Archive for 'Products & Specialities'

  

Friday, June 11, 2021
Figs
The verdant landscape of Tuscany, with her rolling hills and valleys blanketed in olive groves, vineyards, oaks, and farmland, is famously picturesque and is also a highly productive agricultural area. Tuscany is, furthermore, famously a foodie capital, not just because of the dishes made in the region but also due to the incredible raw ingredients grown throughout her stunning landscape. As such, while there are plenty of cakes, pasta dishes, street food favourites, cured meats, cheeses, and other delicious specialties to be tried while exploring the foodie scene of Tuscany, there are also some delectable local fruits and vegetables to be tried as well. While you shop in grocery stores and weekly markets in the region, you should try and keep an eye out for these wonderful foodie fundamentals to try and incorporate into dishes put together while enjoying the experience of cooking in the stunning kitchens of our amazing luxury villas in Tuscany. From the rich chestnuts of Caprese Michelangelo and the sweet chestnuts of Mugello, to the colourful carrots of Pastinocello, to vibrant Certaldo onions, to the famous Queen peaches of Londa, there are all sorts of delicious local produce items to get your hands on (dependent on the time of year, of course) while on vacation in Tuscany. However, if you have found a luxury villa in Florence and are exploring the foodie scene of the surrounding area, be sure to discover the incredible figs of Carmignano.     Read More
Posted in: Concerts & Festivals, Events, Food and Wine, Products & Specialities

  

Wednesday, October 7, 2020
Buccellato
Tuscany has produced some of the most famous cakes and breads in Italy with the likes of the beloved spicy Christmas treat that is Panforte coming from Siena, as well as the less well-known Panpepato; Castagnoli, Amaretti di Carmignano and Cantuccini biscuits coming from Prato; and the zesty Schiacciata alla Fiorentina and ancient ice-cream cake that is Zuccotto coming from Florence. While these baked treats can now be found all over Tuscany and Italy and all throughout the year, many were originally very localised and made to celebrate specific events and religious festivals such as saints days, Christmas, and Easter.

Dark brown in colour, with a glossy finish due to the sugar and egg glaze applied to the crust, the Buccellato sweet bread from Lucca is soft inside and is sweet, flavoured with aniseed and the sultana raisins that are stirred into the mixture. It is a must-try for any self-respecting foodie who has found a luxury villa in Lucca, particularly if you are visiting in the Fall, as it is an excellent and seasonal treat that is perfect comfort food to enjoy as temperatures drop and everyone looks forward to cosy nights in. As the locals say, “Chi viene a Lucca e non mangia il buccellato è come non ci fosse mai stato” (“Whoever comes to Lucca and doesn’t eat buccellato can't say that they've been here").     Read More
Posted in: Food and Wine, Localities, Lucca, Products & Specialities, Recipes

  

Tuesday, July 21, 2020
Peaches
Italy is famous for her food and for her food festivals. No matter where you go in the country or when you visit, you're bound to stumble upon a food festival if you look around for a bit. These festivals can celebrate specific local produce, local dishes, harvests, feasts, saint's days, other holidays, historic events, and more. And whether any sort of festival or event is specifically about food or not, food is always central to Italian celebrations! If you're looking for excellent, authentic, inexpensive dining experience while you holiday in Tuscany, these are the places to go!     Read More
Posted in: Concerts & Festivals, Events, Florence, Food and Wine, Localities, Products & Specialities, September

  

Monday, December 16, 2019
It is well-known that Tuscany is one of the best destinations for truffle lovers to visit, it is home to San Miniato, which is famous for its annual globally-renowned truffle festival, and there is no shortage of truffle-based dishes and food products to choose from in Tuscan stores and restaurants. However, if you were thinking about booking a vacation rental in San Miniato and spending some time in Tuscany and exploring her food culture, then there is a particular company that you should probably know about: Truffle In Tuscany. If you are interested in Tuscan truffle recipes or how to find truffles in Tuscany, then this is an ideal company to look into as they arrange a variety of different truffle-based activities and itineraries.

Established by Massimo, a San Miniato native who has truffle-hunting in his blood and comes from a long line of truffle enthusiasts, Truffle In Tuscany started as a personal passion and is now a leading truffle tour operator that allows visitors and tourists to experience the truffle and food culture of this beautiful part of Tuscany. There are a variety of tour options to choose from, depending on your particular interests.     Read More
Posted in: Curiosities, Day Trips, Food and Wine, Products & Specialities

  

Wednesday, December 4, 2019
Shopping in Florence
If you have been thinking about travelling to Italy then be sure to browse our incredible vacation rentals in Tuscany and, once you do, you can start planning all that you will see and do while you’re there! In addition to beautiful little towns, buzzing metropolises laden with centuries of history and culture, stunning landscapes, amazing beaches, incredible mountain ranges, pretty islands, outstanding food and wine, architectural gems and breath-taking places of worship, stylish people-watching opportunities aplenty, and much more besides, the Italian regions also boast lots of excellent shopping destinations. Not only is it a veritable mecca for fashion lovers, it is also a place where tradition lives on and quality is very much prided. As such, it is a wonderful place to browse little local shops selling souvenirs to bring home, unique boutiques stuffed with all sorts of Italian gifts, and small local makers’ wares to find incredible things to buy in Italy. If you are planning a trip to Tuscany, you like great souvenirs and shopping for authentic, handmade, and beautiful things, and you are wondering what to buy then these are the items to remember to leave room for in your suitcase as you explore Tuscany and take day trips throughout the regions in Italy!     Read More
Posted in: Activities, Amalfi Coast, Central Italy, Chianti, Florence, Food and Wine, Localities, Products & Specialities, Shopping, Umbria, Venice