Posted by internetauthor on July 1st, 2010 — in Tuscany
While the rest of the world has progressed at a rapid clip, there is something truly timeless about the relaxed pace and gentle lifestyle you’ll find in Tuscany. Tuscany is a beautiful Italy vacation for a first-timer. There is much to see without getting too clogged up in the big cities and the total experience is absolutely lovely.
Accommodations in Tuscany
When you plan your trip to Tuscany, consider staying longer than a few days to take advantage of the villas and vacation homes you can rent in the area. While you won’t have anyone turning down your pillow every night, you will have a relaxed immersion into the relaxed, beautiful country environment. Most rentals in Tuscany run from Saturday to Saturday and expect to pay your security deposit in cash.
Seeing Tuscany
The sights of Tuscany are varied with vineyards and wineries, rolling hills and lush landscapes and the larger cities of Florence and Siena. Florence is home to beautiful leather crafts and jewelry trades as well as museum and antiques. By touring both cities and countryside, you’ll be able to see the best that Tuscany has to offer (more…)
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Posted by internetauthor on June 18th, 2010 — in Tuscany
It’s hard to ignore the wonder that is Florence. Deep in Italy, Florence was one of the first areas of the Renaissance to truly break away from the patterns of old and start seeking new knowledge and exploration. Today, Florence is one of the most popular tourist locations in the world, but still millions of people visit Florence each year to experience just a bit of that local flavor.
The Baptistery of John the Baptist
Dating well before the Renaissance, the Baptistery dates back from the 11th century. It’s currently located in one of Florence’s oldest building and is protected by walls of green and white marble as well as three sets of amazing bronze doors. The inside of the building is spectacular with mosaics and a marble pavement of the zodiac.
Il Duomo – Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
The most popular site in all of Florence is the cathedral, or Duomo. (more…)
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Posted by internetauthor on May 30th, 2010 — in Tuscany
While there are no two towns or even houses alike in the rolling hills of Tuscany, there does come a time for many travelers that they start to get a bit worn-out from trying to absorb so many works of art and so many fine vineyards in a set amount of time. The town of Lucca is often overlooked by tourists rushing from one major city in Tuscany to another, but like all towns in the region – it has much to offer in the way of culture and a bit of adventure as well.
Charming Lucca
Lucca was once the capital of Tuscany and the residents of the town are fiercely independent still. The pride of these residents in their city is absolute and touches of pride are clearly seen in the details around the town, especially in the churches. The grand Romanesque cathedral is easily the most impressive structure in the town and sits in its resplendent glory near the center of town.
As you travel through Lucca stop for an early lunch in one of the cafes and then take a few hours to explore the town. Plan to spend at least three hours exploring the city to get a full feel of what it includes. The ancient ramparts around the town deserve a walk – and admire the view while you’re up there. The Puccini museum is another area where you can take a quick tour to see the development and history of the town and the surrounding area. (more…)
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Posted by internetauthor on April 16th, 2010 — in Tuscany
Siena, a popular city to visit in Rome without being overwhelmed with tourists year-round, is a peaceful place full of art and culture. The Duomo is the perfect place to visit if you hope to soak in true Tuscan art and a bit of Gothic architecture. The Duomo was built from 1215 to 1263 with help from famed Gothic architect, Nicola Pisano. His son, Giovanni Pisano, took over part of the project in 1285 including many of the statues that decorated the stately church. Today most of the originals are in museum off-site, and the Venetian mosaics with heavy gold tones have overtaken much of the decorating.
Unfinished Walls
The large cathedral was at one time to be expanded. Already large, the Siena residents thought to make it even bigger than St. Peter’s in Rome to demonstrate the power of the city-state. While a new additional, a nave, was started off the right transept in 1339n to demonstrate the wealth and power of the people of Siena, the project was never completed. (more…)
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Posted by internetauthor on February 28th, 2010 — in Tuscany
Some of the most notable wines in the world hail from Tuscany, and this is certainly not surprising since Italy produces more wine than any other country. The smooth flavor of the Tuscan wine is renowned, and for good reason. If you’re looking to ship some bottles home during your trip to Tuscany, be on the lookout for these popular varieties.
Super Tuscan Wine
Unofficial and relatively modern, the last few decades have given birth to the “super” Tuscan varieties of wine. These wines are unconventional and are made by blending grapes of different varieties. The heady variety of wines can be found in works of many regions.
Bolgheri Wines
One of the big three wine zones in Tuscany, the Bolgheri zone is in west region and is the home of Sassacaia and Tignanello. (more…)
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Posted by internetauthor on February 12th, 2010 — in Tuscany
If you’re planning a trip to Italy, one city that doesn’t need much advance planning to enjoy is Florence. Packed to the gills with tourists year-round, the astonishing art and the lovely sights in the city’s center bring in travelers in all seasons, but particularly in the summer months. Of the three big cities that tourists visit in Italy (Rome, Venice and Florence), Florence is easily explored on foot with almost no advance planning and come away with an overwhelming appreciation of the art and a feeling of success in your travels.
Crowds and Planning
The only aspects you should plan carefully in your trip to Florence are access to the historical center of town from your hotel and advance tickets to the art museums. Florence’s center is close and flat making it ideal for walking tours and exploring on foot. Indeed, it’s almost impossible to explore the city in any other way. When booking your hotel room, be absolutely sure that it’s in the historical area of Florence and you’ll never need to worry about rental cars or public transportation during your stay. (more…)
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Posted by grazia on February 3rd, 2010 — in Italy, Tuscany
Rice Fritters are typical Tuscan sweets that people eat at carnival or in the day of St. Joseph (19 March).
Ingredients:
1 litre of milk,
500 gr. Rice
100 gr. Flour
50 gr. Sultanas
1 cinnamon stick
3 eggs
4 tablespoons sugar
4 tablespoons rum
grated rind of 1 lemon
30 gr. yeast
a pinch of salt (more…)
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