Once a week we cook for our guests. It’s a fun, informal dinner, with lots of chat, lots of wine, and lots of laughter. Everyone staying in one of our Tuscan villa rentals is invited, and we usually put everyone together … Read More
THINGS TO DO IN TUSCANY
A bunch of articles and ideas to help you plan your vacation in Tuscany
Welcome to the Podere Patrignone blog, a medly of articles to give you ideas of things to do in Tuscany. Honestly, it’s more of a pin-board, than a blog, a place where we stick ideas and suggestions that might help you choose what to do when you visit Tuscany. Things like route options, places to visit, where to eat, places to buy wine. It’s all here. We’ve even added some foodie articles, so you replicate some of your favourite Tuscan dishes when you get home. Have fun.
All these articles have been written by us, using our own personal experience. Therefore, lots of opinion, and not everyone will agree with the way we see Tuscany. That’s OK. If you don’t see the world the way we do, there here are lots and lots of pages full of suggestions with a diffeent perspective. I’m sure you’ll find your own road to travel.
Where do Tuscans go for pizza?
Italians love pizza. It’s no cliche. They really do. But during the summer, you won’t find them in the touristy restaurants, waiting for a stressed waiter. No way. You’ll find the locals in places like this. This is the San Donato … Read More
Certaldo – a classy medieval town with beautiful atmosphere
Now, our agriturismo is in the very centre of the Chianti Classico wine region, and with so many beautiful towns to see near us, sometimes it’s hard not to feel a little disloyal to suggest places to see outside the area. … Read More
Another great local Tuscan restaurant – La Torre, Castellina in Chianti
So, with a lot of family staying with us this last week, we’ve been eating out more than usual. And La Torre is another excellent local family-run restaurant where we know we’ll get excellent food at very decent prices. Any restaurant … Read More
Le Panzanelle, near Radda in Chianti
This is one of our regular haunts. The food is very homely, well cooked, extremely tasty. No bizzarre food sculptures, plate-art, or flashy presentation. Just very good food, and at a decent price. The servings are generous, so sharing is … Read More
A romantic escape in Tuscany
Il Forno: a cute little 1-bedroom studio apartment in Tuscany outdoor patio The next instalment in our tour of Agriturismo Podere Patrignone, your holiday home in Chianti Il Forno is a small, but thoughtfully laid-out 1-bedroom apartment. Although it’s our … Read More
Mercantia – an enchanted experience in a medieval setting
We’ve been to Mercantia before, but never with young kids. So we were a little worried about the crowds. But we needn’t have stressed. They absolutely loved it, and it wasn’t as crazy as we had feared. We went on … Read More
Chinese food in Tuscany? You’ve got to be kidding. Right?
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
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