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You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to buying real estate in Italy but in the rolling hills of Tuscany, you can be sure to find that perfect home in Europe’s most seductive country. Visitors and homebuyers are still in love with Tuscany, a fabled region of idyllic countryside and historic cities full of art, where properties are now more affordable than they’ve been for years. Tuscany embodies all that is Italy. Here you’ll find Florence, Pisa, Siena, Lucca, and the quintessential landscape of cypress trees with a great supply of dreamy castellated hilltops towns and villages waiting to be discovered. Tuscany has a long history of foreigner homebuyers but in the 1970s and 1980s, the countryside of the central Tuscany become a super-fashionable place to buy up old farmhouses. Most of them were British people, followed by northern Europeans and Americans. This is when the large presence of Britts built the legendary property market phenomenon of the"little England in the land of Italy", known as “Chiantishire” in the Chianti Hills area north of Siena Although Tuscany has some of the highest-priced country property in the world, there are reports that some prices in the best areas, are now, perhaps, 15% lower than they were in 2008, making the current time a good one in which to buy. A reduced number of buyers, make the impatient vendors willing to offers below their asking price. The fact that homes are only slightly cheaper here right now, after all these years of international recession, is significant of the exceptional stablility of the property market in this Region, and so Tuscany remains an extremely good investment.
The Villa di Pratolino was a Renaissance patrician villa in Vaglia, Tuscany, Italy. It was mostly demolished in 1820 and its remains are now part of Villa Demidoff, 12 km north of Florence, reached from the main road to Bologna.
The villa was built by Francesco I de’ Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany. The designer of the villa and gardens was his court architect/designer/mechanic/engineer Bernardo Buontalenti, who completed it in a single campaign from 1569 to 1581. In 1579 it was complete enough to serve as the the setting for Francesco’s wedding to Bianca Cappello. In its time it was a splendid example of the Mannerist garden.
Though the villa and its fountains were kept in repair, after Francesco’s death it was deserted and the place was left to fall into decay. Later, the Grand Duke Ferdinand III decided to demolish the villa and the garden was then re-designed in the English landscape manner.
Via Laura Brown, Rakareko Dama×2
Siena, Italy - Photograph by Marco Di Lauro, Getty Images Before trials for the Palio horse race, members of Italy's paramilitary police force, called carabinieri, ride through Siena's Piazza del Campo. The raucous 90-second race around the city square has taken place every summer since the 1600s. Siena's neighborhoods, or contrade, compete against one another, and almost everything is fair game—including bribery and whipping an opponent.
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Walking on the ancient way the "Via Francigena", I have come across the traces of the Templars. Even though many complexes of this mysterious order were devasted by order of King Philip il Bello of France, a few architectural complexes are left and not completely lost.
Remains of the Templar Order in Tuscany can be found along the Via Francigena and along the Via Cassia, which crosses through Florence. The architectural complexes, such as "Magioni", for example, were the Maison. These Templar hospices were adapted to receive pilgrims. We find them almost everywhere as this was their main function.
The town of Pisa constitutes an important basis for both pilgrimages and the military actions of the Crusades, that is to say, traveling to the Holy Land. The House of the Temple of St. Sophia now destroyed was outside the city wall in Via Nicola Pisano. Belonging to other military monastic orders, are the church of Santa Maria della Spina and the Holy Sepulchre, that has the same pattern of the real Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
In San Gimignano, the church of S. Jacopo de Templars, according to tradition, was built by the knights once they return from the First Crusade, but the religious symbol on the main entrance is certainly of a later period. The mansion of St. John in Jerusalem, in Poggibonsi, belonged to the Knights Templars and Hospitallers. This building rises at an ancient crossing of the river Staggia, on the Via Francigena. Today it is home of the Militia of the Temple.
Finally in Siena, at the northern entrance at door Camollia, the Church of St. Peter the Mansion dates back 998 a.D. It was for sure the 'House of the Temple' from documents dating to 1200. Nowdays it is property of the Knights of Malta. Read more
Lonely Planet's Nicola Williams visits Trattoria Mario, a family-run restaurant operating in Florence since 1953, where diners queue for hours to sample the famous T-bone steak.
Only the innovative nature of the Italians can turn inexperience and a huge miscalculation into a fashion statement. And only those Italians from Tuscany knew how to make it a statement that would last through the test of time.
Wool has been a constant, thriving economic force in Italy as far back as the Etruscans, Romans and the Medici Family. It is a well known fact that the banking houses in Florence built their wealth on the wool industry. The Casentino Valley, where the Arno river starts its trek to Florence, was perhaps one of the largest suppliers of high quality woolen products in Tuscany.
In the late 1800’s they sought to further commercialize their natural resource, and a “mantelline per cavalcature” was introduced to the Florentine market. This was basically a thick, water resistant blanket used to cover, keep warm and protect work animals that hauled large loads.
Traditionally, this cover was made in a deep red – but due to an error when they mixed the chemicals to soften the wool, the color came out a vivid orange. Like most trends, it was a twist of fate that turned this rough cloth with its unique color, fashionable.
The “panno Casentino” was admired by illustrious names such as Baron Ricasoli and the opera composers Giuseppe Verdi and Giacomo Puccini. The result was that this brightly colored felted wool was fashioned into a double breasted jacket complete with a fox fur collar which became a very Italian symbol of wealth and prestige of the upper echelon. A reputation that is still widely recognized in Italy today.
Another wonderful city we visited was Siena in Tuscany. It is actually one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy.
It is famous for its art, cuisine, museums, outstanding beautiful architecture and the very famous Palio, a horse race that is held twice a year. Actually, the Palio is such a big event I will do a separate post on it.
Siena is easily one of Italy’s loveliest medieval cities. It is so worth while to take the trip when you are in Tuscany. A day visit is great however if you have the time stay a couple of days. There is just so much to do and see in this gorgeous city.
There are a few options in getting to Siena from Florence. I have travelled by coach, I have driven and also take the Sita bus from Florence. I learned that although taking the train into Siena is an option it is not the best option. Siena does have a train station, however it is located further from the historic city centre than the bus station.
The SITA company runs the buses between Florence and Siena, and the departure point in Florence is just across the street from the city’s main train station, Santa Maria Novella. Siena’s bus stop is at Piazza Gramsci, well inside the old city walls.
The journey between the two cities takes roughly 1.25 hours on the fast bus. This is a direct trip. There is another bus which stops several times including a stop at Poggibonsi where we stopped on the way to San Gimignano.
If you are travelling from Florence by car, the quickest way to get to Siena is on the autostrade which only takes 1 ¼ hours and goes through the very beautiful Chianti region. If you decide to go via the scenic route, make sure you have a very good detailed map and or a GPS
If you are not from Florence, I highly recommend seriously considering not driving in Florence. It is not the most driveable city in Italy and is very frustrating. If you plan on renting a car, wait till you are ready to leave Florence.
At then end of the day of my last trip to Siena, after walking till our feet ached, we chose to sit in a great bar overlooking the piazza and drank our wine and people watched.
Now this is an activity I can thoroughly recommend. When I travel I want to make every post a winner but some times I just need to sit back, reflect and watch the world go by.
There is so much to see and do in Siena I will do another post at a later date.
The hill town of Cortona rises above the Val di Chiana, its white marble and stonework reflecting the sun like some great beacon. This Etruscan town’s origins actually predate recorded history, but its storied existence has long been a focus of commerce, pilgrimage, and war here in central Italy. One of its most popular foundation myths was that the son of Noah, Crano, navigated to that area following the great flood and, finding it fertile and calm, founded his city on the hillside. Cortona was more likely founded by the Umbrians, a tribal group in ancient Italy, but soon taken over and enlarged by the Etruscans. The original town was settled around 3,000 years ago, some three to four hundred years before the founding of Rome. The Etruscans, who predated the Romans, were a devoutly religious people whose wealth stemmed from intercity trade. The Republic of Rome eventually absorbed Cortona itself, and thanks to the Romans roads and highways that were built all over the peninsula, urban centers became linked to one another for the first time. Cortona benefitted immensely from regional trade, and quickly became extremely wealthy. Unfortunately the Roman civilization came crashing down before the city had a chance to develop fully. For the next few centuries, Cortona was subjected to countless raids by barbarian tribes from the north, but with the birth of Christendom it reestablished its prominence in the Italian peninsula. During the Renaissance Cortona quickly became an artistic and cultural center, boasting works of Lucca Signorelli and Fra Angelico. It was also the home of Saint Margaret of Cortona, who followed in the example of St. Francis and his Franciscan Order, yet established her own sainthood through good works and piety. She is credited with the foundation of the hospital of Cortona, and upon her death she was immediately dubbed a saint, although she was not officially canonized until 1728. Today you can see the original walls of the Etruscan city beneath the more modern medieval ones, and you may recognize parts of the town from the recent film Under the Tuscan Sun. It won’t take long for you to understand why Cortona was chosen as the setting for the movie; its inhabitants exhibit the same warmth that Tuscans are known for, and are extremely charming to boot. Evenings in the city can be spent exploring the quiet streets or taking in a concerto in the main piazza. During the summertime Cortona offers an extensive schedule of musical productions for visitors and locals alike to enjoy. There is also the home of our friend Alessandra to visit, where she hosts a fantastic cooking class. You can learn traditional Tuscan cuisine as well as all about the culture and history behind many of Tuscany’s most famous dishes. Add some fine wine to this experience and you are sure to be captivated by this magical and historic place.
Top 5 luxury honeymoon destinations in Europe Your wedding may be one of the most special days of your life, but make no mistake – if there’s a time that’s really all about you and your new partner, it’s your honeymoon. Now that you’re finally free of hectic plans and schedules, it’s time to relax, rejuvenate, and spend some blissful time together as a married couple before you get back to real life. Whether you want to dance your nights away or sun your days up by the sea, the following luxurious locations may prove the ideal honeymoon getaway for you. - Tuscany, Italy - Boasting beautiful scenery, amazing vineyards, historic cities and art, and some utterly lovely medieval hill towns, the region of Tuscany is a must-visit for couples looking to immerse themselves in a gorgeous historical setting. Take day trips to Florence, Siena or Pisa, visit such famous spots as the Leaning Tower of Pisa or the Florence Cathedral, frequent the vineyards or just wander around sampling some of the best cuisine in Italy. The area boasts a wealth of activities, sights, and places to stay – get pampered to perfection one day and look through ancient buildings the next; it’s entirely up to you!
- Aix-en-Provence, France
- Ibiza, Spain
- Santorini, Greece
- Lagos, Portugal
Know of any more luxurious honeymoon locations that are perfect for relaxing? Share them in the comments!
When we travelled to Italy, one of the things that I was set on doing was renting a villa in Tuscany for a week. The villa that I ended up choosing was located near the medieval town of Figline Valdarno, located about 30kms south of Florence. Although there is public transportation to the town, there was none that went near our villa, which is the main reason that I decided to hire a car.
It turned out that economy car hire in Italy is very affordable, so it didn’t eat into my budget too much, and this turned out to be the best decision that I made.
After picking up our car in Florence, it was a lovely drive out to our villa which is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. The narrow winding roads in the area passed centuries old farm houses and little villages, with the rolling hills covered in vineyards, olives and forest on the way to the famous Chianti wine region.
Our first adventure in Chianti was a picnic looking out at the beautiful Tuscan countryside, followed by a visit to the interesting town of Greve in Chianti.
Each day, we passed through the beautiful Chianti region, sticking to the more minor roads and visiting little villages on our way to the more popular medieval towns of Siena and San Gimignano. There is a train line from Florence to Siena, however there is no easy way to get to San Gimignano without a car, and it would have been a real shame to miss this perfectly preserved medieval town, which, by the way, also has the world’s best gelato!
Away from the towns and villages that we could only visit by having a car, I think the greatest thing of all about renting a car in Tuscany was the pure freedom that we had to go and do what ever we wanted. There was no need to worry about leaving a place in time to catch a bus or train, and if we saw something on the way to somewhere we could simply pull over and have a look. There were no restrictions at all, and this was a great feeling.
Our week in Tuscany was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Italy, and renting a villa and a car was by far the best way to do it.
Oh, the dream of escaping to Italy–and the nightmare of reality. . . .Belinda Smith has found her very own Tuscan valley in the sun, having abandoned a dreary cheating husband and an even drearier English town. Running Casa Mia, her own too, too divine bed and breakfast, everything is coming up sunflowers and olive groves for La Contessa of the Valley. Life couldn’t be more perfecto! Until, that is, the arrival of Lauren–a beautiful, feisty Wall Street ball-breaker who has the gall to announce her plans to open a new B&B. A place just like Belinda’s–only much more glamorous. Even worse, Lauren, whose charmingly calculated smile Belinda recognizes as quite like her own, threatens Belinda’s existence as the epicenter of all things ex-patriot in the valley. Have Belinda’s fabulous days of ruling supreme in this corner of the world come to an end? Will the carnivorous Lauren consume Belinda’s dreams al fresco? Will Lauren’s gorgeous son Kyle steal Belinda’s lovely, overworked daughter away from home and hearth (who will do the cleaning, for God’s sake?). War has come to lovely Tuscany–let the fur and focaccia fly!
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Art for foodies: Ideas to visit Pisa and his surroundings, discovering sightseeings and excellences in taste!
This video is part of the Play Your Tuscany project, a way to help bloggers, video and photomakers to play, love and enjoy our amazingly rich land! Find out more and apply for next tours at http://playyourtuscany.com
We are back again, ready for an all-night extravaganza of events this Tuesday April 30th in Florence, Italy – I am of course referring to Notte Bianca or ‘White Night’ the day before May Day – labor day and a national holiday.
This year’s festivities will be under the direction of Felice Limosani, with an array of music, art demonstrations, and festivities throughout the city, each inspired by the theme “volare,” meaning “to fly.” Expect to see more people than you probably want to {projected 100,000} – but everyone will surely be in a great mood and this year’s events look pretty unique!
What to expect? Special museum hours, the traditional coffee-cornetto at Palazzo Vecchio at 6am and of course, tight-rope walking, concerts, exhibits and more! Keep Updated!
The official site has the full program of events as well as links to all of their social networks, twitter @NotteBiancaFi and don’t forget the official event hashtag – #nottebiancafirenze . Program
One of the best things to do in Siena is to climb to the top of the Panorama del Facciatone, an old facade of an unfinished extension of the beautiful cathedral nearby. A very tight spiral staircase leads to the top where you get magnificent views out across Siena. In this photo you can see out past the old town of Siena to the surrounding Tuscan countryside. This is a place that I would love to visit again one day.
If you have been to Tuscany but not yet visited San Gimignano – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the ‘town of towers’[...] check out the incredible skyline this town has to offer! Not into history or stunning natural beauty? Than come visit for the dry white Vernaccia wine local to the area — that’s half the reason I keep coming back. I had the chance to revisit this past week with friends for our beloved holiday of ‘Pasquetta‘ {little Easter} on Monday and had a great time being a ‘tourist’ yet again. Like many walled medieval towns in Tuscany, San Gimignano was once used fortress in the hands of different empires and powerful noble families throughout it’s long existence. It shouldn’t surprise you that it’s roots date back to Etruscan times (3rd century BC) - pilgrims used to stop here for a pausa (rest) on their way to Rome and the Vatican city, it happens to lie along the route of the famous pilgrim route of via francigena.
The views from the top of the wall (which yes you can climb) are absolutely incredible. The Tuscany you always dreamed of? You will find that here folks! In fact, it doesn’t matter how many years I am in Italy, I will continue to be wowed by such natural beauty, take it all in and then some.
If you’re lucky you might even catch a really really creepy puppet show in the middle of gorgeous Piazza della Cisterna (home to the uber-famous award-winning geleteria!). I must admit, I was slightly traumatized after seeing this (and of course I caught in on camera – I apologize in advance for the F Bomb…) .
There is also a Museum of Vernaccia wine...
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Tuscany is famously dotted with hilltop towns that often inspire gushing declarations of affection from those who have visited – and while you can get great local wine throughout Tuscany (indeed, throughout Italy), one of the more famous wine-growing areas in the region is Chianti. The fact that Chianti is also home to several hilltop villages meaning you can enjoy spectacular views, cobbled streets, and picturesque piazzas while enjoying a local Chianti wine – well, it’s easy to see why this is such a popular area for tourists. In particular, one of the towns that draws lots of visitors each year is Radda in Chianti. The town of Radda, as the name suggests, is located in the heart of the Chianti area, right in the middle of Tuscany. Though it’s a medieval town you see today, there has been a village on this site since the 9th century, partly owing to its easily defensible hilltop position. The town itself is incredibly small, making it a relatively quiet retreat for those of you who aren’t eager to embrace the constant buzz of a city like Florence – just know that during the high season, Radda is a very popular day trip for many travelers in Tuscany. As with any day trip destination, the mornings and evenings (before and after the day trippers) are when Radda really shines. One of the things that can keep visitors away from Radda in Chianti is the lack of a train station. This means you’ll need to either rent a car or take a bus from nearby Florence or Siena in order to get there. Neither of these options is difficult, but since many travelers rely solely on trains to get around, Radda’s lack of train service can keep the crowds away to a certain degree. The town remains incredibly popular with wine tourists, of course, and even those drawn to the picturesque location can enjoy the local Chianti in restaurants, bars, and wine shops around town. Read More
Approaching our 40th wedding anniversary, I knew that my wife, Jane, wanted to go somewhere special. What I found was Al Petrogallo, an Italian farmhouse built in 1571 - exactly 400 years before we married in 1971. She was impressed.
Al Petrogallo is in Umbria, near the Tuscan border in central Italy. I discovered it on agriturismo.it, a website about Italian country homes, and began corresponding by email with Antonella, daughter of the owner. Antonella said we would enjoy walking along the Tiber River and visiting nearby Umbertide. She recommended exploring the cities of Gubbio, Assisi and Perugia as well.
In early September 2011, we flew to Rome and then boarded three consecutive trains to Umbertide, where Antonella met us. The farm itself is a collection of three buildings with eight bedrooms, set amid wheat fields and sunflowers. Our apartment was roomy (about 900 square feet) and modern, yet lovingly restored with brick, tile and timber.
Poolside, we met guests from Germany, Belgium, Poland and the Netherlands. We enjoyed evenings together sampling local wine and cheese. We also met Antonella's sister, mother and father. It was her father, Mario, who had renovated the old home.
With the farm as our base, we began exploring a region steeped in history. As planned, we walked on the dirt path along the Tiber River to Umbertide, where we wandered through the colorful farmers market. (among our favorite discoveries: porchetta, roasted pork on a fresh, hard-crusted roll.)
One day Antonella's brother-in-law, Andre, kindly drove us to Gubbio, where he worked. In the middle of a conversation about the town's Roman influences and medieval architecture, we rounded a curve and came upon both—a Roman theater and, behind it, the walled city, whose narrow streets and stone buildings gave us a glimpse of the Middle Ages.
Then it was on to Perugia and Assisi. The former features an ancient underground city (reached by modern-day escalators). Tunnel-like walkways take visitors back to the times of the Etruscans, who predated the Romans.
Assisi, of course, is the birthplace of St. Francis. As we made our way along hilly streets there lined with quaint shops, we reached the basilica that bears his name - and found ourselves watching a wedding party. The link to our marriage four decades earlier was perfect.
The week went all too fast. We went on to Rome, but our best memories return to the farmhouse along the Tiber.
March April May - From 7th to 9th: Anteprime – ti racconto il mio prossimo libro in Pietrasanta
- 16th: Luminara in Pisa
Italy in spring? Stunning! But while that’s true no matter where you are (in fact, here are 6 reasons we love Italy in springtime), we tend to think that nothing shouts spring!… more than blooming flowers. And gorgeous views. And verdant landscapes. Especially in a country as full of natural beauty as this one. You agree? Then make sure you check out our list of places you especially won’t want to miss in Italy in springtime. Here are 6 of our favorites. - The Dolomites
- Ravello, on the Amalfi coast
- The Umbrian countryside
- Abruzzo’s Campo Imperatore
- Tuscany’s Val d’Orcia
- Italy’s lake district, including Lago Maggiore, Como, and Garda
Now that the land rush is subsiding, the true worth of the region’s vineyards is being reflected in spectacular wines.
The Viale dei Cipressi offers an unforgettable journey to those who travel down its path. At approximately three miles in length—with 2,000 columnar trees on either side of the gently undulating avenue—it’s said to be the longest cypress-lined road in the world.
The road cuts a route across coastal Tuscany, from the shimmering Tyrrhenian Sea to hilly brush, slicing through some of the world’s most prized vineyards along the way. The strada provinciale starts at the octagonal San Guido chapel at the shore and finishes inland, at the gates of the medieval Castello di Bolgheri.
The Viale dei Cipressi represents a cultural, historical and environmental continuum by which the entire area is measured. But in spiritual terms, this glorious passageway leads to the Shangri-La of Italian wine.
Three-quarters up the Viale dei Cipressi on the right is the 42-acre vineyard of Sassicaia, named after the many stones (sassi in Italian) that pepper its gravelly clay soils. This vineyard lends its name to the wine that fulfills the enormity of Italy’s enological promise.
“We are all children of Sassicaia,” says vintner Michele Satta, whose eponymous estate produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Sangiovese. “It is the inspiration for all Italian wine past, present and future.”
That inspiration drives the exciting work underway in coastal Tuscany. Previously known as the birthplace of super Tuscans—a passé catch-all name for iconic wines made outside obsolete Italian Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) and Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) regulations—Tuscany’s coast now bustles with a new generation of pioneering vintners.
From concept wines without roots (like the nebulous super Tuscan category), the region’s vintners now pursue wines in tune with their geographic origins comparable to the greatest appellations of Tuscany: Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti Classico and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
The emphasis has clearly swung in favor of territory, territory, territory.
The 120-mile coastline that extends from the port city of Livorno to the postcard-perfect hilltop town of Capalbio is home to six wine regions, plus the island of Elba. Each possesses unique climatic and geologic conditions, grape varieties and individual wines. Read Lots of More
New Jersey-born Sam Hilt is a seasoned tour guide for Tuscany Tours, who recently wrote Turning Tuscan: A Step-by-Step Guide to Going Native, a book that changes the rule of what a "guide" should be. The book itself has a certain casual and friendly prose, almost as if Hilt himself were reading to you and walking you through various places in Italy. His first-person style gives it a genial tone that never sounds like braggadocio. As an expert in Renaissance art, Hilt will take you on narrative walks with him, not just through museums and countrysides but to local families sharing meals. In fact, his chapter on Eating Rituals has some amusing and insightful moments that The Daily Meal has excerpted below. "The chapter doesn't deal with specific recipes or rave about how wonderful Alfredo's lasagna was," said Hilt. "My focus is on the rituals surrounding food in Tuscany: the unwritten rules around when, what and how people relate to their meals." "Much has been written about the glories of Italian cuisine,” he goes on to add. “And the passion that all Italians share for eating very well whenever possible is hardly a secret. What is less well known are some of the rituals that Italians observe around what, how and when they eat. Since virtually everyone follows these unwritten rules, it's something that native Italians never notice and certainly couldn't tell you about. As a foreigner exploring this terrain, it's when you unwittingly commit a faux pas that you begin to discover that there actually are rules. Welcome to the ritual mysteries of eating in Italy." Turning Tuscan is literate, gracious, and touching at times and feels like a very well-written, nuanced journal. There are even poems by his wife, Pamela.[...]
This May, the idyllic Maremma hosts a number of eno-gastronomic, cultural and sports events.
Tuscany is not only about mass tourism in historic towns like Florence, Pisa and Siena. The southern part of this famous region, also known as Maremma Tuscany, holds a number of surprises and is the ideal location for those wishing to enjoy some privacy and tranquility with a number of travel options at their fingertips.
The Maremma is a striking land that stretches between the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea and Tuscany’s rolling hills. Activities here go from bathing and scuba diving in the crystal-clear sea, to visiting charming coastal towns or medieval hamlets in the countryside, to enjoying outdoor sports like horse riding and golf, and much more.
The Maremma is particularly renowned for its culinary and wine traditions, which it will celebrate in the week from the 13th to the 19th of May 2013 with the Maremma Wine & Food Shire. Food festivals and wine tastings will take place in different towns, and the general public will be able to appreciate the aspects that symbolize this area: quality and eco-sustainability.
This culinary event takes place within the larger Maremma Festival, which promotes local culture and sports as well. Therefore, the month of May in the Maremma Tuscany has a busy calendar of events, including boat races, handicrafts exhibitions, marching bands, and sports activities such as the “Discover Maremma” Pro Am that will take place in the Argentario Golf Club on May 20th.
If you would like to boost your wine and food experience in southern Tuscany, the luxury Argentario Resort Golf & Spa offers the “Chef for a day” package: prepare a Tuscan dish with executive chef Emiliano Lombardelli, taste local wines that have been specifically selected by the sommelier to match your culinary creation, and enjoy a delicious dinner in the Dama Dama Restaurant (rates from € 1000 for 4 nights in a double room).
More information: www.argentarioresort.com
Come with as we explore Tuscany through the movies that have been shot there. - Room with a View: Florence. Image by stevehdc.
- Life is Beautiful: Arezzo. Image by Anguskirk.
- Gladiator: Val d'Orcia. Image by Mark Wassell.
- Under the Tuscan Sun: Montepulciano. Image by dirk huijssoon.
- The English Patient: The Monastery of Sant' Anna in Camprena. Image by Conlawprof.
- Romeo & Juliet (1968): Pienza. Image by Mark Wassell.
- Much Ado About Nothing (1993): Gardens of Villa Vignamaggio. Image by The Consortium.
- The Twilight Saga: New Moon: Volterra. Image by julben23.
- Stealing Beauty: Siena region. Image by Giuseppe Moscato.
- Portrait of a Lady: Palazzo Pfanner, Lucca. Image by Kadaltik.
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