At least once a week, I get asked by one of our future guests about a crazy idea they’ve had to visit some far-off city on a Tuscany day-trip. I used to push back hard. “Are you nuts? Why on … Read More
English
The best green soup…..ever!
If you, like me, are swimming in a sea of zucchini at the moment, you may appreciate this recipe. I love zucchini bread, zucchini and lime cake, zucchini and almond pesto for my pasta but I have just made this … Read More
Tuscany for the fidgetty traveler
For those of you who find it hard to sit still on vacation, Tuscany is the perfect stomping ground for you. If you are wanting to indulge in a little walking, running or cycling to help combat those extra calories … Read More
Rose & pistachio cake. Made with real roses!
If you have un-sprayed roses in bloom right now, use them to make this delicious and spectacular cake. Any colour roses will do, so long as they are fragrant. The recipe 250g/9oz softened butter 250g/9oz caster sugar + extra for … Read More
Saving the Planet, one piece at a time
We produced this cute infographic to show the different approaches we take to eco-tourism, energy conservation, organic farming, and waste recycling here on our agriturismo in Chianti, Podere Patrignone. When we first came to Italy, some 10 years ago, we … Read More
Day-trips in Tuscany #3 – The villages of East Chianti
The third day-trip in my series of Day-trips in Tuscany takes us to the east to visit some of the cuter, smaller villages that we love. You can take this route in either direction, depending on where you want to … Read More
Day-trips in Tuscany #2 – The Hills of Northern Chianti
Guests who come to stay at our Chianti villa rentals near Castellina in Chianti are often looking for day-trip ideas. A couple of weeks back I described our most popular day-trip, to San Gimignano and Volterra. This week I’m heading north of Patrignone … Read More
The Easiest Bread Ever
Nothing beats the smell of freshly cooked bread, the perfect antidote to a cold, damp winter’s day. I get enormous pleasure from making all kinds of bread, and although I bake most days of the year, I bake a lot … Read More
Day-trips in Tuscany #1 – San Gimignano, Colle & Volterra
Guests at our agriturismo in Chianti are always asking us for ideas for day-trips, and so we’ve got good and creating manageable tours that won’t leave you exhausted. And here’s the first. It’s one of our most popular days out. … Read More
Pasta fagioli – a winter winner!
We have this dish throughout the year, it’s one of our staple meals – and the kids love it! But it’s especially nice and warming in the winter with lashings of fresh-pressed olive oil. It’s super-quick, super-good for you, and … Read More