Italia magazine Tuscany & Florence Guide 2016

Is there anyone who can resist the many, many temptations that Tuscany has to offer? The region is one of the world’s favourites in all Italy, with tourists and travellers flocking to its famous cities and rolling landscapes. It’s a firm favourite of us here in the Italia! offices too – we all like to make a point of taking trips and holidays there as frequently as we can. In this latest Italia! Guide we explore Tuscany in all its glory, taking you on a journey that includes the region’s cities and culture, its wines, spas, cuisine and property to buy (go on, you know you want to!). And we dedicate an entire section to Tuscany’s capital, Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance and a mecca for art lovers. Indeed, for…

Is there anyone who can resist the many, many temptations that Tuscany has to offer? The region is one of the world’s favourites in all Italy, with tourists and travellers flocking to its famous cities and rolling landscapes. It’s a firm favourite of us here in the Italia! offices too – we all like to make a point of taking trips and holidays there as frequently as we can. In this latest Italia! Guide we explore Tuscany in all its glory, taking you on a journey that includes the region’s cities and culture, its wines, spas, cuisine and property to buy (go on, you know you want to!). And we dedicate an entire section to Tuscany’s capital, Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance and a mecca for art lovers. Indeed,…

GETTING THERE BY PLANE Montalcino lies to the south of Siena, and the nearest international airport is Perugia, which is served by Ryanair from Stansted. Flying to Pisa or Rome would leave you with a long way to travel. Sitting proudly on its hilltop at 567 metres above sea level, looking out over the Val d’Orcia and the Via Francigena, Montalcino was a self-governing medieval town with strong links to Siena. And Siena has always influenced its food – this much can be seen in the panforte, with its spices and nuts, and in the antico peposo spiced beef dish. Today the town is famous for its highly respected (and expensive) Brunello di Montalcino wine, acknowledged as one of Italy’s finest, but Montalcino’s cooking has always been firmly in the…

GETTING THERE BY PLANE Montalcino lies to the south of Siena, and the nearest international airport is Perugia, which is served by Ryanair from Stansted. Flying to Pisa or Rome would leave you with a long way to travel. Sitting proudly on its hilltop at 567 metres above sea level, looking out over the Val d’Orcia and the Via Francigena, Montalcino was a self-governing medieval town with strong links to Siena. And Siena has always influenced its food – this much can be seen in the panforte, with its spices and nuts, and in the antico peposo spiced beef dish. Today the town is famous for its highly respected (and expensive) Brunello di Montalcino wine, acknowledged as one of Italy’s finest, but Montalcino’s cooking has always been firmly in the cucina povera tradition. Food…

Tonight, the usual tranquility of the banks of Lake Massaciuccoli is broken. On the open-air stage of the Gran Teatro all’Aperto, which backs right onto the serene waters, a ferocious uncle disbands with a roar party guests who have gathered to celebrate the matrimony of 15-year-old Cio-Cio San and Lieutenant Pinkerton. The powerful tenor wreaks havoc on what had been a pretty celebration of love, and even the full moon, which hangs behind the scene in the ink-black sky like a wellpositioned prop, looks anguished to hear that it is all over. The scene before us is part of a spectacular new performance of one of Giacomo Puccini’s great operas, Madama Butterfly, and it is taking place as part of the 60th Puccini Festival, which marks the 90th anniversary of…

Tonight, the usual tranquility of the banks of Lake Massaciuccoli is broken. On the open-air stage of the Gran Teatro all’Aperto, which backs right onto the serene waters, a ferocious uncle disbands with a roar party guests who have gathered to celebrate the matrimony of 15-year-old Cio-Cio San and Lieutenant Pinkerton. The powerful tenor wreaks havoc on what had been a pretty celebration of love, and even the full moon, which hangs behind the scene in the ink-black sky like a wellpositioned prop, looks anguished to hear that it is all over. The scene before us is part of a spectacular new performance of one of Giacomo Puccini’s great operas, Madama Butterfly, and it is taking place as part of the 60th Puccini Festival, which marks the 90th anniversary of the…