Archive for 'Events'

Monte Amiata is now known for its hot springs, lush scenery, hearty cuisine and fresh air but it was formerly the most important ski resort in southern Tuscany. While it is no longer famous as a winter hotspot, it is still home to good skiing, cosy cabins and delicious dishes that are typical of the locale and holiday season. One of the most important of these dishes is a typical dessert that originates from the area and is typically made over the Christmas period: La Ricciolina.

It is a decadent tart that is made of two crumbly shortcrust layers with a thick Nutella filling and a generous handful of dried fruit inside and covered in a gentle puff of meringue on which you can draw squiggles of chocolate, from which the dessert takes its name.

Just find a vacation rental in Monte Amiata and try the real deal in Tuscany this holiday season! For now try out this recipe and get planning your trip.

There is nothing else quite like a night at the ballet during the winter months. It is an absolutely lovely way to spend a cold evening: dressed elegantly but wrapped up warm, watching a stunning work of art unfold before your eyes, in a gorgeous and, probably, historic building and grabbing a drink and chatting with your party and other patrons during the interval.

Just find a luxury villa in Florence this winter and, between festive shopping trips, ice-skating, visits to Santa and coffee runs, squeeze in a night at the ballet.

It will be a memory that you will be able to treasure forever and is also sure to help get you in the mood for the holiday season!

Borgo a Mozzano is a town and comune in the province of Lucca, that is located on the Serchio River. It is most famous for an architectural feature located on the river, the Ponte del Diavolo (Devil's Bridge), which draws thousands of visitors to the town every year. It is one of two or three dozen ‘devil bridges' found primarily in Europe, most of which date back to medieval times. Thought to have been commissioned by the Countess Matilda di Canossa of Tuscany around 1080-1100, renovated around 1300 and renamed the Ponte della Maddalena around 1500 after an oratory dedicated to Mary Magdalene, it became known as the Ponte del Diavolo because of a popular legend. The legend tells the tale of a master builder who promised to build a bridge and became rather desperate when he realised he could not build it as quickly as he had assured the locals. One evening, while he sat on the bank of the river, the devil appeared to him in the form of a respectable businessman and said he could finish in a single night, if the builder would promise him the soul of the first one who crossed when it was completed.

One of the most expensive foods in the world are truffles and, arguably, the best in the globe are those that are found in Tuscany. These are the truffles that can cost up to 4,000 euros for a kilo and that people from all over covet.

Locals also love the stuff and are very proud of the regional delicacy. In fact, there are actually several fairs and festivals around Tuscany that are expressly dedicated to the truffle.

Autumn is a wonderful time in this part of the world, with its picturesque scenery and cosy atmosphere, but it is the food that makes it truly special. While there are many dishes and foods that are typical of the area, the truffle is undoubtedly the king. Just check out our vacation rentals in Tuscany and try this delicacy for yourself.

Our last few articles have discussed activities in Tuscany that go beyond the usual trips to palaces, churches, museums, galleries and other cultural institutions. Instead, we focused on activities that you might not have thought of before and that will keep the entire family happy, not just the adults. This article also gathers together some child-friendly activities for you and yours to enjoy once you have found the perfect holiday rental in Tuscany.

If you are getting familiar with the city of Florence, for example, there are plenty of different sorts of tours that you can try, both conventional and more interesting and unique varieties. However, one of the most unique ways to see the city is probably by going on the water bike tour. While it may not be suitable for young kids and ten is the minimum age allowed, it's definitely something that older children and teenagers would enjoy and gets the whole family out and about together for an adventure. The bicycles are standard mountain-bikes which have been transformed into proper water-bikes. Tours depart at either 7pm or 9pm and last for a duration of two hours and an informative, friendly and professional guide takes small groups out, allowing for lots of attention and personalisation.