Wishversilia new blog is online!

We are happy to announce the birth of the new website and blog by Wishversilia.
We are food lovers, curious of life and happenings, scouting exclusive locations and testing services, and simply enjoying all the beauty from Tuscany and Italy, through in-depth post, photo reportage, videos and more!

This blog will be closed later because obviously the update will continue on the new platform.

Follow us http://www.wishversilia.it/blog/ !

Cooking with nonnas

An authentic Tuscan experience

“To really learn how to cook like a Tuscan, you must cook with a Tuscan nonna”, I said to Susan Van Allen, an American writer, whose interests are focused on Italy and women travels. Susan was born with Italian genes (her maternal grandparents came to the USA from Molise and Potenza). She grew up eating like an Italian - smelling lasagnas and listening to family dramas, which ignited a passion in her that inspired her to travel to Italy in 1976. Since then she has continued to explore the country and write about it in a popular guidebook 100 Places In Italy Every Woman Should Go.


In fact, when travelling around Italy, you do not need to be trained or work out, but just to open your senses wide and breathe: to listen to women chatting and arguing over ‘too-much-less-salt-in-pasta’, sniff the air as it fills with garlic, pepper and olive oil sizzling in the pan, contemplate gestures as simple as throwing a pinch of salt in water, to savour the outcome of such dramatic process… Susan approached me with such enthusiasm asking about a cookery class to arrange for her group of ladies. They were spending a week in the Chianti area in a luxury country resort enjoying visiting Florence and small towns, as well as olive picking during the harvest. There was not much to be unveiled to her around Italy and Tuscany, therefore I cast my card betting on ‘authenticity’ and ‘spontaneity’: cooking with nonnas like Italian do! Read on Wall street International journal

Pietrasanta: the cradle of art

A bohemian borough in northern Tuscany

I sit on a crimson sofa while Sofy is preparing some coffee before we start our interview. Sophie Ricard, in art “Sofy” is a sculptor and a painter now living in Pietrasanta and managing a Bed and breakfast activity, although she prefers referring to it as a GuestHouse,“Maison d’hôtes”, a charming 17th-century building, inviting to beauty and contemplation.

From the large window, I can see roofs and terraces finely decorated with stuccos and marbles and I feel like I am in Paris…when Sofy starts her story. "I sat on a comfy chair sipping a ‘spritz’ and contemplating some terrific art pieces of contemporary artists…the bells of the Duomo toll and the air filled with inebriating scents of time, olive trees and freshly cut grass… I found myself in Pietrasanta, a small medieval town set on hills of northern Tuscany Riviera of Versilia, enjoying the typical Italian relax in piazzetta… After living in Paris and travelling the world, I would not expect myself to feel so at ease in such a small place." Go on reading on Wall Street International

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

Linen my passion - Stepping into Tuscany old traditions.

‘Amazing stories are just around the corner or laying under linen sheets’, says Nadia sniggering at me while telling the story of her granny, one of secrets in linen embroidery and spun. Linen was commonly used in the past by both low and high class families to produce their bed sheets, towels, night suites, baby diapers, curtains, table clothes. Yes there were differences between the farmer’s dowries and the landowner’s, but skills in embroidering were equally great, and they have passed through generations to our current days.

World famous fashion houses took inspiration from anonymous ladies whose skillful hands helped how to preserve this art and, while every woman in the past century was able to sew and needle as a matter of fact, today we label this technique as hobby. Yet Nadia’s intent is by far more honorable: not only she has started collecting all the tissues directly from her beloved grandmother, she has also continued to save big quantities of abandoned old linen canvases from brides chests to granny’s lofts, collecting a quite impressive number of them.
Continue reading on Wall Street Internation Mag >>>>>>

Versilia Blog Tour 2013 - A handful of Versilia!

I have just finished my experience in the organization and guiding of the Versilia Blog Tour, a great five-days tour around the Versilia region in Northern Tuscany coast together with a bunch of Italian and foreign travel bloggers.
Every day was a new discovery and we had the chance to tour around the different areas and merge in many different environments from the Massaciuccoli Lake, where Giacomo Puccini lived, to the wild Natural Park and sandy beaches near La Lecciona in Viareggio, to the hills of Camaiore, to the marble quarries on the Apuan Alps, to the olive groves around Pietrasanta and the perfectly combed sea resort in Forte dei Marmi.
Here is the story of my five-days adventure through Versilia: the land of Roman finds, of fish and aromatic herbs used to cure meat, of sawdust and marble, of brass-gold and Murano glass…

A handful …of Roman finds

We have visited the Massaciuccoli Romana archeological area, where Francesco ,the Archeologist introduced us to all Roman finds they recently excavated. What a thrilling experience touching pieces of pottery, glass and stone which were produced and used more than 2000 years ago…

A handful …of fish

We visited Viareggio and its harbor, getting more to know about its history and traditions in fishing.
The programme included some fish tasting paired with wine and a cooking class lead by Federica, the knowledgeable chef at Restaurant La Posteria in Viareggio.

After showing  our bloggers how to master knife and hands to clear a fish, our brave food blogger Chiara, aka Forchettinagiramondo, tried the experience and fileted a weever. In fact, we learned about many other delicious fishes that live in the Tyrrhenian sea, apart from the well-known (but often  breed) beam and bass. Here just a few of them: scad, gundrum and stingray which was wonderfully cooked as a soup with polenta.

A handful …of aromatic herbs

We visited Salumificio Triglia in Gombitelli a village on the hills overlooking Versilia on one side and Lucca plain on the other one. This is a family run company which is putting traditions and ancient tastes on top of their priorities and goals, bringing along the production of very typical products in Versilia area, such as ham aged with chestnut flour and “pink” lard. Though, the shop today is much more technological, than in the past, the family still preserves their own “secrets” in the mix of spices, herbs and “x” ingredients passed on by generations. It’s fun trying to guess how far your nose can go to reach subtle scents hidden by strong rosemary, garlic and thyme.
Taste and find out!

A handful…of sawdust

Camaiore, the small hamlet half way between Versilia hills and Lucca on the Francigena way, gave us the chance to visit the workshop where sawdust carpets or the “tappeti di segatura” are drafted and designed to line the streets for the Sunday celebrations of the Feast of Corpus Christi, which in 2013 fell on 2nd June.

A handful…of marble

What an amazing view from the up the Apuan Alps, where we were allowed to visit the private quarry estate at Henraux, uphill of Seravezza and Stazzema. Here you feel like you can touch the sky or fall under the weight of milky white blocks so imposing above our heads.

A handful…of wax

The very last day we visited Pietrasanta and its art shops where artists produce their own art pieces into statues, mosaics or jewels…no matter the material, they can master them all…
We enjoyed Marco Balderi’s intro to his goldsmith creations and view of life and nature reflected into its amazing jewels. He showed us is “forge shop” and the way he turns wax into brass and gold and art…

A handful…of Murano glass

At another corner in Pietrasanta, Piero Giannoni works on his mosaics since almost 60 years without a break…every day for work or pleasure…trying to outdo himself and make a picture of the most celebs’ portraits out of a mosaic. His painstaking efforts in becoming a real master in mosaic art contributes in making Pietrasanta the socalled “Little Athens”.

I am thankful to all the people that made this five days trip around Versilia possible. You will find them all listed on the Versilia Blog Tour page.

If you are looking for passion, art, excitement, wonder, come to Versilia and get a handful of it!

Expecting a dew of Vinsanto

We haven’t been blessed with a kid. We have tried, of course, but it just didn’t happen. We haven’t let this become an obsession although we get upset sometimes, thinking of that empty room we would never decorate. We have concentrated on our relationship instead and put a massive effort in growing it as our own child: we have been dining out, taking cooking classes together, painting walls, traveling a lot and dedicating any effort in making things cheerful and nice between the two of us.

We have collected some extraordinary wines during our frequent trips worldwide and at one point we have built a cellar in Tuscan style, a small one, where we have nursed a number of Chianti Reserve, some Rentless, a lot of Pinot Noir and some precious bottles of Vinsanto, which we are crazy about and definitely prefer to the extra sweet Limoncello. Tuscany harvest 2003: that is when our love affair with Vinsanto starts. Carry on reading on Wall Street International >>>>>>

Unexpected beauty, unexpected Tuscany Unexpected treasures round any corner.

Stiava is a tiny, typical village which can be reached either by motorway or driving through Via Sarzanese passing from Lucca; this road offers very charming spots, evocative views and threads pilgrims footsteps on the Francigena way that more or less followed its itinerary. This little wonder located in downhill of Versilia, Northern Tuscany, has preserved its authentic taste of small community. There was a time here where each family had their own skills and jobs: one would be the farmer, one would be the baker, there would be a tailor, a plumber and a blacksmith for sure. Things have changed. Old pals complain about the new comers because they do not mix up with the locals. They bear in mind a time in which everybody’s business was your own, when everybody helped each other and trusted other people’s words by simply shacking hands.
Read on Wall Street International

Bocelli Concert in Lajatico 2013 – Picnic on music’s footsteps

I was one of the lucky people who took prompt action after the Bocelli concert in Lajatico  (July 13th) tickets were released and bought a few of them for myself and my clients.

It’s amazing how Bocelli’s fans are planning the event early in time, booking accommodation one year in advance and taking options on tickets and services with travel agencies, so that they can monitor the opening of the ticket office and purchase the best position as soon as they are out. This year, it just took one week to be sold out very quickly…even the premium tickets right in front of the stage, which cost around €2000!

I wish to share some of my planning for the 2013 event, which is falling on Saturday, making things even harder considered that many other locals and tourists will be around for different reasons.

Accommodation

I found the best availability and welcome at Pieve dè Pitti Relais and Bed and Breakfast. Caterina, the charming owner, is a very kind and pleasant person who is making her most to help her guests enjoy her stay. 

Not only Pieve dè Pitti is one of the closest to the concert and to the ticket office in La Sterza (where tickets need to be claimed, if not shipped to your home address), but Caterina is usually providing assistance to transfer her clients to get the free shuttle bus to the concert and, when possible, offering a tasty aperitif before the concert starts.

Dine out or pic-nic?

If you are thinking about having dinner at one of the available restaurants in the area, plan it in advance and arrange for a fixed menu. Restaurants are usually opening their kitchens not earlier that 7pm and the cancert is starting around 9.30. If you have numbered seats, you can take your time and enjoy the meal, though considering lack of parking for late comers. If you have un-numbered seats, then you might have two options, either enjoying a rich pic-nic on the fields around the theatre or some sandwiches right inside it. This year, I’ll go for the first choice!

Castellani Wine, focaccia bread, some salame and ham, cheese with honey and preserves, black olives (fantastic aperitif with red Chianti wine!),  fresh fruits and maybe some slices of homemade pie!

You will have plenty of space to lay your blanket and when the gates will open, you’ll be ready to walk up the entrance and wait for sunset to come behind the stage, before the show starts off! See you there!

Queen Victoria painting holidays on Fiesole hills

I was very honoured to feature among qualified bloggers to join the BTO 2012 educational tour at Villa di Maiano in Fiesole, Florence.  

This villa is just 5 km from the Duomo, which seems unbelievable to reckon, when you reach for the place surrounded by olive trees, woods and a perfectly combed countryside marked off in the distance by Florence skyline. 

Villa di Maiano belonged to the Pazzi-Alessandri families in the Renaissance, but passed to a noble English man, called Sir John Temple Leader, in 1850. He made several changes to the villa, but most of all restored the whole surrounding landascape, which was mainly rocky place of quarries for the Medici family artworks and buildings. He designed the present gardens and woods, which makes the hills of Fiesole such a charming environment these days.

One of the major highlights is the charming “Laghetto delle Colonne” (Pillar's lake), situated at the heart of the hills at the back of the villa, whose name celebrates the quarry which provided the columns for the church of San Lorenzo in Florence. Sir Temple Leader converted the quarry and its working trails into a neo-classical pathway, which was sketched by Queen Victoria while staying at villa. At that time, only queens or noble guests could attempt to visit such charming spots and entertain themselves in artistic hobbies. A memorial in the villa reminds of the event and a copy of the drawing is kept in the private library of Countess Corsini, present owner of the whole estate.

Today the same tour can be held during the day or at night by Jeep 4x4 allowing anybody, not just kings or queens, to get into the wilderness and admire such amenities.

It seems the villa has a subtle connection with the English Royal family, including the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, among its guests. A nice picture with inscription is showing on the mantelpiece of Lord Temple's library. 

The villa in particular still holds the vibe of a XIX century dwelling, including the welcoming Count Miari Fulcis, in his very-English hat and attire. 

The picture is taken in front of room 5, as it is supposed to be in the movie "A room with a view", which was shot here in 1986. "The troupe", said Count Miari Fulcis " put down roots here for around 40 days during which they felt as if at home. They should not go around searching for antiques...what they needed, we provided...like when my mum fetched some old luggages in the loft to be used while shooting one of the scenes..."

The tour of upper floor of the villa is indeed amazing, collecting some very unique memorabilia.

Among these, I cannot miss to tell you how proud I was when I found a picture of some ladies and their kiddies (I found out to be Countess Corsini's aunties) on June 15th, 1897 on the beach in Viareggio! When yet it was the favourite summer spot for the Italian aristocracy...The Palazzo delle Muse in the background is pretty much the same as today...

The villa estate has now embedded a larger borough which is made of holiday apartments, the organic farm, the frantoio (olive mill), a restaurant with stunning view of Florence, the olive groves and a wide portion of cypress trees, colourful forest. 

Apart from being a vacation resort, the farm welcomes student's visits, tasting events and tours, whether the villa is yet a magical location for weddings and ceremonies.

I left Fattoria di Maiano in a Autumn rainy day with the feeling I will go back, sit in a corner of the Pillar's lake and sketch my view, as though Queen Victoria did a while ago...

For more info about the villa, also read on Valetina Dainelli's post: http://www.toomuchtuscany.com/a-room-with-a-view-over-florence/

For the olive mill experience and Laudemio EVOO tasting read on Georgette Jupe's post:

http://girlinflorence.com/2012/12/04/olive-oil-in-tuscany-how-green-gold-is-made/

Useful tips on planning your destination wedding in Tuscany

By Chantal Lachance Gibson, Reflection Photography

Destination weddings are no longer just a dream. However, arranging a destination wedding in the bellissima region of Tuscany can be tricky. When googling for “destination wedding Tuscany” you may yourself overwhelmed by hundreds of offers by vendors and locations, which is the right time for remembering this tips:


Read on Cheapflights travel blog

Wishversila has been recommended by Cheapflights.co.uk. Visit the price comparison site for the best travel deals

World record Nativity place in Manarola, Cinque Terre

Must admit: I am not amused by the whole Christmas celebrations phenomenon, probably because my grandmother's family was both very Italian and very religious and, bless her, she forced us onto catholic marathons of micro, uber-boring events, spending those infamous three weeks between December and January amongst prayers and food. Tons of food. So we'd spend our days between escaping from auntie's atrocious breath and a rigid bench of an extremely cold church. Because Tuscans do not heat places, especially public places where you are supposed to stay still for hours. So I tested my strength and capability to sit down for two hours without either yawning and shaking. I also helped bringing grocery from Antonello's place to nonna's home back and forth, hundreds of times, and carried bags of unknown relatives who came and go, stayed too long and spoke of subjects that seemed the most vapid to me. They were having a certain kind of fun, something I would have discovered years after, it is actually way better than any disco or pub gathering with desperate teen agers. I was a magnificent nineteen mankind, exactly ten years ago, and I decided I would make the most out of my Italian Christmas time.

Read on the article on Wall Street International Magazine - Stuck in Tuscany for Christmas [Travel, Italy]

Truffle mania started in San Miniato

November brings truffle essence in the air...The most famous truffle fair in Tuscany is settled in San Miniato (Pisa), and takes place in November during all weekends from Friday 9th 2012. The programme is full of events, which include truffle hunting excursions with dogs, tastings and shopping. This precious tuber, better known as Tuber Magnatum Pico, to be distinguished by Tartufo Nero Scorzone and Marzuolo, reaches its maturation between early September and the end of December, when, in fact, truffle hunters can collect them in the woods near San Miniato by law. Their smell becomes stronger and even under meters of ground, dogs can percieve it...The white truffle can be found in a few regions in Italy, among some Alba in Piedmont, but yet not everywhere oaks or beeaches grow, which makes them even more precious and  sought-after. Since Greeks and Romans it was considered as Food for the Gods, which did not put roots or could be sowed. 

If you have not experienced a walk in woods with a truffle hunter and his dog, you shall take the chance to try it. Not just the passion for the natural enviroment and truffles move hunters to pursue the "quest", but also the love for dogs and their ability to instruct them by patience and affection to find their "gold". You never know how long it will take and how many or big they will be...but yet this suspence makes this experience memorable. Hunters are aware that nothing could be fulfilled without their dogs, that is why they reward them with titbits and lots of cuddles.

Here some tips, directly from truffle experts, to avoid truffle mania to make you blind and spend hundreds euros in "potatoes":

• dont' trust people selling truffles out of the Sept-Dec period: some truffle-alike tubers can be found in Morocco, but they do not smell much and are sprayed with truffle essence;
• observe truffles and check: they are not scratched by dogs'feet or full of holes and ground, as this means dropping the price down;

 

• beware of frauds: potatoes are dusted with spelt flour and truffle essence to resemble white truffles.
• a portion of white truffles for a full meal cannot be cheaper than €20-30 per person, therefore keep away from restaurants offering thrifty truffle menus.

The best way to taste truffle is with very simple recipes, such as tagliolini or rice "in bianco" (with butter), eggs, raw carpaccio meat. Truffle must not be cooked!

Last but not least, a proper truffle meal shall require truffles to be grated directly on your plate by yourself or the restaurant dealers.

If you wish to undergo a truffle experience in San Miniato, I will be happy to arrange for your tailor made experience and meet with locals to get the sheer vibe of truffle mania!

Contact: Serena Giovannoni info@wishversilia.it

Memorable Brunello Wine Tasting

...second day in Montalcino could not feature a visit to a Brunello winery and tasting just a shot from Montalcino on its south-west slope...We were guests of Laura Grey at Il Palazzone who introduced us to the magical world of "sangiovese in purezza", i.e. Brunello wine. 

Laura welcomed us at the entrance of the farm and started narrating of her family’story with Richard Parsons, the winery's owner. They were dealing the restaurant Il Leccio in Sant’Angelo al Colle ,where Mr Parsons used to be client. One day, as he had purchased the Palazzone proprerty, he proposed Laura and her husband Marco to move to the premise and manage it. After 12 years, the family has grown up not only in number of children, with 3 of them now , but also in vintages.

 We walked around vineyards, till we reached for a small olive grove, where Laura instroduced us to “Club 100” project where individuals select an olive tree and receive an annual harvest of oil. As a member of Club 100, you are helping to insure the long-term viability of a small, traditional farm, preserving an agricultural heritage that dates back for centuries. Plaques bearing your name will be hand-painted by a Montalcino artist…and there we are, I booked a Wishversilia olive-tree ownership!
If you are interested in the project, read on http://www.ilpalazzone.com/olive-oil/  and contact Laura.

At last, Laura led us to the new cellar building, where the architect took inspiration by country churches and its simple shapes, sloping roofs and perfect integration with the surroundings. We stepped inside this majestic building as if we where entering a religious cloister. 

In fact, the temperature and micro climate is naturally preserved inside the aging cellar and visitors are requested  a “respectful” attitude to avoid noises, too much light in opening/shutting the door, wearing strong perfumes…Brunello needs a quite sleep for at least 3 years...

The best part had to come, when we finally got to the tasting room and Laura uncorked 2006 and 2007 Brunello bottles. Now I understand the delicate balance preserved in barrels and sought after with so much efforts...Nectar of the Gods!

Recommended

When we got back home, I cheered up with friends with the best pairing possible with Brunello: beef tagliata and fettunta (bread and extra vergin olive oil)!

On the way back from Palazzone, we reached for St Antimo Abbey and drove all the way to Sant’Angelo al Colle through a white road where the most famous wineries and Brunello producers are lined up and visitable.

We were late to attend the Gregorian choir singing in the Abbey, but I wish to be back to listen in such elating venue.

In Sant'Angelo al Colle I finally met with Katja (MapitoutTuscany) and could enjoy an apero time by the church steps at sunset.

 

Our dinner at Il Leccio was very nice, not only for food, but also for the enchanting view and the welcoming atmosphere of this small borough.

.    

Tuscany summer tour 2012 - day 2

This post is the second day of our Tuscany Tour 2012, an intense journey, full of beauty, taste and history, but also of new friends!

I am sharing the experience with Katja Mejer, writer of  the blog Mapitout Tuscany. She was totally inspiring and addressed me to typical places and to meet people who are crucial for the knowledge of this area.

 The first day of my tour with Montalcino guided tour  is available on MapitoutTuscany_Montalcino.
If you enjoyed it, you will find below the second day experience, driving south to Monte Antico borough and the village of Campagntico... 

Day 2

While our friends were enjoying sightseeing in Pienza, we made our way southward to Grossetto for some inspections on villas and venues. The first one we were recommended by Katja was Art&Garden in MonteAntico, about 20km from Montalcino in the outstretches of Maremma. This places is magical…a tiny ancient borough in a gorgeous position on top of a hill. You approach the old church as if you were entering a convent, when you realize that the façade is just the entrance of a theatre! The past owner welcome young artists and performers from all over Europe to come here and have a space to share experiences and art works. In the last years it has been elected perfect retreat for detox and yoga workshops.  Elida, the manager welcome us and showed the venue, while our kids were sleeping in the car and in the buggy. We hoped we could spend more time there to relax and enjoy some noise-free time.

 The second inspection was planned at Villa Bellaria in Campagnatico. This villa provides self-catering apartments as well as B&B accommodation. The former are comfortable, country apartments merged in the villa’s beautiful park, the latter a cosy romantic deluxe rooms located in the main villa.

What struck me most was the huge bird cage, full of colorful little parrots, which dropped us back to the past of Rococò noble villas in XVIIIth century and the large meadow overlooking the slope rolling down from Campagnatico seaward.

Also, one of the highlights of villa Bellaria is that it is located right in the centre of Campagnatico, a very charming village, where we enjoyed a delicious meal at restaurant La locanda del Glicine. Organic food was fresh and Km zero, i.e. from the owner’s garden. The service accurate and refined: see the bread basket and complimentary coffee treats

  

After a delicious lunch, we drove back to Montalcino where we had planned to meet Laura Gray at Palazzone winery. Our day was not yet finished and we still had to enjoy Brunello wine tasting and a panoramic dinner at Sant’Angelo al Colle.

 TO BE CONTINUED…