Archive for 'Localities'

Giannutri is a very special island in the Tuscan Archipelago. Crescent-shaped and beautiful, it is the southernmost island in the archipelago and is small, at just 2.6 km2, but an incredible natural gem that has a lot to offer a visitor. If you have found a luxury villa in Tuscany and are in search of a bit of an adventure, it is an ideal spot for a day out.

Here are some great things to do on Giannutri.

Italy is famous for her Nativity scenes, or presepi, and Tuscany, in particular, has quite a long and rich tradition of exhibiting some very impressive examples. Many different towns have presepi, sometimes with live animals and actors, sometimes on a large scale, sometimes innovative, sometimes historic and traditional, and sometimes as part of an exhibition of multiple examples. In fact, last year, we wrote a whole guide to the different presepe traditions in Tuscany. However, one town with one of the most beloved and famous of these traditions in recent years has to be Castelfiorentino. If you have found a luxury villa in Florence and love Christmas, this magical little Tuscan festive tradition might be your cup of tea.

Continuing on from our last post, we are rounding up a list of some of the Tuscan museums that participate in the monthly “Domenica al Museo”, when many State museums, in an initiative sponsored by the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism, open their doors to the public for free on the first Sunday of each month. It is the ideal time to plan a trip to those museums that you have been dreaming of visiting. While this list may not be 100% exhaustive and all facts are subject to change (check with the institutions in question before planning a visit), this list is an easy way to get an idea of which museums you can pencil in if you have found a vacation rental in Tuscany and plan to be in the region for the first Sunday of the month.

The excellent Palazzo BLU museum in Pisa is frequently home to some of the most incredible exhibitions in Italy and is always a must for art lovers who have found a vacation rental in Pisa. That is as true as ever at the moment with the “Da Magritte a Duchamp” (From Magritte to Duchamp) exhibition that is currently on show in the gallery.

Opened on the 11th of October and running into February of next year, it is the second collaboration with the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris and MondoMostre after 2015's “Modigliani et ses amis” exhibition, which brought over 110,000 visitors to the Palazzo BLU.

Tuscany is home to a lot of different cakes and pastries, especially around Christmas. Each area has its own specialities though most are now available all over the region and each family has its own secret recipes and knacks for getting it just right. Siena, in particular, has birthed lots of different festive treats from little biscuits to some of the country's most famous cakes of all. One of the lesser-known treats, however, is the Torta di Cecco and it is worth checking out if you have found a luxury villa in Siena and are spending time in the city over Christmas.

Not unlike the more well-known and famous panforte, though not as thoroughly infused with spices, the Torta di Cecco is a cake of dried and candied fruits that is covered in a savoury layer of rich dark chocolate. Dating back to the Middle Ages, it is a more delicate and a delicious take on a Tuscan fruit-based cake. Why not try it out for yourself this Christmas?

Ingredients:

120g of candied orange
150g of dried apricots
150g of almonds
300g of hazelnuts
150g of plain flour
400g of honey
Half a teaspoon of powdered cinnamon
Half a teaspoon of nutmeg
300g of dark chocolate

Method:

1. Toast the almonds and hazelnuts on a tray in an oven at 180° for around 10 minutes. If they develop a film, just wipe it off with a towel.

2. Once they have cooled, chop them finely.

3. Also chop the candied orange and apricots and combine them with the almonds and hazelnuts in a bowl.

4. Sieve the flour and spices into the bowl, on top of the nut and fruit mixture.

5. In a pan, over a low heat, melt the honey and cook for a few minutes, then, in a heavy-bottomed pot, combine the honey and the rest of the ingredients.

6. Mix thoroughly over a low heat until all the ingredients form a smooth dough.

7. Separate the mixture into two baking trays that have been lined with baking paper, flattening the mixture until you have two circles that are around 2cm in height and 15cm in width.

8. Bake in the oven at 160° for 20 minutes and then remove and allow to cool down.

9. Melt and spread the chocolate over the lower part of the cake and then over the upper part. You are aiming for the traditional look, which is perfectly set, smooth and shiny.

(Recipe based on this one in Italian)