Only, I’m not kidding. Yes, we all know Italian cuisine is the best in the World, and that Tuscan food is amazing, but when you live here, and you’ve come from the UK where we’re used to a million different … Read More
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Drama, excitement, intrigue…donkeys…what more do you want?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDE4ow36PDQ You’ve seen the Palio, Senese-style, now see the Palio, San Donato-style. Intrigue, excitement, near-death accidents, flag-waving, this has it all. There’s great street-food, lots of stalls selling arts & crafts, games for the kids, processions, drummers, flag-throwers. We got … Read More
The Palio di Siena – extreme horse-racing, medieval-style
Italians don’t do things by halves, and the Palio is no exception. A 4-day horsing event culminating in the final race, with the Palio (an ornate banner, made by a different artist every race) going to the first horse … Read More
Tuscan Frosted Marmalade Cake
This is what you do with any marmalade you have left over from last year… ??????????? – 175g Butter 175g Golden Caster Sugar 1 large orange – zested and juiced 3 large eggs 75g Marmalade 175g Plain Flour 1 tsp … Read More
Ordering a good coffee in Italy is easy…and tricky
If, like me, you love Italian espresso coffee, then ordering a coffee couldn’t be easier. “Un caffè, per favore?” Job done. But if you’re from the other side of the Big Pond, and you’re expecting your usual pint of black, coffee-flavoured … Read More
Beautiful Towns of Tuscany – romantic Radda in Chianti
For those of you keen to get away from the more touristy spots, Radda in Chianti should definitely be on your list. It has a really lovely _lived-in_ feel to it, and that’s probably because a lot of local people … Read More
How to choose the perfect Tuscany accommodation
Plan the perfect trip to Italy – Part 3 Now, I bet you’re thinking, “Ah-ha, this is where he starts plugging rural Tuscan villa rentals.” Well, you’d be right. But you’d be wrong too. Because, as a villa rental owner … Read More
What kind of traveller do you want to be?
Plan the perfect trip to Italy – Part 2 Ok, so you know you want to come to Italy for a long-ish vacation, and you have a few ideas of the kind of things you want to do. But … Read More
You think rugby is tough? Meet the real football.
In the historical centre of of Florence in June every year, in the square in front of Santa Croce, there’s a sporting competition like no other on the planet. Forget football, soccer, or rugby. Meet Calcio Storico Fiorentino, a game … Read More