pool to let, tasting of typical products like wine, olive oil, grappa ...
• Casa Vacanze Tuscany Farm House Holidays Tontenano - On the gentle hills of Chianti right in the centre of beautiful tuscany, you can find the farm holidays residence equipped with all comforts.
• Tuscany Private Villa to rent with Swimming Pool - Casa Nova Vinci - An architectural complex dating back to the 16th century. Running alongside is the ancient Leonardian walk which takes visitors from the town of Vinci to the house where Leonardo was born.
• Agriturismo Podere di Mezzo San Gimignano Tuscany Farm Estate - The Farm Holidays Estate lies in one of the most fascinating point of Tuscany: situated above an hill which dominates the entire area of Siena, San Gimigano and Certaldo and consisting of a beautifully restored 18th century cottage.

Wedding Planners & Events Locations in Tuscany

• Castello il Palagio Wedding and Event Reception in Chianti, Florence, Tuscany - At Castello Il Palagio we can provide You with a charming and magical atmosphere to organize your wedding, unique and unrepeatable.
• Wedding in Florence and Tuscany - Unique Tuscan Weddings: plan with us your perfect weddings in Tuscany, from the luxury ceremony in a castle or villas to all the related services!
• Blanc Ricevimenti Wedding Planner in Tuscany, Italy - Blanc wedding planner organize weddings, ceremonies, blessings, receptions events in Tuscany and in the most romantic locations of Italy such as Venice, Rome, Portofino and Amalfi Coast.
• Forever Weddings in Italy - Forever Wedding Planner in Italy organizes religious and civil ceremonies in faboluos romantic Italian locations: Florence and Tuscany, Venice, Rome, Capri. Forever Weddings sets all wedding services. Forever is the best choice for Your Italian wedding.
• Villa Le Farnete Wedding in Tuscany - Villa le Farnete, near Florence. The ideal setting for your cerimonies: wedding, dinners, business lunch immersed in the scenarios of the Florentine Renaissance.
• Oliveto Castle Reception, Events, Wedding Venue & Resort - Oliveto Castle has a long experience in the organization of wedding receptions, typical Tuscan dinners, wine tasting and farm holiday accommodations in the heart of Tuscany.
• Jo�lle Marie Events ... unveiling the heart of Italy - Offers freelance, bespoke wedding management and event planning services in Italy for private individuals, agencies and corporate.
• Wedding Florence - Beautiful flowers will make your special day lovely and elegant�tell us your ideas and we will design beautiful bridal bouquets, floral arrangements for ceremony and reception venues.

Other Links

• Perseo Jewelry School - Professional jewelley art school in Florence, Italy, courses with artisan masters in goldsmithery, stone setting, wax casting, engraving, chasing.
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Civita di Bagnoregio

Dear friends,


Today I want to talk about a place that to me brings back many good memories and that has a special charm� the town Civita di Bagnoregio also called "la citt� che scompare"( the town that disappears) which is in Upper Lazio (very close to southern Tuscany) a few kilometres from Orvieto (one of the most beautiful towns in Umbria).

To get to this marvellous place, where it is possible to get only on foot and where cars are forbidden, you will have to cross over a bridge-like structure leading to the highest part of the town where it is possible to relish an incredible scenic beauty, the scenery of Tuscia.

The �tufaceas� hills (soil mountains of a colour similar to dessert sand�s) characterize Tuscia. �The town that disappears� has a curious name as it was built on a �tufo� mountain; little by little the town has lost height throughout the years, although luckily modern technology has permitted this ravishing corner of Italy to survive.

In this town just about 10 people live and there is a pair of bars and 3 or 4 restaurants where the typical food from Lazio is served. The town is really enchanting and keeps its original essence.
So friends if the flight that is taking you to Tuscany lands in Rome I heartily recommend that you stop at this magical place to eat (from Orvieto, which is on the road from Rome to Tuscany, it is only 20 minutes).

Of course, I hope this article might be useful in preparing your Tuscan holidays.


Warm regards,

Giovanni

Where to eat in San Gimignano

Dear friends,

This post as the previous one is addressed to all those who are visiting Tuscany at the time. I find it worth recommending where to eat so that you are not prey to the typical bad and expensive touristy restaurants.

Today�s post is about San Gimignano, a medieval town which by no means you can leave out in your trip to Tuscany. San Gimignano is probably the best preserved medieval town throughout Tuscany with ravishing towers that are perfectly kept.

San Gimignano as all the tourist destinations has a lots of expensive and bad restaurants, therefore when you are visiting this priceless town you should eat at the restaurant La Cisterna which is right at the heart of town on the main square.


In this restaurant you can savour excellent Tuscan cuisine, simple yet with good ingredients and while you are eating you can admire the ravishing vistas of the hills of Chianti.

The following is the restaurant�s address:
Piazza della Cisterna, 23 - 53037 SAN GIMIGNANO (SI)- ITALIA - Tel. 0577 / 940328

Well friends, I hope you enjoy Tuscany�

Warm regards

Giovanni

Walter Radaelli, an exclusive restaurant near Montepulciano

Hello friends,

If you are in Tuscany in the area of Montepulciano or Cortona or if sometime in your trip you head for Valdorcia you should take a break to eat at a new restaurant that I have discovered a few days ago. I am referring to the restaurant Walter Radaelli, an enchanting restaurant of creative Tuscan cuisine located in Bettole, Valdichiana.

The ambience of the restaurant is exquisite for its location, as it is situated in the interior of an ancient recently restored farmhouse, as well as for its elegant and carefully tended decoration that has been chosen and tastefully planned to the last detail. Besides, its fare is really delicious.

In the summertime it is possible to eat outdoors in the external patio of the farmhouse and enjoy an enchanting view of Valdichiana.


As I have told you the dishes that Walter Radaelli proposes belong to the nouvelle Tuscan cuisine, therefore there is much innovation compared to the traditional regional dishes.



So, for good cuisine lovers this place is a must-visit that should not be left out along the way to Pienza or Montepulciano from Firenze Arezzo, or Siena as Betolle is on the road leading to them.


Enjoy this gastronomic Tuscan experience�

All the best,

Giovanni