Pisa in one Day

Pisa is a jewel of Tuscany and one made famous to many foreign travellers for its Leaning Tower, however this beautiful city has much more to offer the traveller than a classic tourist destination, whether it is getting lost in the many wondrous streets or taking in the magnificent history.
Whether you arrive by plane (Pisa�s airport is the biggest in Tuscany) or train, the centrally located railway station is a perfect starting point to begin your travels around the city centre of Pisa.
Taking the train station as a starting point we follow the Viale Gramsci until we arrive at Corso Italia; the renowned shopping street in Pisa.  Visitors can enjoy browsing or shopping for stylish Italian fashion, or sit down, relax and have a coffee in one of the many cafes; delight in the atmosphere and hussle and bussle on one of Pisa�s busy streets.

Once refreshed visitors can continue down Corso Italia until they get to Ponte di Mezzo on the river Arno; one of the emblematic places in the city, made famous for the annual festival (which takes place on the last Saturday in June) where the two neighbourhoods divided by the river Arno compete in a tournament. The tradition la Batalla del Puente started in the 1200 AD and involves rival teams pushing a long cart while trying to get on the bridge.

After crossing the bridge continue along Borgo Stretto, another street well known for its wide variety of couture shops and stylish bars: which as you can guess from its name, is a medieval alley with arcades and narrow streets, perfect for walking browsing and window shopping. At the end of Borgo Stretto turn left on Via Dini, to reach the beautiful Piazza dei Cavalieri.

This square was the ancient centre of the city, and is now home ancient artifacts with a wonderful historical value and interest: besides the Knights Palace, home of the Scuola Normale Superiore (one of the most prestigious universities in Italy) in the square there is also the Palazzo dell'Orologio which is linked to a curious legend: The Palazzo was built on the remains of the "Tower of Fame" (tower of hunger) famous as being the place of imprisonment of Count Ugolino della Gherardesca. As narrated by the "Divine Comedy", Count Ugolino was imprisoned in the Tower where he starved himself to death with his children and grandchildren, and near the end of his agony, children begged him to eat them and the Count, and the crazy prisoner, fed on their descendants.
Passing under the arch of the Palazzo dell'Orologio, turn right on Via Santa Maria, home to several universities, and then down to the very famous Piazza dei Miracoli.

Piazza dei Miracoli
This complex momument includes the Duomo (the door that connects many of decorative elements including a lizard, is considered by all the "Pisan" the charm of the city and is also thought to bring good luck to those who touch it), the impressive baptistery, the monumental cemetery and the famous Tower of Pisa, which owes its notorious inclination to land subsidence occurred during the start of construction.

Santa Maria della Spina
To conclude your daytrip you can go walk back along Via Santa Maria and you will be heading back towards the Arno, from the other side of the river you can admire the unique profile of the church of Santa Maria della Spina, the origin of the name is due to fact that in ancient church retained a thorn believed to have belonged to the crown of Christ.

We walked back along the banks of the Arno towards the Ponte di Mezzo, but just before the bridge turn left into Via San Frediano, then pass the Law School, where you will find the Piazza Dante , one of the favourite venues of college students for its bars and benches in the shade. This place is the ideal spot to get lost in the narrow streets of the medieval town, with plenty of restaurants and shops offering typical Tuscan cuisine; while The Piazza delle Vettovaglie, which hosts a popular fruit and veg market in the day transforms into a wondrous sight at night, and it has to be seen to be believed!!

Cooking Courses in Tuscany

Dear Friends,

Today I�d like to talk about cooking courses, something that more and more people are requesting during their holidays in the beautiful Tuscany.

Cooking courses are often taught from villas and farmhouses themselves where their property owners, very passionate in the culinary field, offer their guests the chance to learn how to prepare typical regional meals.  Among those dishes most normally taught are different types of fresh pasta as well as desserts and game dishes, nothing difficult to make but all which form an important part of Tuscan cusine.

As well as these �home-run� courses that normally cost between 60 and 90 euros per person per day with food included, there are other more professional courses. The most interesting that I know is that run by �La Bottega del 30! A restaurant near San Gusm� that has held a Michelin star for many years. The owner, the lovely Francesca, some 60 years old, offers interesting courses based on cooking in Tuscany. In any case this option is considerably more expensive than the previous but an altogether different experience.

So for all of you cooking lovers and foodies that like to try authentic dishes wherever you travel, a cookery course might be an interesting option to add to your holiday in Tuscany.

Routes around Tuscan towns

Since many of you have been asking for articles on the towns in Tuscany we are going to start a section of the blog focusing on routes to various Tuscan towns that can be made in a single day.

Today we will talk about the following route:
Siena - San Gimignano - Monteriggioni

This route is undoubtedly one of the most appealing of those that can be made in one day.

Starting in Siena and parking in the "Stadio di Siena" or in "Piazza del Mercato" you will find yourselves practically in the centre of town and just a 10 minute walk from the beautiful Piazza del Campo, one of the most impressive historical monuments in the city.

Your visit ought to continue towards the Duomo. The Duomo, or Cathedral, is 10 minutes on foot from the Piazza and certainly a place which any visit to Siena should include. It is simply exquisite, and in my opinion, the most beautiful cathedral in Italy after San Pedro. Its beauty is not only saved for its exteriors but its interiors are even more magnificent. Siena was one of the wealthiest cities in the world during the Middle Ages and the people wanted the cathedral to be the most beautiful in the world. Inside the cathedral you will find stunning mosaics and works of art by the great artists from different eras.

Once you�ve finished in the cathedral I recommend a walk around the centre, strolling its especially narrow and charming streets, and also two very quick visits to the Accademia Chigiana (Siena�s Academy of Music) and to Palazzo Salimbeni (the historical headquarters of the oldest bank in the world, Banco Monte dei Paschi di Siena).

This visit to Siena should last around 3 hours, finishing around 12. 30 if you�ve started your day promptly! Now you can head to Monteriggioni. 

 Monteriggioni is an interesting medieval village situated about 15km from Siena and so can be reached very quickly on this route. I suggest you have lunch here as it has a couple of particularly nice restaurants: The first is Bar dell Orso where you can eat a simple but delicious meal of cold cuts, cheese and good wine on the splendid terrace, The other restaurant I recommend is called il Pozzo and is found in Monteriggioni itself in the central square. Il Pozzo is certainly more expensive but a more elegant dining experience where you can enjoy excellent homemade pasta dishes. This restaurant also has a lovely little terrace so you can eat al fresco but in the shade.  

Monteriggioni has a small church which I certainly consider to be worth a visit as its towers and medieval walls are still in perfect condition.

About 3 in the afternoon you should be thinking about leaving Monteriggioni to head to San Gimignano. This little town is well known for its medieval architecture, one of the gems of the region. It has conserved many of the towers which in the Middle Ages belonged to wealthy merchants and families that wanted to show off their power to the rest of the city.

San Gimignano has an interesting cathedral with marvellous frescoes by Ghirlandaio, but even a walk through the city is an experience. In the highest part of town there is a bar with panoramic views where you might want to relax with a glass of wine.

If you leave around 17.30 you will have plenty of time to go back to your accommodation to get ready for an excellent Tuscan dinner� 

I hope you�ve enjoyed this article and have taken away some useful information.

As always, comments are welcome and particularly appreciated if you have something interesting to add regarding the topic discussed.

The Olive Oil �World� in Tuscany

Dear Friends,

Today I want to speak to you about a special event that a great friend of mine, Andrea, together with the property owner of a small rural hotel near Siena, Borgo San Fedele, are organizing at the end of October.

The event that will last a week will be devoted to various topics from tourism in the towns and cities of Tuscany, to music and gastronomy, wine tasting, and above all the culture and �world� that revolves around Tuscan olive oil, probably the most famous and esteemed at an international level. 

Throughout the week various demonstrations and talks will take place, allowing the lucky ones that can attend the event, to learn all about the process carried out in the making of this �liquid gold�- from the harvest to the crushing of the fruit, explaining the full details of the procedure.

Attendees can stay in a completely restructured Hamlet a few km from Siena and from here can participate in a different activity each day learning all the secrets of the olive oil world. There will of course also be plenty of gastronomic opportunities such as a meal at Dario Cecchini (one of my favourite restaurants), as well as evenings of live jazz music.

 

If you�re thinking of visiting Tuscany this Autumn and are particularly interested in the olive oil �world� you can send an email to Andrea (capanno2000@libero.it)who will send you the full program of events as well as the prices.

As always I hope that this article might not just be useful for my good friend Andrea but also for some of you that, after reading it, might consider the possibility of gifting or sharing this unique experience with someone special to you.

What to do in Tuscany: Events in July-August 2011

Dear Friends,
Today I want to highlight some interesting shows and events taking place this summer in Tuscany, geared to both adults and children, especially for those who are just about to set off on their holidays in the coming weeks.

- The first event I�d like to mention is the classical music concerts taking place in Siena in the beautiful Accademia Chigiana in one of the most beautiful theatres of the Italian Renaissance. For the concert program see the following link: http://www.chigiana.it/

- Another popular event in Tuscany is the prestigious Festival de la M�sica de Radicondoli which begins on the 29th of July and continues until the 7th August. Here you will be able to enjoy pleasant evenings with music. Please visit the following site for more information: http://www.radicondoliarte.org/


- Another interesting festival is the Teatro Povero di Montichiello, where actors and musicians improvise to create a typically Tuscan scene. See the official website: http://www.teatropovero.it/

- I�d also like to recommend another interesting music festival, at San Galgano (see the above photo), an impressive roofless church situated in a spectacular enclave in Tuscany. Over the next weeks in this unique place various musical performances and operas will take place. A couple which particularly stand out are Carmina Burana and Swan Lake. For more information you can see the following webpage: http://www.festivalopera.it

- For something a bit different, from the 24th of July up until the 7th of August, in Siena, the jazz concerts are taking place. The Jazz school of Siena is one of the most important in the whole of Italy. For more information and the concert program visit the official website: http://www.sienajazz.it/


- Other notable musical events include: the Music festival of the Valdorcia (1st-16th August), the festival of the Crete Senesi from the 14th to the 22nd August and the Sarteano Jazz Festival from the 24th to the 26th August.

There are also events not exclusively devoted to music and particularly appropriate for children as well as adults.

- The Pontassieve: Summer in the Park festival overflowing with concerts, cinema, musical theatre, children�s events and dance takes place from 26th July until 13th September (Florence Province). See the following link: http://www.estatealparco.it/default.asp

- Finally, a 10 day festival of music, food, dance, markets, entertainment and shows to celebrate the Patron Saint of Borgo, San Lorenzo, will take place in the Borgo itself (Florence Province) from the 7th to the 15th August. Tel: 055 845 6230 / 84966229.

As always, I hope that this information is useful to those planning their upcoming holidays and that you enjoy any of the events you go to.

Emma.

One Day in Arezzo

Dear friends,

Today I want to talk about one of the less frequently visited towns in Tuscany, in spite of having a rich and interesting history and an ancient heart of town , full of interesting monuments and art work that the noble people throughout Italian history have left to this little town of the centre of Italy.
Reaching Arezzo is simple. You could easily park in the train station that has a relatively large parking and then go on foot to the historic centre and to the main street in town.
Arezzo, from my point of view, has many interests that a one-morning-visit can take in and cannot miss in Arezzo:

1- Chiesa di San Domenico:
This church is in the �high part� of town, that is, in the furthest point from the parking area. For that reason you should start your itinerary here. The typical Romanesque church was founded in 1275 and preserves an important crucifix by Cimabue. This is an important piece of art for Cimabue was one of the first medieval artists that provided forms with movement.

2- Casa Vasari
The second place of interest is Casa del Vasari. Vasari, who was an artist, architect and biography writer on Italian artists of the 16th century, lived in Arezzo during the period of maximum splendor of Tuscany. Casa del Vasari, full of symbols of the zodiac and tarot, is, no doubt, one of the most interesting places to visit in beautiful Arezzo.

3- Basilica di San Francesco
This church that is very close to Casa del Vasari displays important pictures by Piero della Francesca, master of perspective of Italian painting of the 1500s.

4- Piazza Grande
Visiting Arezzo can finish in Piazza Grande, aka Piazza Vasari. The piazza is surely one of the hallmarks in town. In this square probably was the Roman forum. On the west side of the church is Pieve di Santa Maria, a ravishing building that was given three different styles: Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance.

On the north side of the piazza is the Palacio delle Logge, designed by Vasari in 1573. On the piazza you will be able to eat in an excellent restaurant called �le Logge del Vasari�. On the south side of the square there are several houses that belonged to the wealthy families in town (for instance Palace Cofani or Brizzolari).
In the middle of the square there is a ravishing fountain of the 1500s that has been shot many times, such as in famed "Life is Beautiful", the 1996 award-winning film starred by Roberto Benigni.

In ravishing Piazza de Arezzo, there is an important medieval celebration held yearly in which each neighborhood competes against the others. It is the famed Giostra del Saracino which you will be able to see in the pictures.
As I always have, I hope this information is useful to you.
Best regards,
Giovanni

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).

Routes through the cities in Tuscany.

As we have noticed that many of you are demanding more articles about Tuscan cities, we have decided to open a new section in our Blog especially devoted to one- day routes in Tuscan cities.

Today the route is:

Siena-San Gimignano and Monteriggioni.

This route is surely one of the most beautiful routes you can do in one day.

Starting off in Siena and parking at the "Siena Stadium� or �Piazza del Mercato� parking lot you will find yourself practically right at the city center and at ten minutes� walk from the most beautiful Piazza del Campo, one of the most impressive historical monuments in the city.

The visit will continue with the Duomo. The Duomo, or better say, the Siena Cathedral, is ten minutes� walk from the square. It is a landmark you can�t miss and, in my opinion, it�s the second most beautiful cathedral in Italy after San Pedro. Its richness lies not only in its exterior, but mainly in its interior. Siena was one of the richest cities during the Middle Ages and the Sieneses wanted their cathedral to be the wealthiest and most stunning one in the world. The interior of the cathedral is home to marvelous mosaics as well as art masterpieces of all times.

After visiting the Cathedral I especially suggest a stroll around the center narrow streets and two brief stops at the following palaces: The Accademia Chigiana (the Siena Music Academy) and the Palazzo Salimbeni (the historical venue of Monte dei Paschi di Siena, the oldest bank in the world.)

The visit to Siena should last around 3 hours and end by 12.30 am, so you can continue your trip to Monteriggioni.

Monteriggioni is an incredible medieval village located at 15 km. from Siena( the access from Siena is really fast). I highly recommend having a meal here as the place houses two really interesting restaurants. The first one is called Bar dell Orso, where you can enjoy simple, but exquisite food based on cold cuts, cheese and wine in its fabulous terrace. The other eating spot is called il Pozzo and is located in the village of Monteriggioni, right in the heart of the Square. Il Pozzo is more expensive, but, at the same time, more refined. It offers superb pasta and fried food. Il Pozzo also boasts of a beautiful small terrace, where you can eat under the shade.

The town of Monteriggioni has a small church, which, from my point of view, is really worth visiting as it seems to be unscathed by the pass of time with its medieval towers and walls in perfect conditions.

Around 3 pm. you should be leaving Monteriggioni and heading towards San Gimignano, a true architectural medieval jewel. San Gimignano is absolutely fantastic; it still conserves many of the towers, which belonged to rich merchants and rich families, who wanted to show their power to the rest of the city dwellers in the Middle Ages.


San Gimignano offers a most interesting cathedral with Ghirlandaio�s marvelous frescos. A stroll round the city is a major experience. The highest location in town is home to a bar, where you can relax and have a good wine surrounded by breathtaking panoramic views.

The visit should be finishing by 5.30 p.m. to allow for enough time to get back to your hotel or villa, have a wonderful bath and get ready for a superb Tuscan dinner.

As usual, I hope this article is of your interest.

Yours,

Giovanni.

routes in Tuscan cities

As we have noticed that many of you are demanding more articles about Tuscan cities, we have decided to open a new section in our Blog especially devoted to one- day routes in Tuscan cities.

Today the route is:

Siena-San Gimignano and Monteriggioni.

This route is surely one of the most beautiful routes you can do in one day.

Starting off in Siena and at Siena football Stadium or �Piazza del Mercato� parking lot you will find yourself practically right at the city center and at ten minutes� walk from the most beautiful Piazza del Campo, one of the most impressive historical monuments in the city.

The visit will continue with the Duomo. The Duomo, or better say, the Siena Cathedral, is ten minutes� walk from the square. It is a landmark you can�t miss and, in my opinion, it�s the second most beautiful cathedral in Italy after San Pedro. Its richness lies not only in its exterior, but mainly in its interior. Siena was one of the richest cities during the Middle Ages and the Sieneses wanted their cathedral to be the wealthiest and most stunning one in the world. The interior of the cathedral is home to marvelous mosaics as well as art masterpieces of all times.

After visiting the Cathedral I especially suggest a stroll around the center narrow streets and two brief stops at the following palaces: The Accademia Chigiana (the Siena Music Academy) and the Palazzo Salimbeni (the historical venue of Monte dei Paschi di Siena, the oldest bank in the world.)

The visit to Siena should last around 3 hours and end by 12.30 am, so you can continue your trip to Monteriggioni.

Monteriggioni is an incredible medieval village located at 15 km. from Siena( the access from Siena is really fast). I highly recommend having a meal here as the place houses two really interesting restaurants. The first one is called Bar dell Orso, where you can enjoy simple, but exquisite food based on cold cuts, cheese and wine in its fabulous terrace. The other eating spot is called il Pozzo and is located in the village of Monteriggioni, right in the heart of the Square. Il Pozzo is more expensive, but, at the same time, more refined. It offers superb pasta and fried food. Il Pozzo also boasts of a beautiful small terrace, where you can eat under the shade.

The town of Monteriggioni has a small church, which, from my point of view, is really worth visiting as it seems to be unscathed by the pass of time with its medieval towers and walls in perfect conditions.

Around 3 pm. you should be leaving Monteriggioni and heading towards San Gimignano, a true architectural medieval jewel. San Gimignano is absolutely fantastic; it still conserves many of the towers, which belonged to rich merchants and rich families, who wanted to show their power to the rest of the city dwellers in the Middle Ages.


San Gimignano offers a most interesting cathedral with Ghirlandaio�s marvelous frescos. A stroll round the city is a major experience. The highest location in town is home to a bar, where you can relax and have a good wine surrounded by breathtaking panoramic views.

The visit should be finishing by 5.30 p.m. to allow for enough time to get back to your hotel or villa, have a wonderful bath and get ready for a superb Tuscan dinner.

As usual, I hope this article is of your interest.

Yours,

Giovanni.

Sovana

Sovana. The Etruscan and the Roman. The splendor of a city as tiny as peculiar.

The picture you see belongs to the remains of the �Tomb ILdebranda�, the biggest Etruscan mausoleum ever found. The impressive funerary monument was decorated with 12 columns at the time and the access to it was through two stone staircases, and an underground one, which led to the large funerary chamber. The �Tomb ILdebranda� is found in the fabulous Etruscan necropolis, in the Tuscan territory of Maremma, near the border with Lacio. The �Tomb ILdebranda� as well as the whole necropolis is excavated in volcanic tuff rock. The access was and still is through �vie cave�, paths with high walls the Etruscan opened in the rock to move from one area to the other or to use as trenches at times of war.

�Tomb ILdebranda� dates back to the III y II centuries B.C and it was discovered in 1924 by the Rosi brothers. Not knowing to whom the impressive temple had been originally devoted, it received the name of the most illustrious son of the city of Sovana: Ildebrano de Soana, born around 1020 and elected pope in 1073 under the name of Gregory VII, who is known as one of the most cultured and spirited popes of the middle ages, protagonist of the most important reforms in the Church at those times. His unprecedented reform is essentially contained in the 27 axioms, which make up his �Dictatus Papae� of 1075, where he clearly defines the powers of the Emperor (Sacred Roman Empire) and those of the Pope, in which the former cannot interfere. Thus, he faces Emperor Henry IV, who he excommunicates twice. In 1080 the Emperor, supported by the German clergy highest ranks and Lombardo appoints Clement III pope and make the antipope excommunicate the legitimate pope. Gregory VII dies exiled in Salerno in 1085. He is canonized in 1606. One way or the other, we have introduced ourselves into the peculiar city of Sovana, a beautiful city loaded with history. Nowadays Sovana is a tiny city with a main street with houses and beautiful mansions and a marvelous main square. However, its interest only resides in its splendid and homogeneous medieval architecture, perfectly preserved, which visitors revere with the enthusiasm of those marveled before a sanctuary attached to a glorious past.

Suana, as it was called, was one of the most relevant Etruscan centers of that civilization, whose epicenter was the territory of Maremma. The Etruscan unified different settlements by the river Flora, at the top of a volcanic tuff hill between the tributaries of Calesine and Folonia, and there they founded Suana.

The city immediately became the most important one in the area, where a huge number of farmers and hunters settled. Thanks to emblematic roads carved into the rock these dwellers could communicate and trade with other major centers such as Satonia, Saturnia, Chiusi and Cetonia.

To confront the unstoppable expansionist policy of Rome, Suana was allied to the not less powerful Vulci until III century BC, time when Cayo Tiberto adjoins the territory to the Empire. The Romans give Sovana the rank of �municipium� and continue boosting the growth of the city to the point that Suana becomes one of the richest cities in the territorial area, experimenting a significant commercial expansion due to the development of the agricultural and farming activities and the growth of a prosperous craftwork industry, which is still nowadays one of its most relevant commercial characteristics. However, Suana was reluctant to abandoning its original Etruscan culture to such an extent that even inscriptions from the I century BC were still written in the original language.

The first glimpses of Christianity only reached the city in the IV century AC. Saint Maximiliano, the patron of Sovana, was one of the protagonists of the evangelization. The new faith must have had a deep impact on the people and the saint must have been really influential and exceptional as at the turn of the century, in the V century AC Soana was elected as the Episcopal venue.

How many prodigies happened in Old Times!

Sylvia

Tuscany by motorbike

Tuscany is one of the best places to explore on motorbike during the summer months. Germans were the pioneers in this kind of tourism quite a couple of years ago and nowadays it is more and more tourists who choose this means to travel through the region.

Tuscany by motorbike is an excellent option since our land has lots of winding roads and landscapes, where motorbike lovers can enjoy unmatchable views. For that reason in particular, and for those who are thinking of traveling round the region on two wheels, here comes the recommendation of two wonderful places:


Itinerary 1 La Valdorcia

In this blog we have talked a lot about this spellbinding region, world patrimony of the Unesco, located in the south of Tuscany. If you�re planning to visit the area we suggest the following:

Pienza, Montepulciano, Bagno Vignoni, Montichiello


If you�re looking for a good restaurant, you�ll find it in Montichiello (La Porta restaurant, 30 euros per person); while a much better and cheaper one is Oasi La Foce, an eating spot in the area of la Foce. Reaching la Foce from is complicated because you have to take a gravel road from Montepulciano. To make it easier for you I�ve attached the google map.

Even though reaching Oasis la Foce is not that easy, the trip to the location is really worth it as you�ll get the chance of passing by the area where the most typical pictures of Tuscany are taken!

Itinerary 2 Chainti

Chianti is also a spectacular region due to its breath-taking landscapes and its rolling hills, ladened with medieval towers and castles.

Thus, we recommend the following itinerary:

Castelnuovo Berardenga, San Gusm�, Monteriggioni all the way to San Gimignano.

Here I recommend the Bar dell Orso, a cute Tuscan restaurant, offering cold cuts, chesses and wines, located at the foot of Monteriggioni village.


A tip for motor bikers: gas stations opening hours differ from those in Spain, as they are not open 24 hs. per day. Many of them close at 7 or 8 pm., an in some cases are close on Sundays. Therefore, we suggest always having enough petrol, especially when passing by small villages.

As usual, I hope you �bikers� find this information useful.

Regards,
Giovanni.

One day excursion to Florence

As many of you who travel to Tuscany have only a few days to explore the area, I�d like to suggest an itinerary so you won�t miss the most important and outstanding places in a one day excursion to Florence.

Our first piece of advice is to reach the city by coach or train (there are many, and with high frequency from almost every town in Tuscany) so as not to waste any of your precious time as parking in Florence is not easy at all, I can assure you.

Arriving in the morning at the station you�ll find yourself practically in the city center.
The first stop could be the stunning Basilic of Santa Maria Novella. 10 to 15 minutes should be enough to get an overall view of the church. Then you could head directly to the Cathedral (or Duomo, as we call them in Italy) better known as Santa Maria in Fiore, which is only 5 minutes� walk from the basilic.


The visit to the Cathedral obviously demands more time due to both its beauty and magnitude. Those who have the courage can go up Brunelleschi�s grandiose dome, from which, after a few minutes� climb up a narrow stairway, you�ll be overwhelmed by one of the most beautiful and spectacular sights in Florence.( advice: not for claustrophobics)

Once the visit to the Duomo is over, you have two options: either to visit the Galleria degli Uffizi or the Galleria dell�Accademia. Going to both of them in one day could be really stressing, so I recommend choosing just one of them. The former is home to Michelangelo�s David, among other works, while the latter hosts the best Renaissance works of art in the world.

The next stop, I suggest should be lunch at Mario (for further information you can click the link), a very good and very cheap restaurant I never get tired of mentioning in this blog. This eating spot is not more than 15 minutes� walk from any of the two sights you have just visited.

After eating and drinking a good Tuscan wine, it�s worth spending some time at the San Lorenzo Market (which is next to the restaurant), a typical city market, which is open every day and is a typical place in the city.

Following our itinerary, you should go back to the center, along Via Tornabuoni (with its extremely exclusive stores) as far as the river Arno. On the left, you�ll find the stunning Ponte Vecchio, where Jew Jewelers have been exhibiting their precious works for centuries.

Passing the Ponte Vecchio, and walking straight on for 200 meters is the famous Palazzo Pitti (Pitti Palace) with its wonderful Boboli Gardens. The visit to the gardens demands quite a lot of time and that will depend on you and the energy you�ve got left. As many of you will have just a few hours left to catch your train or bus back from the outing, my advice is you should go back on your steps towards the amazing Piazza della Signoria and keep on going heading for Santa Croce Church, right behind it. In my opinion, the church demands time to visit as it keeps the sepulchers of many illustrious protagonists in the history of Florence and the World such as: Galileo Galilei, Michelangelo, Maquiavelo, as well as unmatchable works of art by Giotto, Donatello and Cimabue.

After the visit you�ll have the exact time to get back to the bus or train� So you know� Dart to Santa Maria Novella. (20 minutes� walk.)

Well, friends, I hope you�ll find all this information useful when planning your trip.

For more information about Florence I recommend this free guide I have found in the Internet, which you can find in the following link: Florence

Regards,

Giovanni.

Tuscany with Children

Hi, Everyone!

Today I want to discuss a Topic which many people have been writing to me about. Families are interested in traveling to Tuscany with their children, but never seem to make up their minds and get going because they consider it a destiny more suitable for adults. However, even though Tuscany offers the most varied activities, especially cultural ones for adults, it can also be a fun place for children as it�s a region which bustles with popular festivals and celebrations and with many points of interest for the little ones.

Most of the families who travel to Tuscany organize their holidays in a �democratic way�, trying to strike the perfect balance between the vast cultural offer and entertainment and fun for the little ones.

Most of the rural houses, villas and hotels in the region have a swimming pool and, therefore, on many occasions the whole morning or part of the day is spent in visiting the area, while a couple of hours in the afternoon are allowed for enjoying a refreshing bath in the pool, a true gift for all the family. Likewise, the fields and gardens surrounding the accommodation are ideal for children to have fun in a fantastic natural landscape.

Besides the cultural visits in the city, we can mention, for example, Pinocchio Park, a place which will awaken the curiosity and fascination of both kids and adults. The park is located in Collodi, 10 km away from the famous Montecatini Terme, 15 km away from Lucca and 32 km away from Pisa.

The fantastic Parco di Pinnochio was built in the town where the author of the story, Carlo Lorenzini (better known as Carlo Collodi) spent his early childhood. The park is not the typical fun fair, but a suggestive and fantastic trip through the famous story by means of the most varied works of different artists, who express, in their own language, the most personal vision of this classic story.

From March 1 to October 31 the park offers the most varied activities both for kids and adults� entertainment: puppet shows, story telling, magic, pictures taken in Gepetto�s workshop as well as a wonderful exhibition of the attractions of the time, which have been carefully restored with artisan precision.

The excursion to this beautiful park and the visit to the neighboring towns can provide a perfect opportunity for plunging into the world of fantasy we have so many times enjoyed thanks to this famous wooden toy.

Besides this proposal, in Pistoia we can find one of the best zoos in the region, famous for being a center devoted to the conservation of the lynx and the Apennine wolf.

For those traveling to Florence �Il parco delle Cascine� is one of the main parks in the city, which is full of families with children during the week end and happens to be the true lung of Florence.

To obtain updated information about traveling funfair attractions and shows for children you should consult the newspaper La Nazione or the information section on Tuscany of La Republica paper, as they have the most complete information as regards these kinds of proposals.

I�m sure that surrounded by such a wonderful landscape like that of Tuscany, ideal for any sport or outdoor activity, and with the wide variety of options the region offers, there won�t be single child who will not enjoy his Tuscan holidays to the utmost!

I hope this information has been useful for the moms and dads that follow us!

Regards,

Beatriz.

The story of Sting and his Tuscan Villa

The town where I spent the first 7 years of my life was Figline Valdarno, a charming village, only 20 km away from Florence, that still preserves its beautiful Medieval and Renaissance palaces. Like all the kids of my age, I went go to a public school, which, like most Italian schools at the time, was run by priests and nuns.

At my school in Figline, called Seristori School, I met my first friend: the Duke Simone Velluti Zati di San Clemente.

Simone's family were all dukes who owned lands, houses, castles and villas along many kilometers between the cities of Florence and Arezzo.

Simone and his family lived in "Il Palagio" a beautiful Renaissance Florentine villa located very close to the town of Figline. The villa was spectacular and wonderful with its Italian gardens, lake, soccer field and tennis court which was in a forest next to the villa, and the huge halls where I played with Simone.


The rooms of the house were fabulous and we enjoyed the most delicious meals which were served by the maids of the villa. The times spent in that house remain as one of my earliest childhood memories and I will never forget that special moment of meeting my first friend.

At the end of the school year, Simone's parents thought it was very important for him to become fluent in English, so they moved to Rome where he enrolled at an English school.

The years passed by, but Simone kept returning to Figline and to the Palagio on the weekends, and every year for his birthday which was always a great party!

My family moved to Paris, and Simone and I had lost contact until 2008, when,  thanks to Facebook, we got in touch again and Simone told me the story of the Palagio and Sting.

Simone told me that maintaining such a large villa was too expensive and one day they received an interesting offer from Sting, so they decided to sell it.

Today, Sting lives in the Palagio near Figline Valdarno, in the house where I spent my childhood... unbelievable!

So, if you're in Tuscany and you're feeling curious, just go to Figline Valdarno and look for the Palagio. Everybody in the town will tell you how to get there! But beware, I think Sting is very shy, so I would recommend against ringing the bell...

Arrivederci,

Giorgio

New Year's Eve in Tuscany

Tuscany is a perfect place to enjoy the last night of of 2008. This unique region offers a wide range of options for all tastes and for all ages: for those who are seeking peace and quietness, for those who are wishing dancing all night, for those who dream of beginning the new year tasting the excellent specialities of a traditional Tuscan resturant in a friendly and warm atmosphere...

Therefore Tuscany has a large offer of accommodations, so you can choose to spend your holidays in a exclusive Villa with your family and friends, in a beautiful country house or in a charming hotel. You will find for sure the place that fits perfectly with your accommodation needs.

Some years ago I decided to spend my Christmas holidays with some friends in a wonderful Villa close to Cortona, and all I can say is that it was an unforgettable experience living those days among our Tuscan neighbours learning all about their traditions, the way they live Christmas and tasting the excellent specialities of the Tuscan gastronomy. We had the New Year's Eve dinner in a great and small restaurant south of Siena called "La Visantaia".


As always there will be plenty parties - allnightlong- in cities such as Florence, where you can find good music, the best dj's, and all the best for the last night of the year. In this link you will be able to see some of the options for that night: http://www.capodannofirenze.it/new_year_eve_florence/new_year_eve_florence_saschall.html

Also Woody Allen will be in Tuscany for the coming weeks, he will be in concert in Florence on December 22, so if you are thinking of being there that day I might suggest you don't miss the chance!

I hope this advices to be useful for all of you, and I wish you the best in Christmas and in 2009!


Alicia

Travelling while you are in Tuscany: Sightseeing Florenc

The best way to visit the city with a Florence car rental.

Florence


This itinerary will take you around Florence's hills. We will start from Piazzale Michelangelo, the most famous panoramic sight of the town and a visit to the wonderful Church of San Miniato al Monte, a jewel of the Romanesque style. We will then head north to Villa Pietraia, a tipical Tuscany Villa, one of the Medici Family's most remarkable summer residence.

Disover this land underground: Caverns and Grottos in Tuscany

Depending on what part of Tuscany you are visiting, there are several spots for you.

The Apuane Alps, in the Lucca and Carrara region, offer the Antro del Corchia (info at: www.antrocorchia.it), the Grotta dell'Onda free to all (info at: www.comune.camaiore.lu.it), the Grotta del Vento (info at: www.grottadelvento.com), the Grotta di Bagni di Lucca (info at: www.termebagnidilucca.it), and the Parco Naturale delle Grotte di Equi (info at: www.comunefivizzano.it).


If you are in Siena or the Val di Chiana Area you have the Parco Archeologico Naturalistico di Belverde (info at: www.comune.cetona.siena.it), the Bottini di Siena (info at: www.comune.siena.it/diana), and the Labirinto di Porsenna (Tel. 0578 227667).

The Valdarno area near Florence offers the Grotta Giusti (info at: www.grottagiustispa.com), and the Grotta Maona (info at: www.grottamaona.it).


The coast and the southern part of Tuscany include the Miniera del Siele (info at: www.abiesealba.com), the Museo delle Miniere di Montecatini Val di Cecina (info at: www.viaggioantico.com), the Museo Minerario di Abbadia San Salvatore (info at: www.terreditoscana.it), the Parco Archeominerario di Montieri (info at: www.parcocollinemetallifere.it), the Parco Archeominerario di San Silvestro (info at: www.parchivaldicornia.it), the Parco Minerario dell'Isola d'Elba (info at: www.parcominelba.it), the Parco Minerario Naturalistico di Gavorrano (info at: www.parcominerario.it), and the Galleria delle Fonti dell'Abbondanza (info at: www.coopcollinemetallifere.it/musei)

So now you have plenty to explore, discover and relax in Tuscany...even underground!!

Summer 2008 The opera Festival , Opera and Theatre season

Florence � at Giardino dei Boboli (what a wonderful location!!!)

Shows start at 9,15 PM

June 11-12-13-14
CATS

June 25 and July 10-30
IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA

July 3-17-29
LA BOHEME

July 8-23
LA TRAVIATA

July 11
SIGUR ROS

July 14-15
THE BEST OF MOMIX 2008

July 22
FIORELLA MANNOIA � Italian Pop Concert

July 24
CARMINA BURANA
BOLERO

July 28
FILM MUSIC � Camera Orchestra

August 5
O.R.T.-ORCHESTRA DELLA TOSCANA � PUCCINI E VERDI A PARIGI

Chiusdino (Siena) � at Abbazia di San Galgano (just magic..google it for pictures!!)

Shows start at 9.00pm

June 13 � July 26
CARMINA BURANA
BOLERO

June 18-21-28 and July 4
IL FLAUTO MAGICO

July 24
SULLE TRACCE DI DIAGHILEV

Barberino di Mugello � at Villa Medicea di Cafaggiolo

Shows start at 9.00pm

July 11
LE STAGIONI


July 6
FAVOLE with Paolo Poli

July 13 at Chiostro Cennaio
LE STAGIONI

July 16 at Chiostro Cennaio
LAUDARIO DI CORTONA

July 20
LA BOHEME

July 27
CARMINA BURANA
BOLERO

Take advantage of the Tuscan land with Coocking Classes

Tuscan traditions are strongly bound to the roots of Tuscan cooking, its flavors and the cuisine.
A famous travel agency in Siena, the Cor Magis, offers to its customers the opportunity to take part to tailored cooking classes.

The spirit of this cooking school is based on the Tuscan tradition, therefore the ingredients used during all classes are those that throughout the centuries have come to be part of the Tuscan tradition.
The recipes are of course the most traditional ones. Here you will learn how to cook the true and simple Tuscan way, without all the frills and compromising spices and foreign tastes that you encounter at most restaurants outside Italy and Tuscany.


Each class is designed around you and your group, so you will learn to love what you do and have lots of fun, whether your dish is a success or a "fiasco"!

Some examples of what you will be able to learn are from the very basic bruschetta (pronounced brusketta), or the many appetizing sauces to create "crostini" (bread tarts), to the simple yet elaborated preparation of handmade pici.

What is more fun than learning such a pleasurable thing such as Tuscan cooking? A healthy and tasty way of life without messing up your kitchen.


The course of Cor Magis includes:

-Transfer from your accommodation to the cooking school (and return to your accommodation, of course!)
-A professional chef that speaks several languages, so you will have all the instructions crystal clear.
-A professional kitchen able to accommodate your group that will allow you to learn comfortably.
-The final dinner, where you will enjoy the dishes you have prepared.

Florence and the Hystoric soccer: The "King of Sports" is Born

Costumed Football was originally played during the military campaigns in ancient Greece, both as entertainment and training for soldiers. They had fun and in the meantime they exercised their muscles before the battle. The game arrived later to the Italic Peninsula, specifically to Florence in 59 b.c, and became immediately popular among the Roman Soldiers that dominated the city. They followed the same rules as the Greek game, just changing the Greek name from �Episciro� into the Latin name �Haspastum�

During the Renaissance the game greatly entertains the Florentine aristocrats, still playing with the same rules from the ancient Greeks. Initially the playing field is a giant sand pit of 80 x 50 meters. Piazza Santa Croce was the football field, covered with sand, where the two teams composed of athletic young men used to play the game. The players, �calc�anti,� were 27 per team, so there were 54 men playing a match using both their hands and feet in a sort of greco-roman fight that later on would become what nowadays we know as football and rugby.


In 1580 the Florentine count Giovanni Bardi published the official rules of calcio, in order to give proper form to that game that was absolutely integrated in Florentine�s life. By then, matches were 50 minutes long, and as it happens today the winner team was the one able to score more �caccie� (goals) during the game time.

The last match of �calcio fiorentino� was celebrated in 1739, ceasing the tradition until 1898. In 1898 when English football begins to succeed , the city of Florence decided to revive the traditional �calcio storico� , and they kept the tradition until the present days. Some centuries later we are able to see the recreation of those shows, mixing game and sports competition, so loved by the Renaissance Florentines aristocrats. Both the aesthetics and rules of the game didn't change through time, and in the XXI Century there are four teams playing each match, representing the historical quarters of the city (San Giovanni, Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella, Santo Spirito)



Enjoying one of this matches in Piazza Santa Croce is a fascinating event that you shouldn�t miss, if you are so lucky of being in Florence next June. The most important matches are played the 24th. The colorful parade with characters dressed as the nobles players of the XVI Century also characterizes this tradition. The meeting point is at 04.00 p.m in Piazza Santa Maria Novella where the parade begins in direction to Piazza Santa Croce surrounded by fanfares and drumbeats.

For more information about it i would like also to post a link of a good travel guide for Italy and Tuscany Italy Travel Guide