Archive for 'Restaurants & Cafés'

Isola di Capraia – or, simply, Capraia – is a small island located off the coast of Tuscany that is a protected national park status and unspoiled natural gem that is abundant in wonderful views, perfect for adventure and rich in wildlife. If you have found a holiday rental on the Tuscan Coast, it is well worth planning a day trip to this lovely mass of land to explore, soak in the natural beauty and get far, far away from real life.

The Enoteca La Fortezza is an incredible wine shop and wine bar in the Tuscan town of Montalcino and is one of the first to have been established in the town. Founded in 1980 by Mario Pianigiani and Marzio Giannelli, it is located directly inside the main tower of the medieval fortress of Montalcino and, as a result, is not only an excellent store but is also a scenic and picturesque spot to grab a drink. Montalcino itself is famous as a wine producing town and is a perfect location for foodies and wine-lovers planning a trip to Tuscany. Just browse our luxury villas in Montalcino and get to organising a perfect, food-and-wine-filled holiday.

Mario and Marzio were ahead of the curve and established their business time when there were no more than 30 producers of Brunello di Montalcino, the town's famous wine. Today, it is an international name and powerhouse and the business has gone from strength to strength. The store was bought over by Fabio Tassi in 2002, who continued to build the brand enthusiastically and the store is now a landmark.

If you have found a luxury villa in Florence, you are probably planning to track down and visit as many of the city's important tourist attractions and cultural gems as possible and that's busy work that will be sure to work up an appetite! Tuscany and Florence, in particular, are wonderful places to be hungry as there is a wealth of incredible dishes and a staggering amount of restaurants and eateries to choose from. If you are planning your visit for March, then you're really in luck as that is when Taste, the biggest foodie festival in the city, takes place!

Now in its 13th edition, Taste is an annual hybrid fair for both traders and the general public that began in 2006 and is an exploration and celebration of food, beverages, hospitality and restaurants in Italy. Planned as a collaboration between Pitti Immagine Srl and Davide Paolini, the fair will take place at Stazione Leopolda from March 10th to 12th this year.

The Gucci Museum in Florence was recently reopened on the 10th of January 2018, under the vision of Alessandro Michele, Gucci’s current creative director, under whom the brand has been given new life and relevance. Located inside the Palazzo della Mercanzia in Florence's Piazza Signoria that dates to 1337, the Gucci Museum has been open since 2011 and is spread across several floors.

It encompasses a boutique that stocks exclusive pieces, an exhibition curated by Maria Luisa Frisa and the Gucci Osteria, which is manned by the three-Michelin-starred chef, Massimo Bottura. This restaurant, alone, is reason enough to find a luxury villa in Florence and drop by the museum.

During the summer, I was incredibly sad to find the Gucci Museum in Florence closed on my one day in the city. The whole building – museum, store and cafe – was under construction and closed for a relatively long period of time; if I had done my research properly, I would have known. Yet, it was all for a good reason! Said construction has resulted in an impossibly beautiful building that is a must-see for any fashion lovers who have found a luxury villa in Florence!

On the 10th of January 2018, under the vision of Alessandro Michele, Gucci’s creative director, the museum reopened. Located inside the Palazzo della Mercanzia in Florence's Piazza Signoria that dates to 1337, the Gucci Museum has been open since 2011 and is spread across several floors. Now called the Gucci Garden, it encompasses a boutique that stocks exclusive pieces, an exhibition curated by Maria Luisa Frisa, a rather special gift shop and the Gucci Osteria, which is manned by the three-Michelin-starred chef, Massimo Bottura.