Archive for 'Localities'

We owe a lot of things to the Medici family – artistic masterpieces they commissioned, collections they established that became the basis of museums, architectural gems in which they lived and which they sponsored, practices key to modern banking, and much more besides – but did you know that one of Florence's most beloved desserts, a precursor to the ice-cream cake, can also be attributed to that most illustrious of Florentine families? Zuccotto is still a beloved classic and was one of the first Italian “semifreddi,” or semi-frozen, cakes. Made in Florence during the Renaissance for the party-loving hosts that were the Medici, it was one of many foodie innovations that they had made to impress their guests. Made using ricotta cheese, cocoa grains, citrus peel, and Alchermes liqueur, it manages to be both refreshing and moreish, a delightful combination!

While zuccotto is a little tricky to make, it is well worth the effort and many of us happen to have more time on our hands right now anyway so why not give it a go and bring the flavours of Florence home to you in your kitchen until visiting Tuscany is possible once more...     Read More

If you like spaghetti then you'll probably like pici, which are basically super-spaghetti: a thicker, flatter, hand-rolled, handmade spaghetti that comes from an enduring Tuscan country tradition of making your own pasta from scratch at home. As we all have a bit more time on our hands at the moment during this time of social-distancing and may be craving culinary outings and travelling, why not combine it all and travel and experience something new with your tastebuds from the safety of your very own kitchen?

Pici, sometimes referred to as, “pinci”, are a kind of pasta that originated in the Montalcino area of the province of Siena in Tuscany. Made from a simple dough, typically made from only flour and water, though egg is sometimes added, it is one of those Tuscan dishes that is made in an endless variety of methods and has endless variations as each family usually has their own secret and specific recipes that are passed down through the generations. From the ingredients, to the proportions of ingredients used, to the way that the dough is rolled out, there can be all sorts of variations in how Pici are made. For example, to make the distinct thick, tubular shape, the dough must be rolled out in a thick flat sheet and then cut into strips but while some people roll the dough between a palm and the table while the other hand is wrapped with the rest of the strip, others simply roll the strip between the two palms.     Read More

Tuscany is home to imposing forts, impossibly pretty medieval hilltop towns, dreamy country villas, staggering cathedrals, architectural curiosities, and much more besides. It is a place where centuries of wealth and artistic innovation resulted in a architectural language, landscape, and heritage that is matched by few other places in the world. If you're an enthusiast or if you're simply just a casual observer, then you're likely to find yourself impressed and often lost for words at the incredible buildings that you will encounter while travelling in Tuscany. While travel is yet a good way off for most of us, we can dream and look ahead to a time in which it is possible once more. And, in the meantime, we can take a look at just five of the most unique architectural gems in Tuscany and start adding the ones that most take our fancy to bucket lists that are, no doubt, growing by the day in this time of social-distancing. Here are our picks of just five of the most incredible architectural feats that you can find in Tuscany, as we see it:

1. Cappella Della Madonna Vitaleta

Nestled among the iconic winding roads and perfect rolling hills of the Val D’Orcia the Chapel of the Madonna di Vitaleta, or La Cappella della Madonna Vitaleta, emerges like an image too picturesque, too symmetrical, too perfect for real life. This evocative scene has been the subject of endless photographs and postcards and for good reason, it is like an image plucked from the pages of a story book and is an example of a building and setting coexisting in perfect harmony.     Read More

We are obsessed with all things Tuscan here and, while we can't plan holidays in the region at the moment, we can read all about her unique traits and think ahead to better days in which a vacation doesn't seem so far away.

Tuscany has an incredibly rich historical and cultural heritage, shaped by shifting rulers, endless battles and wars over land throughout the centuries, influential art movements and artists, and a stunning landscape that both inspires and produces bountiful culinary delights. As such, the region also boasts more intriguing myths and legends and spooky tales than one might be aware of or expect.

If you have an interest in history, folklore, or the macabre, Tuscany is actually a surprisingly excellent holiday destination as it is awash with haunted castles and sites supposedly frequented by witches and much more besides. Today, we have rounded up some of our favourite tales of mystery and the supernatural and intrigue from Tuscany as we find ourselves with the additional time on our hands necessary to ponder the strange and unusual aspects of the world...     Read More