Festivals in Tuscany: TuscanSun


"The Tuscan Sun festival" and "Il festival del Sole" 2006 edition


Tuscan sun Festival and Festival del Sole are at its fourth edition. Festival del Sole will be held in July at Napa Valley in California, Tuscan Sun Festival will follow it in August at Cortona in Italy. Both concerts will extend the successful concept developed in Cortona at Tuscan Sun festival where music artists, literary figures,chefs and wine makers entertainement the public during 3 weeks. Festival del Sole will start 16 of July and Tuscan Sun Festival at Cortona will begin 5 of August.

if you want to have more information about the tscheduledule have a watch at the official webpage: www.festivaldelsole.com

Soup of Italy: Tuscan Ribolita


Tuscany is a great place for food and wine, and the Ribollita soup is one of best and well known dishes from this part of Italy. Tuscany inhabitants commonly eat the hearty Ribollita soup during the winter when outside it's very cold.

The recipe for Ribollita is below

1 cup dried beans (soak 8 hours overnight)
OR 3 cups canned beans
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 onion, finely minced
4 big carrots, finely chopped
400 gr of pork meat
500ml vegetable stew
200g Savoy cabbage, quartered, cored and shredded
30g pack of fresh basil, torn, and persil
1 tablespoon of olive oil

grill to high and cook the pork meat 4-5 minutes until crisp.
In a pan with a big lid, slowly heat the oil and add the garlic and onion and carrots. Cover and cook for 5 minutes.

Delicately rip the bacon into pieces and blend into the soup.
Divide the soup into individual bowls, freckle with the basil and deliver to guests with a plentiful dose of freshly pulverized black pepper, and breadsticks to warm ciabatta bread.

One suggestion, if you plan on serving Ribollita to guests, make it a day ahead to achieve the best flavour.

If you live outside of Italy, you may not find all the tried and true ingredients of the Ribollita soup, but with this recipe you will get as close as it gets!

Good luck, and let us know your results!

Where famous movies were Shot in Tusany

Movie Tours - Under The Tuscan Sun



I was intrigued by the movie Under the Tuscan Sun. Well, the movie is a bit cheesy, and undoubtly a "chick-flick", but the scenery was absoulutely gorgeous. I didn't know if it was actually filmed in Tuscany, so I did some reserch, and it was actually filmed around Pienza and Cortona, plus some scenes in Southern Italy.

So I decided to go check out some other movies filmed in Tuscany, and to my surprise I found a score of them. This is just a partial list: Under the Tuscan Sun, Tea with Mussolini, Life is Beautiful, The English Patient, The Agony and the Ecstasy, Midsummer Night's Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, My House in Umbria, Stealing Beauty (Io Ballo Da Sola), Romeo and Juliet (Parts), The Gladiator (Parts), Malena, Jhonny Stecchino, The Monster, A Room with A View, Farinelli Il Castrato, The Age of Medici.

When in Cortona I went to see the house that was restored in the movie. The house did not look that impressive, to tell you the truth, but the landscape from its windows was the best part. Not a single "modern times" noise would reach my ears, and the scent of nature was almost intimidating my "urbanized" nose. I soon begun to love the place and wanted to travel the whole area. So we rented some bikes, and we found the "under the Tuscan Sun Bike Tour" but we could not do it than and there as you have to subscribe in advance. But of course we did it at another time. I will talk about this in another blog, but for the moment let me give you some info: It lasts seven days and it is GORGEOUS! This is the Website: Under The Tuscan Sun Bike Tours.

Going back to our first tour in Cortona, the villa we were staying at, Villa Berna, was amazing in and out. From the infinity pool we could gaze at miles of Tuscan landscape.

So my idea was definitely a good one, and after this trip we are planning many others. After Under The Tuscan Sun we are planning to see and stay at the villa where The Gladiator was filmed (the dream scene). We'll see!


"under the Tuscan Sun Bike Tour"

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Soups of the Tuscan Land: bean soup

How to Make a True Tuscan Bean Soup!





Ok the first thing is: there is NO MEAT in the making of the true TUSCAN BEAN SOUP.

The Bean Soup is a traditional Tuscan dish, and its origins are unknown. For as far as it's known, the Tuscan bean soup is a country dish, born back at the time when Tuscan people had very little to eat but few inexpensive things the fields would give them (the left over from what the land owners would get from them).

Ok, enough of this, and here is the true and original recipe for the true Tuscan Bean Soup:

Recipe for 4 people:

3 spoonfulls of olive oil, one onion, two cloves of garlic, one carrot, two sticks of celery, two fresh diced tomatoes (1 cup and 1/4), some sage leaves, fresh beans (2 cups and 1/2), some rosemary. If you add fried Tuscan bread crutons you will toucg the heaven! Salt as needed.

Slice the onion, the carrots, the garlic and chop the celery , then set them on a slow flame on the range with the olive oil. They should fry slowly and gently. After some mnutes add the fresh tomatoes and some leaf of sage altogether with the beans. Add a quarter of water and set it to boil. Then lower the flame and cook for 45 minutes. Once the beans are cooked, get half of them and pass them in the vegetable strainer, then put them back in the pot. To give more flavour and aroma to your Tuscan bean soup add one spoonfull of oil, one clove of garlic, and some fresh rosemary. Salt to taste.



Now that you have prepared your best Tuscan Bean Soup, you can serve it to your guests with the bread crutons on top, and a line of olive oil swirled on top. This recipe is good for your diet, healthy and rich with good calories, proteins, carbohydrates, and taste. There are several ways to prepare the Tuscan bean soup, but believe me this is the easiest and truest of all!

A Round Trip on the Tuscan Hills around San Gimignao

Sangiminiano - Landscape of

Tuscan Towers



Taking a bike tour from Colle Val D'Elsa towards the Chianti and Sangiminiano had always been something I wanted to do. I fell in love with that road the first time I went to Tuscany with my family. But the car just did not seem to make justice to the wonderful landscape. I then decided to come back last year to tour the whole trip (and many more, but I will talk about this later in this blog) all over again, and with the bike it all seemed just right. We departed from this little town called Colle Val d'Elsa at 10 in the morning.

On our side, we did very much enjoy a refreshing glass of Vernaccia di Sangimignano.

I have to say, the Vagnoni winemakers have a unique vernaccia I always recommend to anyone going to Sangimignano, and no one has ever come back unhappy about that advice.
We stopped to eat at Ristaurante Il Pino, and here we tried an excellent truffle first course, and an extra tender and not "gamy" boar (a specialty of Tuscany and a traditional dish during all seasons). It seems like the dish was born here in San Gimignano (the owner swears, and I gladly accepted it as truth. I did not want a little thing as such to spoil the wonderful atmosphere of the restaurant and the kind hospitality of the owner).

After lunch we decided to keep on going and visited the Museum of Medieval Torture. I was a little hesitant at first, because of the kids, but many instruments are so hard to understand that if you do not explain them they will never get it. I had to read the pamphlet myself to understand. It was avery educational experience, and the museum is very well kept. The address is:
Medieval Criminal and Torture Museum Via del Castello 1, San Gimignano 53073, Italy.



After an hour in there we decided some lighter task might be good, so we decided to go shopping, and I found the most wonderful terracotta painted table for our house. Now our garden seems like the garden of Restaurante Pino in San Gimignano, and each time we eat there we feel like we are in Tuscany. We also discovered few noteworty silversmiths. Their tecniques and results were really astonishingly new. The materials used ranged from rare wood to diamonds. One of the artists was very friendly and told us this is the new wave of Tuscan silversmiths coming from the accademia.

Outlets where to Save Shopping!


A part from the Val di chiana outlet there are also two big outlets in Tuscany where to buy:

Prada
Situated in Levanella; Montevarchi; 055 91 901; Mon-Sat 9.30-7, Sun 2-9.

Prada's outlet situated in Levanella is only 30km south of Florence. This outlet is one of the biggest Prada's outlet in the world. You will be able to find many stocks from previous collections in a greater range of sizes. Prada shoes, bags, sunglasses and clothes can be bought up to 70% discount, Miu Miu, Helmut Lang as well as Jil Sander are also there .
Prada outlet is many time full of people during the weekend because many Italians go there also. Best days to buy are during the week for Monday to Thursday.

The Mall

Via Europa 8, Leccio Reggello; 055 865 7775; Mon-Sat 10-7, Sun 3-7.

The Mall is located near Valdarno A1 exit, in this outlet you will find Gucci, Armani, Sergio Rossi and Yves Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Tods, Loro Piana, Salvatore Ferragamo and many others. You can easily spend there a morning, a nice bar-restaurant is in the outlet where you can have breakfast, lunch or simply a coffee.

Much easier is going by car, For the Prada outlet, head south out of Florence on the A1 motorway and exit at Valdarno than ask at the motorway exit.

For The Mall, head south out of Florence on the A1 (as above) but exit earlier at Incisa.The Mall is indicated all the way.

Tiramisu and the recipe

Tiramisu - A Timeless Medici Tuscan Dessert




I have tried Tiramisu' for the first time at my friend's place. Until then, I didn't even know what Mascarpone cheese was (as far as I know, it's a triple cream cheese made with the milk of cows that have been fed only tasty herbs and flowers. The cheese, as fatty as it gets, is delicious even alone on a piece of Tuscan bread!) and even the less ladyfingers. The making of it was surprisingly fast, as it was surprising to know that Tiramisu', not exactly as we know it today, was invented in Siena to please the Grand Duke Cosimo De' Medici visiting Siena. He liked the dessert so much, he brought it back to Florence. From there it became a success wherever it landed. Passing from Florence to London, than to Venice, then Treviso, it finally arrived in San Francisco from where it spread all over the States and the world.

Maybe it really is its simple ingredients, its softness or the delicate equilibrium between salty and sweet....anyway, this is the recipe for you to try and really taste the real thing:

Ingredients

* EGGS, 3 large, with yolks and whites separated
* SUGAR, 1/2 cup
* MASCARPONE, 8 ounces
* EXPRESSO or STRONG COFFEE, 1 cup
* LADYFINGERS, toasted, 20
* COCOA, 1/8 cup

Directions

1. Combine 3 egg yolks, 1 tablespoon Espresso, and sugar into the large mixing bowl.
2. Beat 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Add Mascarpone and beat 3 to 5 minutes until consistency is smooth.
4. In another bowl, combine 3 egg whites and a pinch of sugar. Beat until mixture forms stiff peaks.
5. Gently fold into Mascarpone mixture.
6. Pour rest of Espresso into flat dish, dip one side of each Lady Finger, and layer on bottom of serving dish.
7. Spread 1/3 of Mascarpone mixture and sprinkle with cocoa.
8. Continue layering and finish with a Mascarpone layer.
9. Sprinkle and refrigerate 1 hour before serving.


To garnish it with a fresh touch, add some mint leaves in the middle and lightly sprinkle some cocoa powder all around the plate.

Enjoy!

PS: A very suitable wine is Vernaccia di San Gimingnano or a Sicilian Zibibbo

The little market in to buy dreams in Florence

Florence: San Lorenzo Shopping



When in Florence do as the Florentines do: do your shopping at the street market in San Lorenzo, just a short walk (30 secs) from the Piazza del Duomo of Florence. Shine or rain the market is there. Prices are considerably cheaper than a shop, but the quality is nonetheless high, also because many of these sellers have their more expensive counterpart in a shop in the heart of Florence, at times right in the expensive Tornabuoni street, left of the Duomo and parallel to Via dei Rossi.
The environment is friendly and sellers are neither pushy nor intrusive. Many speak several languages, almost all a very good English.

If you are looking for inexpensive leather jackets or pants or anything, here you have the after-sale rebates you have been looking for. If you are looking to do some home decor shopping, here ytou will find many exotic solutions or extra classic ones. Here I found a gorgeous Mahogany vase from Africa, and an iron-cast bed frame for my son.

The inside of the market, the covered part, has all sorts of local Tuscan food, vegetables, cheese of any kind, fresh fish, and more. The only thing is that here prices are not as on the cheap as outside, but with one stop you can get the true Tuscan taste in an environment where the true Florentine spirit is still alive. I loved getting mixed to Italians and do my grocery shopping there. Those old ladies can be fisty sometimes!


The SAN LORENZO MARKET is in Florence everyday close to the Duomo. Open in the morning ONLY. Closes at 1,30.

Lucca Bastions

Lucca and its Fortress




Lucca is a small town, yes, but as dense in history, art , and tasteful spots for anyone to enjoy as Florence might be.
I found myself there by mistake, as I usually do when going about travelling, and did not regret a thing. Among the many things I saw and experienced (I met a good friend of mine that day) I just want to tell you about the Fortress in Lucca.

I really do not know much about the history behind this massive structure, I just loved its green elevated gardens with trees and well kept grass. The weather was gorgeous outside, and I could gaze at the olive groves that surround Lucca, and the Tuscan hills around the city. I lay down on the grass listening to the sound of insects and birds, then decided to take alook over the wall and look over the city. To my surprise, where I thought would be just grass, I saw a pretty city with red roofs and cars passing by. Tha amazing thing, though, was that no sound, until then, had reached my ear. The wall sort of had defended me from the "attacks" of city life! Well, Lucca really hasn't any traffic jams or chaotic roads, but the peace of this fortress is admirable.

Lucca is a little left out of the Tuscan itineraries, but please try to keep it in mind when planning a trip to Tuscany. Here you will your special treat!

Siena and the Virgine Maria

Siena's Virgine Maria



A stroll through the many corridors and vias of the saintly city of Siena allows one to casually glance up and gaze at Virgin Mary. The history of Siena is ancient indeed. A follower of the cult of the Virgin, Siena was constructed in such a manner as to homage and receive protection from, the Virgin Mary.


To the left is a painting and cover of the Biccherna book by Francesco di Giorgio Martini, entitled "Virgin Mary protects Siena from the earthquakes of August 1466" finished in 1467.

Even the Piazza del Campo was ordained in 1297 to be planned in such a style as to be close to il Duomo and is a further example of medievale secular architecture.


This same stroll could just lead you down to the birthplace and sancturay of St. Catherine of Siena.

The Tradition of Wine in Tuscany with Chianti

Wine in Tuscany - What is Chianti?



Many people travel, have travelled, and will travel through Tuscany. And sure many have gone through the wonderful Chianti region.

But Chianti is also wine, another thing that pops in the mind of so many people when you say Italy or Florence or SIena...well, the idea is that few really know that Chianti is a mix of different kinds of grapes. The ratio is fixed to the following: Sangiovese: 75.0% - 90.0% Canaiolo Nero: 0.0% - 10.0% Malvasia Bianca Lunga: 0.0% - 10.0% Trebbiano Toscano: 0.0% - 10.0%.
These grapes alone would not give you the full body and bouquet that a good Chianti has. One rule: if it tastes a little sweet, it is not good wine, if it gave a head hake, tinted your lips, and gave you heartburn, it wasn't a good wine. More, good wine goes with food. Trust me on this, wine at the bar or before eating misses its complement.

Want to know more? Go to the Consortium of Chianti site: www.chianticlassico.com

Town in countryside SanGusme

San Gusme - A step back

to relax




Well today tha t bastion is a lovely village perfectly preserved and remembering the old function it fulfilled so many centuries ago. The outside portion of the castle are adorned by beautiful villas and farmhouses the Tuscan lords built during the 18th and 19th century. The inside parte is ridged by tiny narrow streets, and massive walls stare at you wile you walk through the streets until a surprisingly beautiful scenery opens in front of you and you can find yourself (as I did) staring at the horizon while the evening breeze salutes your rediscovered contact with Nature.

Simplicity is the main thing at San Gusme, and this is the place where you want to be if you want to relax and let it all go, even if just for a little bit.

Places of interest nearby: Bossi, Gaiole in Chianti, Fietri, Monteaperti, San Felice, Brolio Castle, Meleto Castle, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Siena.