At Home in Tuscany

Olive trees and palms… the sacred and the profane!

Olive tree pruning season in Tuscany generally falls around Palm Sunday, and it’s a big deal. Read More 1 Comment

Written by gloria on March 29, 2010

Minestra di Pasta e Fagioli

The politically incorrect guide to Italian cuisine… for bad housewives and lazy slackers like me. Read More 4 Comments

Written by gloria on March 27, 2010

Capodanno Pisano: New Year’s Day on March 25

Pisa celebrates New Year’s Day on March 25 with a parade and a sunbeam lighting a marble egg in the Cathedral at midday sharp. A fabulous event that commemorates an ancient tradition! Read More 6 Comments

Written by gloria on March 25, 2010

Off-the-beaten-path Pisa: Via San Martino

My favourite street in the city: beautiful buildings, an imposing medieval church, excellent restaurants, popular pubs, very interesting locals, and several peculiar stores. Read More 3 Comments

Written by gloria on March 24, 2010

Off-the-beaten path Pisa: the Church of San Francesco

It is not always true that the off-the-beaten-path attractions in a city are smaller or more modest buildings. The imposing Church of San Francesco is hardly included in self-guided tours of Pisa, let alone the guided tours. Yet it is one of the most beautiful churches in Tuscany, with a wealth of treasures to discover and enjoy. Read More 5 Comments

Written by gloria on March 23, 2010

Hidden gems and popular spots

Over the last few days, I’ve had many interesting opportunities to think about the eternal struggle between what’s local and what’s global, interested promotion or objective commentary, etc. I have to thank Lara and Terence of the Gran Tourismo Project for this one. Read More 10 Comments

Written by gloria on March 21, 2010