Al Ritrovo Bibbiena

The restaurant is not a large place - and the main portions is in a tented area right infront of the kitchen - but this is also a good point, because you can sit outside catch the light breezes in the summer time and live the small town life on the streets in a quaint little town like Bibbiena.

Though the menu also contains several standard Italian dishes - the cook oftens adds a twist such as the potato filled pasta with butter and truffles, very inviting! The menu also included some basics, which for those of you who are looking for something just a little lighter than normal might enjoy the vegetable soup - just like my mother-in-law makes!

Pizza is served at dinner time only and is well made with a good tastey thin crust. I tasted the Peppery steak stew - and it was worth cleaning the bowl out. Wine can be purchased by the bottle or you can get smaller portions in a carafe - great alternative for those of you traveling in small groups. The house wine is good - you don`t have to order from the list to get a good hearty flavour to accompany your meal.

I know they say their specialty is fish - but I really can`t comment on that because I only tasted the turf menu but if they do the fish like the do the plates I did taste, you can go secure that it will be down with a unique home style flare.

Parking is tough in Bibbiena - you should really look for a place outside of town and walk in. The town is not that big and actually there are lots of cute little shops and beautifully restored historic building to view. To find the restaurant - just walk all the way up to the main square (there is only one) and look up facing the clock. Turn to your left in the far corner and you will find a restaurant with a large white tent in front.


Specialty is Fish

Piazzetta Mario Pierazzuoli, 4

Bibbiena Arezzo

Phone +39 0575 536209

Closed on Thursday

How to make Panzanella

Origins of this dish go back to the sheep herders who while moving the sheep long distances had very little food - and that which was to be had was normally stale bread and the local vegetables found along their trails. This dish makes the best of both ingredients.

Ingredients:

Weights are approximate, this will make enough as a pasta dish for about 3-4 persons.

approx. 2 cups - hard bread - best to use bread with as few base ingredients as possible - flour, yeast, water is the best.
tomato - cut into cubes and take out excess juice and seeds
cucumber - peel and cut into little cubes
iceberg lettus - cleaned and cut into mouth size pieces
onion - cut into small pieces. Though many would want to leave this out, it was probably one of the few veggies that the herders were sure to find along the trail
basil in abundance, red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, salt
Mix salad ingredients and basil together and dress lightly with extra virgin olive oil, vinegar and salt. There is no right or wrong way to dress the salad, it is all done to taste. For example the Italians prefer more oil than vinegar - yet most others go a little heavier on the vinegar. By mixing the salad first with the dressing you don't risk the bread getting too dressed and thus a heavy flavour out of proportion with the rest of the salad.

Cut the bread in 2 - 3 inch cubes and soak the bread until it has absorbed the water (hint: don't let it absorb too much water - just enough that it is damp) - squeeze excess water out and crumb lightly into a bowl. Mix well with salad.

Some variations include adding tuna fish and or white navy beans - however the traditional recipe is very simple.

Serve immediately.

Tuscan Lighting

The sober look that represents Tuscan lighting has nothing to do with what is usually meant as Tuscan lighting.


The Rococo look of some over-worked, over-embellished crystal lamps that you see at some shop bare the style that is much more proper to those parts of Italy that have been exposed to Byzantine culture, such as the North East of Italy, with Venice being the capital of Byzantine art in Italy.

So if you are looking for real Tuscan lighting, look no further than those humble looking lamps that truly represent the traditional character of Tuscany and of Tuscan people in general.

That is not to say that there in anything esthetically wrong with much more elaborated lighting; however if you are looking forward to having a truly Tuscan feeling in your home, set your mind to letting go all the cliches that are usually thought of as truly Tuscan.


In the case of a table or floor lamp, Tuscan lighting is mainly composed of a wooden body and a no-frills shade, or no shade at all. The body of the lamp may be painted with pastel colors, or antique gold or silver paints.

In the case of a ceiling Tuscan lighting, you will be surprised how little you can find to be truly originally Tuscan, since up until the 1960s Tuscan economy was mainly supported by agriculture, and the living conditions in the Tuscan countryside were far from worrying anyone about carving out a great looking ceiling lamp. Most likely, if you were to enter one of those poor houses, you would have seen hanging from the ceiling an anchovy or sardine used to give taste to cornmeal by rubbing it on top of the hung fish. That way it would last much longer.

This is just to give you an idea of what is behind traditional Tuscan lighting. Some richer people surely did have much more elaborated lighting. Some exaples are those of the Grand Duke of Tuscany Leopoldo, which are characterized by a wooden body with curved movable arms and decorated with achantus leaves. This is as elaborated as it gets.


Of course, contemporary Tuscan lighting has a completely different character.
It is hard to distinguish it from any other contemporary style as everything nowadays is very linear and functional. However, some artisans still create wrung iron lamps and hand carved wooden lamps that remind of the antique Tuscan lighting.

Restaurants in Arezzo:La Torre di Gnicche

It`s a small little place just right for friends who want to laze about and drink some wine and try some tasty finger foods - or an easy paced lunch / dinner or even mid afternoon snack. The menu is particular and changes every week depending on what the cook feels like creating.

This restaurant does NOT do pasta of any type - but in compensation they do some fantastic bruschettas: toasted bread with varies delicious toppings. One of my favorites is a soft Italian cheese, raddico rosso and lardo di colonata. Two hefty size sliced of bread - you choose the topping and you have a good substitue for a plate of spaghetti - and the possibiity to taste the wide selection of Italian cheeses and cold cuts.


Order bit by bit - because the portions are a good size and your eyes may definitely see more things than your stomach can hold. You can order your wine by the glass - which allows you the freedom to select many types. I have personally tasted the Polpetone - the American meatloaf probably came out of this prototype. You can taste that it is home cooked, with a nice brown gravy. I have also tasted the mixed cheese plate - very abundant - and the cheeses where definitely out of the ordinary.


Don`t skip the desserts - they are all made in house and merit a taste with a good glass of Moscato or Vin Santo. They can help you choose, just let them know if you like it sweet or dry.

La Torre di Gnicche means the Tower of Gnicche, and Gnicche was the name of a modern day Robin Hood who lived in the Casentinoo area. He existed around the mid 1800`s and a a reputation from stealing only from those who could afford it. He would keep his share (of course) and distribute the left-overs. In fact many young Italian boys from that area earned the nickname Gnicche (pronounced Nick-eh) when they were found to be just a little more active than others!


If you are in Arezzo and have had enough of everyday typical meals - then I suggest you search this place out. Its cozy atmosphere, and rather laid back look to it makes it easy to settle down order a glass of wine and watch the locals filter in and out. Though in the summer it can attract some tourist you will find the mainstay of this place are Italians and the quality of food and the moderate prices are proof of that.

Please find Below more information about this restaurant

La Torre di Gnicche

Piaggia S. Martino 8

52100 Arezzo

Phone Number: +39 0575 35 20 35

Closed on Wednesday

The Lure of Tuscany, Part 2

By August, after months of blood sweat and tears we’d settled on our itinerary and had booked nearly everything. The trip’s length had blossomed from a week initially, to 10 days, to two weeks and finally, to three weeks. It involved a combination of hotels and a villa, a rental car, lots of places to visit from the famous to the obscure and the freedom (or the illusion of freedom) to do whatever.

According to plan, we spent the first ten days of our vacation on a road trip throughout the north of the country, which was, to be honest, exhausting. I was enjoying myself as best I could, but going from hotel to hotel took its toll and one by one, we all wound up getting very sick. My immune system was first to crumble and by the time we hit Venice on the fourth day, the run-down feeling I’d been fighting off had won out. I felt like I’d been run over by a truck. All I wanted to do is crawl back in bed but, of course I didn’t want to waste the opportunity… so I downed some nice drugs and spent the two days we were there weaving through massive crowds and getting lost (very easy to do) while my heart beat as furiously as a panicked rabbit’s (my body doesn’t handle cold medication very well!)

But before it sounds like I’m complaining, I will say that Venice was absolutely lovely and I recommend it to everyone. Basically, I want to juxtapose the frantic pace we’d set for ourselves between driving to Florence, Venice and Ravenna (also lovely and worth a look!) and the stress of hotels with the complete calm of settling into a villa, which is what we did for the latter ten days of the trip. The plan we’d envisioned before we left was to “wagon-wheel” from our Tuscan villa (going out each day to a new, far-flung destination) but we were so sick and tired that we had to somewhat scale back our ambitious plans. Ordinarily this would have been a catastrophe for someone like myself, who likes to go go go (waste not, want not!) when on vacation. However, the more relaxed pace was ultimately the best thing that could have happened, and we enjoyed our stay all the more for it.

I simply cannot recommend more the renting of a villa. Hotels are fine, but nothing compares to waking up each day and, for example, not having to throw on your clothes and venture out in search for a cup of coffee. We like to get up fairly early and being able to sit in a warm kitchen in our jammies with half-lidded eyes, sipping a proper cup of Arabica was priceless. Or sitting up at night playing cards at the same table when a gelato craving hits and in less than two minutes having bowls piled high. Or walking out into a quiet garden in the late afternoon sunshine and just reading with no one around you-- all is silent but for the birds rustling in the trees. Villas offer the chance for peace and quiet, a home away from home, but with the option of going somewhere more “exciting” if you choose.

They are also far more affordable than hotels, especially given the fact that you can cook your own food. And having to cook for yourself means that you get to go grocery shopping, which is both exhilarating and intimidating in a foreign country whose language you can’t speak, let alone read. Fortunately, because a lot Italian food is already familiar to Americans, it’s not a hopeless situation. Spaghetti is still spaghetti, though trying to communicate your needs at the butcher counter can get complicated and requires gesturing while you yourself become the butcher-- of the language, that is. And don’t, whatever you do--whether a fruit stand, produce market or grocery store--touch the fruits and vegetables without putting on the little plastic gloves first! You’ll either get a disapproving frown or be yelled at like I was. Unlike the States, they don’t want everyone’s grimy little paws all over their produce, and you know what? Their fruits and vegetables are generally gorgeous, with little bruising in sight. You know, they might be onto something there…

Our Trip in Tuscany

My family and I have just returned from our tour to Italy. Each of our drivers (in Florence, Rome and Amalfi Coast) was fabulous and with a first rate vehicle. Everything was great. Each driver was knowledgeable, spoke excellent English and was very personable. Each provided us with an outstanding tour, tailored to our specific interests, with just the right blend of “tourist spots” and “getting off the beaten path.” On our two full day tours in Tuscany and along the Amalfi Coast, the drivers each arranged a wonderful lunch for us, and on our half day tour in Rome our driver arranged for a stop for snacks and gelato at a “non-tourist” spot. We can’t say enough about the service and the people provided us with. Also our departure transfer from our hotel in Florence to the Rome Airport was perfect, and especially the driver suggestion to stop in Orvieto for a short sightseeing en route, was great.

The company that organized our trip was Prestige Rent.

By Micky Chicago October 2006

How to make Tuscan Ravioli Nudi (or Gnoochi gnudi)

Ravioli Nudi (or Gnoochi gnudi)
Perhaps one of the more classical and antique dishes in all of Italy, first mentioned in a cookbook from the 1300's written in the old Tuscan language. These small shaped dumplings are traditionally from cheese and flour and have changed over the years to include potatoes or as in this case spinach and ricotta cheese.

Ingredients:

Weights are approximate, you can vary according to the density of the final mix. This will make enough as a pasta dish for about 3-4 persons.

approx. 2 cups - Spinach and Swiss chard, boiled and pressed so that no excess water remains, they should be finely chopped and mixed well together.
approx. 1 cup - soft and creamy - but not to liquid - ricotta cheese
1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
1 egg
flour (enough to thicken the mix but not more than 3/4 of a cup)
salt, pepper, nutmeg (to taste)
Mix all ingredients together thoroughly. You will find that the final consistency should be firm not mushy.

Use a soup spoon to divide out little pieces of the mix to make small meatball shape gnoochi. Roll the balls lightly in flour so that it is not too sticky. Don't make the balls too large, it you will have a greater chance of them coming apart.

Normally the balls are placed in boiling water until they float to the top and served with your favorite sauce. Meat sauce is a classic however in Italy many like to use simple butter and sage so that the true flavour of the "pasta" comes out.

For those of you who are having problems keeping the pasta together - or if the consistensy just doesn't look promising, many Italians will spoon the gnoochi into a baking dish, a little bit like cookie dough. Then they lightly cover the balls with a besciamela sauce (either white or with meat sauce) and sprinkle parmesan cheese on top - 30 minutes in the oven at about 300°F and you have a great dish--with a little less work.

Where to eat in Pienza

Pienza is a lovely town in the south of Tuscany where art and nature live in perfect harmony. If you have the chance to visit this wonderful place I would like to suggest same places that you should not miss at all. The first one is the The Restaurant Il Chiostro an incredible place inside an old convent just in the center of the little Village. You can acces to the restaurant from an incredible garden overviewing the Orcia Vally. You should go to this restaurant in summer or spring because the best of the restaurant is the terrace from where it is possible to enjoy a superb landscape of Tuscany countryside. The food is also good and Maurizio the owner will do the rest to make your dinner or lunch unforgotable. Anonther place that you should not miss at all is "Latte di Luna" a very nice restaurant just at the end of the village. This place is famouse for serving the best "maialino di latte" (pork) in the area. More information about Pienza can be found at the officialweb site of Pienza

The Lure of Tuscany, Part One

Part One:
Italy is the only country I have ever traveled to where I’ve said to myself, “You know, I think I could actually live here.” And that’s saying a lot. I’m as American as they come: I love cheeseburgers off the grill, fly a flag on the Fourth of July, and believe that football is a game where oversized men in padded jerseys crush one another executing intricately devised plays. All this being said, however, the friendliness of the Italian people, the beauty of the countryside (especially Tuscany), and the food (naturally!) made me wonder how hard it would be to pack up all my Earthly belongings, quit my job, and just settle there. Seeing “Under the Tuscan Sun” shortly before going didn’t help, I suppose. Either way, it wasn't at all surprising to learn that Italy is the most visited and re-visited country in the world.

Mind you, how I ended up there, imagining an alternate life among the olive groves, cobbled, medieval streets and vibrant hillsides is not the stuff of romantic adventure and it’s not going to be made into a movie any time soon. But that’s ok. That’s just the way I like it.

In fact, the whole thing started with my stepmother, who had never been to Europe and it can be said with no amount of exaggeration, hates to spend money. My father, on the other hand, was born with a wanderlust that knows no bounds and had been moping around for years longing for an adventure. After sharing my photos from a recent trip to England, she got to wistfully talking about the places she's like to visit before she died. Of course we knew she would talk until she turned blue, but if left to her own devices, it would never happen. She mentioned Italy a few times and so my dad and I pounced. After with some clever cajoling and plenty of reminders that we only live once, we managed to convince her that taking a trip could be good for the soul. Of course, at the time this could have been an indulgent gesture on her part to shut us up!

That night we hopped around online looking at villas (knowing absolutely nothing, I might add!) as my dad reminisced about meeting my own mother there and the time he spent with her in Florence. Though I had no plans of joining them, I took notes and helped them weigh their options. Did they want to go the next fall (it was March at the time) or the following spring? Did they want to fly into Rome or Florence? Did they want to train it or rent a car? Did they want a villa only or stay at some hotels, too? My stepmother, still a tad non-committal, promised to go to the library and check out some books or videos, while I volunteered to research more into villas on the internet the next day. When I left that night, my father was smiling broadly. His engines had been started.

Initially, the only thing they could agree on was when they wanted to go: October, harvest season. But over the following months, and after viewing several videos, reading many books, and visiting countless websites, they managed to solidify a plan. To save money (at least that’s what I think!) they also invited me along. Sure, I’d rather be there with someone I was madly in love with, but with such an adventure dangling in front of me, how could I resist? ;)

We decided that while we wanted to see Rome and Venice, from the outset we wanted to spend the bulk of our time in the Tuscany region. Our decision was made mostly because it has long been popular with Americans and many of the things it offered were already familiar to us: its history, museums, wine, quaint hill towns, rolling countryside and cypress-lined roads. For myself, I wanted to visit Florence because I’d read “A Room with a View” in high school and had spent my childhood thumbing through the art books my mother had gotten there. I also read a newspaper article about Siena a few years ago and the race it holds in the town square. I remember thinking at the time, “These people are mad! Sign me up!” It just felt like the right place.

Needless to say, it was the right choice for us. Because it has become such a popular destination, there is a wide array of agriturismos to choose from, and I found that the infrastructure for finding the right one on the internet was surprisingly robust. And the number of Tuscan villas available is just staggering. Searching for just the right one can be time-consuming and eye-strain inducing, but for me, the hunt is half the fun!

More later...

Wedding in Tuscany

Getting Married in Tuscany can be a pleasant, memorable and relaxing experience…just like drinking a glass of Chianti red wine.

The a brief checklist for getting married in Tuscany:

1) Decide on the location. Many people are not sure how many people will actually make the long haul…and sometimes the numbers grow as soon as you have a location and send out the invites. Be prepared to select a place which will contain the main group and provides lots of extra alternative possibilities nearby in the form of hotels, bed and breakfasts and other rental villas and apartments. Another important thing to look at when selecting the accommodations – if you are planning on having the reception at the accommodations be sure they have indoor area for the entire group or room enough to put up a tent. Think about possible bad weather options now and save yourself any possible hassle later!!

It’s important that you decide in advance what you will be responsible for economically – and let the agency know in advance so that we can work with you. We strongly suggest that you have one person handle the main accommodations and then for the surrounding or additional accommodations, let your friends and family contact the agency directly identifying themselves as participants of the event. Don’t try to be in charge of everyone’s accommodations – just concentrate on the main core! The agency is there to assist – you will have enough other things to take care of without adding extra burdens to organize.

2) Decide the type of wedding you wish to have. Civil or Religious?

Civil is by far the easiest organization for both the wedding itself and the paperwork. Even though Italy is dominated by the Catholic church you still need special permission to get married in a Catholic church, starting with at least one of you NEEDS to be Catholic.

Consult your local priest for all the paperwork there, and contact us for the name of the local priest and parish closest to your selected accommodations.

Send this info out ASAP, so that they can get the slow wheels of bureaucracy moving.

Other religions are do-able, there are a Protestant priests in Florence who will perform weddings, however they normally will need to perform these services together with the civil service or you will need to go to Florence. Many people even bring there our religious authority with them, saves having to worry about translations. If you are going civil please note that the Italian government does not authorize weddings outside of certain areas. There are “roaming” religious persons who have special authority to marry outside of designated areas, and their prices is an expression of the demand…rather high. Commonly civil weddings are held in the local government building (which is normally a historical building) or in designated local historical monument – like a castle.

3) Start your paperwork. Your paperwork needs to be started in your country of origin. Please check with the local embassy for all details.

Once they have given you the necessary documents you will need to bring them to the consulate or embassy in Florence for the translation and official seals. Please be prepared to do this before the wedding!!!




Normally since most rentals are from Sat to Sat – we suggest that the wedding couple come in a few days in advance. The first stop is Florence and the second stop is the local government where you will be getting married….there can be no wedding if the paperwork is not in order and acceptable. And there is no way around this!

Check with us in regards to the local governments, they are normally all on the same rules, but every once and awhile there is a special requirement. Best to know in advance.

4) Plan the wedding. Here is where agency experience starts to kick in, there are many agencies that have been here for years and know their way around wheeling and dealing with the Tuscans. You will find that the Italians are particularly flexible and helpful in planning this event, they love the idea that foreigners want to celebrate such an important event in their home. First you should decide the style you wish to have – formal, informal, elegant, country style, etc. etc. Then with this information they can assist you in selecting suppliers for all of your needs from caterers, flowers, photographers, music, dry cleaners, and just about anything else that comes to mind. Just a small reminder: you are probably choosing to come to Tuscany because you want to incorporate this beautiful land with its age old traditions into your wedding plans, therefore let the suppliers indicate the most traditional things…you will almost always find these solutions to be the most economical and the accessible. BUT don’t be afraid of wishing a personal touch to the events – anything is possible here….

5) Plan a few events around the wedding.

Sure people are coming to see you two tie the knot but they also are here in Italy hoping to experience just a little bit of the local culture.

Try and plan some events which will bring the group together and at the same time satisfy their desire to explore the real Tuscany.

Some easy things that you can do which can be organized easily

* include bus guided tours to the historical sites,
* cheese and wine tasting, dinners with cooking lessons incorporated,
* rehearsal dinners
* and …. bachelor and bachelorette parties.


These events should be organized in advance – clearly state the cost of the events to your guest and have them commit before the arrival date. (you can always add names to the list at the last minute….but is much more stressful for you to set something up at the last minute and have it come off fun!).

6) Now all that is left is your arrival, getting married and most of all enjoying Tuscany! Normally a wedding couple who comes one day or two before can get all of the necessary things out of the way so that on Saturday when their guests start to arrive, they can sit back, just relax and really enjoy having family and friends together in this great area. Give you suppliers 100% attention the days before and then leave it in their hands and the hands of a competent organizer.

Tuscan wines

Tuscany produces six of Italy's DOCG wines: Brunello di montalicino, Carmignano, Chianti, Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Vernaccia di San Gimignano (the only white made only from Chardonnay grapes).

It also boasts more than 30 DOC Wines. The best of the Tuscan wines, Chianti Classico, comes from seven zones in many different guises. The backbone of the Chianti reds is the Sangiovese grape, although other grape types are mixed in a varyingly modest quatities to produce different styles of wines.
Generally Chianti is full-bodyed and dry, although aging requirements differ from area to area and even across vineyards.

Choice does not stop in the Chianti region. Among Italy's most esteemed and priciest drops in the Brunello di Montalcino. This grand old red is produced by only 140 vineyards. Like the Chianti the Sangiovese grape is at the heart of the Brunello. It is aged in casks for four years and then for two others years in bottles.

Tuscany is largely, but not exclusively, about reds.
Easily, the best known withe is the Vernaccia of San Gimignano which was a favourite of artists since the Renaissance.

If you are interested in the world of wines, once in Tuscany you will be able to find many agencies that offer wine tours across the Tuscan region, like http://www.tuscan-wine-tours.com.

Discovering the world of wine is one of the experiences that you cannot miss once in Tuscany.

Sensorial Spas in Tuscany

A New Wellness Experience in Chianciano

Chianciano Terme has recently remained a little shadowed by the more famouse places such as Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, and the likes.

However, Chianciano Terme has been a famous and very important center for wellness and spa treatments since the Roman times.
The 1960s saw this little town booming with a very well-organized set of infrastructures, such as thermal facilities specialized in wellness, relax and cures, parks, restaurants, hotels of all kinds, and several entertainment facilities.

Just recently, I heard that the Sensorial Spas (or Terme Sensoriali at the moment only te Italian version of the site is ready) had been opened to the public on September 29, 2006.

The website shows a completely different approach to the usual thermal spas.
Ayurvedic doctors let you know what personalized path you should follow, prescribing times and the order with which to go about the various steps.

There are several paths, few of which are relaxing, enegizing, purifying, and regenerating.

The various "activities" comprehend chromotherapy, aromatherapy, phonotherapy, introspective therapy, total body hydromassage, creek walk, high salinity pool, underwater and chromotherapy relax pool, enrgizing marble pyramid, Etruscan Sauna, Turkish Sauna, Swedish Sauna, warm mud "Melmarium", Steam Baths, Depurative liver water fountain, Laminar water massage, and Water rope massage.

The Terme Sensoriali offer plenty of silence and relaxing corners on comfortable sunbeds. Showers and restrooms are of the highest standards. The service is first-class: at the entrance you are given a personal bag with your bath robe, slippers, soap, hair cap, towel, and a hair-brush. The locker rooms are very stylish and include two hair driers and comfortable sits.

A tea-room and a zen garden offer a great conclusion to a wonderful wellness experience in Tuscany.

The length of each session is between 2 and 3 hours.
Entrance is 30 Euro per person.
Yearly pass for one person is 500 Euros.
The You and Me formula is 400 Euros per person.

Open everyday from 10 AM to 10 PM.
Chianciano has surpassed itself with this one. After the experience I REALLY want to get the yearly pass!

You think you are going to spend your new year's eve in Tuscany?

So, I got some suggestions for you that are thinking of spending your HO-HO-Holidays in Tuscany. But first, let me tell you a little about New Year's Eve in Tuscany.

New Year's used to be a very much felt family gathering time, though in the past ten or so years younger people have started to prefer spending the night away clubbing, or at some fancy hotel. Of course, nothing bad with this. The only thing is that Tuscany has roots that dwelve very strongly in the countryside and the land. The rythm of seasons and of cultivations has been the measure of time for centuries.

Little traditions such as family gatherings at New Year's Eve or Christmas are very much felt by the generations previous to this last one. Sure, times change and customs with them, but I cannot fail to feel a hint of nostalgia thinking of those evenings spent preparing the dinner altogether, slowly enjoying it around a table, talking about projects, hopes, or simply being together.
The after dinner games accompanied by the crackling of the fireplace, the submissive snoring of some elderly in his (mostly men, I have to say) preferred armchair, and the cries of the wee ones, roasted chestnuts crackling open, the taste of sweet wine joining that of dry fruits and Panforte...

Do you like the idea? I have some suggestions for you then!
If you are planning on coming to Tuscany and spend New Year's Eve while here, a good idea would be to rent a villa in the countryside, with a nice fireplace and a good refill of firewood, a fully equipped kitchen, a nice large table for your family members, cozy bedrooms where to snuggle up in the evening, and games and cartoons for the littlest ones!

Getting the necessary for the dinner won't certainly be a problem, and if you ask the owner of the villa to buy the groceries for you in advance, he or she will be glad to help you out, though this may cost you some extra money.

Like the idea of being in a villa but don't feel like cooking? Well then, why not going to some nice restaurant that offers an all inclusive New Year's Eve dinner?
All restaurants in Tuscany offer special meals for the occasion, and you can look for the cozy solution that will mediate perfectly between your own home away from home and a restaurant.

Delicious recipe of Rice with Nero - Risotto al Nero

Ingredients:
400g (2 and 1/2 cups) of rice, 500g (one pound) of small squids, 500g (one pound) of spinach, 2 cloves of garlic, 2 onions, extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper, 1 liter (1 qt.) of vegetable broth, half glass of decent white wine.

Preparation:
Clean the squids, remove the bone and the eyes. Put aside, without breaking them, the bags with the black ink and rinse the squids under running water.
Dice the squids to small pieces and throw them in a pan where you have previously set the chopped onions and garlic to gently fry in 5 spoonfulls of extra virgin olive oil.
Gently stir the mix until it resumes boiling, then throw in the pan the spinach that you have previously washed and chopped.
Add salt and pepper to taste and cook at medium-low heat for at least 30 minutes, half covering the pan with a lid.
After 30 minutes add the rice, the white wine and the black ink that you have gently gathered from the bags extracted from the squids. Let the ink soack the rice evenly.

Finish cooking the rice slowly adding the vegetable broth (which should be almost at boiling temperature, not to let cooking change in temperature). Keep adding the broth each time the rice absorbs it, and until the rice is completely cooked.

The traditional steack fiorentina

Jucy and Tasty, the Easy Way

Since 2001 the Fiorentina Steak has been newly legalized.

The secret to have a great Bistecca alla Fiorentina is the cooking process. The meat needs to remain raw in the middle, just seared on the sides.
This is a test for your trusted butcher shop!

Well, here the receipe, or better, the procedure!

Ingredients:
- One T-bone steak weighing at least 1200 gr. including the fillet. The beef must be rather young.
- Pepper
- Salt

Cut to the steak 2 inches thick.
Put the steak on the charcoal grill, paying attention that there is no flame whatsoever; however, the charcoal must be bright.
Cook exactly 7 minutes on each side (or until you see that the glir has left its mark.
Remove from the grill.

Add salt to taste on both sides, only sfter you have removed it from the grill.

Slightly sprinkle with freshly grinded black pepper, if you wish.

Serve the Florentine Steak without any other condiment.

Ghosts in villa at Villa di Corliano the Haunted House

Journeying towards Florence through the Tuscan countryside one finds Lucca, Pisa and other delightful towns dotting the road to Pisa where the guests of the Agostini family at Villa di Corliano can delight during their daily strolls.


The stay at Bagni di Pisa (health giving waters are still offered to an international clientele) and the visit Pisa during one of the city’s festivals are a delight, and staying at the Agostini Palace to enjoy the best view of the festivities is even more so.

The Villa has hosted many illustrious guests such as Gustavus III of Sweden, Christian II of Denmark, the Royal Family of Great Britain, Benedict Stuart Cardinal of York, General Murat, Luigi Buonaparte, Paolina Borghese, Carlo Alberto of Savoy, the poets Byron and Shelley, and various other personages from history books.

The area of the Pisa hills was already an attraction for enlightened travellers in the first half of the 1700s with the growth of the thermal spa of San Giuliano, which became a fashionable spot for the well-off classes.

The mansions on the road along the hills, already renowned as places of gentle idleness and relaxation in the heart of the countryside and also for their small industrial facilities for the transformation of agricultural products, soon assumed the characteristics of true leisure resorts, just like those narrated by Carlo Goldoni and which we can continue to enjoy today.

The Relais dell’ Ussero at the Villa Agostini della Seta di Corliano is on the road which runs along the foot of the hills from Pisa to Lucca, passing through the small town of San Giuliano Terme.
The Villa is a historical fifteenth century mansion surrounded by a centuries old park. It is a property of great charm in which the owners offer, in 12 rooms and 2 suites, a relaxing stay immersed in the beauties of the local countryside.
Guests, if they like, can join in the day to day activities of the villa. They can have relaxing strolls in the park, potter around in the gardens, chat or have dinner with the owners in the farmhouse of the villa – today a high class restaurant with authentic simple dishes of the Tuscan flavours.

The Villa della Seta is very conveniently located near the village of Corliano only 2 Km along the road from the health spa of San Giuliano Terme, and halfway between the historical cities of Pisa and Lucca (a 15 minute drive to both). Florence is only an hour away and Siena an hour and a half.

They can also organize all the necessary details for your meetings, convention, weddings in the 1700’s small private church or in the 1400’s sky garden or in the park of the Villa.

Cavallucci are the tradition of Siena

Today, enriched with some better ingredient than the original receipe had, I present to you the Cavalucci of Siena!

Ingredients for 30 cookies:

150g of flour, 25 g of candy orange rind, 7g of anise, a teaspoon of cinnamon, half teaspoon of mixed spezie, 50 g of walnuts, 150g of sugar, half glass of water, one egg white, butter in order to grease the pan.

The procedure:

Put in one bowl the flour, the minced candy orange rind, the crushed anise seeds, the minced cinnamon, spices and walnuts.
In a casserole mix the sugar with the water and put on the fire to boil.
When boiling mix in all the ingredients that you have prepared before, stir well and remove from the fire.
Turn this dense paste upside down on the table that you have previously covered with a thin layer of flour, left to cool down.
Then with your hands wet with egg white work in the dough to form a homogenous mass.
Spread the dough with the wooden or pin roll to obtain small rumbles of the height of half inch.
Put them in the oven on one buttered and flour-sprinkled oven pan for half hour approximately at the temperature of 160 Celsius and let the cavallucci dry, avoiding to let them darken.

Italian Language schools in Tuscany

I choose Pisa mainly for the opportunities offered by the airport easly
reachable by many low- cost flights. In fact Pisa is the most important
international airport in Tuscany and it is well connected especially with
European countries.

I discovered in Pisa a charming town, with spectacular promenades
along the river. The population is young and friendly and the climate mild.
The weather is frequently good and the beach in Marina di Pisa or Tirrenia
is well connected by bus. It is also possible to reach in 15 minutes the
beach in Viareggio.

Also the connections between Pisa and Florence, Lucca, Rome, Venice and
Milan are very good. From there I had the opportunity to visit the main
destinations in Italy for a cheap price.

The language course I attended at Istituto Linguistico Mediterraneo was
very effective and enabled me to speak
Italian correctly. At the language school I met many friends from all
over the world and there the Italian staff is helpful and friendly.

During the free time I had also the possibility to take part in many
activities like visits to Florence, to Cinque Terre and dancing and
drinking during beach parties and pizza parties.

The website is ILM - Italian language
schools

Montepulciano day

The city has an old Duomo and you should not miss a visit. The Duomo begun in 1592 and finished in 1630 is Ippolito Scalza's masterpiece. The face was not finished, The most beautiful church is located at the exit of the city and it is called San Biagio. This unique church was built of honey and cream colored travertine. This Church is Sangallo's masterpiece begun in 1518.

A visit at montepulciano should not take to you more than half day. The next town you should visit is Pienza just 10km far away.

If you want to stay for lunch or dinner in the city I would suggest to you a couple of places:

expensive:restaurants le grotte (very high quality food) 40 euro/person aprox
cheap: with outside terrace, il pozzo di Pulcinella is very good value for money, 15 euro/person aprox

A True Golf Course in Tuscany !! (18 Holes !!)

Real Golfing

I was fabberglasted to find such a great Golfing facility in the heart of Tuscany, between Siena and Florence! This is something that you do not find very often in Tuscany due to the very strict landscaping and building regulations of this region.

The Golf Club of Castelfalfi is inserted in a medieval village in the Tuscany countryside. The hamlet belonged to the noblest lineages through out the centuries, including that Medici family. The golf fields are one of the best in Tuscany.

Characteristics and length: The length is 18 holes for a total of 6.645 meters. The Par is 73. It is complete with practice greens, and practice sand banks.

A characteristic of the course is that, in spite of the variations in ground levels and the often strong undulations, the game is mostly carried out on a downhill fashion, with very rare uphills.

There are countless water obstacles, both on the sides and frontal. Also, there are only few sand bunkers as to give players an alternative in the matter of game styles.

The putting on the green differ from other Italian golf fields for their technical characteristics.

The available facilities are:

• 18 holes par 73
  
• Practice Field
  
• Putting and Pitching green
  
• Golf carts and trollings hire
  
• Bar
  
• Restaurant
  
• Guest Rooms
  
• Dressing Rooms
  

If you wish to contact the facilities for info or reservations, please do so at 0039 0571 698466.

Strongly endorsed!!

The Wind's Cave (Grotta del Vento)

A fantastic Journey UNDER Tuscany !

In Garfagnana, near Massa Carrara, in Northern Tuscany, the Grotta del Vento is a superlative European cave, provided with a great deal of professional guides and well paved and lit itineraries designed for all kinds of legs and tastes.

First discovered in 1600, it was explored and opened to the public in 1962. The name derives from the peculiar fact that the cave has two exits. One is located 600 meters above sea level, while the other, unaccessible to people, is located at 1400 meters above sea level. The difference in temperatures creates a continuous stream of air. Due to the fact that inside the cave the temperature is at 10 degrees Celsius throughout the year, during wintertime the stream of air flows upward, since outside it's cooler, while during summertime the stream flows downwards. However, during guided tour the air flow is non existent due to the closure of air-tight doors.

Guided tours develop along the course of three itineraries, lasting 1, 2 and 3 hours respectively. During the itineraries one has the chance to admire unique landscapes of stalagmites and stalctites, thin layers of limestone, underground rivers and crystal blue lakes.

The cave has been explored through a path of 4 miles, although a staggering 30 more branches have not yet been explored!

The guided tour's schedule is the following:
The Grotta del Vento is open every day of the year (excluding December 25th). Between 1st April and 1st November and 26th December and 6th January, and on Sundays and public holidays of the remaining period the times are as follows:

Itinerary One: 10 am, 11 am, noon, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm, 5 pm, 6 pm.

Itinerary Two: 11 am, 3 pm, 4 pm, 5 pm.

Itinerary Three: 10 am, 2 pm.

On weekdays and on Saturdays between November 2nd and December 24th and January 7th and March 31st, only the itinerary One (1 hour) is possible at 10 am, 11 am, noon, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm, 5 pm, 6 pm.

For organised groups of 20+ (tourist agencies, schools and other associations), tours are available throughout the year, even outside the above stated hours, but subject to prior arrangement. Bookings can be made through the following address:

Direzione "Grotta del Vento"
I-55020 Fornovolasco (LU)
tel. +39-0583-722024 fax 722053

E-mail:info@grottadelvento.com

Click on the picture to get a better view of the driving directions










Curious about the Planimetry of the Grotta del Vento? Click on the pink map!!




All info taken from
http://www.grottadelvento.com/guida/index.html

Tuscan's - Outlect Factory near Pisa

Tuscan's Creations

Another great factory outlet all to be discovered is Tuscan's Creations S.r.l., which features great prices and splendid designs created for more pricey brands such as Prada, Gucci, or Fendi.

You can find Tuscan's Outlet Creations in Ponte a Egola, near Pisa. The address is Via Corridoni 20/22 Ponte a Egola - Pisa. The phone number is +39 0571 49424 and the email is tuscans@tuscans.it

When you get there ask anyone in the fashion outlet how to get a fidelity card, which will allow you discounts of up to 40% on the already discounted prices. You can create a card and then start shopping. There is no need to shop first.


Tuscan's has been a stable in the Italian landscape since the mid Seventies, with an excellent producion of soft python and leather handbags, purses, accessories and more.


Tuscan's is a discount outlet conveniently located in Tuscany, but with several other outlets in the Europe, in cities such as Turin, Milan, Rome, Barcelona, Athens, and Florence.

Directions:
On the A1 Highway take exit Firenze Signa and then follow the directions to the FI PI LI Freeway. Take the FI PI LI in direction to Pisa, and exit at Santa Croce sull'Arno.
Once you are on the two lane road, take a left until you find a rotary. Take the first right exit off the rotary and then the first left turn. Follow the signs to Tuscan's

Hot Air Ballooning in Tuscany

My Ballooning Experience

Here you will find some useful information to experience a rush of adrenaline through hot air ballooning in Tuscany.
I have experienced hot air ballooning in Tuscany before and I think this is a wonderful way to discover Tuscany from a very different perspective indeed!!

Yes, when you landed in Florence (did you land in Rome? Too bad..) you might have had a glimpse of what a hot hair ballooning experience in Tuscany might be!
Or may be not? Well, lets' see...A hot air ballooning ride starts on the field, when the balloon is still uninflated, the basket is tumbled on one side, and everybody is running around trying to make it possible for the balloon to get in as much hot air as it is needed to tilt the basket back into position and see the ballon get its right shape!

This moment is absolutely thrilling... you feel like a kid before going on a roller coaster for the first time... you don't know what to do, and ask lots of questions to the pilot, which gladly answers them. His job is also to make you feel confident in the means of transportation you are about to jump in... it makes it all the more enjoyable. You watch the flame heat the air inside the balloon, then watch the air get a little colder and sucking in more air, which gets heated immediately with a deafening sound of flame thrower...

Sooner than you would think, the balloon is nice and plump, and next thing you know you are in, shaking like a leaf, grabbing the border of the large basket with you heands, clenching your fingers in the intertwined hay, familirizing with this ancient but oh-so-new flying contraption....

The basket rises gently, almost effortlessly, giving you the impression that you are still and the Earth is actually moving away. All of the sudden a little vertigo gets in you as you realize it's the contrary and you are actually flying!
The breeze becomes stronger and you move with it, observing how this perspective and the precariousness of your situation makes everything magical, unique, just a once in a lifetime experience.

The light of the Sun blurs the contour of the mountains and hills that you are now commanding from afar. The art patchwork that composes the Tuscan country side rolls away underneath you, around you, everywhere... nature seems to be in awe at the miracle of you flying, and as everybody on the hot air balloon is feeling this magic, the silence becomes absolute, and you are bewildered by the spectacular match that a perfectly silent motion composes with the Tuscan landscape.

To be there I had to renounce to the fear of death. I refused to think about what could go wrong in such a situation (however nowadays very little), and just abandoned myself to the idea that if I should fall, I would be ready to die then and there. With this my inner peace was complete. I was really living as if those were my last life moments, tasting every element I could feel, enjoying the least important memories of family and friends, feeling every single inch of my skin and rediscovering the touch of my fingers on my hands.

When I got off the basket I stepped back onto the usual world, but I still feel that this experience has enriched me on so many levels of perception and life consideration that I can definitely compare this to a religious (meant in the broad sense)experience.

The organizers that had come to pick us up also brought us back. We were a group of 6 people (the maximum for a basket) and we paid 220 euros each, plus 50 or 60 euros of pick up and drop off service.

The organizers work off Tavernelle Val di Pesa. I will be posting soon their new website and number. The reservation can be made through credit card.
The organizers also provide with Honey Moon Hot Air Ballooning tours for a price of 450 Euros to let the groom and bride enjoy this spectacular experience all alone!

San Gimignano B&B

B&B in Tuscany

The town of San Gimignano has achieved so much world notority that in summertime it is almost a pain to walk through the streets.

I strongly suggest to go there before July and after mid October, since the weather is much milder in Tuscany this time of the year.

This is the best season also because everything is cheaper and less crowded. The best accommodation solution is a b&b. I have experimented villas, which I very much like, but that during this time of the year are less appealing as it is a little colder and the pool is not as enjoyable. Same goes for an apartment in a farmhouse.
The b&b solution is great because it is completely self catered, you do not need to stay a week from Saturday to Saturday, you are given a nice breakfast every morning included in the price of a beautiful room (sure it depends on the price!!), and most of the times you find yourself in a city setting near places of interest and cultural spots. If the b&b is in the countryside, be sure the b&b is near a town where you can go out for a stroll, a restaurant, or for some more practical need such as a farmacy or a quick snack. Also remember to budget in a car rental, if you plan on being in the countryside. Public transportation is not always practical, convenient, or available in small Tuscan towns.
San Gimignano is a great place to be, but after few days there you will feel the urge to explore a bit more. It is important that you plan your way around for daytrips to Siena and Florence, or to the many towns of the area (Poggibonsi, Colle Val d'Elsa, Barberino Val d'Elsa, Radda in Chianti, Castellina in Chianti) without wanting to see it all. These places are usually much better if enjoyed with your watch ticking a little slower.
Just as an example, San Gimignano still preserves many typical places (among the many touristy ones). But if you rush and only follow the tourist routes, you will not discover them for sure. I am a true believer of slow motion while travelling. Slow eating, slow thinking, slow talking. Your days will seem fuller, you food tastier, your company more enjoyable. Just a friendly piece of advice!

Just another simple advice is to look for your b&b in Tuscany where we found our haven. If you visit Villa Toscane's b&b page you will surely find what you need.

Agriturism in Tuscany

http://www.querciarossa.net/


We spent 5 nights at with some friends on September 2006. We have been travelling for 7 days in the gorgeous Tuscan countryside. We arrived to Quercia Rossa late and concerned to be lost in countryside but we were pleasantly surprised by the accommodations. In Tuscany we had the small town and the big city experience. At Quercia we were looking for the Italian summer country villa experience: and we got it! We enjoyed quiet breakfasts with the view. We were pampered by what we can only imagine is traditional country hospitality in Italy. Also, I recommend that you take your dinners at Quercia. When we were there they served veal, wild boar, deer, quail, and, of course, great pasta, salad and Italian desserts... with good wine: it´s a great value at €28. The houses are beautiful and fit excellently in with the nature. The rooms are beautifully decorated and very comfortable and of course very clean. The owners have done an amazing job restoring the buildings: every room is different with antique furniture, beautiful light fittings and terrific bathrooms. The pool is just faaaab! The Quercia Rossa farmhouse is the most peaceful possible place, with truly fabulous views of rolling hills and grazing sheep. At night the stars are beyond belief. We decided to stay over. And we hope to return and stay longer next time.

29-September

By Alex from Spain

Where to Bike around Siena

Biking Tuscany

The view that one commands from the Torre del Mangia, or Mangia Tower, is a majestic and unforgettable one. From here you can see all the lands where biking is the perfect way to discover Tuscany and enter in contact with blissful nature.
The Val d’Elsa is distinguished thanks to San Gimignano and the silouette of Volterra nearby. From Poggibonsi to Castellina, the road enters Chianti the vinyards passing by castles and villas. Nature here almost annihilates the sign of man. The unforgettable Crete Senesi ara magical land of lunar-like hills. The crete and ridges of the territory are bordered by gravel roads. The wind has sculpted this land along with water and man made fields. The idillyc scenery continues going south in the Val d’Orcia, such a singularly beautiful place to deserve itself to be a national park dedicated to nature, art and culture. The town of Montepulciano can be touched on the Val di Chiana road to Siena and crossed by the Highway A1. The Etruscan culture has dominated this land and their presence is still very much felt here. Chiusy is the highest point of felicity for those bykers interested in discovering the Etruscans. The Mount Amiata rises in the southern most part of Tuscany, a mountain of vulvanic origins that rises amongst the planes where one can find many chestnut and beech trees groves. Here the population still is truly Tuscan, entrenched in their decision not to be paired with the rest of Tuscan people, and they live in the way of the mountain, loyal to their mountain traditions. One side of Amiata belongs to Grosseto and the other to Siena. From here one can reach the sea in front of the archipelago of Tuscany (Isola d'Elba). The town of Montalcino sets itself at the feet of Mount Amiata along with the river Ombrone and Orcia.
From here you can follow the river Merse-Farma and the atomosphere changes to wild and more misterious. This part of the Siena territory is more unknown than the rest, and somewhat more challenging. It surely satifies those bikers that want to discover the "uncharted" Tuscany. Going towards Murlo one can discover more secrets of the Etruscans. Immensely worth your paddling is a bike stroll to the basilica di San Galgano, immensely renown for its roofless church. This region also gives you the opportunity to discover the peace of the Montagnola where you will be able to ride in unmatched soliloquy on the roads where the extra virgin olive oil of Tuscany.

Your Etruscan Holidays

The cities to explore on the Tuscan Coast

Sure enough we have all heard, at least once about the Etruscans. Many might not know that this pre-Roman people lived and thrived in Tuscany, along the coast and in northern Lazio. They used to call their land Tuscia, from which came the name of Toscana, Tuscany, that is.
The origins of this people are quite misterious as their language. Some say they came from the Eastern regions and were a group of Arians, others say they were indigenous, others say they were from Greece, and others say that they were indigenous merchants that during their exchanges mingled and mixed with all the other peoples (Greek, Arians, and Arabs perhaps?).
Anyhow, the most important thing nowadays is to discover them at the many museums and cities present all over Tuscany. Some of these cities are Chiusi, Roselle, Quercianella, Bolgheri, Suvereto, Piombino, San Vincenzo, Monterotondo, San Quirico, and Cortona.
What better way to discover these places but staying there for at least a week? Thankfully there is a portal that suggests many accommodations in this area. The name of the portal is Etruscan Holidays, and here you will be able to find the accommodation satisfactory for your needs to discover the Etruscan Riviera and the Etruscan history and culture.

Adler Thermae

The Adler Thermae hotel in Tuscany, offer a relaxing and rigenerating holiday in its termal center. I stayed there about one month ago for my summer holidays, and i think that next year i'll come there. The service and the organization are simply perfect, relax is the principal actor. The hotel isn't expensive, sure, but the price is regular for that services.
If you want some additional informations about the hotel and its services, with prices, images, descriptions and availability informations contact this website,

Italian Holiday Villas & Apartments

Tuscany and Italy can mean a lot of things to different people. If you ask why people go and in what period of the year they like to visit Tuscany, you will have a various range of responses. If you are looking for some serious advice, it may then be a little tricky to get the word of friends and acquaintaissances. Do you prefer the sun and relaxing poolside days gazing at the Tuscan countryside, or would you rather be near lots of cultural cities, maybe in low season to save some money and avoid the high density tourism?
Whichever your preference is you need to find the right authentic Italian villa and apartments to rent in Italy, whether that is Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio, Sardinia, Sicily, Lake Garda, Amalfi Coast, Cilento, Liguria, Veneto, Rome, Florence, Lucca.
The site to visit is then http://www.authentic-italy.co.uk.

All about Tuscany

If you are looking for another source of information on Tuscany, you need to visit http://www.choose-tuscany.com, where you will be able to find a website with information on Tuscany, travel, food, wine, weather, geography, history and accommodation.
The site pays particular attention to describing the aspects that make Tuscany a cradle of civilization and why Tuscany is so loved and visited by millions of tourists each year. Dense with detailed information on the region, its people, the economy, tourism, and not least, its gorgeous recipes and wines, this site is a must-visit.

A directory on Tuscany would also be http://www.tuscany.org/ and www.giralarete.it

Montalcino and the hunting season

The center of this small town offers a perfect example of the architecture of the late Middle Ages. The nearby Musei Riuniti (Civico and Diocesano) contain pieces of a wooden cross painted by an unknown artist in the twelfth or thirteenth-century -one of the oldest Senese works. Wooden Annunciation sculptures from the early fifteenth- century and a Madonna done in Robbian terracotta are also worth a visit.

Montalcino is famous in the world for its Brunello and Vino Nobile. Brunello is a full bodied and aromatic wine perfect with game and grilled meats. The red, called vermiglio, played a small role in the siege of 1553. Legend has it that the garrison commander, tense and hungry, rubbed it into his cheeks, to simulate a healthy complexion and reassure his troops.

On the second Sunday in September don't miss the TOURNAMENT FOR THE OPENING OF THE HUNTING SEASON, a Middle Ages "must do" among the nobility.
The FEAST OF THE THRUSH, on the last Sunday of October is the most important hunting event of the season. If you are not a hunter, you can still "shoot" pictures of the colorful celebrations!

Treno Natura goes a Step Forward

More Tours with the Train in Nature

The effort of this group of retired Italian train officials continues to offer great destinations through discontinued (but well maintained!!) tracks that pass through unforgettable landscapes. You can see this landscapes through the Nature Train only, since no road passes by these unique lands.
There are many tours and many antique trains that take you to dream places and back in time. Some examples are steam engines from the 18th century, to the more recent diesel trains of the 1950s.

The expeditions with the diesel trains depart in May, June, September, and October and go through the line from Siena to Asciano, and then to Monte Antico (the leg from the Asciano to Monte Antico is the dismissed part). During these tours you will be able to enjoy visits to Etruscan sites, the natural park of Monte Labro, a Biosphere festival at Vivo d'Orcia, Radicofani Festival, Autimn Festival in Abbadia, Arcidosso and Vivo d'Orcia, the chestnut festival with local wine and other true Tuscan happenings.
The vintage trains also offer special trips from Siena to San Giovanni d'Asso for the truffle festival in March.
In June the train from Siena goes to the Maremma Park to the sea.
In July the destination to Mount Amiata offers music on board.
September is the Etruscan train month.
December the Olive oil Festival train takes to San Quirico d'Orcia.
A "very specialest" train is the New Year train that takes to the Mount Amiata and includes the New Year's eve dinner with typical mountain meat.
The steam trains offer in April a trip to Murlo, an antique Etruscan town, and to San Giovanni d'Asso for the Pecorino cheese festival.
May is the occasion to celebrate agricolture with the train to Sant'Angelo Cinigiano; also in this month the steam festival and the Scialenga market in Asciano.
October brings the festival of grape harvest and barbecued pork meat, a tradition in rural Tuscany! Also not to be missed is the Chestnut festival in Casteldelpiano, where chestnuts are accompanied with novell wine.
November is the exquisite Truffle season.

To get more information about the exact dates and festivals combined with each trip, information on fares, schedules and itineraries, please call (0039) 0577 20 74 17, or the mobile number (0039) 338 8992577, or visit the website www.ferrovieturistiche.it.

PLEASE NOTE: Each trip has to be reserved in advance as sits are limited and fill up quickly. The fares can be paid on the train, although for steam engine trips the fair has to be paid in advance.