Archive for 'Food and Wine'

There are certain things and images that one just immediately associates with Italy such as pasta, pizza, wine, Renaissance art, Medieval towns, soaring churches, craggy and picturesque coastlines with villages clustered along them, rolling green landscapes, fashionable citizens, relaxed lifestyles, Venetian canals, moments from long ago frozen by a volcanic eruption, Roman ruins and temples, Vespas, sports cars, and classic cars like the Fiat 500, to name only some of them. Whether you make these connections merely from movies or representations in the media or from previous visits of your own to Italy, or some combination of all of the above and more, it is what people expect of their vacation in Italy.

Many of these things will naturally just be found as you wander around and enjoy your holiday but other things might have to be sought out if you want to include them on your Italian bucket list. So, for example, if you're looking to inject a bit of an, “Italian Job,” experience (without the chaos, most likely) into your vacation in Tuscany then something like the Fiat 500 Tour from Siena offered by My Tour in Italy, is just the thing. Experience the beauty of the famously lovely Tuscan countryside in style in one of the country's most beloved classic cars while visiting a wonderful winery and enjoying a delicious Tuscan lunch – sounds like a perfect day out to us! So, get browsing our villas with pools in Siena and then set aside a day during your trip to enjoy this magically Italian experience and to tick lots of items off your Tuscan bingo card...

Siena is perhaps best-known for her famous annual horse race, the Palio, and for the unbelievably picturesque and untouched nature of its stunning Medieval historic centre. A villa with pool in Siena is just the thing for those who are interested in the most typically Tuscan and undeniably scenic destinations in the region as it has charm, heritage, and attractions to spare. However, while you wander her pretty little streets that wind about town, visiting museums and tourist destinations, taking in architectural gems and history all around you, attending events and festivals, stopping for pizza and coffee and ice-cream (depending on your needs at any given moment), you might find yourself wondering about where to head for the best souvenirs and most interesting shopping experiences – it can be hard to know where to go in a new place! Well, if you are wondering about just that topic, you've come to the right place. Here is our guide to the shops that you must visit while on vacation in Siena!

When one thinks of Tuscan alcohol, wine is likely what first comes to mind and, perhaps, dessert wines such as Vin Santo. One pictures the endless vines growing in the lush countryside of Chianti and the pretty wineries that range from historic and traditional to impossibly cool and innovative and from ancient estates to contemporary architectural gems. One probably doesn't immediately think of monks and, yet, if you have found a villa in Montalcino, another of the region's most important wine zones, then you'll discover that one of the most intriguing alcoholic beverages produced in the area comes from a monastery.

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.

The area of Grosetto is a coastal region of Tuscany that is an excellent holiday destination for those looking to enjoy a villa on the Tuscan Coast. While a villa in Grosetto does not necessarily ensure you will be right by the sea, the sea will be within driving distance and you will also quickly discover that there are lots of other wonderful attractions and natural gems to explore in the area. From Blue Flag beaches, to Ancient Roman ruins, to Saturnia's famous hot springs, to incredible cave systems, to the astounding beauty of Lake Burano, to the annual Vivamus wine festival in the town of Montemerano each July, there are endless things to discover while on holiday in the region. However, if you're looking for a particularly relaxing outing, then we suggest a visit to a winery. Wandering the grounds on a tour, enjoying a guided tasting of their wines, and stocking up on some wine to savour during your holiday or bring home for yourself and as gifts, makes for a perfect itinerary for those looking to spend a day simply unwinding and making the most of being on holiday. While there are many wineries in the province of Grosetto to choose from, one of the best and the most interesting for those also interested in archaeology has to be the lovely La Biagiola.