Vacation rentals in Tuscany and a lot more!

Tuscany holiday rental mid-week bookings for Summer 2012 | Pure and Authentic Holiday Rentals | Inspiring Retreats - Italian Charm

noreply@blogger.com (Ericapure) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:40:15 PST

Tuscany holiday rental mid-week bookings for Summer 2012

La Macina Affordable charming villa rental with gorgeous sea views in Palermo Sicilia

noreply@blogger.com (Ericapure) — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 23:43:26 PST

La Macina Affordable charming villa rental with gorgeous sea views in Palermo Sicilia

La Macina is a stone country home set high on the hills overlooking the Mediterranean sea with its endless shades of blue.

Placed above the village of Aliminusa, La Macina enjoys a very private and secluded position with panoramas stretching 360° round and yet is a mere kilometer from amenities.

Outside is a large garden hosting an ancient millstone, hence the name '"Macina'" an inviting fruit orchard and a vegetable garden guests are welcome to use. At the back of the house sits a lovingly tendered vineyard and olive grove.

The house develops over two floors. The groud floor hosts a spacious kitchen tiled with colourful local ceramics, a full bathroom and a welcoming lounge with fireplace, sat tv, hi-fi system, 2 armchairs and a sofa-bed.

Off the lounge, an elegant wooden staircase leads to the first floor. Here are two single and one double bedrooms enjoying magnificen views.

Outside the kitchen a wide pergola hosts a wood oven and a table seating up to 18 guests - very reminiscent of Sicilian feasts!

All in all we really liked this place for its genuinity, the attention to detail, the marvellous views and the lovely people in the village.

You can't miss a visit local farmers who produce fantastic sheep and goat cheeses as well as the famous sheep's ricotta, traditional remedy to any ailment!

Green, Eco Friendly Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Ericapure) — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 05:12:00 PST

Green, Eco Friendly Holidays

As the world’s population embraces green issues more and more, there are increasing opportunities for travellers to take exciting eco friendly holidays around the globe. One of those fantastic destinations is Italy, where millions of tourists have flocked to hotels and villas but have not necessarily been aware of eco-tourism.

The views in much of Italy are amazing, whether it is the heart of the Tuscan countryside, the coastal cities such as Naples or the mountainous ski resorts in the north. A good example of eco friendly holidays is Tuscany learning farm holidays. These are terrific experiences for all tourists very keen to understand more about green issues.

Not only do tourists get the chance to stay in comfortable accommodation in a beautiful part of Italy, but they can also get hands on experience of farm life. Whilst enjoying the panoramic views, guests may have the opportunity to feed the farm animals, make cheese or even get some cooking lessons.

There can be few better ways to experience the Italian countryside than by taking Siena organic farm holidays. Siena is a beautiful area in the region of Tuscany in the northern half of the country and is handily located for fun days out to one of the many vineyards. Italy is so blessed with wine making regions that a visit to some of the vineyards is highly recommended.

Read the full article

A Pure Green (Living) Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (Ericapure) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 07:51:33 PST

We found an amazing online magazine with a nice "green" twist to it. Celine MacKay of the blog Pure Green has produced Pure Green Magazine, an off-shoot of her blog featuring eco-style picks, new products and ideas, DIY projects, green homes, travel, organic recipes and more! This 3rd issue is all about green holiday ideas and destinations. The pictures are blissful, and the tips are very inspiring and useful. Enjoy the read!

Sott' Olio - The perfect Gift!

noreply@blogger.com (Ericapure) — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 09:03:36 PDT

It may seem a little early to think about home-made holiday gifts, but with nature’s autumnal bounty, now is the perfect time to start making pretty jars of preserved vegetables. They make terrific, delicious gifts that feed the heart as well as the stomach!

A very common method of vegetable preservation in Italy is sott'olio, which means "under oil". Vegetables are "canned" this way to keep them through the winter; everything from rapini to carrots to grilled pumpkin can be preserved in olive oil. Grilled eggplant can be rolled up and tucked into jars, and roasted garlic cloves can be submerged, too.

To properly preserve vegetables using this method, olive oil must completely cover the vegetables, and you should run a knife through the jar to release all air bubbles. It is a simple process to keep food fresh, nearly "foolproof", as the oil blocks air from getting in and spoiling the goods.

Following are two recipes for enjoying yourself or giving away.

Cipollini Sott'olio
Baby onions take on a sweeter essence when left to linger this way.

Baby onions
White wine
2-3 cloves of garlic
Zest of 1 lemon or 1 orange (peels not grated zest)
salt, pepper, red chile flakes, bay leaf - any combination of herbs you desire
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
canning jars (I prefer jars with rubber gaskets and metal closures)

Peel the baby onions and put them in a saucepan. Add about 1 cup or so of white wine, along with the seasonings of your choice. Bring to a boil and simmer about 7 minutes. Drain and cool completely. Remove the garlic and lemon peels.

Once they're cool, put them in a jar with a tight-sealing lid. Pack them in fairly tightly up to the top of the container, but not into the neck. Pour the olive oil over top to cover them completely. Run a knife through the jar to release the air bubbles. Seal the jars and store in a cool, dry place.

Read the whole recipe

Pure and Authentic goes on a 12 month tour of Italy

noreply@blogger.com (Ericapure) — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 07:53:46 PDT

After years of thinking about it, we've finally taken the plunge and here we are in Castiglion Fiorentino (between Arezzo and Cortona) volunteering on the olive harvest in an organic farm.

The project started in October 2009, when I took my trip to the Peruvian Amazon and visited some self sufficient idyllic villages. I so much enjoyed being in the most Pure & Authentic of natural settings that I started thinking how I could bring a little of this sensation in my daily living without having to drastically change my life.

On return I enroled on a foundation course in horticulture and talked Simone into volunteering part time in an organic farm near home... we ended up adoring the experience (thanks to our first host Alessandro) and joined the Italian WWOOF organisation (World Wide Opportunities in Organic Farming) with the idea of discovering the organic side of Italy.

It took 6 months before we found the farms we were looking for and on 7 October we rented out our city home in Northern Italy and a with a heavily loaded car we ventured South to settle into our first farm in Castiglion Fiorentino (Arezzo) where we came to house and dog sit first and then help with the harvest of 400 olive trees - what a marvellous (and exhausting) experience. Read more

October Blues.. and reds and yellows

noreply@blogger.com (Ericapure) — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 05:17:43 PDT

Here are a few pics I took today - it is a rainy, gray day but marvellous atmosphere here in Tuscany... we are travelling Italy for one year, volunteering in farms in different regions through the WWOOF Organization. Here in Val di Chio we are doing the olive harvest - till end of November, then moving to Sicily. The autumn is giving us so much free fantastic food, figs everywhere, walnuts, apples, almonds, mushrooms.

These are the gorgeous Rani (Female Labrador), Shiva (Male German Shepherd, Sokki(Young mixed breed of the 2) and Kolleken (young female Ladrador), staying at Querceto di sotto, the farm we are house/dog-sitting for until tomorrow - we are then starting the olive harvest. We have now spent 2 weeks with them and it has been the most pleasurable time ever. They are so curious, active, sweet, loving, protective. Each one of them has such a different personality and it is amazing to discover it little by litte and getting their confidence.

This is the view from our living room/office - we are nomads for a year, but we are still running Pure & Authentic Holiday Rentals ... so each farm we go to is also our office... We are really getting to the real essence of P&A with our own experience!
We look forward to sharing it with you!

These are the crab apples I collected on Saturday whilst making bonfires with olive tree pruning waste... I'm loving it!!!!

I also attach a link to the recipe for the cake I have just baked with the crab apples... which normally just feed the wild boar whose dwelling these woods are at night (you can use any apples but it is better if they are juicy - these crab apples were too dry actually) APPLE TART RECIPE

Car rental at Pure and Authentic

noreply@blogger.com (Simone) — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 04:03:15 PDT

Italian car rental information

While renting a car in Italy can be an uncomplicated issue, we advise inspecting your vehicle thoroughly for dents, scratches and other damage before you take possession of it. Make sure all damages are noted on the rental papers you receive.
We have found Holiday Autos to be the best rates around and you get the additional benefit of having someone to help you in case there ever is a problem. We have helped customers rent hundreds of cars throughout Italy with Holiday Autos over the last and we recommend them over any other company. Believe me, we've tried them all.
Please use the booking engine below to locate a responsible car rental in Italy.

Some Italian driving tips

The heavier vehicle has the right of way on narrow roads.
Maximum age for all car groups is 75 years.
As it is in much of Europe, the legal limit for being intoxicated in Italy is 0,5 mg/ml.
In Italy, cars drive on the right side of the road so it is especially important to be very careful when turning left.
Seatbelts front and rear are required and speeding laws are strictly enforced with immediate fines.

Low cost flight

noreply@blogger.com (Simone) — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 04:51:41 PDT

Book your low cost flight today with our partner eDreams - the world's most reliable online international flight company

Style and Privacy at country house in Siena

noreply@blogger.com (Ericapure) — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 01:41:32 PDT

Casale Siena is an old farming building on the hills of Siena. It sits in a panoramic, secluded area that offers maximum privacy, quiet and great walking opportunities in the surrounding woods overlooking Siena's romantic silhouette.
Pontignano, one of the most beautiful Carthusian monasteries in Tuscany is just 1 km away.
Shops are in Vagliagli, just 5 kms away, or Siena 7 kms away.

The barn develops over 3 floors, with several entrances.
The main private entrance is made of panoramic glass doors opening from the panoramic paved courtyard onto the sitting room.
Down one step is a the living room with fireplace, a studio and a steel staircase leading to the first floor with a double bedroom and full bathroom with bathtub.

For more information click HERE

Get a travel insurance quote now!

noreply@blogger.com (Simone) — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 03:06:12 PDT

Travel Insurance | Pure & Authentic | Italy holiday rentals, Tuscany self-catering and catered villas with pool, Tuscany country houses, Tuscany farmhouse accommodation, Venice apartment, B&B in Siena area, advice and a free travel guide with all bookings.

Travel Insurance - Get a quote now!

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Il Doglio in Radicondoli | Tuscany | Pure & Authentic | Holiday lettings in Italy

noreply@blogger.com (Ericapure) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 08:12:48 PDT

For the late holiday deciders, we have just discovered this fab new property in a truly idyllic setting at the foot of Belforte, a medioeval hamlet about half an hour motoring from Siena.
It is elegant, spacious, very well equipped, with a huge pool, cooking facilities by the pool, 2 lovely verandahs for eating and relaxing. Ideal for families and friends.
Sleeps up to 6 adults and 2 children.

Highly recommended!

Il Doglio in Radicondoli | Tuscany | Pure & Authentic | Holiday lettings in Italy

Chamber Music Festival in Val d'Orcia 23-31 July 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Ericapure) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 04:06:14 PDT

Again this year Val d'Orcia hosts the superb Incontri Chamber Music Festival from 23 to 31 July.

Kathryn Stott, Incontri’s Musical Director for the next two years, is a superb musician, a globe-trotting pianist, and has the added bonus of valuable experience running major festivals.

Kathryn’s aim for Incontri is that it should continue to strive for artistic excellence, attracting a fabulous array of international artists who can perform a wide range of musical repertoire.

Her programme for the 2010 festival presents an exciting group of highly distinguished, internationally-acclaimed musicians in an eclectic and alluring series of concerts. A multi-faceted orchestral program and other surprises will enrich the week’s events and add to another unforgettable series of ‘serate Toscane’.

The concerts will take place at various stunning venues throughout the Val d’Orcia. Specially worth mentioning are the concerts with dinner held at the marvellous La Foce Garden.

At La Foce will take place the grand finale on 31 July with London Chamber Orchestra and Gala Dinner at 7.30 pm in the Limonaia Garden (Tickets from € 30. Full program and tickets)

ABOUT INCONTRI

Incontri in Terra di Siena is a not-for-profit cultural association, founded in 1989 in memory of Antonio and Iris Origo, who dedicated their lives to the development and progress of the Val d'Orcia. The Incontri chamber music festival is now recognized as one of the best and most refined in Tuscany.

ABOUT VAL D'ORCIA
Val d'Orcia is a beautiful and miraculously intact valley in Southern Tuscany. Midway between Florence and Rome, it is also within easy reach of Siena, Arezzo, Perugia, Assisi, Orvieto.

Renaissance and medieval gems such as Pienza, Montepulciano, Monticchiello and Montalcino are only a few miles away. The countryside abounds in lovely walks among woods and the characteristic crete senesi (clay hills); the food is among the best in Tuscany and famous wines such as the Vino Nobile and Brunello can be tasted in the local cellars.

ACCOMODATION IN VAL D'ORCIA
For stylish, elegant and truly special accomodation in Val d'orcia we can highly reccomend Podere al Salcio. A thoroughly restored country house on a private hill offering stunning views 360° round. Carefully decorated, very modern yet in perfect harmony with its surroundings. For design and unspoilt nature's lovers Podere al Salcio is a must see.
B&B and self-catered apartments for 2, 4 and 6 guests. Prices start at € 170 per couple for 2 nights.

For more information

Painting courses in Florence during the month of June

noreply@blogger.com (Ericapure) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 01:48:08 PDT

If you are planning a truly special holiday in Tuscany this year, June is a marvellous time to experience the best of art cities and their hidden gems.
For painting lovers, June offers a great opportunity to take an intensive course in one of the most sublime settings of Florence.
Giardini Torrigiani, in collaboration with Galleria Romanelli, organizes intensive courses in oil painting or watercolor, lasting one week, during the month of June.
The courses will take place in the Italian garden where students will be inspired with its glimpses of statues, flowers and rare plants. The courses offer a high level of education, both in Italian and English and will be aimed at both beginners and experienced painters.
The classes are restricted to a limited number of students in order to enable teachers to closely monitor the progress of each. Each course includes a welcome cocktail at the Atelier Romanelli, a guided tour of the garden from Marquis Vanni Torrigiani Malaspina, and finally an exhibition of paintings made during the week, open to students and their guests.
For information: artcourses@raffaelloromanelli.com
info@giardinotorrigiani.it
tel. 055 2396047

ABOUT TORRIGIANI GARDENS
The Torrigiani gardens are the largest private gardens in Europe within the historical walls of a city. They cover nearly seventeen acres in the center of Florence. Renowned in the sixteenth century as a botanical garden, the park experiences a second revival in the early nineteenth century, when the Marquis Pietro Torrigiani inherited the property from an uncle. He extended it over an area of almost 25 acres by acquiring all the surrounding land and, following the taste of the time, turned it into a Romantic garden. Today it is renowned both for the rich botanic collections and for the great architectural items it embraces, such as the antique tower, almost twenty-two meters high and placed on an artificial hill.T the tower housed an important collection of astronomical instruments, as well as a library. To connect the various floors of the tower, besides the still existing stone spiral staircase, there was a mechanical chair activateded by special pullays which permitted a rapid ascent to the summit.

Inside the garden there are other original architectural structures of great interest, including the Hypogeum, the Arcadia, the Hermitage, the Gymnasium, the aviary, the river Ladon with a romantic bridge, and the bastion of defense built by Cosimo I de’ Medici in 1544 against Siena.

ACCOMODATION IN FLORENCE

We can highly recommend yet another hidden gem for a pure and authentic holiday in Florence.
It is called ‘the little Paradise’ and it truly is a peaceful shelter of the soul. Hidden behind a tall wall and accessed through a very small wooden gate, lies a lush park with a noble mansion house offering comfortable, welcoming and absolutely special accommodation in apartments and rooms. A retreat among the tastes, colours and perfumes of an ancient, simple, protective and quiet world that everyone keeps, sometimes unconsciously, in their memory. The smell of cut grass or that of mint on your balcony, the flowering almond tree or the grey stone eroded by time instantly makes you feel at home. The vineyard, the olive grove, the hens, the gardens with pool.. all just 10 minutes from Florence city centre.

For information: http://www.villailparadisino.it/ or write to Costanza on info@ villailparadisino.it

MORE ACCOMODATION IN TUSCANY

More families are pooling resources to enjoy longer holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Simone) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 02:26:52 PDT

At Pure and Authentic we have noticed that more families are pooling resources and holidaying together this year.

The most requested accommodation is clusters of individual cottages and apartments on one site, enabling everyone to have fun together but providing more privacy and independence for individual families than sharing one large house.

Taking over a whole estate of smaller houses is cheaper than renting one large villa – plus we are offering a further discount for this kind of booking, on top of a discount for a two week rental. This means nicer accomodation for everyone, lots of room to have fun and longer holidays!
Read the whole article

Iceland volcano: if your travel insurance does not cover you...

noreply@blogger.com (Simone) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 02:29:22 PDT

After the eruption of the Icelandic volcano on April 13th, thousands of flights have been cancelled and it is uncertain how long this situation will still last.

At Pure and Authentic we have received many mails asking if the deposit paid for the holiday rental can be refunded by the owners.

The general rule would give a negative response to this query, as per Terms and Conditions accepted by guests upon booking their holiday rental on the P&A website, the deposit is non-refundable. Travellers who purchased a travel insurance before 13 April 2010 can claim their refund with the travel insurance company directly.
Read the whole article

Agriturismo Todi

noreply@blogger.com (Simone) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 02:01:31 PST

Agriturismo Todi has 5 charming holiday apartments in the heart of Umbria, a land of harmony, a few steps from Todi “the most livable town in the world”.
Relax in a splendid country villa with pool in a self catering apartment.
Find yourself in the ideal location within easy reach of Tuscany and Rome.

Apartments:

Crostoli o Chiacchiere

noreply@blogger.com (Simone) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 03:11:30 PST

Il crostolo è un tipico dolce del periodo di Carnevale. Sono delle strisce sottili, anche arrotolate su se stesse per dare loro la forma un fiocco, la cui peculiarità è quella di essere molto friabili.
Ingredienti:

farina 500 g
4 tuorli d'uovo
sale 1 cucchiaino da te
zucchero 3 cucchiai
grappa 2 cucchiai
rum 2 cucchiai
olio di oliva 1 cucchiaio
burro 1 noce 40 gr
lievito in polvere 15 gr
olio di arachidi per friggere
zucchero a velo

Preparazione:
Potete anche amalgamare gli ingredienti a mano, ma utilizzare un robot da cucina fa risparmiare parecchio tempo.
Versare nel robot la farina, la grappa, il rum, i tuorli d'uovo, il burro (che deve essere a temperatura ambiente), un cucchiaio di olio d'oliva ed alla fine il lievito in polvere.
Iniziare a miscelare tutti gli ingredienti ed aggiungere acqua poca per volta fino ad ottenere un impasto unico, omogeneo e bello consistente che non deve attaccarsi alle pareti del robot.

Lasciare riposare il panetto in frigorifero per circa un'oretta.
Nel frattempo far riscaldare l'olio fino a portarlo ad ebollizione.
Tolto il panetto dal frigorifero, lavorarlo sbattendolo su una superficie piana. Tirare la pasta fino a formare un filoncino stretto e lungo, quindi tagliarlo in piccoli panetti e lavorarli con le mani.

Servendosi della macchina della pasta, appiattite i panetti stendendo delle sfoglie sottili (se le sfoglie si rompono, reimpastare i panetti aggiungendo un po' d'acqua).
Piegate le sfoglie ottenute e fatele passare svariate volte lentamente attraverso i rulli: iniziare con uno spessore largo per finire con uno spessore di circa 1 millimetro.

Adagiare le sfoglie su un canovaccio infarinato e tagliarle di forma e dimensioni desiderate.

Friggere le sfoglie nell'olio bollente per qualche secondo per lato, fino ad ottenere un colore dorato.

Togliere i crostoli dall'olio con una schiumarola, sgocciolarli, adagiarli su carta assorbente e lasciarli raffreddare.
Servire i crostoli su un vassoio cospargendoli con zucchero a velo.

Crema ai topinambur

noreply@blogger.com (Simone) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 06:59:58 PST

Pochi lo conoscono come alimento, ancora meno come rimedio terapeutico. Vi presento il topinambur, che grazie a un altissimo contenuto di inulina, una particolare fibra altamente solubile, è il migliore alleato alimentare dei diabetici. Favorisce la secrezione lattea e contrasta la ritenzione idrica.

Contiene le vitamine del gruppo B e grazie al contenuto della fibra solubile, le pochissime calorie, sono ancora meno assorbite dall’organismo. Per cui, se consumato senza condimenti pesanti è ideale nelle diete dimagranti.

I piccoli fiori della pianta molto simili a margherite, possono essere usati come insetticida naturale, perchè hanno un profumo molto sgradito alle mosche.

Un’altro utilizzo particolare è quello della farina di Topinambur, che si trova nei negozi di alimenti naturali. Aggiunta ad altre farine nella percentuale del 10%, rendono i preparati adatti a diabetici e stitici.

Dosi per 4 persone

Ingredienti:

400 g di topinambur
75 cl di brodo di carne
1 bicchiere di panna
1 cipolla
1 ciuffo di prezzemolo
2 cucchiai di olio d'oliva
Sale

Preparazione:

In una pentola scaldate due cucchiai d'olio e lasciatevi appassire la cipolla tagliata a fettine sottili.
Unite i topinambur a pezzetti, fate insaporire alcuni minuti, versate il brodo e portate a bollore.
Cuocete a fuoco basso, coperto, per mezz'ora.
Frullate il tutto fino a ottenere una crema omogenea.
Regolate il sale.
Unite la panna, mescolate.
Scaldate se occorre.
Versate nella zuppiera, cospargete di prezzemolo tritato, servite con dei crostini.

Vini di accompagnamento: Lison-Pramaggiore Pinot Bianco DOC, Bianco Di Pitigliano DOC, Cilento Bianco
DOC.

World Wide Party: il Capodanno 2010 in Piazza del Campo Siena

noreply@blogger.com (Simone) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 02:21:36 PST

L’anteprima mondiale a Siena in occasione di “Sì è dance imagination”, in programma il 31 dicembre 2010.

Piazza del Campo sarà la protagonista dell'anteprima mondiale del World Wide Party. In occasione di “Sì è dance imagination”, l'iniziativa pensata per l'ultimo dell'anno a Siena, la Danny Rose Maximage Experience di Parigi e il regista, Sergio Carrubba metteranno in scena il loro ultimo spettacolo, una grande festa, una videoproiezione fatta di immagini, musiche, colori e culture del mondo, dal Brasile, all'India, ai paesi dell'Est. L'evento, promosso dal Comune di Siena all'interno dei festeggiamenti per i 700 anni del Costituto senese e curato dalla veneziana Eta Beta Produzioni di Alessandro Dal Pra, si presenta come una serata unica nel suo genere: la più grande videoproiezione al mondo in alta definizione: 600 metri lineari, circa 30 metri di altezza, per un totale di quasi 20mila metri quadri di superficie, accompagnata dalla musica dal vivo dei giovani musicisti Narayana Minozzi, Alessandra Ferrari, Angelo Del Vecchio, Gian De Martini e Valerio Di Rocco che vantano partecipazioni al “Giulietta e Romeo” di Riccardo Cocciante e al “Rock Revolution 2009” a Barcellona.

“Il 31 dicembre a Siena - ha detto il regista, Sergio Carrubba - gigantesche ballerine danzeranno la capoeira in Piazza del Campo; musiche e culture da tutto il mondo accompagneranno tutti i presenti fino a un omaggio tutto italiano: suoneremo l'Ombelico del mondo di Jovanotti, perché quella notte, Siena, sarà il centro della musica nel mondo. Ma il World Wide Party sarà solo una parte della grande festa che ci sarà in Piazza quella notte: metteremo in piedi, infatti, una maestosa opera lumiere. Immagine, tradizione e architettura di Siena si alterneranno davanti agli occhi dello spettatore in una maniera completamente nuova. Sarà un viaggio nella grande arte visual di Siena, dal Costituto, il Sogno Gotico e le atmosfere medievali fino al momento centrale della serata che sarà un itinerario nella storia della musica. Proietteremo enormi immagini su tutti gli splendidi palazzi di Piazza del Campo, accompagnandole con la musica dal vivo di cinque bravissimi cantanti italiani che stanno portando il nostro nome in tutto il mondo”.

“Sarà un nuovo modo di fare spettacolo, - continua Carrubba - lo spettatore si troverà parte integrante dello show stesso. Sarà lui il centro di tutto e la visione dello spettacolo non sarà frontale ma centrale: tutti coloro che il 31 dicembre si troveranno in Piazza del Campo all'improvviso saranno parte di un'avventura in continuo divenire che spero lasci il segno. Sono venticinque anni - conclude il regista - che aspetto la possibilità di creare un evento del genere a Siena. Perché Piazza del Campo è l'unica piazza al mondo dove è possibile realizzare uno spettacolo così e in queste grandi dimensioni. Per certo sarà lo spettacolo più importante in Europa per l'ultimo dell'anno, più di quanto stiano organizzando a Madrid, a Londra e a Parigi”.

South Africa Lodge - Villa Spring Grove

noreply@blogger.com (Simone) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 02:27:17 PST

Spring Grove is a luxury Lodge in Malaria free zone in Easter Cape. It comprises of five luxury double suites, each with a breathtaking view of the environment.

All have en-suite facilities and access to the decks. The large lounge has a magnificent view over the water, home theater system and a fireplace. A smaller lounge can be enjoyed for more intimate moments. Sumptuous meals are served in the dining room with its unique handmade dining table or on the deck, overlooking the magnificent valley, or in the bush.

The Villa sits inside a private game reserve offering its guests the privacy of 2000 hectares of indigenous South African wild. Vast Landscapes ranging from valley Bushveld to open grasslands present panoramic vistas and superb wildlife viewing opportunities. Guests enjoy a one-on-one environmental experience on the property – either on foot, horse-back or mountain bike. Close encounters with African wildlife are assured.

The lodge is only 90 minutes from Port Elizabeth Airport.The reserve is situated only 20 minutes from the finest white beaches along the Indian Ocean. Guests can relax on the beach or take part in numerous activities in the area. There are also several fantastic golf courses in the area. Kenton on Sea is situated between 2 tidal rivers - the Kariega and Bushmans Rivers. It has an unspoilt beachfront as a Nature Reserve borders the beach and covers the sanddunes that line the magnificent pristine beach between these rivers. The main beach next to Kariega River was voted best beach in South Africa in 2001. Small buck and other wild game live in this reserve and are spotted regularly. Because of this ideal situation, Kenton is also a birder’s paradise with the sea, rivers and nature reserve in close proximity. Fishing is excellent - deep sea, surf, rock and river. Whales are spotted regularly from April to December.

2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa

noreply@blogger.com (Simone) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 01:56:40 PST

11 June and 11 July 2010

This will be the first time that the tournament has been hosted by an African nation, after South Africa beat Morocco and Egypt in an all-African bidding process.

Italy are the defending champions.

The official mascot for the 2010 FIFA World Cup is Zakumi (born 16 June 1994), an anthropomorphised leopard with green hair. His name comes from "ZA", the international abbreviation for South Africa, and "kumi", a word that means "ten" in various African languages. The mascot's colours reflect those of the host nation's playing strip – yellow and green.
Zakumi's birthdate coincides with a day known and celebrated as Youth Day in South Africa and their second group match. The year 1994 marks the first non-racial nationwide elections in South Africa.
The Zakumi's official motto is: "Zakumi's game is Fair Play." The motto was seen in the digital advertisement boards during the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, and it will also appear in next year's FIFA World Cup.

Tuscany Wine Tasting Tours

noreply@blogger.com (Simone) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 07:41:05 PST

Tuscany in unquestionably the most important region of Italy in regards for the production of Wine. It is second to Veneto in quantity but, in terms of gross income it is number one, which implies that a smaller amount of wine sells for a higher value, therefore evidencing the superior quality in its wines. A visit to Tuscany could not be considered complete if you didn't include at least 1 wine tasting tour from Florence or Siena but we can also pick you up for these tours regardless where you stay in Tuscany.

We should clarify that going to visit Chianti, Montalcino or Montepulciano should not only mean to go wine tasting all day, there is nothing wrong with that, but Tuscany has a lot more to offer than wine in terms or history, architecture, landscapes. We often give Chianti Tours to people who don't drink nor care about wine tasting and they are among those who enjoy the area the most as they sightsee more than those that spend a lot time wine tasting! Therefore a good balance in between wine tasting and cultural sightseeing is the ideal for those who care about both, we normally advice to have 1 Winery Tour a day and possibly a second Wine Tasting, so as to leave time to sightsee as well in as part of the wine tours.

Before outlining the different options we offer in regards to wine tours and wine experiences, we would like to clarify the difference in between a Wine Tastings versus an actual Winery Tours.

Wine Tasting: Stopping at a winery, whether the actual wine cellars or their wine shop and taste various of their wines. This is something which may take form 15 to 30 minutes, it is not something which deserve to make specific arrangements for unless you absolutely want to taste wines of some specific estate. This has an average cost from 0 to 10 euro

Winery Tour or Estate Tour: Going to a specific Winery and tour it's premises, including fermentation plants, cellars and in some cases bottling plant and vineyards. An employee of the winery or in small wineries the owner will give the tour explaining the background and history of the estate and their peculiarities of the wines, how the wine is made aged etc... At the end of the tour you also have a more structured and informative wine tasting of their products. This is something which may take form 45 minutes to 1h30', This has an average cost from 10 to 30 euro
In some wineries it's possible to only do wine tastings in other is only possible to get a winery tours, in other you can do either of the options.
As part of these tuscany wine tasting tours we may plan as many Winery Visit and Wine Tastings as needed, If you have specific wineries in mind tell us which they are.
In either case in most estates you can buy wines and in some cases they also can ship them. (It's worth to ship a minimum of 6 bottles, as long as you buy valuable wines, cost of shipping is @ euro 12 per bottle, therefore if you buy cheap wine it's more the shipping than the wine.)
Blending 2 or more of the below areas and every other secondary wine production area of Tuscany in the same day or days of the wine tasting tour is naturally something which can and should be done, but the ways of doing it are just too complicated to be expressed in writing, therefore in case advice is needed on such issues, we kindly request to be able to go over the different options by phone, to better and more efficiently understand what's needed and wanted by the clients and giving instant advices accordingly. Such assistance is given to our customers on a complimentary basis and it is unquestionably how we mean to add value to collaborating with us.

Important Note: We pride ourselves in clarifying that our company is not a tour operator or travel agency, therefore it is NOT our economic interests to include in the cost of our tours what wineries charge to give wine tasting tours and visits. we don't make a profit out of such bookings therefore we do prefer to limit our role to advising our customers as to WHERE we should take them and just book the estate on their behalf for them to pay for it directly. In our data base of visited wineries we have the beauty of 209 wineries that we can tour. This single datum can outline how much we know. But is only the satisfaction of the passengers we give tours to deriving from a good advice that is what brings us goodwill and future business. Our know-how and expertise is what we feel we are entitled to make a profit on, that's why we cannot publish on the web site the endless list of the wineries we tour. We have no vested interests in advising a producer rather than another. We don't collect commissions off what our guests buy at the wineries we visit as part of our tours. We want to make it clear that our advice is not influenced on making more money on the side. We can surely put our expertise at disposal of all the agencies, and tour operators we work for to assist them in selecting the best resources for their customers.

In Tuscany there are 4 Primary Wine Production areas:

Chianti Classico - This is unquestionably the most famous and celebrated wine production area in Tuscany and therefore a must when it comes to Wine Tasting Tours regardless of where one stays inTuscany. It strategically and very conveniently located in between Florence and Siena. Chianti Classico Area can be reached from Florence in about in only 30' and in 20' from Siena, therefore it is the ideal destination for visitors staying in either of the 2 above cities. For a better description please see our Chianti Tour page. Over the years we have visited and selected the beauty of 155 Wineries in Chianti Classico area where we can take guests for wine tasting tours, we obviously have our preferred ones, but there is not an absolutely best winery, for someone "best" may mean a world famous "wine spectator celebrated winery" for other it would be a "never heard of" emerging family owned estate which only produces 20.000 bottles a year of superb quality". Good or Best are relative words when you talk about such a personal subject such as wine... that's why if you have preferences please give us your input to best personalize your tour selecting the winery which best suits what you love the best.

Montalcino - Located in the 40km south of Siena, it can be reached on as a Siena or Florence Wine Tour in about 1,5 hrs and only 30' from Siena. The tour will take you through this beautiful countryside of Tuscany, once part of the state of Siena, you will have the chance to also visit the small city center, ending at the impressive XIV Century fortress, used in that century by the people of Montalcino and those of Siena to defend the independence of the glorious republic. Don't miss climbing its ramparts to admire the landscape of Tuscany, and take advantage of the Wine Tasting opportunity offered by the enoteca located in the cellars of the fortress so as to have a 1st contact with "King Brunello" the best among the traditional DOCG red wines of Tuscany. We will proceed on to tour a renown winery to including a visit the cellars and a second Wine Tasting and which will naturally include Brunello's. We then advice a stop at Sant'Antimo, one of the main attractions of Tuscany considered the most beautiful Romanesque country basilica, a must for any private tour in the region, not just for its architecture but for the intact and peaceful landscape in which is immersed. At the basiclica it will be possible to listen to a the Gregorian Chants performance. After lunch at leisure in a local restaurant you may chose to tour a second and third winery for additional Wine Tastings or divert to other attractions in Tuscany on the way back to your hotel. If you have specific wineries in mind please let us know, otherwise we will select them out of the 28 wineries can visit in Montalcino as part of the tour, if you like you may give us a description of the wineries you'd like to visit, such as small or big, modern or old style.

Montepulciano - Located 50km south-east of Siena, it can be reached from Florence in about 1,5 hrs and only 40' from Siena. This is another perfect tour in Tuscany for a Wine Tasting Tour from Florence or Siena. Its' location is the Val d'Orcia, a part of Tuscany with one of the most unique and attractive landscape, that specialized Tuscany tours never omit. Montepulciano is synonymous of great wine and renaissances beauty, its nickname "little Florence of the countryside" eloquently describes the beauty and value of th this town, which constantly appear in TV ads and often used as the set for block busting movies such as "Under the Tuscan Sun". Montepulciano, a perfect Tuscan hill town, boats the oldest registered Wine of Italy and here only, you can tour underneath the beautyful renaissance palazzos, the historical aging wine cellars, that were famous already at the time of Lorenzo the Magnificient, the wine produced here is called Nobile (i.e. noble) just because is a tradition that last for over 8 centuries. The main square of Montepulciano with it palaces and monuments is considered a jewel and even more impressive is the temple of San Biagio, the finest early renaissance architecture by Antonio da Sangallo il Vecchio you may find in Tuscany. Needless to say that wine is a main character in this area, we have selected 11 wineries where we can take guests for wine tasting tours and winery visits.

Bolgheri - Located 130 Kms south-west of Florence this is the homeland of the latest Super Tuscan Wines. This is an area recommended only to those wine lovers who can truly appreciate wine quality and want to take a top quality Wine Tasting Tour from Florence, Lucca, Livorno or Pisa. While wines produced here are of incomparable standards the historical attractions of this area are not as rich as the areas of Tuscany mentioned above: Chianti, Montalcino, Montepulciano. We recommend to spend the day entirely in an in depth learning and tasting process of some of the greatest examples of the “nectar of gods”. We will tour wineries producing wines renown to be the best Italian Reds, starting with from the Tenute Ornellaia, where you will enjoy “Le Volte”, “Serre Nuove”, "Masseto" and “Ornellaia” itself. After this first tour we suggest you visit a new "secret treasure" of the Italian wine-industry: one of the most attractive wineries ever built in the world, result of a major investment, designed by one of the most famous world contemporary architects, who was given freedom to fully express his talent, resulting in what has been described by specialized journalists as “The Wine Cathedral”. A third winery could be added. On limited days and with long anticipation we could include in our tours the famous Tenuta San Guido the producer of “Guidalberto” and “Sassicaia”, that you will sample there are about 10 other wineries we could select as alternatives.

Recipe of the week: "Delicate Thistles"

noreply@blogger.com (Simone) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 02:07:39 PST

Another gorgeous Autumn recipe to fill the house with homely smells!!

Serves:
4 people

Ingredients:

1000 grams of thistles
1 / 2 cup milk
1 / 2 cup cream
plenty of grated cheese
Butter
salt

Preparation:

Peel the thistles, cut into pieces of about two inches and remove all the filaments.
Boil in salted water, simmer for about three quarters of an hour.
Drain well, arrange in a baking dish, spread the surface with butter flakes, pour in half a glass of milk and bake on low heat for half an hour.
Then add half a cup of cream and let it thicken in the oven for another ten minutes or so.
When ready, place the thistles on a serving dish, sprinkle with plenty of cheese and serve immediately.

Organic learning farm

noreply@blogger.com (Simone) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:15:26 PST

Paugnano is an ancient farmhouse in the Colline Metallifere, on the hill facing the village of Radicondoli.

Cheese making, traditional cooking, organic farming
Wonderfully charming farmhouse with stunning views
Genuine, friendly hosts
Cheese tasting and organic meals available when booking for learning activities

Giovanna and Giovanni Porcu have been breeding Sardinian sheep the organic way since the 1970s. With their 2 daughters, the Porcu opened up to the public in 2000 with their pecorino cheese and their holiday apartments.

At Paugnano you'll be able to taste and purchase some very fine fresh and aged organic pecorino cheeses, enjoy a lovely organic meal with the family, take part in cheese making or take cooking classes.

We thank Steve Hamilton for his pictures.

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Recipe of the week: "Delicate Thistles"

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