tuscany travelz

Monday, September 19, 2011

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.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

How to get around in Tuscany

Dear friends,

Since so many of you send me emails asking about the best way to get around in Tuscany, I�ve decided to write a post on the subject.

The first thing I want to say is that Tuscany is a region that has a huge number of towns and villages of great historical, cultural and aesthetic interest that, being so small or with such small populations, dispose of very little in the way of public transport.

Because of this, if on your travels you are focusing on visiting the pretty, lesser known spots in the region it is essential to have your own vehicle.

In the case that this might be your first trip to Tuscany and you are staying in one of the larger cities like Siena or Florence it�s important to bear in mind that both are well connected with the towns in the provinces via a bus network.

Likewise, Florence has a notable train station well connected with the other main cities. In such circumstances you can avoid having to rent a car but should ensure to consult public transport timetables.

On another note, it should be emphasized that taxis are fairly scarce and very expensive.

In short, my advice would be to travel in your own car or to rent a car on your arrival in Tuscany, since, without this means of transport you will miss out on seeing so many of the pretty places this beautiful region has to offer.

Monday, August 1, 2011

3 light and simple Tuscan recipes for summer

When summer arrives it can be a chore spending too much time in the kitchen when you want to be outside making the most of the sunshine. These Italian dishes are quick, easy, tasty....and healthy too!

Caprese Salad

The classic Caprese, this delicious salad always looks stylish on a lunch table

3 vine-ripe tomatoes,1/4-inch thick slices

1 pound fresh mozzarella, 1/4-inch thick slices

20 to 30 leaves (about 1 bunch) fresh basil

Extra-virgin olive oil and Balsamic vinegar for drizzling

Salt and pepper

Layer alternating slices of tomatoes and mozzarella, adding a basil leaf between each, on a large, shallow platter. Drizzle the salad with extra-virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Grilled Zucchini & Summer Squash

(By Stefano Coppola)

A simple enough recipe, this grilled zucchini is positively bursting with flavour from the marinade and a quick char from the grill. This makes a fabulous side dish, hot, at room temperature, or the following day cold. You�ll have leftover marinade too which you can re-use to grill more vegetables or drizzle over salad.

2 zucchini, cut into 1 inch cubes

3 summer squash, cut into 1 inch cubes

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 sprigs rosemary, chopped

1/2 tablespoon crushed red chile flakes

1 sprig oregano, chopped

3 lemons

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

2 cups extra-virgin olive oil

salt & pepper

2 red onions

Make Marinade: combine garlic, herbs, chile flakes, lemon juice and zest, and vinegar in a mixing bowl. Whisk in oil. Place zucchini and squash into a large re-sealable plastic bag, pour marinade over and seal. Allow to marinate at least 30 min, preferably for a few hours.

Preheat grill to high. Remove zucchini and squash from marinade. Cut unpeeled onions in half and place on grill, turning occasionally. Remove and place into a bowl, covered with plastic wrap to steam. Meanwhile grill the zucchini and squash until slightly charred. Peel and slice onions. Toss all vegetables together and season with salt and pepper.

White Bean Dip

Dips always go down well with adults and children alike and this one is tasty and healthy, especially if you serve it with crudit�s.

1 can 450 g Cannellini beans, rinsed and drained (or other white beans, but cannellini are traditionally used)

2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

2 tsp olive oil

2 Tbsp basil, fresh, thinly sliced

1/2 tsp rosemary or sage, fresh, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Good pinch of salt

Ground black pepper

In a large bowl, mash the beans with the back of a fork or a hand-held potato masher. Stir in the vinegar, olive oil, chopped herbs, garlic, and pepper flakes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with ciabatta or focaccia bread and crudit�s.

Hope you enjoy these summer recipes wherever you are in the world. Don�t forget to leave a comment if you try any of them.

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.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Umbria, the unknown beauty

Dear friends,

Today we are going to talk about Umbria, an extremely beautiful region bordering Tuscany.

Umbria is a much more affordable and very interesting region for all those who already know Tuscany or have enough time to explore both regions during their holiday.

Umbria, as its name suggests, "Ombra", that is, �Shadow" is an extremely mountainous region.

Its mountains and rivers (perfect for rafting) are beautiful as are the gentle rolling hills. Among its beauties, Umbria also has one of the biggest lakes in Italy, Lake Trasimeno, where there are some islands that can be visited by boat. This is a real nature spot for admiring the flora and fauna and eating outdoors

For those who don�t have much time to visit this beautiful region I want to recommend some important spots that, from my point of view, are the best of the region:

1- The first spot to visit is no doubt Lake Trasimeno, about which we have already talked in previous posts.

If you want to eat in the area you should go to Fischio del Merlo (Passignano sul Trasimeno) where you can enjoy excellent dishes of seafood and freshwater fish for approx 35-40 euros.

2- The second place to explore is the incredible Assisi, religious capital of the region and Italy as a whole, Assisi is a must for its architectural beauty and for the mystical air that it emanates. A visit to the cloisters in the forest where Saint Francis used to pray makes for an interesting outing.

3- Montefalco and Bevagna. Montefalco for its wines and Bevagna for the beauty of its architecture, for its Roman theatre and its churches. These two little towns are certainly some of the most beautiful in Umbria. From Montefalco particulary visitors are blessed with excellent views of the area, the hills and the mountains.

For gastronomy lovers "La Vecchia Cucina" lies in the little village of Colle Secco (10 min from Montefalco). It is, (in my humble opinion!), the best restaurant in terms of quality and price.
This family-run restaurant serves a real variety from typical Umbrian dishes: pasta, farm chicken and first class sausages! It also has excellent beer.

4 - Spoleto. Entering this beautiful region one arrives in Spoleto, a beautiful place with a ravishing cathedral.

famous worldwide for its beauty. A trip to the fortress and the bridge from where excellent vistas of the whole valley can be seen are recommended too.

5 - Orvieto. It is one of the most beautiful Etruscan towns in Umbria and one of the best kept. Orvieto enjoys an interesting historical centre, and another magnificent cathedral that resembles the famous cathedral of Siena.

Best regards,

Monday, May 2, 2011

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