Archive for 'Siena'

The Crete Senesi presents the most iconic and beautiful of Tuscan landscapes, those that one sees on postcards and in travel guides. These are the rolling hills, the hilltop towns made of stone, the long and lonely country roads lined by proud and tall cypress trees, the golden fields of hay, and the broiling fog sweeping over it all in the mornings, only to clear away and reveal infinite vistas across the whole thing by afternoon. These are the images of Tuscany that have captured the minds and hearts of so many over the centuries and continue to do so. If you have found a vacation rental in Tuscany, no matter where you are staying, in the countryside or a city, you should make sure to hop in a car, venture out into that landscape and take the magic perfection of it in for yourself.

If you have found a luxury villa in Siena and are looking for somewhere to grab a cup of tea and a cake or, maybe, something a little stronger, then there is definitely one spot that you need to hit up in the city: the Tea Room.

An incredibly popular and cool spot that is favoured by locals in the know, it is located near Piazza del Campo, in a hidden corner of Piazza del Mercato, right in the very beautiful historic centre of the city. Opened in 1985, it is a great social hub that serves up to 100 types of tea, in addition to infusions, hot chocolates, wine, beer, cocktails, cakes, desserts, treats and more.

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.

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)

In the last post in this series, we are rounding out our spooky Tuscan spots to get you in the mood for Hallowe'en. No matter what time of year you are planning your trip Tuscany – but especially during this creepy time of year – these haunted palaces, fascinating legends and spooky tales will never not be interesting. Here are more of our picks of must-see ghoulish destinations in Tuscany...

7. Brolio Castle's Terrifying Ghost

Brolio Castle, located in the Chianti region, in the province of Siena, is a beautiful architectural gem but is also home to an eerie legend and the ghost of Bettino Ricasoli, a rather fearsome spirit.