Pisa is said to be a “closed city” for the many walled gardens scattered throughout the center. Walking around, one cannot but notice trees and beautiful flowers suddenly peeping out from behind high walls in the tiny alleys of the oldest part of town.
Lately I’ve been thinking about the relationship between luxury tourism and the local communities. I believe in tourism as a way to improve the life of the locals, and I cringe at the idea of a place that has nothing or next to nothing to contribute to the local economy and environment. I’d love to hear other people’s opinions on this, as, I admit, I’m very confused.
It will be the first strike of bloggers ever. On July 14, 2009, Italian bloggers will muzzle themselves in the Web as well as in Piazza Navona in Rome, at 7PM where they will meet to protest against an Italian government bill (the Alfano decree) introducing a number of new rules which will limit the freedom of expression in Italian internet.
A list of July “sagre” or village festivals in Tuscany. Good food, wine and music!
July is rich in medieval-themed events in Tuscany. Here is a list of the best ones.
What is “Palio di Siena”? The simplest answer is a horse race held in Piazza del Campo in Siena twice a year. The simplest answer might not be the most suitable though, because nobody who has been in Siena even once would agree that the Palio is just a horse race.
To celebrate our first wedding anniversary, we decided to go try a restaurant in a village nearby, La Locanda del Glicine in Campagnatico. We soon realized that with Locanda del Glicine first impressions just don’t work. An excellent choice for a special occasion or if you want to enjoy a top-scale meal in a lovely hilltop village in Tuscany.
It seems impossible that it has already been a year since we got married. Time flies, that’s all there is to it. Tips and ideas for a wedding in Tuscany.
Some people believe that there is no such thing as “off-the-beaten-path Tuscany”, and yet, most people don’t know anything about the Abbazia Ardenghesca.
It was once very common to hear people talk of “pane e companatico”, meaning essentially “bread and whatever goes with it”. Bread has a central role in the Italian culinary tradition. In Italy there are 200 different types of bread which can be classified in 1500 subtypes.
This blog is written by a born and bred Tuscan who wishes to share her love for this region with as many people as possible. It's about living here, but also about travelling, learning, experiencing, and enjoying life in Tuscany.
It's about feeling at home in Tuscany.
A wonderful opportunity for the independent traveller seeking privacy and a pleasant atmosphere
