Florence Leaving our cozy digs in Massarosa, we were excited to spend our last two days of the Italian leg of this tour in Florence. Although we both love being in the country we also love the energy of a big city. A huge museum Firenze is like being in a huge museum. Every street […]
Lucca In Pictures
Walled city of Lucca One of our favourite places to visit in Tuscany is the walled city of Lucca. Founded by the Etruscans, it became a Roman colony in 180 BC. Lucca is called the city of 100 churches. Not because there are 100 churches within its walls although there does seem to be a […]
Truffle Hunting!
He’s here It was 5:30 in the morning when there was a gentle knock on our door. “He’s here…” I said “and he is half an hour early!” We quickly gathered the cameras (and our wits) and slipped downstairs to where our host for the morning was waiting beside his truck. Giorgio Cortopassi He was […]
Chianti, It’s Not Just About The Wine – ARISTA DI CINTA SENESE and TAGLIATELLE WITH GUANCIALE AND TREVISANO (radicchio)
A familiar face It was 10:30 am when we rolled up to the front gates of Casamonti Estates in the heart of the Chianti Classico region. After ringing the buzzer and waiting impatiently for the gates to open we heard a beep as a car approached, looking in the mirror I saw the familiar face of […]
VENICE: a photo essay
Venice The most popular city in the region of Friuli, Venice is known for its carnavale, a time of much festivities and overindulgences, and of course, its canals. The Karst Venice was built on wood platforms made with wood brought from the Karst region of Slovenia. Bridges It is made up of 177 […]
Garfagnana: The Land Of Wolves And Witches – FORMENTON POLENTA WITH GARFAGNANA SAUCE and CHESTNUT PANCAKE WITH HONEY SPIKED FORMAGGIO FRESCO
The Serchio Valley Another forty degree day was on its way so we decided to escape into the hills in search of cooler weather, unfortunately, we would never find it. Northwest of Tuscany Garfagnana is a territory in the extreme Northwest of Tuscany, dominated by the Apuan Alps to the South, bordered by the Tuscan […]
Hey Lardo! – LARDO WRAPPED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH ROASTED POTATOES AND SWISS CHARD and CURLY ENDIVE WITH WARM PANCETTA AND BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE
Apuan Alps Looking back from the coast at the Apuan Alps you would swear that you were looking at snow covered peaks. In fact what you are seeing is marble, widespread in the Alps, reflecting in the sun. Carrara Carrara, the centre of the marble mining industry, is a medieval village nestled into the base […]
A Piece Of Pisa – PIZZA DOUGH
A quick drive It’s a quick drive through the country side to Pisa. A lucky parking find put us within two blocks of the gates to the “piazza dei miracoli” (the miracle square). As we neared the entrance, it was obvious that we were not the only ones eager to see the famous leaning tower […]