Archive for 'Food and Wine'

Wine-lovers will already have plenty of great reasons to find a villa in Montalcino and come spend some time enjoying the good life in this part of Tuscany as it is the land of Brunello and home to some of the most incredible wineries, bars, wine shops, and other wine-related establishments and businesses and events in all of Italy. However, if delicious wines are not quite enough of a draw for you on their own, then how about truly remarkable wines in the most gorgeous of settings? Montalcino truly is one of the most picturesque parts of Tuscany and it is well worth coming to deeply explore the area in and around the town – all while indulging in some incredible vintages!

Do you really want to spoil the one you love? Are you in need of some quality time together? Have you been hoping for a little romance lately? Well, if you answered in the affirmative to any of the above, then we’re here to help you out!

Flowers, chocolates, jewellery... all of these things are well and good but nothing can compare to the gift of quality time and the chance to make memories that will last a lifetime. If you’ve been looking for a really magical Valentine’s Day gift and you really want to treat your love and yourself to something special, then we highly recommend planning a romantic getaway for two in Tuscany.

The pretty villages, majestic cities, rolling green countryside, peaceful spa towns, and charming seaside resorts of Tuscany all provide perfectly romantic settings for a trip and are ideal places for just the right atmosphere for your time together. Then, the delicious food and wine that can be found wherever you turn only add another layer of romance! And on top of this? Well, there is an endless list of romantic activities to enjoy while exploring the region! Here is our list of the top things for couples to do once they have browsed our Tuscany Villas and are looking to get sparks flying during an idyllic getaway in this especially stunning part of Italy.

Those who find a villa in Lucca will quickly discover that this part of the region is one with a long list of wineries that boast both incredible wines and wonderful tastings/tours to choose from all throughout the stunning surrounding landscape. Wine-lovers considering booking one of our Tuscany villas, therefore, will have lots of options when it comes to finding places to learn about, sample, savour, and buy some truly remarkable vintages during their vacation in Lucca.

While there are, indeed, lots of brilliant wineries to choose from, one of the top-rated examples has to Fattoria Al Dotto, which has been run by the Del Dotto family for many, many generations. Made of three ancient farms that have since been combined into one rather extraordinary wine estate, Fattoria Al Dotto extends over 62 acres of fertile farmland where you can find vineyards, olive groves, corn fields, and fields of cannellini beans. The vineyards are positioned on the gentle hills surrounding the centre of the farm, where there is a spectacular south-southwest exposure, and in close proximity to the Serchio river. Through this area, the Scirocco winds coming in from Livorno to the south and the summer Maestrale winds coming in from the north-west blow and result in a particular micro climate that is ideal for good maturation of the grapes. All in all, the vineyards here boast perfect conditions to produce some truly remarkable wines.

Enjoy a good stroll? Love to eat? Want to plan a fall or winter getaway in a Tuscany villa that combines both? Then you should definitely head to the wonderful town of Prato for the Eat Prato festival! Starting on the 2nd of October 2022 and continuing right up to the 22nd of January 2023, this vibrant annual foodie festival perfectly combines thematic outings on foot – on which you are guided by knowledgable locals and told all about the area – with tastings of a truly extraordinary array of delicious food and drink from the region. Taking you to some of the most remarkable and fascinating architectural and historic gems in and around Prato, to visit artistic wonders, and into the beautiful countryside of the area, these brilliant walking itineraries are a wonderful way to get to know this part of Tuscany. If you decide to book a luxury villa in Florence but you want to delve into the countryside of Tuscany a bit more, a day in Prato attending one of these events would be just the thing!

Truffles have had a long reputation in the culinary world as a beloved product that can immediately elevate even the most basic of dishes. For many years, people all over the world have been seeking them out and paying incredible amounts of money for the highest-quality examples. However, the world of truffle tourism has grown massively in recent years as travelling foodies have sought out new culinary experiences and planned holidays entirely centred around eating well. As Tuscany's truffles are known to be some of the best and most valuable in the entire world, those foodies who want to experience delicious truffles, truffle dishes, and truffle products should browse our Tuscany villas and spend their next vacation well by sampling some truly incredible and delicious things while they relax and unwind. Given that fall is a perfect time of year to get excellent truffles and when most of the region’s truffle festivals take place, it is the perfect time to secure that vacation rental in Tuscany today. Plan a trip in the next couple of months and be sure to seek out Tuscany's brilliant truffle festivals for the best experience of this wonderful foodie favourite!