Archive for 'Food and Wine'

The stunning town of San Quirico d’Orcia is an exceptionally pretty and well-preserved historic gem surrounded by the lush greenery of the Orcia Valley, fertile lands where incredible wineries can be found. It should be no surprise, therefore, that this most beautiful swathe of the Tuscan landscape is where you will find one of the most exciting wine festivals in Italy each spring. Taking place from the 25th of April to the 28th of April 2024, the Orcia Wine Festival promotes the amazing wine of the UNESCO-awarded Val d’Orcia and introduces visitors to the most remarkable examples of wines from the region as well as hosting a vibrant schedule of all sorts of events for both adults and children. So, if you are a wine-lover considering a spring getaway in Tuscany, check out our vacation rentals in the Orcia Valley and pay a visit to the Orcia Wine Festival this April!

While there is an endless list of delicious things to be sampled and enjoyed if you book a villa in Florence and are spending time eating your way around the city, those with a sweet tooth are probably wondering about the unmissable desserts of the city. Without a doubt, the absolute must-try sweet treat that is on offer in Florence is the Zuccotto.

Said to have been born in the Renaissance and created by a famous chef of the time, Buonatalenti, this chilled dessert was then lost to time before being eventually rediscovered in the 1930s. Some alterations were made to suit a 20th century palate and the Florentine dessert became a local staple once more after centuries!

Cheese-lovers will quickly discover that the options at hand for different cheeses to try for the first time and classics to stock up on while on vacation in Tuscany are endless. From regional specialities to pantry staples, if you want to find the best cheeses during your stay in one of our villas in Tuscany then these are the must-see shops to seek out. Of course, we also recommend visiting local markets and even farms where they make the cheeses in question if you can but to get the most Tuscan cheeses on offer in one place, these are the best options:

Planning a holiday in Tuscany during the colder months? Want to wander about and see all that the region has to offer – from strolling through historic centres of towns that seem little touched by the passing of time, to darting between museums, to visiting beyond famous attractions like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, to touring vineyards – but have a tendency to get chilly? Well, come and enjoy all that a vacation in Tuscany has to offer and use our handy list of delicious Italian winter warmers to help you stay toasty. With one of these drinks in your hands, you’ll be able to recharge and head out right away to tackle it all once more...

Caffè Amaretto

Italy is celebrated for her coffee so that it always a great way to go if you’re looking for a perfect hot drink but you can also try a caffè amaretto, which is Italian coffee with a kick – of amaretto, a delicious sweet Italian liqueur originally from Lombardy. Now that’s a perfect way to warm up! And, if you’re on vacation in Tuscany, well, why not?

One likely imagines South America when they think of alpacas as that is where they come from but these cute and fluffy creatures can also be found in petting zoos all over the world now. For example, Tuscany is home to a rather famous petting zoo with alpacas that visitors flock to from all over the region to enjoy the animals, taste some delicious food, and take in some stunning surroundings. So, if you book a villa in Florence and you are looking for an opportunity to explore the nearby and famously beautiful rolling green hills of the Chianti area of the Tuscan countryside while doing something that the whole family will enjoy, just head to the Valle degli Alpaca, or Valley of the Alpacas.