Touring a Bio-dynamic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Farm

Visit a biodynamic Olive Oil farm. Where you will meet owner Contessa Rosella Bencini. Enjoy a tour of the property that was originally a Medici Hunting lodge. 

The Garden 

Take a walk around the beautiful Italian gardens of fruit trees and flowers. Visit the vineyards and olive groves. Experience views of the small hamlet known as Bacceretto. 

The EVO room

See the home of Leonardo da Vinci’s grandmother in valley. Arrive in the tasting room to meet charming Farmer Alberto to taste estates extra virgin olive oil on bread toasted over a wood fire (called ‘Fettunta’ in Tuscany). 

Toasting Bread to make 'Fettunta'

You will also taste delicious dessert wine ‘vino santo’ with sun dried figs made by Alberto and recognised by slow food. And of course Estates wine! 

Carol that EVO! 

Siena Orientation Foodie Walk

Meet your expert guide in the city of Siena. Enjoy a guided tour of the Historical and culinary treasures the city has to offer. Wild boar is raised in the Senese hills located South between Siena and  Montalcino famous for its Brunello wine. On our way to the Gothic Cathedral we will pass by a delicatessen for a taste of wild boar salami as well as the regional pecorino cheese.

Continue to the Duomo to view a collection of works of art by Michelangelo, Dontello and Bernini. We make our way to the stunning Piazza del Campo where the great horse race ‘il Palio’ has been held every year since the dark ages.

As we walk up to view the architecture of important banks from the middle ages along the main road we stop at an important cafe owned by a well known Senese family. This is where locals pass by each day for an espresso coffee and something sweet such as the well known Panforte a sweet fruit cake that is made in different versions. Enjoy a tasting of selected panforte while your local guide tells you about its history and tradition. Other biscuits to try are the Ricciarelli.

Your guide will leave you at a well know local restaurant for a light lunch or dinner where you can taste local hand made ‘pici’ pasta with a fresh tomato or wild boar sauce. Be sure to enjoy a glass of local Chianti from the province of Siena.
Duration of Tour: 3 hours

Chianti Half Day Wine Tasting Tour

If you don't have much time to spend in the breathtaking Chianti Hills this is the ideal tour for you to experience small Chianti villages, Ancient Monasteries, Noble properties and boutique wineries.

Chianti Fiorentina 

Experience the most famous Chianti zone the Chianti classico situated between Florence and Siena. We will experience the Florentine Chianti Classico area.

Wine Tasting in Chianti 

Visit a boutiquet wine estate for a wine tasting tour with expert wine maker. Continue to the village town of Greve in Chianti. Arrive at a local delicatessen Falorni  a well known Butcher since 1729. 

 

Greve in Chianti 

Enjoy a taste of local products such as cheese, wild boar salami, fennel seed salami, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and selected local wine. Learn about regional products and taste the best Chianti Classico in the area!

Tasting Sangiovese Grapes! 

You will have free time to visit the quaint stores around the main square before meeting your expert guide for a beautiful drive through Tuscan Landscapes dotted with castles, wine estates and farm houses. We will pass by the famous Antinori Wine Estate famous for its Tignanello and Solaia wine.
Duration of Tour – 5 hours
Grape Varietals that grow on the Estate: Black Malmsey, Cannetto, Malvasia Nera, Merlot, Sangiovese

Cooking with Daniela in San Frediano

 The San Frediano neighbourhood is situated in the Oltra-arno

and is one of the most local suburbs in Florence. We meet at your Hotel. 

Markets Piazza Santo Spirito 

On our way to the cooking class we will stop by 

local delicatessens, green grocers and other specialty stores to 

buy our ingredients and to also meet locals and learn about

Italian cuisine.

Parmigiano Reggiano

Arrive at our apartment for an aperitif and a starter on the

terrace where you can view a selection of herbs that we

will use during our class.

Kitchen in San Frediano 

Daniela making Pasta! 

We will start with a dessert followed by hand made pasta, two

different sauces and a second course! Enjoy lunch in the dining

room with wine that will pair perfectly with our meal. Buon Appetito!

Prices from 140 Euro per person.

Ravioli, Tortellini, Tortelloni 

Food Market at Rinascente in Florence

The department store Rinascente in Florence has added a very interesting Food Market.  Situated on the fourth floor amongst the home ware section where you can find Made in Italy fine products like Alessi, Bellora, Guzzini, and Sia. 
Products include a vast range of EVO from most regions, balsamic vinegar selling my favorite brand Malphighi with their range of classic and white balsamic vinegar.  You can also pick up delicious ready made sauces.
See a selection of Antonio Mattei savory and famous biscotti, in there famous blue packaging.
Be sure to have a coffee or a glass of wine on the roof top terrace before leaving the store the view is incredible.

Il Panino Tondo

While wandering around the area of Borgo Ognissanti I noticed http://www.ilpaninotondo.it/eng/ A wonderful new location for a quick panino, hamburger (included veggie burgers), bagels or a salad. There service all includes a home delivery where you can go on line to view menu and order from home! Finally a long needed home delivery of good wholesome food is now available in Florence.

San Gimignano

Many clients have commented on how their experience in San Gimignano did not seem authentic. San Gimignano is one of the most famous towns in Tuscany. It is the perfect and most pristine Medieval Hill town in the region although if you arrive in the morning you will find hundreds of tourists with multiple large bus groups arriving typically from 10-11am. 

A View of the Medieval Centre from La Rocca the look out point

In fact I prefer to visit the town in the afternoon or for an aperitif around 6.00pm where one can enjoy a glass of the local white Vernaccia di San Gimignano  at one of the many wine bars around the main square of Piazza della Cisterna or in the pretty square called Piazza dell'erbe that looks over the Torre Salvucci. 

                          

                                        Panificio Boboli Dal 1909 - Via S.Matteo

I prefer to enter in to the city centre from Porta San Matteo . My first stop is  at the delicious bakery called 'Panificio Boboli'  for a warm pastry or fresh Foccaccia bread called Schiacciata in Tuscany. 

Trizia Pic

One of my most favorite Ceramic Shops is along Via S. Matteo called Trizia Pic

From Via San Matteo arrive at the main Square of Piazza Duomo to view the typical sites then on to Piazza Erbe to walk toward the look out point. In Piazza del Erbe you will also find the artisan linen store called Le Sorelle  

After the see the gorgeous views at La Rocca visit the Piazza della Cisterna and Via San Giovanni where you can stop to taste the delicious Biscotti at Pasticceria Armando e Marcella 

On your return toward Via San Matteo don't miss a visit to the Church of St Agostino