Tuscan Outlets Valdichiana

Bettolle Val Di Chiana Outlet

I have been in Bettolle before and while I was staying at a lovely villa there called Villa Vignacce

I had the chance to browse around the surroundings with my rental car, and I got to know that right near Bettolle, and I mean two miles away, is a HUGE shopping outlet filled with 160 shops and first class brands for your shopping needs. Clothes, home appliances, sportswear, services, electronics, housewear, pet and plant shops, and more. The environment is lovely, as it reminds of an authentic Tuscan Farmhouse with red roofs, and red bricks, wood posts, nice plants and gardening, and plenty of free parking for all.

Some of the brands are Dolce e Gabbana, Armani, Versace, Guzzini, Alessi, Tod's, Prada, Adidas, and many many more brands at half price!.

Petriolo Baths

Petriolo Spas full nature

and wellness

Last November I wanted to spend a day with my wife and kids at some thermal spa. At that time we were staying at some friends' house in San Gusme' (a lovely town, by the way) near Siena. Of the many aound here, all nice and well kept, we wanted something more immersed in pure nature and free. Some friends had told us about Bagni San Filippo, but they were too far from us. Another option was Petriolo, and we decided to give it a try. Just off the road to the sea, at about 20 min from Siena, is this old road that runs along a small river.


When the moment of jumping in the cold water came I was a little afraid....well it was gorgeous! (you must have a good heart to do so, though). The tingling filled my skin, and the enrgy came back right where the 100F or so degrees water had taken them from. I decided to swim a bit upstream followed by my kids (the current is really weak) and the natural environment is gorgeous.

A little downstream there are also two other smaller pools for two people each. The water is on the cooler side, but definitely enjoyable.

Definitely a must-try. Just one advice. Do not bring your best clothes, as the smell of sulfur stays on them a little longer than your softner; bring rubber sandals; do not wear silver or plated objects. They temporarely oxidize. That's all! Enjoy Petriolo!

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Mario in Florence

Lunch in Florence - Trattoria da Mario!

So I had gone round and round Florence visiting Uffizi (in line for 4 hours!!!) then strolled around the center to get in touch with the contemporary world again. It was a nice June day and small place filled with people sitting at their table and apparently enjoying each other in conversations like I had rarely seen in other Italian restaurants.

So I gave my name and was asked how many people. I said "one" and thought I would be told "sorry sir, you're gonna have to wait a long time!" Not at all! I was sitted right away ahead of a lot of people in groups. Puzzled, I was looking for my lone table set for one. To my surprise I was sitted at a table with total strangers (which I thought were friends) and given a brown paper placemat, a paper towel, , and I saw myself as the other people I saw at the other tables and understood that here everyone sits with anyone. Good idea, I've never seen anyone enjoy a homemade meal like this.
Yes because here Tuscan food is at its most original of all Tuscany. To compare you have to eat at an old Tuscan lady house.
The Fiorentina steak, oh so delicious, thick, tender, jucy, big, with a healthy bone, cut and cooked at the moment at your shoulders (you can check if you want, the kitchen is right there, enclosed only by glass walls. You can talk to the chef and negociate with him the dimensions and the weight. The rest of the food is just a s good. The menu changes everyday (as I returned here four days in a row before leaving Florence!) and you have the choice of three four dishes for each course and side dish. But be early! The best dishes go fast! And they delete them from the chalk black board.



After the lunch was over I greeted my acquaintances, and after exchanging emails, I paid the very inexpensive check (20 Euro without steak, 50 Euro with a two pound steak), and went on my way to discover Florence some more. Good choice!

Trattoria da Mario
Via Rosina 23r, Piazza del Mercato
Firenze

Porta Giustizia

Porta Giustizia - The door to just enjoyment!

When in Siena the place to go is Porta Giustizia (Justice Door). The tea-room is set where the ancient Justice Door of Siena is located. A small door with a lot of artistic and political importance. Ambrogio Lorenzetti puts it in his "bad government" fresco inside the Public Palace in Siena.


The not-so-big hidden tea-room opens almost every day at the end of old stairs that take you to the omonimous city door. No street signs taking you there, not even a sign outside the entrance. But when you step in you suddenly feel like you have rediscovered an old friend's house you had forgotten was there. The big leather and vellur couches with big old leather armchairs and a large, low coffee table on the right invite your sight and make you move your first steps to sit with your friends to play a game or just sip a nice coktail, or a one of the many fine teas from all over the world (a must-try is the mat-cha, fine powdered tea, used in the Japanese tea ceremony), or eat a piece of homemade cake or pie (hard to tell which kind, they always change and the variety is wide). One thing that may need improvement is the Chai Tea. The spices are just right, but the consistency is a little too watery.

The fireplace warms up the environment rich with old wooden bookshelves filled with books. From the walls hang paintings, the vault brick ceilings is adorned with old chandeliers, the furniture reminds that of an explorer that has travelled all over and is now retired and enjoys fine food and drinks in the comfort of his own house. There are several tables, but the environment does not result overcrowded, also because it is distributed on many levels.

Some tables are on the twosteps platform where the piano and sax are casually left and sometimes played. One private living room is carved out the little grotto-cellar, where couches and a large coffee table can host many friends altogether for a fun chill out night.

The music is mainly jazz, bossa nova, some blues, bossa alegre, and rarely soul.
s not unusual to find here an aged rum from Costa Rica, or a fine vodka.

The Porta Giustizia is open from 8 to 2,30-3,00 on weekends. Til a little earlier during the week.

This is a fine place to go at all times during all seasons!

Cortona Sun!

Under the Tuscan sun, Cortona

Last summer I spent my vacations in Florence and one day I visited Cortona a very nice town near Arezzo in Val di Chiana. The town was built by the Etruscan and was very powerful before roman times. From the top of the village you can appreciate a breath taking view. During medieval times, the city was also important and Cortona has changed very little in its urban make up.

During these last years, Cortona was also a set of many famous movies same of them are: life is beautiful by Roberto Benigni and the more recent "Under the Tuscan sun".

If you go there you should not miss a visit to one of the best restaurants i have ever tried, the place is called Osteria del teatro. The restaurant is one of the most appreciated place by many italian artist. Price is about 35 euros per person.

Siena Taste

Siena is a small city unrolling on hills in Tuscany. But do not let it fool you with its town looks. It preserves the taste of old traditions, that is true, but it is a place sweltering with cultural events and modern happenings.
An example where tradions meet modern is the cuisine. The Tuscan cusine is traditionally based on simple ingredients such as wheat flour, corn flour, garlic, season vegetables, olive oil, salt, pepper, parsley, and occasional meat.
And it's good, trust me. Simple dishes such as Ribollita, or Bruschetta can leave you satisfied without asking too much of your tongue.
Modern dishes, however, combine more and more spices such as cumin, cinnamon, fruits and honey to get a result that at times surprises, at times shocks.

So former trattoria Da Divo is born and offers dishes such as the "Duck breast paired with mashed saffron potatoes", or the "Gnocchi in melted pecorino cheese and chives sauce". Even the ambient trascends the exterior world. The dining room is carved out nude rock and "t u f o" stones. The inferior rooms are actual Etruscan tombs preserved in perfect state. The tables are set with elegant clothes and fine tableware. Servers address customers with a friendly but composed attitude. Prices are really not expensive for the quality and the unique environment. A must-try!
(SIENA ANTICA OSTERIA DA DIVO- Via Franciosa 25 Tel 0577 284381)

Monticchiello day

A day in Monticchiello


Monticchiello is a very nice town on the top of a hill between Montepulciano and Pienza. The village is very little but you should not miss a visit if you are in south of Tuscany. The castle of Monticchiello was thickly strengthened from the Senesis at the end of the 12th century, when it became a strategic borderline fortress. Today this place still keeps its medieval atmosphere. If you go to Montichiello during the summer you should see the outdoor theatre.

A good place to is eat is restaurant "la porta" very good value for money. Greats views. Price 30 euros per person.

Pienza

Pienza the heart of Tuscany

Pienza is one of the most beautiful towns I have ever seen in my life, the village defined as the utopian city it represent one of the most impressive villages, best planned during the Renaissance. The city was wanted by a the pope Pius II and realized by the architect Bernardo Rossellino who was commissioned to build a Duomo, papal palace and town hall.

Pienza is located in the heart of the Val d'Orcia that is one of the most beautiful valley in Tuscany. Val d Orcia is mostly untouched and it preserve the balance relationship between Man and Nature.

You can visit pienza in one hour, you should not miss the Duomo and the view of the valley. If you decide to have lunch in Pienza here you have some suggestions:

Latte di Luna: value for money. typical Tuscan food. You should try the pork meat. Price with house wine 20 euros per person

IL Chiostro: very elegant. During the summer you can seat outdoor from where you can enjoy a wonderful view of the valley. Food is also good. The owner, Maurizio is very friendly. Price with house wine 35 euros per person.

night life is inexistent. The closest place to go go is a music bar on the road to go to Montichiello, the pub is called "5/4" or "Caffe degli Archi" in Montepulciano.

Look at me!

Look at Me! Siena

Some time ago a Sunday I have decided to go to Siena and visit the Palazo Pubblico (Town Hall), a Medieval palace where the administrative offices of Siena are still active.

Well, it was closed for official use only, so I had to stroll around, and I ran into this great exhibition called "Guardami" (Look at me!). It is a video and audio exhibition where operas come alive through the use of cinematic media. Artists from all over the world have created out-of-the-world things, clever in their simplicity.
Originally the mansion of a noble medieval family, the with a carrot in its paws.
The machine that projects the images has been modified by the artist with a device that makes the film play in a loop.
Also, the Latitude by David Cotterrell has taken me to another dimension. Floating on that boat for such a long time has been better than a yoga session.
Many many others are worth mentioning, but I lack the time and critical capacity, so just trust me on this!

Anyway. Now it's gone, sadly, but you have to keep this palace in m