Archive for 'Food and Wine'

  

Thursday, May 26, 2016
Wine laid out on a table
Castello di Ama is a famous winery located in the medieval Tuscan village of Ama in the Chianti region. The setting is picturesque, perched on a hilltop surrounded by vines and black cypress trees, with views across the surrounding landscape. The village, itself, is a charming collection of buildings largely dating to the 18th century and is almost entirely owned by Lorenza Sebasti and Marco Pallanti, the couple who run the winery. Once you venture through the village and on to the winery, you will find a unique experience that combines art and wine in an engaging way. When you arrive, brightly-coloured paving, mirrored walls and other oddities will catch your eye which heralds what sets this winery apart from others; over the past 15 years, some of the worlds preeminent artists have been invited to contribute works to the estate. If good art and even better wine are your thing, then finding a vacation rental in Chianti and planning a visit to the estate during your time in Tuscany is a must.     Read More
Posted in: Chianti, Food and Wine, Landscape, Localities, Products & Specialities, Tourist Attractions, Wineries & Breweries

  

Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Wineglass
Food and drink are two of the big reasons that people choose to find a holiday villa in Tuscany and visit. No matter where you go in the region, you will find that culinary delights abound in markets, little family-owned restaurants and festivals, among countless other dining establishments.

Wine, in particular, is a speciality of the region with many varieties being produced. Most towns have their own types or brands for you to sample as you make your way around the region and some whole areas are world-famous because of their wines, such as Chianti.

Montepulciano is one such area and its Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a very good reason to drop by.     Read More
Posted in: Food and Wine, Local Customs, Products & Specialities, Wineries & Breweries

  

Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Porta Pesciatina
Altopascio is a charming small Tuscan town which is famous for its great tradition of bread making that has survived for centuries in the area.

In fact, though it may be little-known to tourists and a little off the beaten track, it is a bit of a mecca for bakers and even hosts a bread festival each year.

For this reason, it is known as the “town of bread”. In addition to delicious baked goods, however, the town has a lot more to offer and to be discovered.

If you like your holidays authentic and undiluted by tourist crowds and selfie sticks, this is a perfect destination, just find a vacation rental in Altopascio.     Read More
Posted in: Events, Food and Wine, Localities, Lucca, May, Products & Specialities

  

Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Ice-cream Cone
Gelato is a staple of most people's idea of Italy. One imagines children eating it while dashing around historic old piazzas and couples sharing some while walking pretty strands. It is deeply entwined with Italian culture and first appeared during banquets at the Medici court in Florence. It is said that Bernardo Buontalenti invented the ice cream for the court of Catherine de’ Medici in 1565. With a cold cream made from a base of milk, honey, and egg yolks with a splash of wine and aromatized with bergamot, lemons and oranges he wowed guests and the rest, as they say, is history.

Florence remains a great place to get gelato to this day with famous shops such as Edouardo's and Perche No! being musts. The Gelato Festival began in Florence last month and continues to travel around Italy, adding to why ice-cream lovers should find a holiday rental in Florence or in Italy and follow the delicious festival on its tour of the country this year!     Read More
Posted in: Events, Florence, Food and Wine, Localities, Products & Specialities

  

Friday, May 6, 2016
Monte San Savino, panoramic view
Monte San Savino is a beautiful little Tuscan town located halfway between Siena and Arezzo and each year, it is home to a delicious food festival: the Sagra della Porchetta.

Food festivals are a penny a dozen in Italy with most towns having at least one but this one, in particular, promises some good eating. A well-known and popular event, it centres around suckling pig and is celebrated each September with a big festival and market where you can try the star of the show (the pig) or sample countless other local products and dishes.

Just find a luxury villa in Monte San Savino and you will be tasting the best pork of your life this September.     Read More
Posted in: Events, Food and Wine, September