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Tuscan Recipe: Honey Rabbit with Vegetables
2008-05-20 16:22:00
In Tuscany the culinary tradition is very much centered on all sorts of meats. When approaching Tuscan dishes you should always try to include a meat course in your meal.For centuries the most popular kinds of meat on the Tuscan table have been game, chicken, pork and barnyard animals. The latter kind includes all sorts of game that could be bread in captivity to fatten and function as a live stock of food during the cold winters.Geese, poultry, ducks, pigeons, and rabbits were and are the most common barnyard animals in Tuscany. Nowadays most of these animals are bread in large farms, but it is not rare to find a private farmer that breads these animals to satisfy the needs of his/her family and sell the surplus at the local weekly market.In some countries rabbits are considered pets just as cats and dogs, however in countries like France, Spain, Italy and there fore in Tuscany, the rabbit is not considered a pet but live food stock. Some may be express some concerns about this, bu...
More About: Vegetables , Recipe , Honey

Hystoric Soccer in Florence: The "King of Sports" is Born
2008-05-20 13:27:00
Next June it will be held in Florence one of the most original events of the city: “Costumed Football”, a traditional celebration that mixes sport and fun and takes us back to the origins of the “king of sports”.Costumed Football was originally played during the military campaigns in ancient Greece, both as entertainment and training for soldiers. They had fun and in the meantime they exercised their muscles before the battle. The game arrived later to the Italic Peninsula, specifically to Florence in 59 b.c, and became immediately popular among the Roman Soldiers that dominated the city. They followed the same rules as the Greek game, just changing the Greek name from “Episciro” into the Latin name “Haspastum”During the Renaissance the game greatly entertains the Florentine aristocrats, still playing with the same rules from the ancient Greeks. Initially the playing field is a giant sand pit of 80 x 50 meters. Piazza Santa Croce was the football field, covered with ...
More About: Sports , Soccer , The King , King

Tuscn Fish Recipe - Sea Bass with Onions and Tomatoes
2008-05-14 17:31:00
Finally the summer season has arrived in Tuscany!! Temperatures are rising and blue skies meet green grasslands, yellow sunflower fields, vineyards, tulip-covered wildflower fields and the gently rolling waves of the Mediterranean Sea.The Tuscan coast is indeed very long and varies greatly offering all sorts of beaches and sea bottoms. Here you will be able to enjoy rocky beaches and cliffs, long and sandy beaches faced by clear waters perfect for snorkeling and watching the many varieties of fish. The Mediterranean Sea is also perfect for fishing as it is characterized by abundant fish and sunny days without wind.When you go out at sea to fish or simply fish from the river of the Mediterranean, you will surely go back home with at least one nice fish for the day. Here we would like to give you a fish recipe cooked the Tuscan way. Simple and tasty!A very common fish that you will be able to get with your fishing rod (or buy at the fishmonger!), is the sea bass.The ingredients for 4 ...
More About: Recipe , Fish , Bass , Tomatoes , Onions

Tuscany Wine Tour near Montalcino
2008-04-07 14:09:00
This is the story of a woman, Anna Lisa Tempestini, that is passionate about wine and has a great sense of what it should be to let those who wish to enjoy a great wine tour in the Tuscan countryside.Born in Chicago, USA, in 1966, my family brought me to Florence when I was four years old, and that is where I grew up. My passion for wine started when I was 19, studying at the University, and working part-time in the p.r. office of the Consorzio del Vino Chianti Classico Gallo Nero. After a couple of months, I decided to leave my studies and dedicate myself completely to this, my first real job. My main occupation was to help a woman in organizing tours for journalists of the Chianti vineyards; after a while, I began to lead the tours myself, basically taking her place, but she was happy to do other things. It was a very busy office, and I enjoyed very much the feeling of working with a team.When I had a chance, I would go in the laboratory, where the inspectors tasted wines that ha...
More About: Wine , Tour , Tuscany , Montalcino

Arezzo: a short history of this wonderful city
2008-04-04 16:36:00
Arezzo was one of the twelve most important Etruscan cities. It is considered to have been one of the most important among them. The acropolis of San Cornelio, one of the hills of Arezzo, was fortified by the Etruscans. Etruscan walls, the Poggio del Sole necropolis, and the "Minerva" and the "Chimera of Arezzo", now in Florence, testify the Etruscan past of Arezzo. Trades with Greece allowed for fine Greek pottery, finer than the Etruscan, to be imported.A piece of pottery from Roman-times Arezzo was found in India at Arikamedu. This is evidence that Arezzo vested an important exporting role during Roman times with was then called Persia.The Romans conquered the Etruscan Arezzo in 311 BC. Named Arretium in Latin, the city became an important military station on the Cassia road. The Cassia road was the way to expansion of Rome into the Po river valley. During the Roman civil war Arretium was half demolished after the victory of Sulla. In the Augustan period Arretium continued to flo...
More About: History , City , Wonderful , Short , Arezzo

Farmhouses, country homes and appartments for exploring Tuscany’s country
2008-04-02 20:15:00
You can choose a place to stay in Tuscany’s countryside from a wide selection of farmhouses, country homes and apartments available on this site. The site also gives an explanation of the booming business of farm holidays in Tuscany. The site’s search engine helps you to choose an accommodation by providing information such as descriptions, prices, facilities, contact numbers and photos. Don’t forget to check out the weather forecast in Tuscany, available on this site, if you are planning a trip to this beautiful region. If you work in the farm holiday business, you can also request to insert your farmhouse in their database.Just click on the title of this post to be redirected to the official Tuscan Region website.
More About: Country , Homes , Exploring

Traveller's Advice - When in Tuscany...
2008-03-11 22:33:00
Why should you go to any place and start criticizing it from the word go as if being there were the worst thing in the world?I understand you cannot love any place you visit, and that you are well entitled to disliking any one city, town, culture, whatever you get to know, but I say, at least try! And why should you dislike it from the very beginning? This is prejudice to me.I invited my aunt Mary to Florence, where I was spending several days as part of my seminary on rare plants in Italy. The seminary was part of the University of Florence joined project with Constantin University in Texas, where I have taught for several years. Anyway...My aunt is surprisingly young (there is a lot of difference between her and my mother) she is only 54 and she loves to travel. However up to this last time she had only traveled through the United States and Canada. It seems like the impact with the Old Continent made her feel just how good she has when she is at home.I have always had a wonderful...
More About: Advice , Tuscany

Beautiful Tuscan Food!
2008-02-24 10:11:00
Yesterday night I have been to a wonderful restaurant in Marciano della Chiana a nice spot located in South of Tuscany, in Arezzo province. The restaurant was just amazing!, It is run buy an "Oste" who just serve delicious seasonal tuscan food. Yesterday we had a fantastic pork cooked in the oven with fresh garlic, and some wonderful potatoes with rosemary and a fantastic apple cake with home made ice cream!. All the products that you can at "Hosteria Vecchia Rota" are very good because the Oste only take the best products that he can find changing them depending on the season of the year. If you have the opportunity to be in Marciano in Tuscany in July or in August I would strongly suggest to ask for "Pici all Ocio". Ocio is a big withe duck that you can eat almost only in summer and it is really one of the best meat in the world!Hosteria Vecchia rota has not got any website so unfortunately I can not put the link for you but if you wish to go I just put below the telephone number...
More About: Food , Beautiful

Christmas in Tuscany
2007-11-25 16:58:00
Coming to Tuscany during the sunny season is for sure an experience to try and repeat. Here a little advice. You can discover Tuscany during the winter holiday season and get stunned by how romantic it can be to be wrapped in this atmosphere and spend a fabulous holiday with your loved ones.The beauty of Christmas and New Year in Tuscany lays on the way streets in cities are dressed up, the way windows are adorned, the way people smile. In the countryside you will find that an evening dark sky that promises nothing but snow contrasts with the homelike feeling of snuggling up in front of a warm fireplace, and that is a wonderful feeling.We have already rented a villa in Tuscany during the holiday season twice so far, and that is why I am telling you it is a wonderful experience. The first time when we arrived at the villa we found that the owners had gifted us with a Christmas tree, all adorned and lighten up, the fireplace was crackling nicely, and we immediately felt like we owned ...

Forever Weddings in Italy and Tuscany
2007-11-07 10:59:00
Planning a wedding abroad is not a joke…that’s why in 1995 Fulvia Conforti started to help foreign wedding couples to marry in her country, Italy , and mainly in Tuscany where she worked with villa rentals. If you are dreaming of having a memorable wedding, Tuscany is undoubtedly one of the most romantic wedding destinations with its beautiful cities full of art and history, the fascinating countryside, enchanting hamlets, old farms and delicious food and wines.Forever Weddings in Italy it specializes in arranging weddings and events in Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Certaldo, Lucca, Pienza etc...They can assist you with every aspect of your wedding from the legal procedures of ceremony to the single services required for receptions such as flowers, music, transportation, photography etc…They will help you choose the right venue and suppliers for your particular needs and budget but we will not take over your wedding; we offer tailor-made services and advise on all aspects of...

Tours in Tuscany
2007-10-07 17:27:00
It rarely comes handy a great website to organize a tour in Tuscany . The majority of sites have been able to design some tour in Tuscany, but few pay so much attention to the detail such as those of See Italy for Tours in Tuscany.As soon as you get to the homepage you have the highlighted tours of the season. Each one is simple to understand, down to the chase and able to let you discover hidden treasures of Tuscany. A few tours in Tuscany are: -Cooking & Touring Tuscany Tour (7 days)-Cinque Terre and Tuscany Cooking Tour (5 days)-Siena Cooking & Spas Tour (5 days)-Tuscany Wine long week-end (4 days)-Tuscany Cooking & Touring long week-end (4 days)-Tuscany Autumn Cooking & Touring long week-end (4 days)-Tuscany Truffles Autumn Cooking & Touring long week-end (4 days)-Tango & Art Weeks in Umbria (8 days)These are just a few, many others are to bound at See Italy.org.Also by See Italy is Florence travel, a section that is specifically dedicated to Tourism and hotels in Florence.Touris...

Tours in Tuscany
2007-10-07 17:27:00
It rarely comes handy a great website to organize a tour in Tuscany . The majority of sites have been able to design some tour in Tuscany, but few pay so much attention to the detail such as those of See Italy for Tours in Tuscany.As soon as you get to the homepage you have the highlighted tours of the season. Each one is simple to understand, down to the chase and able to let you discover hidden treasures of Tuscany. A few tours in Tuscany are: -Cooking & Touring Tuscany Tour (7 days)-Cinque Terre and Tuscany Cooking Tour (5 days)-Siena Cooking & Spas Tour (5 days)-Tuscany Wine long week-end (4 days)-Tuscany Cooking & Touring long week-end (4 days)-Tuscany Autumn Cooking & Touring long week-end (4 days)-Tuscany Truffles Autumn Cooking & Touring long week-end (4 days)-Tango & Art Weeks in Umbria (8 days)These are just a few, many others are to bound at See Italy.org.Also by See Italy is Florence travel, a section that is specifically dedicated to Tourism and hotels in Florence.Touris...

cooking school tuscany
2007-10-06 13:24:00
Together with Michelle we have been in a 2 day cooking classes during our stay in Tuscany .Michelle is a professional cook, she did workshops on Italian cooking in several locations in Italy and France.As a special service in the school they convinced her to do cookery courses so now She will come into the Villa Fiorita near Florence and stay for the whole day showing and teaching the secrets of some tasty Italian dishes.When you particapate to courses you can also choose a menu and what to cook by telling in advance by email. If you want to know how to make your own pasta, or creating a splendid four course Italian Dinner and irresistible desserts! a cooking school in Tuscanyis the best way to take a little bit of Italy home with you.Taking a cooking course is an incredible experience, before you start working in the kitchen you go together with the teacher to the local markets and grocery stores to buy the all ingredients. A perfect dinner starts with choosing the right stuff. You...
More About: Cooking , School , Cookin

Sienese Pork Chop Sliced (Tagliata Sienese Style)
2007-09-28 20:38:00
The Cinta Senese breed is not only the most appreciated pork breed, but even the most frequently mentioned in history, in art and in myths.It is still present in the fresco painted by Ambrogio Lorenzetti and located in the Public Palace of Siena and titled: "Effetti del Buon Governo" ("Good Government Results").The cinta senese breed, native to the Montagnola Senese area and the Chianti area, is the mother of all pork breeds in Tuscany.The Etruscans already reared it and then it was among the Romans during their migrations; the farmers of the Middle Ages survived plagues and famines thanks to this animal.Video preparation of Tagliata of Cinta Senese pork chop It was a good reserve of food for everybody as it could be reared in the wild state for its resistance to bad weather.In the past times, for the slow growing up of this breed (slaughtered after 12 months from its birth), quicker growing up breeds were privileged.Following the trend of the most recent times towards a re-discov...
More About: Style , Pork , Pork Chop , Slice

folkloric events in Pisa, Tuscany
2007-09-21 09:50:00
Many important folkloric events take place in Pisa along the year, like: the Luminara di San Ranieri (the night of 16th June, the whole town is illuminated to celebrate the patron saint of PisaThe Day after you can see the Palio di San Ranieri ( 4 teams race a regatta on the Arno, representing historical events). The Regatta of the Old Seafaring Republics (takes place on May and June, preceded by a parade that represents the four Republics: Pisa, Genoa, Venice and Amalfi).But certainly the one that is more in the heart of Pisans is the Gioco del Ponte. It is a curious game between two teams – which means that the city of Pisa is divided in two rival parts: Tramontana and Mezzogiorno. It consists in two different parts.First, there is a parade along the Arno river simulating a military procession. Then, there is a battle that takes place in the Ponte di Mezzo. During this battle both teams must give proof of their physical strength, reason why there is a hypotheses that this game h...
More About: Events , Tuscany , PISA

Easy Pasta with Truffle Recipe
2007-09-16 20:37:00
Hello! This short video will show you how easy is to make a quick pasta that is typical of wintery days in Tuscany.Here the dosis:6 cups chicken or vegetable stock, plus 1 tablespoon if necessary1 cup fresnly grated Parmesan cheese1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs1/4 cup minced fresh parsley leavesSalt and freshly ground black pepper to taste1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg2 eggs, lightly beatenEnjoy the recipe and the video!
More About: Recipe , Pasta , Easy , Reci

Tuscan Templar Biscuits
2007-09-12 00:30:00
A quick recipe to discover the delicacies from the middle ages. These bay leaf Tuscan cheese biscuits are easy to make and the video is full of useful information on the everyday life that templars would experience to get the nourishments during their journey to the Sacred Land and the Crusades.The video is about 5 minutes long. Enjoy!
More About: Biscuits , Temp

Aphrodisiac salad with white truffles
2007-09-08 18:19:00
Well do not get my word for it! Even the cook master in the video underlines that the aphrodisiac propertis of this salad have to be taken with a question mark.Anyhow, the white truffle is famous in Tuscany for being aphrodisiac, and true or not, if you like truffles, this salad is spectacularly good.Most of all, this is an experiment to help you non-Italian speakers (I should say understanders) to get what this great guy has to teach to the world on hidden Tuscan recipes. My previous videos of him where without English translations. Let me know if you like it, any advice you have. I will then go back and have the others dubbed too.Thank you, enjoy, and also let us know if this really was an aphrodisiac salad!! :P
More About: White , Salad , Aphrodisiac , Truffles , Ruffles

Hot Air Balloning over Tuscany!
2007-09-08 15:32:00
Hot Air balloning is a great way to enjoy Tuscany (or any other beautiful place with lovely landscapes, for that matter)! Hot air balloning is more and more popular in Tuscany and prices are going down as you see people of any age jumping on those large baskets and fly away for a 2 hours tour in the Tuscan skyes (towards the Tuscan sun, ok...my wife wants me to write that...anyways). Famous movies apart hot air balloning's price is around 100 euros per person (down from 200 or more euros of few years ago).The lovely thing about this fantastic experience is that you do not feel the height at all as the Tuscan landscape is so spread out, in addition to the fact that the flying altitude is very low and you could recognise peoples faces from up there.The video is just 2 minutes and a half long. Enjoy it!
More About: Allo

Lunigiana, land of the moon!
2007-08-21 13:27:00
Lunigiana, land of the moon! A very enticing name i am sure you'd agree, and yet this wonderful place seems as yet little known by very many indeed. It has temperatures which are cooler and much more moderate than the rest of Tuscany, bar perhaps one of its neighbours, Garfagnana, which is much more mountainous again. Here you can reach the sea at Lerici, famous for its Gulf of poets, and Mary Shelley, who stayed at Lerici castle, a beautiful medieval sea-side castle of quite some fame. There are the wonderful mountains, and mountain lakes at Passo del Lagostrello, high up in the mountains taking you out towards Parma from here. Parma is just 100km or so, Genoa 110, Pisa the same and Florence about 200km!!! We chose this area to live in above many other parts of Italy, and we have no regrets, in fact we now assist others,like ourselves, who want nice properties and locations, good prices, beautiful settings, sea access and general accessibility, and nice people! We are the team at ...
More About: Moon , Land , The Moon

Tuscan Truffle Tarts
2007-08-19 12:28:00
If you like truffles but do not know what to do with them, this recipe is for you as it will help you prepare a unique dish, perfect during winter time, but also light enough for your summer days.Black truffles are called "scorzoni" [skowrzohnee] as refferred in the video. This video in Italian language from Casa Tocci shows a very simple way of preparing black truffle tarts.If you do not know Italian, I have written down here the recipe for you:Set a handful of black truffles (dry ones, not the pickeled ones in a jar) and set them in a glass of "Vino Santo" (a sweet Tuscan dessert wine made from raisins and aged two years in small barrels) overnight.Get some good quality pork lard and slice it thinly. Wrap each truffle with the slice of lard and then wrap the whole thing with a layer of tin foil.Set the wrapped truffles under hot ashes (do not set besides live charcoal!!!) in your fireplace and leave there until soft (depending on the teperature it may take two hours).After cooking...
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Extreme Traditions in Tuscany - Bravio of Montepulciano
2007-08-15 13:56:00
Montepulciano is a famous town in Tuscany . It is famous for its Nobile wine, and for many extremely genuine products such as the cheese, honey, jams, and typical Tuscan sweets.The Bravio is an extreme feat for the athletic pushers that alternate their strengths to compete with eleven pairs of rollers.The huge and heavy wine barrels (hundreds of pounds) are rolled upwards the extreley steep uphills in town along a track of one mile and a half.Just to let you have an idea of the extreme struggle, a couple of years ago one pusher died of a heart attack during the trials.Here the Bravio in an 8 minute long video. It also is a good video to show the streets of Montepulciano.The Bravio is always run the last Sunday of August.
More About: Extreme , Traditions , Montepulciano , Ravi

Elba Island - a Mediterranean wave lullaby
2007-08-14 14:41:00
The Elba Island is a wonderful natural park in Tuscany. The entire Island features lovely beaches and crystal-clear sandy and rocky beaches.We have spent two lovely weeks over at Villa Eucalyptus right on the coast and have shot this short video to share with all of you the relaxing sound of the Mediterranean waves, a lulling sound that will give you an idea of the beauty of Elba Island.We hope you enjoy this very short video which is not even a minute in length.
More About: Wave , Lullaby

Treno Natura - From Siena to Monte Antico
2007-08-07 00:49:00
Do you remember the Treno Natur a? (click on the link to know more!).Well, this quick video shows the line of the Treno Natura that connects Siena to this wonderful culinary and historical town called Mont e Antico in Tuscany.This is a one day trip and anyone can join. You just need to reserve! All the information here!This video is only 3 minutes and a little more! Enjoy!

Medieval festival in Tuscany
2007-08-02 23:03:00
This unpretentious video does a great job at portraing the lovely Medieval Festival in the Tuscan town of Volterra near Pisa.Volterra is a small town in Tuscany famous for its terracotta. The Medieval festival is called "Volterra - A.D. 1398" and is a one-week-long reenactment of the original Medieval Volterra as it was in 1398. The city center is closed and free from traffic during the weekend. The artesans create Tuscan artesanry in front of you and cook the medieval way.This year 2007 the Festival also includes a noteworthy dinner at the castle on the 19th of August, 2007. A medieval dinner will be prepared and served by the "prisoners" in the courtyard of the "maschio" of the medicea fortress of Volterra.Enjoy the video!

Tuscan Pasta Making: Pici!!!
2007-08-01 16:15:00
Do you know what pici are? Its pasta, egg pasta, very tipical of Tuscany! Simply work the dough with flower and eggs until it's smooth and soft.Flatten it, spread a little olive oil...Oh well, you will be better off just watching the video. Just 3 minutes in length, it tells you a bit about olive oil, too.This BBC video shows some little secrets of the pasta making. Did you know that a little bit of olive oil makes all the difference when making pici?Enjoy!
More About: Pasta , Maki , Makin

Wine Tasting in Tuscany - Chianti
2007-07-29 16:05:00
The fun Pierluigi is a role model for wine tasting guides. A wonderful lunch, a great Chia nti Classico to taste, and a little lesson on the secrets behind the making of a great Tuscan wine, Chianti and Chianti Classico. Enjoy!
More About: Wine , Tuscany

Homemade Tortellini the Tuscan way
2007-07-28 03:16:00
The recipe for making homemade tortellini..some details will escape your attention, like the grated nutmeg or some dialog that is not properly translated, but watching this lady preparing Torte llini for Christmas and New Year's is very relaxing, and if you follow what she is doing and the subtitles you will have great homemade tortellini yourself

The Palio of Siena on July 2, 2007
2007-07-28 02:32:00
The incredible race that even after 900 years does not seem to have lost any excitement and still gives strong emotions to any specator, first-timer or Siena native, it does not matter. The Pali o of Siena of July 2, 2007 has been a continued sequence of spectacular events. Jokeys to the ground, horses running counterways, and an unforgettable head to head finish feat that brought havok in Siena.Do Enjoy it, the Palio of Siena of July 2, 2007, here it is for you!

Quick and Easy Bruschetta
2007-07-27 23:41:00
Mixed BruschettaAn easy and quick way to accommodate the taste of the majority of your guests, with a touch of simple things and of Tuscany.Ingredients:Goat cheese and tomato (self explanatory)VEGETABLE PUREE - FOR 10 PEOPLE:8-1/2 oz (250 grams) Lentils8-1/2 oz (250 grams) Chick Peas8-1/2 oz (250 grams) Cannellini beanssalt, extra vergine olive oil, tomato concentrate--to taste2 cloves garlic2 sprigs of fresh rosemary1 hot pepper (peperoncino)Preparation:Boil the vegetables and drain them; meanwhile fry the garlic, rosemary, and some of the hot pepper in the olive oil and then add the vegetables with a bit of their water. Add salt to taste and tomato concentrate for a touch of color. Pass through a food mill and add a bit of oil. Place on top of the toasted bread slices with a piece of bacon on each.Suggested wine pairing: Pinot Grigio or Fontanelle Chardonnay.
More About: Quick , Easy