Archive for 'Food and Wine'

  

Thursday, May 23, 2019
Tuscany is famous for her food and wine and, as a result, there is no shortage of excellent eateries, bars, wineries, and more located all over the region. We have noted many great wineries before in various parts of Tuscany but if you have found a vacation rental in Livorno, in particular, and are thinking about pulling yourself away from the province’s incredible beaches for a while to go and sample some excellent local wines, then we definitely recommend a visit to Batzella.

Batzella Estate is a family-run winery established in 2000 by Khanh Nguyen and Franco Batzella who left careers in international finance to return to Italy and live out their passion for Italian wine. They chose the West Coast of Tuscany and set up in the prestigious Bolgheri appellation, founding the estate ex novo and planting a brand new vineyard of 7.5 hectares with mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.     Read More
Posted in: Food and Wine, Livorno, Localities, Wineries & Breweries

  

Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Views of Florence
This week, we have been looking at some of Florence's best rooftop bars as there is no better way to enjoy her stunning and iconic skyscape than from a cute bar with a great drink in hand. Whether you're finishing off a day in the city or just getting a night started with some aperitifs, the city's rooftop bars make for the perfect places to watch the sunset over the famous buildings, beautiful gardens, historic squares, and wandering tourists and citizens. If you have found your luxury villa in Florence and are now looking for a rooftop bar to visit, read on to the rest of our list of some of our top picks among the places that the city has to offer...     Read More
Posted in: Curiosities, Florence, Food and Wine, Localities, Pretty Views, Top 10 Lists, Tourist Attractions

  

Friday, April 19, 2019
View over Florence
Florence has a famously beautiful skyline that we have written about and admired many times before. There are plenty of viewing points from which to enjoy views of the city and we have listed these previously but, lately, we've been imagining enjoying said views from rooftop bars. Combining those amazing views with a well-made cocktail or a great glass of wine sounds like a match made in heaven to us! So, if you have found a luxury villa in Florence and want to round off a long day of touristing or want to grab a nice leisurely drink before heading to dinner, then these are the rooftop bars that you should visit in Florence!     Read More
Posted in: Curiosities, Florence, Food and Wine, Localities, Pretty Views, Top 10 Lists, Tourist Attractions

  

Friday, March 8, 2019
There are many great, beautiful, and historic wineries located all around Tuscany that produce incredible wines. If you are a wine-lover that is planning a trip to the region, you will never find yourself in short supply of options for vineyard tours and wine tastings as most areas have wineries located in them and many boast famous and celebrated wineries. However, amongst all of those options that you may have in front of you, few are so lauded and lovely as Avignonesi.

Located in Montepulciano, southern Tuscany, and named for the family that originally founded it, Avignonesi is a truly beautiful wine estate that is one of the region’s most respected producers, making wines that are celebrated worldwide. If you have found a
vacation rental in Montepulciano and are interested in the wine culture of the region, it is one of the undisputed highlights and a key attraction in the area.

The impossibly picturesque, sprawling estate of Avignonesi is made up of 200 hectares of grounds, the majority of which are in the Montepulciano DOCG. While the complex is made up of a few different areas, the main estate of Le Capezzine is comprised of a traditional vinsantaia (a facility in which Vin Santo is made), some cellars, rows upon rows of grapes in the vineyard, and the renowned Vigna Tonda, which is an experimental vineyard known for its distinct landscaping with a section that is planted in a unique circular formation.     Read More
Posted in: Curiosities, Food and Wine, Must See Attractions, Wineries & Breweries

  

Monday, February 18, 2019
Crete Senesi
In the last post, we discussed the beautiful town of Asciano in the Crete Senesi, one of the most undoubtedly scenic and picturesque parts of Tuscany. If you have found a vacation rental in Tuscany and are looking for somewhere to spend a day, it is an ideal day-trip location. Or, if you want something a bit more relaxed, why not find a vacation rental in Asciano itself and spend your time surrounded by the most picture-perfect scenery imaginable. Then, if you're looking for things to see and do, why not browse our list of five excellent things to do in Asciano, continued from the last post...

2. Visit her Museums

Speaking of the fine exterior of the Civic Archaeological and Sacred Art Museum is attractive, the collections held inside are also appealing. It houses archeological finds dating from antiquity and art dating from the thirteenth to the eighteenth centuries. Everything inside is from the surrounding area but the sacred art section is particularly noteworthy quality, boasting a wooden crucifix by Giovanni Pisano, the Triptych of Rofeno by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, and the great masterpiece that is the Nativity of the Virgin Mary by the “Maestro dell’Osservanza”, among others. In addition to this, there is the Cassioli Museum, which was established in 1991 with an extraordinary bequest of artworks by the family of artist Amos Cassioli. It is the only museum in the province of Siena that is dedicated entirely to Sienese paintings from the fourteenth century and also boasts excellent graphics and sculpture sections.     Read More
Posted in: Activities, Concerts & Festivals, Countryside, Events, Food and Wine, Hiking, Localities, Museums & Galleries, Siena, Tourist Attractions