Tag: tasting

Adopt a Tuscan olive tree and enjoy your own organic extra virgin olive oil!

29 April 2021

Are you passionate about nature, environment, agriculture, history, traditions, organic food, Italian goodies , Tuscany and all about Italy ? Yes? So, this is your call! Now with https://www.ageroliva.it/ you can have the chance to adopt a Tuscan olive tree on Pistoia’s hills and so in this way you could : 1. save a tree … More Adopt a Tuscan olive tree and enjoy your own organic extra virgin olive oil!

Florence cultural tours with yummy stops in harvest time

6 September 2019

September it’s harvest time in Tuscany so in this period of the year we can find by bakery a special sweet focaccia made with grapes called : schiacciata con l’uva ; just simple ingredients but very very yummy : ideal for breakfast or as a cake for a tasty snack . This could be your … More Florence cultural tours with yummy stops in harvest time

Summer colors of Pistoia : sun is here,on our food market today

5 June 2019

Buongiorno from my birthplace, Pistoia! This morning I after having visited the clothes market that as I wrote in another post of some time ago, it is on Wednesday’s & on Saturday’s in the main square of Pistoia since the Middle Age, I took a walk at the vegetable market on the “Piazza de La … More Summer colors of Pistoia : sun is here,on our food market today

Where is Pistoia? More than 10 reasons to visit this hidden gem in Tuscany , Italy’s capital of culture in 2017!

13 January 2017

Why should you visit Pistoia? Not just because it is my birthplace , of course! ( or  maybe…. just for this ?) not only because it is crowned  Italy’s capital of culture in 2017  but first of all for its geographic position in Italy in the second century BC it was chosen by the Romans as a … More Where is Pistoia? More than 10 reasons to visit this hidden gem in Tuscany , Italy’s capital of culture in 2017!

Made in Pistoia : morning in a Tuscan old  mill pressing olives 

7 November 2016

Every November I really need to find an old mill to …smell the aroma of the new extra virgin olive oil ! I said “I need ” because without this sensorial deep experience I can’t start winter time :for me  it’s the easier  way to try to forget summer  time & live the autumn mood … More Made in Pistoia : morning in a Tuscan old  mill pressing olives 

Enrico Baj Macario : a Count who produces regal wines in Chianti!

12 October 2016

http://www.bajmacario.it/ This is not just a traditional Tuscan wine estate in Chianti Classico district ,it is something different  : it’s a real experience in the wineyard  ,tasting  wine spilled directly from the barrel , smelling the grape inside the wood , have a ride on an old car from the Second World War among the … More Enrico Baj Macario : a Count who produces regal wines in Chianti!

Celebrating  300 years of Chianti Classico  wine 🍷: 1716 September 25th  & today 🍷2016

25 September 2016

Yesterday I was strolling  in the Florence city center & I’ve heard a drum sound …so I stopped:  I thought it was like being in another century … then I saw a police woman on a  horse & lots of people standing at the border of the  Calzaiuoli street that leads to Piazza della Signoria … More Celebrating  300 years of Chianti Classico  wine 🍷: 1716 September 25th  & today 🍷2016

Cooking class & sweet memories in a Chianti Tuscan villa 

2 August 2016

Imagine a group of beautiful ladies from the States – headed by my dear friend Suzanne Stavinoha Waltz –  sharing a stunning typical  Tuscan  villa “under the Tuscan sun” , on a green hilltop , in the countryside of Chianti area : amazing view, great landscape , vines & olives groves around it , aromatic … More Cooking class & sweet memories in a Chianti Tuscan villa 

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

How to eat a fresh pork sausage for a tasty aperitivo!

11 May 2016

In Tuscany we love pork meat , in every possible way! Even raw pork sausages are delicious just spreading them on a Tuscan unsalted slice of bread….ever tried? if not yet ,you SHOULD ! Just  buy FRESH  ones handmade by one of our  ‘norcino’ ( a particular butcher who deals with pork meat only ) … More How to eat a fresh pork sausage for a tasty aperitivo!

Certaldo : a Medieval beautiful hamlet in Tuscany!

4 May 2016

Have you ever heard about Certaldo before? Maybe because the renowned writer & poet Giovanni Boccaccio – The Decameron’s author –  was born here …..https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Boccaccio and its home museum so interesting to visit http://www.casaboccaccio.it/ with books & even old shoes dated 1300 and aspectacular view from the tower over the hamlet that till today maintained its old … More Certaldo : a Medieval beautiful hamlet in Tuscany!

Sapori di Genova : a crunchy , soft focaccia Ligurian style 

18 April 2016

Last Friday I had the pleasure to visit Genoa with a special guided tour planned  by Confartigianato Liguria  association, CNA Liguria , IN LIGURIA regional agency  touristic promotion & with the best Genoa’s licensed guide,  Cristina Gelvi , in occasion of the Genoa Pesto World Championship 2016 . So nice to meet this new folk … More Sapori di Genova : a crunchy , soft focaccia Ligurian style 

Tuscany : Greve in Chianti & the Tuscan navigator Giovanni da Verrazzano

17 March 2016

Another time in Greve for me but the first one for my American group : to see the triangular shaped square, this time with no tourists  – except us – as  at the beginning of March is still low season and just  because of this , more  lovely as a typical Tuscan hamlet where to … More Tuscany : Greve in Chianti & the Tuscan navigator Giovanni da Verrazzano

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!

San Gimignano : as a small New York skyline with its old towers

3 March 2016

Originally  , in the 1300 , the  towers were 72  -in a very small village think they were more towers than inhabitans!- but towers meant power at that time & so each noble family showed it through them. Nowadays only 14 left but the atmosphere is like a diamond posed on a hill from which … More San Gimignano : as a small New York skyline with its old towers

Pistoia, in Tuscany, it’s a hidden gem to be discovered with ….me!

27 January 2016

You know  I love my birthplace , Pistoia,  as I am writing about it since some years on my blog & posted many many photos on Instagram & Twitter of it. So now that has been just declared the Italy’s city of culture in 2017 I think you should follow my blog & have a … More Pistoia, in Tuscany, it’s a hidden gem to be discovered with ….me!

Where is Pistoia? More than 10 reasons to visit this hidden gem in Tuscany

12 November 2015

Why should you visit Pistoia? Not just because it is my birthplace , of course!  ( or  maybe…. just fot this?😂😜) first of all for its location in Italy in the second century BC it was chosen by the Romans as a stretegical basis  between North & South  : the actual Duomo square became in … More Where is Pistoia? More than 10 reasons to visit this hidden gem in Tuscany

Ever heard about 5 Terre delicious & precious wine : schiacchetrà?

16 September 2015

If you decide to visit Liguria & 5 Terre don’t miss a schiacchetrá tasting in one of the small cellers of this area.This is in Riomaggiore where there is ” la via dell’amore” the love’s street just on the clift around this village. I love this sweet ,dry , aromatic wine : the production is … More Ever heard about 5 Terre delicious & precious wine : schiacchetrà?

Cooking class with porcini mushrooms & ..a glass of Prosecco in your hand!

15 September 2015

By ristorante La Ruota near Moneglia http://www.laruotamoneglia.it we had a great food experience: starting with a glass of Prosecco everything comes sooo easy for everybody !even the most difficult receipe!👏👏👏 Edoardo , the owner – chef , was so nice & funny to explain his receipes & so we had a lot of fun , … More Cooking class with porcini mushrooms & ..a glass of Prosecco in your hand!

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!

Montecarlo di Lucca : a wine hamlet in Tuscany – wine festival until September 8th!

1 September 2015

Yesterday evening I visited the 48th edition of this wine event called “Festa del vino”: Montecarlo is such an amazing small village between Pistoia & Lucca known especially for its white wine but also for the red one . Unfortunately not many tourists know this rich terroire of wineyards …hope with this post it can … More Montecarlo di Lucca : a wine hamlet in Tuscany – wine festival until September 8th!

Chianti : Vignamaggio , Monnalisa birthplace & “Much ado about nothing”

30 August 2015

What a special emotion for me watching at the same landscape chosen by Leonardo da Vinci to paint his masterpiece…and this villa is the Monnalisa birthplace too. Feeling as being part of the history , feeling proud – one time again – to be born in this wonderful region filled of beauties & goodies & … More Chianti : Vignamaggio , Monnalisa birthplace & “Much ado about nothing”

Pistoia: on Orsigna’s  hills having lunch in an old  mill 

6 July 2015

“MOlino”  is the word we use to say mill in Tuscany “MUlino “is the correct Italian word😉 So, yesterday I was in an old mOlino  for lunch looking for fresh air & a cooler temperature as in the city it is too hot this summer😁🌴🌴☀️☀️☀️ The food was so good & the location just over … More Pistoia: on Orsigna’s  hills having lunch in an old  mill 

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 ?

A Tuscan wine tasting in a farmhouse with a view on the ‘balze’ – Volterra 

19 June 2015

Wonderful view eyes open over this landscape   A perfect silence around us no cars no people just birds the green of the vineyards the olive trees orange old stones for a typical farmhouse hills made of clay… called ‘balze’ Badia San Giusto overlooking the valley an unreal atmosphere but it’s here it’s Tuscany in … More A Tuscan wine tasting in a farmhouse with a view on the ‘balze’ – Volterra 

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

Florian café : not just in Venice but in Florence too!

28 May 2015

In Via del Parione, 28-32/R ,just at the beginning of this street almost on the corner with the most fashionable  street  , Via Tornabuoni ,near palazzo Spini Feroni that hosts the Ferragamo’s shoes museum & its boutique , you can find the Florian Café , founded in Venice in 1720. http://www.caffeflorian.com Daniel , the kind … More Florian café : not just in Venice but in Florence too!

Pistoia: La Toscana in bocca = Tuscany by mouth a Food experience!

5 May 2015

Last wek end we hosted a all day round & night 👍😉a kermesse of tuscan food  cusine , many different kind of restaurants & trattorie from Pistoia ‘s district under the same sign & roof : Tuscan food! Just finished the second edition & with a great success for Corradossi restaurant who won the award … More Pistoia: La Toscana in bocca = Tuscany by mouth a Food experience!

Pistoia : a secret garden , wine & art and … whatelse?

4 May 2015

In an old building  – historical palace – that is a Residence in the city  center of Pistoia ,www.artemuraresidence.com yesterday  I was invited to a wine tasting of Tuscan producers  ( one is my friend Lisa Barsi with her farmhouse – family estate  www.lepoggiola.com ) combined with fab paintings made by www.danielacorsini.it  Behind the palace there is … More Pistoia : a secret garden , wine & art and … whatelse?

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

Slowfood Galway , Ireland , visited & tasted Pistoia ‘s flavours with me

27 April 2015

What a nice tour we had together in Pistoia ! Such a great group of people , all experts of food and really interested in knowing everything about Tuscan food and wine, of course, and extra virgin oil and plants! An unforgettable 4 days trip with Irish people that I feel so close to Italian … More Slowfood Galway , Ireland , visited & tasted Pistoia ‘s flavours with me

My Tuscany’s tale : wine tasting ,not only Chianti region exists 

21 April 2015

Not only Chianti area , not only a red red wine but also  a rosè one…not only Chianti in Tuscany exists! let’s have a look at this enchanting location  the   Pisa area..& yes,  Pisa is not only the leaning tower🍷🍷🍷🍸🍸🍸😂😂😂 This a big estate where you can taste many different kind of wines : … More My Tuscany’s tale : wine tasting ,not only Chianti region exists 

My Lisbon : since 1829 an historical charming cafè with a view

19 April 2015

You know …..I love old historical cafes ! I am always writing about them  beacause I like them for their atmosphere & location ( usually in the city center) , their products ( usually top quality ones) & sometimes for the views too. this just in a very lively  square called Praça da  Figueira  www.cofeitarianacional.com has … More My Lisbon : since 1829 an historical charming cafè with a view