Tag: family

9 June 2020

A message of hope after lockdown from Pistoia Tuscany Italy … More

Made in Pistoia :  embroidery museum  & the precious Tuscan stitch 

10 March 2017

Pistoia & its territory , especially  in Casale & Casalguidi area, have been considered since the 17th century a centre of excellence and top quality handmade embroidery  first made by convents & enclosed orders for the ecclesiastic pomp and later for noble families . The “Whitework” it is how they call this kind of embroidery … More Made in Pistoia :  embroidery museum  & the precious Tuscan stitch 

MadeInPistoia: EllEmme ,   since 1968 Italian quality knitwear factory  

24 October 2016

Have been invited to visit this Pistoia’s beautiful reality from a French client I met in my husband restaurant . So funny to get in touch with a Pistoia’s factory through a foreign !Mr  Jacques du  Mulin is ELLEMME ‘s agent for France since more than 20 years so he knows very well this factory … More MadeInPistoia: EllEmme ,   since 1968 Italian quality knitwear factory  

Where to stay in Florence & feeling part of the History : Relais Santa Croce ~ Baglioni hotels ~

28 September 2016

If your dream is to live a real Florentine experience & feeling like being part of the History, not just a visitor , this is exactly where you should stay. In an historical building , Palazzo Ciofi-Jacometti , old columns frame the  palace dated midway through the 18th  century,  commissioned by the Papal treasurer  Marquis … More Where to stay in Florence & feeling part of the History : Relais Santa Croce ~ Baglioni hotels ~

Lucca & Pfanner Palace : feeling as a princess like Nicole Kidman!

12 September 2016

Do you remember the film : “Portrait of a lady” directed by the great  Jane Campion  in 1996 with Nicole Kidman & John Malkovich? Some scenes have been played in this old palace in the heart of Lucca and finally it is open to public  & the magnificent garden too, so I could visit it … More Lucca & Pfanner Palace : feeling as a princess like Nicole Kidman!

Pistoia : a private collection of old dolls & Pinocchio

15 June 2016

Titled : “Le sentinelle della memoria : giocattoli di un’altra epoca” A private toys collection  a free open to public in occasion of “Dialoghi sull’uomo 2016 festival” in Pistoia , just in her own palace – Palazzo dè Rossi – belonged to this  young collector’s family  : Paola dè Rossi, that was one of the … More Pistoia : a private collection of old dolls & Pinocchio

Ever tried farro beans soup ? a Tuscan traditional dish

10 June 2016

Ever heard about “farro” ? it’s an old  cereal used in the past on our mountains especially in the Lucca area , spelt in English. Since I was a child my grandmother told me about this special kind of “brown  rice “she tasted by her friends in the Garfagnana district. At those times – about … More Ever tried farro beans soup ? a Tuscan traditional dish

Fresh pasta made in Genoa ~ Ligurian style !

19 April 2016

My interesting walking tour  in Genova stopped not only by a bakery to taste focaccia genovese  but also here : by a fresh handmade pasta maker  : PASTA FRESCA  FABIO & ALESSIA run by two brothers that run this family business  in the historical center (have a look to the  ceilings :old  afrescoes  overlooking the … More Fresh pasta made in Genoa ~ Ligurian style !

Where to eat in Prato? Osteria Le cento buche 

5 April 2016

 www.osterialecentobuche.it Just outside the city center there is an original location for a restaurant it  was until 1995 a wool  factory ( Prato in fact it is a very renowned texile  district near Florence)belonging to the Abatoni family since the XIII Century  and  then to the monks of San Fabiano . It is so beautiful … More Where to eat in Prato? Osteria Le cento buche 

A room with a view in Florence, wherever else?

18 March 2016

I had the chance  to visit this luxury b&b  www.tornabuoniview.comabout an year ago when it was under renovation together with my friend Victoria de Maio – blogger & writer from US – http://www.postcardzfromvictoria.com and we loved it sooo much to decide to choose it as one of our location for our Tuscany  tour , in  September. The view … More A room with a view in Florence, wherever else?

Tasting Tuscan Chianti wine in a castle dated 1256!

16 March 2016

  This is Meleto castle  www.castellomeleto.it in the Chianti district & of course the symbol of the Chianti Classico , the black rooster , was on the bottles we opened & tasted! The castle dates back Middle Age  & the Ricasoli ‘s family  owned it for many years,at the present  the property has changed . There is … More Tasting Tuscan Chianti wine in a castle dated 1256!

MadeinPistoia : Mardi Gras & frittelle di riso = fried rice donuts!!

9 February 2016

My father from Thailand just phoned me to tell me they are prepearing special sweets for today….my friend from London wrote me this morning about a kind of pancakes they are making today and  so….what about here in Pistoia?? We are making FRITTELLE DI RISO in a very traditional way , as my grandgrandmother did … More MadeinPistoia : Mardi Gras & frittelle di riso = fried rice donuts!!

This is for my foodies’ friends: “cenci”a typical fried dough 4 Carnival

1 February 2016

As my grandmother Gina used to make with me, now it was time 4 me with my daughter  Francesca! From my old receipes’ book ( a bit dirty, sorry !  I know, but it is also full of good memories  & I don’t want to have any new other one but …THIS!!) . Different names … More This is for my foodies’ friends: “cenci”a typical fried dough 4 Carnival

Nomination : a shining lady  behind an Italian leader  jewels brand     

7 January 2016

http://www.nomination.it I have had the great pleasure to meet Monica Tiozzo  – the Nomination president – during an happy hour in Pistoia planned by TO BE DONNA  -an entrepeneurs’ women association of Confcommercio –  to present her new book titled : ”How  to be  a mother, a wife and yourself as well as a president … More Nomination : a shining lady  behind an Italian leader  jewels brand     

MadeinFlorence : Manetti , edible gold to enrich your Christmas dishes

11 December 2015

Not just  arts & fashion in Florence, it is also a city worldwide renowed   for its goldsmiths shops on the Ponte Vecchio , the small artisans studios & also this kind of gold :genuine 23 kt gold  & genuine silver  available in flakes ( yes as corn flakes😂😂) crumbs ,powder &  leaves  to be … More MadeinFlorence : Manetti , edible gold to enrich your Christmas dishes

Su Gologone : a fantastic experience hotel with a unique charming atmosphere & a real Sardinian style!

5 November 2015

As you know Sardinia is my second home in summer time since more than 40 years  but   I hadn’t ever been in this special hotel  before : just in the heart of Sardinia & surrounding by a gorgeous wild nature that fascinated me soooo much! Words can’t describe as beautiful it is & neither photos … More Su Gologone : a fantastic experience hotel with a unique charming atmosphere & a real Sardinian style!

Pan coi Santi  : All Saints sweet bread from Siena , ever tried?

30 October 2015

Every period of the year has its own typical food products & this is another one of these : called Pane dei Santi because in the past  it was produced at home of by bakers during the end of October , beginning of November ( at that time Halloween wasn’t yet arrived in Italy )to … More Pan coi Santi  : All Saints sweet bread from Siena , ever tried?

Pistoia: Ristorante Rafanelli a must for traditional Tuscan specialities & great wines🍷🍷🍸🍸

20 September 2015

If you need an elegant , classy location but at the same time a warm, welcoming place where to eat with your family or friends , for a business luncheon or dinner to sign  an agreement  or to celebrate a birthday or an anniversary , this is the best place in town , since 1926 … More Pistoia: Ristorante Rafanelli a must for traditional Tuscan specialities & great wines🍷🍷🍸🍸

Pistoia : it’s harvest time ( by hand ) in Tuscany!

12 September 2015

“A Settembre l’uva è matura e il fico pende” this is an old farmers’ saying = in Septmber grape is mature & fig hangs…this morning I had the proof this is trally true !in Pistoia’s countryside lots of sweet grape & figs ! My breakfast was made of this fantastic & organic fruits👏👏 Many hands … More Pistoia : it’s harvest time ( by hand ) in Tuscany!

Typical cookies from Sardinia ,foodies’ wisdom!

14 August 2015

I love sweets , especially the simple ones with not colourings, no preservaties , no yeast (  if possible )and these traditional pastries are really my favourite ones! Amaretti, formaggelle & reginelle ( a kind of savoiardi biscuits) are always  on my table for breakfast when I am in Sardinia . Amaretti are very soft … More Typical cookies from Sardinia ,foodies’ wisdom!

Pistoia :il Pollo d’Oro since 1963 a family run Pizzeria ,same location, same top quality!

28 June 2015

A perfect restaurant  pizzeria  for pizza lovers (wood fire ) and every kind of Tuscan food, from pasta to seafood and homemade desserts , big mix salads and Tuscan beer made in a small brewery , tagliata meat steak , original starters with Parmigiano mousse and creamy buffalo mozzarella  and many more options ! Just … More Pistoia :il Pollo d’Oro since 1963 a family run Pizzeria ,same location, same top quality!

MadeinPistoia : ever tasted warm  ricotta  cheese just made by a real shepherd ?

21 June 2015

An unforgettable  sensorial experience that includes smell , taste & sight : visiting a small family run cheese factory on Pistoia’s hill. A slow food product called :’raw milk pecorino cheese ‘ entirely made with sheep milk not boiled, to preserve the aroma & the proprieties of the fresh milk .  Hand made , organic … More MadeinPistoia : ever tasted warm  ricotta  cheese just made by a real shepherd ?

MadeinPistoia: ever sipped a real Italian espresso in a coffee roastery?in my  tour yes, you can 😉☕️👍 Pistoia, a hidden gem in Tuscany

18 June 2015

http://www.caffenewyork.it If you are a  coffee lover or simply a coffee addicted you can’t miss this roastery’s experience. Open & run  by the same family since 1930 in Montecatini Terme ( 15 km from Pistoia  ) & now settled in Pistoia , opened  its doors to me & my clients to show us how to … More MadeinPistoia: ever sipped a real Italian espresso in a coffee roastery?in my  tour yes, you can 😉☕️👍 Pistoia, a hidden gem in Tuscany

My exclusive Tuscany : lunch & wine tasting with a real Italian Countess

30 April 2015

Not just wine, not just food , not just Tuscany : here we are in an exclusive location, with a noble  lady , by her family estate with a magnificent Italian garden…simply a dream 😍😍 with something more ….excellent wines , extra virgin oil & a special dessert wine : vin santo! Ginevra is the … More My exclusive Tuscany : lunch & wine tasting with a real Italian Countess

A Real Tuscan farmhouse producing wine & Organic EVO

30 January 2015

Lisa welcomes you with a glass Of her wine : red Chianti from her wineyard Just behind her. Her grandfather & father started this passion 4 wine ,extravirgin olive oil & Vin Santo dessert wine ( That I love!😍❤️) many years ago when her grandfather bought this estate . Nowadays Lisa runs this beautiful Agriturismo … More A Real Tuscan farmhouse producing wine & Organic EVO

MadeinPistoia : Pasta maker , Giuseppe Chelucci since 1912

29 January 2015

Another family run business on The hills around Pistoia overlooking a river as fresh water is an important ingredient to make an excellent pasta! Now you could see Inside The small factory That produce pasta since more Than 100 years & you could even meet The founder Of it , Giuseppe’s mother now more Than … More MadeinPistoia : Pasta maker , Giuseppe Chelucci since 1912

MadeinPistoia – Vinsanto : a Tuscany a precious godness’ nectar for humans

12 January 2015

Last Sarurday I had The pleasure to be one Of The tasters Of The New Opening small barrels by Marini Estate , Just in The surrounding hills Of Pistoia. ‘Vin santo è….   ‘ =  It is Vinsanto ! Is The name if this event created by Marini to celebrate The Opening Of The barrels. … More MadeinPistoia – Vinsanto : a Tuscany a precious godness’ nectar for humans