Archive for 'Food and Wine'

Wine-lovers planning a trip to Tuscany will find themselves truly spoiled for choice when it comes to ideal destinations for sampling and shopping different wines and for visiting wineries. However, if you’re interested in the big hitters in life and seeing if they live up to the hype, then you’ll likely be interested in visiting the famous Chianti wine region of Tuscany. In particular, a villa with pool in Greve in Chianti makes for a perfect base for wine fans who want to learn more about wine, try some excellent vintages, enjoy incredibly scenic surroundings, and be able to discover other nearby famous destinations and attractions in Tuscany.

The utterly picturesque and wonderfully historic town of Greve in Chianti is considered to be a doorway into Chianti and is located right along the SR222 provincial road that is known by locals as the Chiantigiana road, just 30km south of Florence and 40km north of Siena, making it very easy to plan day trips to either of those famous and beloved cities while on holiday in the area. It is also perfectly located to begin delving into the many incredible wineries of the region. One such nearby winery that is well-worth mentioning and definitely worth visiting is Montecalvi Winery...

Coffee-lovers will already consider Italy and Tuscany, in particular, to be essential destinations for enjoying excellent coffee while on holiday and/or as key destinations in the globe to tick off if you are out to properly explore and experience all of the most important coffees and coffee cultures of the world. However, if you’re really serious about your coffee and want to dedicate a whole day to learning more about Italian coffee and coffee culture and tasting some excellent blends and you have found yourself a luxury villa in Florence or a vacation rental in Fiesole then you should definitely pencil in a visit to the Accademia del Caffè Espresso. A truly unique foodie experience for coffee fans, in particular, it is just one more delicious reason to plan a visit to this truly beautiful part of the world.

The Accademia del Caffè Espresso is located on the outskirts of Florence, near the town of Fiesole, and is a, “cultural “hub” focused on espresso coffee,” where, through analyses, research and communications, they build new relationships and insights into espresso coffee culture. Based in what was once the old factory space of La Marzocco, the famous high-end coffee machine company, from 1960 to 2009, the Accademia is now a place for research, innovation and outreach. Basically, it’s an incredible hub for the most dedicated coffee-lovers and nerds out there to unite and learn more about coffee and enjoy some incredible blends!

A vacation in Tuscany in fall means taking in the famously beautiful landscapes of the region made even more stunning by the autumnal colours that take over, means bargains as off-season prices kick in after the summer, means smaller queues and fewer crowds, and it means less intensely hot weather. However, one of the best things about travelling in the region through fall is that it is harvest season, which means that there are all sorts of hearty regional dishes to try and all sorts of perfectly fresh and delicious foods and produce to sample. While truffles, apples, and other fruits and vegetables are important to the autumnal cuisine of Tuscany, one of the key ingredients that you will find in all sorts of delicious dishes and desserts come fall is the chestnut.

At their best in October, chestnuts are prepared in quite a wide variety of different ways from roasting to boiling to mashing to being used to make a flour and then turned into various kinds of confections. Grown at an elevation, they are found mostly in mountainous regions such as along the Apuan Alps and the Apennines and in areas such as Lunigiana, Garfagnana, Pistoia, the Casentino, around Marradi, and in the Mugello. However, as big cities such as Florence and Siena are nearby, you'll find chestnut-based goods all over Tuscany in the fall. If you are fond of chestnuts, in particular, or if you just happen to be planning on finding a villa in Tuscany and exploring the foodie delights of the region this autumn then here are some of the must-try chestnut-based dishes that you should add to your culinary bucket list...

The wine from the area of Montepulciano is steeped in history and tradition and is some of the best-loved and most well-regarded wine in all of Tuscany and Italy. As such, there are countless well-established and lauded wineries located all across the surrounding area. If you are a serious wine-lover considering a vacation in Tuscany, therefore, then you should definitely start browsing our villas in Montepulciano and making up a shortlist of some of the best of the best among them to visit during your holiday! One of the most famous and best-rated among them all, that will make it onto many lists, is Contucci...

Contucci is the oldest wine producer in the entire region, predating the next oldest by a whopping 900 years. With more than 1000 years of history and tradition in each glass and one of the most remarkable settings of a winery in all of Italy, this incredible gem is definitely a must-see for those interested in learning all about the wine of the region.

Alpacas are fluffy, adorable, somewhat strange-looking South American mammals that look not unlike Llamas and are often confused for them. They are, however, noticeably smaller. Herd animals, they are bred for their wool and are often aloof but become more friendly when raised in places such as petting zoos or farms where they interact regularly with humans. Many people the world over have fallen for their charms and Alpaca farms are increasingly common across the globe. In fact, if you have found a luxury villa in Florence and you have a fondness for the lovely animals or kids you want to treat to an outing that they'll surely enjoy, then you'll be glad to find out that there is a wonderful Alpaca farm located nearby that makes for a perfect family day out! Escape the museums and the hustle and bustle of the city for a day to visit the Valle degli Alpaca (Valley of the Alpacas) in Barberino Val d'Elsa, a lovely town in the metropolitan area of Florence, and enjoy some fresh air, lunch, and hanging out with these cute creatures. Children (or those who are young at heart) in the group will thank you for it!