Archive for 'Food and Wine'

The beautiful city of Florence is the birth place of renaissance, and is often referred to as the Athens of the Middle Ages. This capital of the Tuscany region of Italy attracts millions of tourists each year, and was ranked as the world’s 72^nd most visited place in the year 2009. The city is also known as the fashion capital of Italy. Apart from the beautiful locales, grand history and friendly people, the city of Florence is also famous for the Firenze Gelato festival each year.

The Firenze Gelato festival will be held from May 23^rd to May 27^th, 2012 as part of the Florence International Handicrafts Trade Fair. The visitors can experience the process of ice cream making, and taste amazing craft gelato, made with authentic Italian ingredients.

You can also try fantastic cocktails with gelato. Bartenders can provide alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions of the drinks to provide a refreshing and delightful break to people of all ages. Ice cream lovers can taste and buy hundreds of varieties of 100 percent Italian products.

While there is no concrete evidence to prove it, most historians believe that the ice cream originated in Florence during the Renaissance period. Ruggeri, an amateur cook and poultry seller, won the food competition organized by the Lords of Florence in the early sixteenth century. The fame and taste of the recipe spread across the Tuscany area, and the modern ice cream desserts were born. Painter and sculptor Bernardo Buontalenti surprised his guests at the inaugural banquet of the Fortress of Belvedere with his own ice cream recipe in1559.

Would you like to learn of all the good things and the good places to eat from the very start of your holiday?

If so then why not learn about the best places to eat around Florence from 10am - 2pm Monday to Saturday by taking part in the Taste Florence tour?

This tour will take you all around Florence, introducing you to some of the local, regional and national Italian specialities, including wine and sweets.

They visit more then 6 locations for a wide variety of tastings and it is recommended that you take the tour on your first or second day in Florence so that you know what to eat and where you can find it.

Taste Florence has been ongoing for years and it is the original tasting walk. It's hosted Chefs, Journalists and food bloggers, Gourmands, Foodies and also Vegans, Coeliacs and more. They can accomodate anyone and the aim is to bring a better cultural feel to your holiday so that you can taste the essence of Italy rather then just coming to see the sights. In fact, it’s so highly rated that Tripadvisor have given it a certificate of excellence! So don’t hesitate, act now and take the tour!

If you are booking a vacation rental near or in Florence then don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to treat your palate.

We look forward to seeing you here!

If you are going to visit Tuscany then one thing that you have to try is the Fiorentina Steak.

This is a typical florentine plate that consists of a thick beef steak that is well cooked on the outside but bloody on the inside. It's a tradition that is as old as the city from which it takes its name.

English speakers would possibly call this steak a 'Porterhouse' but finding a good one is not the easiest thing to do. The meat is sourced exclusively from Tuscany and it is the traditional T-bone style cut.

Sun, sea, and view that will stay with you for the rest of your life. If this sounds like something that would appeal to you then look no further! In Tuscany Italy, in the Provence of Grosseto there is an area called Monte Argentario. It is an entirely mountanous area known more commonly as a promontory.

It is the site of some historical structures such as the Tower of the Maddalena and the Tower of the Cannelle and you can walk some of the fabulous routes and spend the day seeing the sights and admiring the wonderful panoramic views of the coast.

The Mostra Internazionale dell'Artigianato is one of the most famous Trade Fairs in Italy. Every year you can see the handcrafted products of the ancient Florentine Workshops and see some of the fantastic arts that are being rediscovered by this fair.

There is an abundance of culture, arts, handicraft and more new creative styles at this event. There are some unique pieces modelled by experienced craftsmen.

There are distinct areas that are divided up into pavilions such as: The Italian Regions, Region of Tuscany, Visions, Handicrafts, Slow Cities and much more.