Archive for 'Food and Wine'

Food is an important part of Tuscan life and culture and, as such, is an important part of vacations in Tuscany. While we have plenty of articles on typical products, foodie experiences, wineries, tours, classes and restaurants, it is always best to hear these things directly from the locals and, so, we have rounded up a list of some of the best and most informative food bloggers in Tuscany. Just find a vacation rental in Tuscany, take note of your favourites, follow them and start planning your culinary getaway to this foodie capital of the world!

Here are more of our favourite food bloggers in Tuscany but be sure to read our previous post for more of our picks as well.

Food is a big part of the reason that many people choose Tuscany as a holiday destination and if you are a foodie planning a holiday to Tuscany, you're probably also planning what, and where, you're going to eat. We have plenty of Tuscan recipes and posts about food and restaurants in Tuscany for you to browse but who better to hear from than locals? We have compiled a list of some of the best food bloggers in Tuscany to follow in preparation for your trip so you know what to eat, where to get it, how to join food tours, where to find good cooking classes and some tips and tricks for making your own Tuscan dishes. Just find your vacation rental in Tuscany, get searching these amazing bloggers and get ready for some delicious food coming your way!

I'll admit something right off the bat: I like Italian food but I don't love it enough to eat it every day. So, when I recently spent a week in Tuscany, I quickly became tired of similar menus. Fattoria Il Palagio did not have a wildly different menu and, yet, it was the best dining experience that I had in Tuscany, by far.

Located just outside of Scarperia, a small and charming historic town in the northeast of Tuscany, around 25km from Florence, and famous for the production of knives, the restaurant immediately impresses upon first approaching it.

It is an old villa, sitting on beautifully maintained grounds and with excellent views of the surrounding landscape to the rear of the property. The building is surrounded by plant-draped pergolas and twinkling lights that make it atmospheric after nightfall and it is hard to decide if it is lovelier at night or during the day.

When my family decided that they wanted to visit a winery the very next day, late in the afternoon, I spent a rather panicked evening researching somewhere that suited their rather demanding stipulations and would be able to take us on such short notice.

I eventually (after much hair pulling and cursing under my breath) found Agriturismo Frascole and saw they did daily tours and tastings and were about a half hour drive from our villa. I rang early the next morning and they were able to take us at 3, as I requested. Little did I know how fortuitously excellent a selection it would prove to have been.

The road up to the winery was not easy. However, Frascole is located near the charming town of Dicomano, high up in Tuscan Apennines in the middle of an unspoiled area of natural beauty. The historic buildings, surrounding fields of the vineyard and incredible views over the mountains and valleys below were truly breathtaking.

If you have always wanted to visit Tuscany, one of the most fun and interesting times of year to go is during the celebrations of Carnevale. Carnevale, or Carnival, is that famous last lavish festive period that marks the beginning of the fasting period Lent in the run up to Easter. One of the most indulgent days is Martedì Grasso, also known more commonly as the French Mardi Gras. This “Fat Tuesday” is a day to stuff your face and one of Tuscany's favoured traditional treats is Berlingozzo, a simple ring-cake originally from Lamporecchio, in the province of Pistoia. Dating back to the time of the Medici, it is actually a rather humble, plain cake rooted in local peasant cuisine and was traditionally eaten on the Thursday before Easter (called ‘Berlingaccio’), which closed the carnival celebrations. It pairs perfectly with local wines such as Vin Santo or a creamy cappuccino for a sweet breakfast.