Val d'Orcia, five senses tour

Think the iconic picture of the one-stand cypress tree on top of a green hill stretching itself toward the blue sky, that postcard of Tuscany everybody on this planet can recognize. Think Russel Crowe’s Gladiator, that landscape of wheat gently shaking under the wind, like a field of gold. Think coloured hills and natural scenarios harmonious and placating: they all belong to the most sought after destinations in Tuscany: Val d’Orcia.
There are several reasons for this, not only the Unesco Heritage award in 2004 for its compelling scenery, the true motivation is that Val D’Orcia is heaven for our five senses, no matter what one’s age, sex or status is.

“Val D’Orcia is a region of Tuscany, which extends from the hills south of Siena to Monte Amiata. Its carefully combed rolling hills are occasionally topped by country farms and picturesque towns and villages such as Pienza, rebuilt as an “ideal town” in the 15th century and Montalcino, land of the world famous Brunello di Montalcino, among the most prestigious of Italian wines” I read on this english magazine, while waiting for my train in London. “One latest research assumes that the Val d’Orcia landscape helps recovering from mental stress and strains, thanks to the harmonious beauty of its land, the quite traffic-free atmosphere and the genuineness of its products”. The last paragraph strikes me: I actually do need a stopover before my nerves burn out, I have done nothing than work for the past weeks, months, years.
Read on Wall Street International

Vip watching in Tuscany

 Capalbio, Tuscany

Tuscany is a very fashionable region for travelling and for living. Many famous actors, singers or simply entrepreneurs chose Tuscany as their favourite location to buy a vacation villa, to take up a new activity in wine or hospitality, to meditate and relax.

Among the most popular Sting’s Il Palagio 16th Century Tuscan Villa. Set amongst the Tuscan near Florence, this villa is not only the Sumner family’s holiday home but also operates as a retreat and organic farm producing wine, olive oil, honey.
Richard Gere spent his meditation holidays a the breath taking Tibetan monastery in Pomaia,  a small medieval town surrounded by the green hills near Pisa. He has also launched his first fine label of Brunello di Montalcino buying the San Filippo Estate.

Not to mention Elton John fond of Florentine t-bone steaks, Paris Hilton visiting her friend and fashion designer Roberto Cavalli, Daniel Day Lewis struck by the art of shoe making in Florence and Paul McCartney mad for gelato….

Of course, it will not be easy to bump into celebrities walking around Tuscany or quietly relaxing in their villas…therefore, you might be interested in knowing the top Vip watching sites in Tuscany. Just take a comfy seat at a central cafè, sip your fresh lemonade and wait….

Read on The Travel Advisor

The thousands lights of Portovenere

A romantic story set in Portovenere inspired by my last attendance to the Madonna Bianca celebrations

Summer 2012 was the year of my trip to Tuscany, but most of all my wedding proposal. Kate and I had planned any single day and activity in our so long sought after vacations in Italy and our travelogue was drawn into a booklet by Maggy, our concierge at the villa in Forte dei Marmi, Versilia. If you look for a magical place to stay in Tuscany at close reach from Lucca, Cinque Terre, Pisa and many other charming places, this is Versilia. Our villa was surrounded by a huge park and crossed by a small creek, which was a great relief from summer heat. We were spending our days touring around and enjoying all beauties of this area: a boat tour and concert by the Puccini lake, trekking on the mountains, a sailing trip to spot dolphins off Viareggio coast and long-relaxing prosecco and ‘focaccia’ aperitifs under the villa patio, lulled by the hammock or stranded on big soft cushions. Just one unique moment was missing and I decided to call on Maggy to single out the right one for me. I had heard of many religious celebrations in Italy connected to St Mary falling around August 15th, the Italian ‘Ferragosto’ and I thought that might be perfect to celebrate a unique woman and seal a special event between me and Kate: our engagement. Maggy, our concierge and deus-ex-machina, immediately came with a plan. Read on the Wall Street International Mag