At Home in Tuscany

A homage to Pisa

67 years ago, 953 people died under Allies’ bombs. To the people who think some areas of the city are shabby because there is a ruin of a building or an ugly building has replaced an older palace, well, I would like to say that those are the scars of the price Pisa paid for our freedom. They are your history too. Treat them with respect. Read More 4 Comments

Written by gloria on August 31, 2010

How Superstitious We Are!!!

If you grow up in a village in the countryside of Tuscany, you are destined to handle mirrors and olive oil with care, but stepping on poo will never be a problem. Read More 2 Comments

Written by gloria on August 18, 2010

It’s all about making friends

When you are lucky enough to meet guests who truly appreciate what you have to give, it is a great feeling. And when the accommodation you offer is much more than just a vacation rental, then it’s all about making friends. Read More 7 Comments

Written by gloria on July 17, 2010

10 reasons to celebrate 4th of July if you are not American

Everybody knows Italians like to eat, drink and be merry. Here is how I am going to justify taking this day off! Read More 1 Comment

Written by gloria on July 4, 2010

Soul-searching 2.0

A post for both our colleagues and guests. We try to see how we apply (or should apply) the 5 points of the Internet Better Tourism Manifesto to our “inn-keepers’ practice” trying to take a stock on our work up to now. Ideas and suggestions are more than welcome. Read More 4 Comments

Written by gloria on July 3, 2010

Feeling at Home – Guest Post by Ben Colclough

Ben Colclough, founder Tourdust.com, reflects on his travels, including long periods spent on the road, an unsuccessful attempt to settle in Sydney and latterly a successful house swaps and asks, is it possible to reconcile the forces for change and home? Read More 4 Comments

Written by gloria on June 30, 2010

ToscanaLab 2010 Unplugged

What we liked and what we didn’t like. Just because I cannot keep my Mouth 2.0 shut. Read More 7 Comments

Written by gloria on June 29, 2010

Feeling at Home: “Home” by Diana Baur

It’s one thing to move to a new country, and quite another to call that place home. But how do you give others a sense of home before you have one yourself? The answer lies in letting life happen, one small step at at time. Diana Strinati Baur of Baur Bed & Breakfast in Acqui Terme, Piemonte, tells a little bit about the emotion behind starting a B&B in a place she knew she could l Read More 23 Comments

Written by gloria on May 27, 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