I am with Megan and Sebastian DelBrenna in the ‘secret underground’ of Palazzo Alfieri Venuti under the vaults still covered with marsh reeds of the nearby Trasimeno—built long ago. There, amidst ethereal and graceful displays, precious treasures of artisan joy and magic are carefully preserved. An ancient wine press dating back to 1634 stands proudly in a niche, exuding power and history. The place is adorned further with vintage bottles, hinting at an elegant and joyful way of life, or as the Italians call it, ‘bella vita.’
read more >Tag: Tuscany
An ancient hunting lodge built in the fifteenth century by Cardinal Silvio Passerini, protected by the Medici family and friend of Pope Leo X – and today a luxurious 5-star hotel in the heart of the Valle dell’Esse, a secret treasure chest on the outskirts of Cortona, on the border between Umbria and Tuscany. Let’s see what are the services open to the local community and for those who do not stay directly in the structure but had the desire to know it and spend ‘moments of forgetfulness’ – so Totò described, together with poet Giacomo Leopardi, happiness.
read more >
In Cortona the light of Luca Signorelli has turned on: until October 8th the exhibition is open at the Maec – with 30 works by the great artist, from all over the world. A collection that has never happened in recent years that Cortona, birthplace of the great painter, has made possible with an incredible effort.
read more >
Following the growth trend of outdoor activities, which emerged during and after the pandemic and which has been confirmed and consolidated in our days, the Municipality of Torrita has seen fit to think, trace and finally promote the historical, naturalistic and food and wine routes of its territory. We talk about it with Councilor Laura Giannini who told us about the birth and growth of this multifaceted trail network, managed with the Torrita web agency ‘Torrita di Siena Living’ (https://active.torritadisienaliving.it)
read more >
Entrepreneur, audio video professional, communicator, writer and film lover – Gianluca reminds us how entrepreneurship has changed and how it requires a rather scrupulous multifunctional and multi-sectoral approach, with the timely help and expertise of consultants and ad hoc professionals and maintaining a great open-mindedness, to be able, when the circumstance requires him to ‘think out of the box’
read more >
In the splendid residence of the Podere ‘La Stanghetta’, surrounded by cypresses and dotted with multiple points of colour of many essences in bloom, in this locus amoenus that is an oasis of peace, we meet Stefania Gornati and Claudio Gori who introduce us to the secrets of plant cultivation and extraction of essential oils – absolute protagonists of an interesting cosmetic line of which we speak. Let’s get to know them.
read more >
Because walking is not a sport, but the opportunity to return to enjoy the intensity of the sky and the strength of a landscape: can such a simple gesture have such depth?
read more >
Small monochrome cats emerge from small cracks in the walls, climb on canopies, hide in the crevices of the village. Some enjoy the slow life of the Chianti villages, resting on the eaves while others chase oil lamps and observe birds. They are 21 and have a factor that unites them: they are made of traditional terracotta, immobile in their laying despite the dynamism they suggest.
read more >
Water, energy, hydrogeological protection, waste and forest: these are the five cornerstones of the new Operational Plan promoted by the Municipal Administration and which confirm the probative and implementing commitment of the eco-centric vision we have already dealt with (Valley Life “Chianti, Valdelsa and Florentine Hills, nr. 169, Fall 2022).
read more >
The grapes harvested in the pre or early veraison phase are pressed, cooked and then cold flavored with a blend of herbs from the Amiata area including: juniper berries (Juniperus communis), chives (Allium schoenoprasum), carline roots (Carlina acaulis), wild garlic (Allium ursinum) and white onion (Allium cepa). The purpose is to enhance a mountain on whose slopes grapes have always been grown through which great wines will be obtained, and – at higher altitudes – aromatic herbs that grow abundantly and characterize the territory for its wealth of endemic specimens, making dell’Amiata, as Father Ernesto Balducci said, a “precious casket”.
read more >
Today the Convent, managed by the love of the Ricci Barbini brothers – Carlo, Marianna and Elena, sons of Prof. Vittorino Ricci Barbini – is one of the most valuable accommodation facilities between Monte Amiata and Val d’Orcia. We went in to tell you about it.
read more >
An idea that comes from the foresight of Stefano Rossi and Annamaria Pinotti, great mountain experts, who in 2010 decided to take over a small structure at Prato delle Macinaie (Castel del Piano), evaluating Mount Amiata as an extremely characteristic place to set up this kind of activity. From that moment on, the growth of Indiana Park attracts thousands of adventurers from all over Italy and Europe every year.
read more >
Nicola has transformed Cantine Zanieri into what we see today: a point of sale, an excellent service for restaurateurs and a wine shop
read more >
The link between the world of art and design and La Marzocco has been solid for several decades. This year an important collaboration has taken place with the International School of Comics in Florence. The exhibition hosts the works created by the participants of the last Illustration Marathon, held on 25 March at the Accademia.
read more >
In Jonathan’s pizzeria you eat a pizza made with his special dough of ancient grains which is crunchy, crumbly and light because it is less rich in gluten and therefore more digestible. The raw materials chosen by the pizza maker are of the highest quality: the extra virgin olive oil is that of the territory (from the Trebbio company), the water has certain characteristics, as well as the tomatoes or cheese.
read more >
Works of art, limited edition sneakers, design and modern style objects and furniture, customized vintage t-shirts and jackets, drawings hung on the walls and an open laboratory where tattoo artists create their works on the skin of customers. This is the atmosphere you breathe upon entering Locus Womb. A festival of colours, sounds and objects that has nothing to envy to a US tattoo convention.
read more >