76 Search Results for "tuscan"

• Europe - A Recap

  • From: traveljunkiejess
  • Description:

    

    So I have been meaning to post a recap of my Europe trip pretty much since I got back. Partly because everyone who knows that we went ask me "So how was your trip to Europe" and I am sick of my lame response of "Good" and secondly because I love coming on here and reading my previous blogs because it always brings me back to that time or event in which I wrote about. A 21st century diary or sorts...... without all the angst...... ok maybe some.
    

    Anywhoo this is not for the skittish reader as it is lengthy.

    
    

    London – Jaron and I were so jet legged from flying over and not sleeping the night before so when we got in around 10am (4hours later then what we should have) that we just passed out until around 5pm. We then walked around and went to a pub and had a very English dinner and drinks and then took in some of London ’s McDonald’s deserts. FYI: They do not mix their McFlurries and they put things like chocolate covered rice crispies in them. Good - but different. The next day we then met our group and were able to just take in some sight seeing. The weather was really nice, no snow at all and probably around 60+ degrees so we got lunch and ate in the park. We then went to the London equivalent of Times Square and had dinner at this crazy Russian place. The restaurant made me feel like we fell through the rabbit’s hole in Alice in Wonderland. That is the only way that I can really explain the décor and feeling. We saw Buckingham Palace (however no Prince William or Prince Harry) and Big Ben at night and started adding to our list of foreign public transportation services that we have now endured.

    Amsterdam – was all that anyone ever thinks Amsterdam is and more. We went to coffee shops, the red light district, the blue light district (that is where the trannies reside) a sex show (saw a girl smoke a cigar with here whoo ha…. No joke), the Anne Frank Museum – which is her house/annex where they were hiding (so amazing and emotional), saw the original Starry Night (my all time favorite painter is Van Gogh so of course I went to the official Van Gogh museum I also found out that technically his name is pronounced Van GOFF not Van GO), we also took in the Heineken museum and proceeded to get buzzed fairly early in the day, before 11am from the free beer that we got, we also went to a clog shop in the country and cruised the canals through the city. I love Amsterdam and want to live there. There is so much more to talk about here but some things are better left for one on one conversation ;)

    Berlin – History galore!!! Saw the Berlin Wall or at least what is still left around. Took a walking tour of the city and saw major Nazi area’s including where Hitler killed himself. There were some great memorials for the Jews of the war and it was very moving. Germans consider their history to be their dark shadow……. They can never escape it, it will always follow them but they can strive to make the future better. We also saw the first concentration camp which was very surreal. It is crazy to think that so much suffering went on and the horrible conditions that they must have been under. Ugh!

    Prague – Beautiful city. It was so colorful. All the buildings are different pastel colors and very ornate and it has been kept up so well that it all looks new. We went to a Salvador Dali exhibit as well as an Andy Warhol exhibit which was really cool. Took a lunch cruise through the city and scoured the markets for trinkets. We then went to this restaurant that had a beer tap in the middle of the table. You then could feel up your glass and drink as much as you wanted. There was a big TV that was keeping score of every table and you were in competition with everyone. I got a really good buzz from that place and never had to pee so much. However we were nothing compared to the Aussie tables. They can put them down.
    

    Munich – Very fun and cool city. We took a tour through the city on cruiser bikes. I loved the bike so much that I got a cruiser for my birthday this year. I was the “butt babe” which pretty much meant that I stayed towards the end of the group and made sure that no one lagged behind. We went to the biggest beer hall in the world and had many of beers. We also went to an original beer hall where families still have their own tables and thousands of people can fit in. Munich goes crazy for Oktoberfest! I had a pickled pork knuckle and an awesome lemonade beer as well as had my first try of ‘snuff’ which is a tobacco that you sniff up your nose. It is awesome.

    On the way to Venice we stopped in Tyrol and went to the original Swarovski Crystal shop. They had a whole room completely covered in crystals – Winter Wonderland and it was very surreal.

    Italy –
    

    ***** Now quickly there are a few things that no one knows about Italy until you go there and it is pretty nuts. Firstly, they don’t give a fuck!!! They know that people will come to Italy even if everyone tells them that it sucks because, hey… it is Italy . They are very rude, they do not use salt in their bread so it is like eating cardboard, it is very expensive, theft is crazy over there so you must be on guard at all times, they charge an exhorbinent amount to use the toilet – However this is not just an Italy thing. In Europe most countries will charge you to pee however it is never very much and the money goes to keeping the facilities clean and nice however that rule does not apply to Italy . (I think I paid one time around the equivalent of $2 American dollars to pee in a very dirty bathroom and they do not have toilet seats, it is just the bowl. It was truly frightening) Also they have hidden dining fees. Firstly they charge you for utensils. They also charge you to sit outside as well as a service fee of usually around 15%. Also they do not tell you this and they will try and hide that unless you come straight out and ask “Do you have a service fee??” And by service fee I do not mean the tip. I mean your food, utensils, service fee, then tip!! These were things that we had no idea about however now stating that I don’t want you to get the wrong idea about my feelings on Italy . I absolutely loved Italy and think that everyone should go and see the massive history there. It is just nice to know what you are in for. It is very exhausting, a definite culture shock for sure. ***********

    Venice – Everything that you think of when you think of Venice is true. It is fucking gorgeous and like a dream. The weather was amazing when we went, I couldn’t ask for a more beautiful day. You can walk the whole island in like 20 minutes and we circled it many times. We went to a lace school and purchased a Venetian table cloth and napkins for my mom and saw a glass blower work and make a beautiful piece of art. We then did the cliché canal ride which was beyond compare. It was so much fun and you could bring whatever you wanted on the gondola with you so we bought an original bottle of Bellini (the peach drink that is now sold at Olive Garden was invented in Venice by a man named….. you guessed it something Bellini!!) and took that with us to drink. The city is so gorgeous that it almost looks fake. I ate gelato pretty much three times a day when I was in Italy and had to have pizza!! We did a lot of people watching and just meandering around the city. We then had an amazing Venice dinner that consisted of many different courses of pasta and seafood and salad and a lot of wine.

    Rome – Oh Geez!! So much and there can never really be enough time! We started with a huge tour around the city taking in the Spanish Steps and the Piazza Venezia. I drank out of the Trevi Fountain – which was delicious and said to bring you fertility!! We then went into a crypt that a priest had made hundreds of years ago out of deceased priests body parts. It was very eerie. Every piece of bone was used to make very beautiful and hauntingly creepy mosaics that lined everything from the walls, ceilings, floors, everything. There was not a bare wall in the place. We then went into the Pantheon and saw first hand the amazing architectural abilities of the Romans. We took in so many churches and shrines in Europe and in Italy in general that it is hard to keep them all straight. We checked out the Colosseum at night and walked the first ever street made in the world. Also popped in on the Pope (well not really he was traveling at the time) in Vatican City at night and ate outside on the side streets of Rome . In the morning we got a private guided tour inside ‘Old Rome’ and inside of the Colossuem. Old Rome is like 10 feet below the street level of New Rome because they just believe on building on top of the city. That is why the subway for Italy only runs around the city because anywhere they go to dig in the center of the city they are just going to end up excavating the previous Rome . Then we actually went to the Vatican and walked through the city as well as the church where the Pope presides, saw the tombs of all the old Popes. saw St. Peters Basilica, and saw the Sistine Chapel!! Also we visited the “Mouth of Truth” that is in Roman Holiday. You are supposed to put your hand in and think of something. If it is a lie it is supposed to bite your hand off. I still have my hand so all is well, however our feet hurt so bad from walking the city to try and see everything that it felt like they had been bit. I am sure I am forgetting something really momentous but oh well.

    On our way to Florence we stopped in Pisa . Nothing really in Pisa except that one leaning tower!! So of course we acted like stupid American tourist and did the obligatory pictures such as the holding the tower up, leaning against the tower, heaving the tower on your back and some people even did the leaning tower of penis. Propping it just so to where it looks very impressive. I tried to get Jaron to do it but he wouldn’t. I also purchased a very cute purple bogus Prada purse from some African/Italian counterfeit gangsters. I was able to get them down a lot too, they wanted 50 Euros and I got them down to 20 Euros! But by doing the simple act of purchasing I was then mobbed by about another 20 or so selling various shit.
    

    Florence – Here was the only time that it rained on our trip. And it wasn’t just a little rain. It was a lot of rain. It soaked through my waterproof Columbia jacket and proceed to get everyone as wet as possible. Again we turned to gypsies for needed umbrellas and went along with our day. This also happened to be the day of our mandatory group picture that was outside. We were all soaked. We did however check out a Florence leather company ( Florence is now for its amazing leather) to try and stay dry. Because it was raining the lines to get into museums were horrendous. We waited to see the statue of David outside for probably two hours. It was however worth it. The statue is amazing and also a lot bigger then I had expected. In more ways then one ;) We then took in some amazing views of the city on our way through the Tuscan Hills for our Tuscan dinner where we got serenaded by two Italian opera singers and were also forced to dance by some of our tour mates.You know who you are.
    

    Lucerne – This was a nice rest from the crazy hussle and bussle of Italy . Switzerland is very clean, orderly, and polite. It was a nice change. The Swiss are very into three things. Chocolate – Watches – & Swiss Army Knives. You can find stores for these 3 things everywhere!! The chocolate is amazing, the watches blow your mind, and they are not messing around with those knives. You are prepared for anything and then some. We just kind of wandered around. We took in some Swiss Fondue and a show which was cool and Jaron was forced to get up on stage and blow one of those huge horns from the Ricola commercials. Apparently it is harder then it looks. His prize……. A Ricola! Then a man dressed in a cow costume came out and ran through the crowds. It was odd, but fun.

    Paris – Another amazing city. We got in and promptly went around all the major sites such as Napoleons tomb, the Arc de Triomphe, The Eiffel Tower, and the Champs Elysees . Later on in the evening a big group of us went back to the Eiffel Tower and waited so that we could go up it in the night. It is truly beautiful at night and very glittery and romantic. It is a hell of a lot higher then I thought and even for me who does not have a huge fear of heights it was still pretty scary. In the morning we got up early and headed to the Louvre via the subway and underground entrance. I almost had a drunken Parisian fall on me but somehow made it. I ran to see the Mona Lisa as soon as the museum opened and got to enjoy that without a huge crowd of people. We then just meandered through and took in the crazy opulence of the royal palace that is now the Louvre. Checked out the gravesite of Jim Morrison of ‘The Doors’ as well as Oscar Wilde’s gravesite and Chopin. The cemetery was really old and creepy and some looked as though they had been graved robbed. However it was ironically enough very beautiful and comforting. We then headed back and got ready for our dinner show at the Moulin Rouge. There are no words for this show. It was amazing and vibrant and just plain incredible. At one point a see through tank of water comes up through the stage and a scantily clad girl dances inside the water with a huge cobra!! A great way to end the tour.

    New York City - Then we headed back to the US but had an overnight stay in NYC. I almost threw up in the back of a taxi from all the stop and go craziness. My friend Aimee graciously put us up at her place and pointed us on the right subway so Jaron could see the Statue of Liberty. We got there first thing in the morning and went inside the statue. It was cool because I was unable to do that when I went in 2003 with Ali & Christine. It was so windy however that we could lean forward and the wind would hold us up. In NYC I was happy to again be able to have Starbucks and all Jaron wanted to do was have some NYC street pizza. We also stumbled upon a protest that was going in front of Wall Street in regards to all the bonuses CEO’s got even though their companies had received bailouts. So that was unexpected. Then off again to be home.

  • Blog post
  • 2 weeks ago
  • Views: 65
  • Not yet rated

• View of Tuscany from Cortona

  • From: alpskier
  • Description:

    View of the Tuscan countryside from Cortona, Italy. Lake Trasimeno and Umbria are seen in the far distance.

  • 3 weeks ago
  • Views: 75

• A Room With a View

  • From: Martrese
  • Description:

    The olive grove and vineyard outside our bedroom window at a Tuscan villa - pure heaven!

  • 3 weeks ago
  • Views: 116
  • Not yet rated

• Tuscan Sunset

  • From: dmg33
  • Description:

    We just had to stop along this winding road to get this shot!  We were on our way from Montepulciano to Monticchiello a charming small fortress town.

  • 3 weeks ago
  • Views: 31
  • Not yet rated

• The Ligurian Sea from Monteros

  • From: Martrese
  • Description:

    During a two-week stay in a Tuscan villa, my husband & I drove north and spent a night in the unbelievably charming hillside town of Monterosso al Mare (one of the five towns of the Cinque Terre area). It was one of the most memorable parts of our holiday. We were dining al fresco when the full moon rose over the sea. We didn't want the evening to end.

  • 3 weeks ago
  • Views: 63

• Tuscan Farm

  • From: carolweiler
  • Description:

    The view of a Tuscan farm from a neighboring hill. The passing clouds created a dappled pattern that emphasized the rolling nature of the landscape.

  • 4 weeks ago
  • Views: 90

• Foggy Road Near Cortona

  • From: carolweiler
  • Description:

    My husband and I booked a cottage on a agriturismo near Cortona, Italy in the month of November. The days were heartbreakingly short and the mornings were plagued by dense fog. We were wary of driving through unfamiliar territory in this fog, so we stayed close to our temporary home until near noon. I walked the dirt roads nearby and found sublime beauty in this foggy Tuscan landscape.
    

  • 4 weeks ago
  • Views: 52
  • Not yet rated

• Tuscan Ladies

  • From: vbmc327
  • Description:

    These ladies were happy to pose for me. They told me they were afraid they might break my camera...to much laughter!

  • 4 weeks ago
  • Views: 151

• Got Pasta? San Gimignano, Ital

  • From: nancyb926
  • Description:

    No shortage of pasta varieties in this small shop in San Gimignano located in the Tuscan hills.....or anywhere in Italy for that matter......

  • 1 month ago
  • Views: 137

• Tuscan Afternoon

  • From: mnordhus
  • Description:

    This picture was taken on a sunny afternoon in tuscany.

  • 2 months ago
  • Views: 82
  • Not yet rated

• Wine Tasting and Tuscan Cuisin

  • From: bruschim
  • Description:

    Tuscany has so much to offer, from Florence’s art and architecture and Siena’s Piazza del Campo, to Volterra’s alabaster masterpieces and San Gimignono’s town of towers.  However, when you need a break from the Renaissance paintings, and the medieval palaces and castles, head to Radda in Chianti for a wine tasting treat. 

    A trip to Tuscany wouldn’t be complete without at least one wine tasting adventure. When my family visited Tuscany we visited Castello d’Albola in Radda in Chianti for our wine tasting experience.

    Castello d’Albola dates back to the 12th century and was transformed into a villa during the Renaissance.  The Acciaiuolis, the Samminuatu and the Pazzi families, and the Princes Ginori Conti lived here through the centuries and shaped the history of this medieval complex.  Today, the Zonin family owns the Castello d’Albola winery and has restored the entire compound. 

    We gathered in the wine tasting room located off an inner castle courtyard at five o’clock on a Saturday for our tour of the winery. Surrounded by  the rolling hillsides full of Chianti vineyards, our English speaking tour guide led us to the Castello d’Albola wine cellars where we discovered wooden barrels aging Castello d’Albola's finest wines. Our guide gave us an informal, yet thorough explanation of how the wines at the complex were produced, including how their grapes are harvested, crushed, fermented, aged and packaged.

    Up next, wine tasting.  We returned to the wine tasting room and sampled some of Castello d’Albola’s premium wines, as our guide described the aroma and flavor of each.

    The predominant grape at Castello d’Albola is the Sangiovese grape. Their ruby red Chianti Classico (95% Sangiovese grape and 5% Canaiolo grape) is well-balanced and dry.  Indulge in a swallow or two and you’ll understand why it’s delicious with grilled meats and cheeses.  When you sip the Acciaiolo (65% Sangiovese grape and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon grape), another one of their ruby red wines, you’ll discover hints of cherries, wild berries and vanilla.

    Although white wines have never been dominant in Tuscany, don’t pass up a sip of Castello d’Albola’s dry Chardonnay.  You’ll enjoy its golden apples and ripe fruit aromas with just a touch of vanilla. 
     
    We also were treated to a taste of Castello d’Albola’s fruity flavored Olio Extra Vergine di Oliva (Extra Virgin Olive Oil).  We topped off our visit with a rich, fiery swallow of Grappa.  (Grappa is a potent, dry distilled beverage.)

    Time permitting, Radda in Chianti is worth a visit. Ancient walls and towers surround this small medieval town. The hub of this egg-shaped historic village is the Piazza Ferrucci square.  Here you’ll find the 15th century Palazzo del Podesta, a palace decorated with numerous coats of arms and fine frescos.  Since the Middle Ages the palace clock chimes on the hour.  Directly opposite the palace on a raised platform stands the church of San Nicolò. 

    Our designated driver headed for the restaurant La Bottega in Volpaia, fifteen minutes from the winery.  Volpaia is a tiny town of about 43 people. La Bottega is a family owned restaurant featuring a delicious Tuscan and Chianti style cuisine.  We sat out on their terrace and enjoyed a magnificent view of the Chianti hillsides and vineyards.
     
    La Bottega serves mouthwatering ravioli and tortelli, with fresh daily made pasta.  You might want to try their ribollita (a reboiled soup with a thick bean mixture made with vegetables over pieces of bread) for a real taste of Tuscan cooking.  One of their favorites is chicken with onions and pork roast spiced with the scents of Chianti.  Their chocolate and medieval cakes (and maybe a sip of Grappa) are a delightful way to top off the meal.
     
    IF YOU GO:

    For More Information:

    www.albola.it  Castello d’Albola, Via Pian d’Albola, 31 Radda in Chianti; tel. (+39 0577) 738019; open every day between 10:00am and 6:30pm from April until October; from November to March, Monday – Friday, 10:00am to 5:00pm; Free winery tours and wine tasting at noon, 2:00pm and 5:00pm.
     
    www.ristorantichianti.it/bottega   La Bottega, Piazza della Torre, 1 – Volpaia – Radda in Chianti (Siena)

    GETTING AROUND:

    By Air:

    Florence’s Amerigo Vespucci Airport (Peretola Airport) is about 33 kilometers (21 miles) north of Radda in Chianti. But it’s a tiny airport operated by a limited number of small international and U.S. airlines. We flew into Pisa’s Galileo Galilei Airport, about 85 kilometers (53 miles) from Radda in Chianti and served by major European and US airlines.

    By Car:

    We rented a car at the airport and took side trips during our stay in Tuscany.  As you map out day trips throughout Tuscany keep in mind that the roads are narrow and windy.  A trip of 15 to 20 miles might take an hour or more, so plan accordingly.

    www.globefeed.com  Includes a distance calculator to help plan your day trips in Tuscany. (Hit World Distance Calculator to get Tuscany)

    WHERE TO STAY: 

    My family stayed in a villa on the outskirts of Montespertoli in Tuscany, with a view of windy hills crisscrossed by vineyards. Montespertoli is about 32 kilometers (20 miles) from Radda in Chianti.  Six of us in a villa was definitely cheaper than staying in a hotel.  If you’re interested in renting a villa, check out VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owners) Vacation Rentals.  There are hundreds of villas to choose from in Tuscany.  Costs vary by season and size of the villa.  The website is www.vrbo.com. 

    Photos by Maureen and Donald Bruschi             

  • Blog post
  • 3 months ago
  • Views: 278

• Skyline of Florence from the D

  • From: babytoast
  • Description:

    This photo was taken on March 18, 2009 from the cupola of the Duomo in Florence. My husband and I climbed 460 steps to glimpse a breathtaking view of Florence and the Tuscan hills. The Duomo is the gigantic brick dome of the cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore which is situated in the cultural heart of Florence, and is the city's most recognized architectural marvel. One can walk around the outside of the cupola to catch a 360-degree panoramic view of the city. However, there is only a waist-high railing, and the wind in March can gust up to 40 mph there, so stay clear!

  • 3 months ago
  • Views: 125
  • Not yet rated

• Nap Time in Cortona

  • From: vbmc327
  • Description:

    We visited Cortona in the fall, and on the way out of town, I spied this man taking a nap. Although it's not the best photograph I've ever taken, I love the "catching-the-moment" quality of it. It makes me think of Ferlinghetti's poem with the line "Underwear on a clothesline, a great flag of freedom." Cortona is the town where "Under the Tuscan Sun" takes place.

  • 3 months ago
  • Views: 213

• The Palio Di Siena...Like Noth

  • From: mytruevision
  • Description:

    On our recent trip to Siena Italy, we were far from simply tourists. We were guests of a dear friend. Franco not only invited us into his home, but into his family -the Contrada of Civetta. There are not many tourists who have the opportunity to witness the true essence of the Palio as we did. As it was explained to us, the contrada can exist without the Palio but the Palio cannot exist without the contrada. The nights leading up to the Palio were legendary. Long tables filled with food stretched (what seemed) for miles down the narrow streets of Civetta. Flags with the "little owl" hung over head and swayed with the wind. Underneath the Tuscan night sky the sound of passionate singing echoed throughout all of Siena. The small but proud Civetta (and two lucky Americans) drank and sang and ate and drank and sang and ate and sang and drank and played soccer and laughed and hugged and drank and sang and kissed and drank and loved and loved and were proud until the sun began to peek from behind the darkness. This was the experience of a life time. All of this bonding and welcoming of us (the strangers) was not for show. It was an extension of what it means to be a part of the contrada...a member of the family...baptised into fold.
    
    This was the week of the Palio and all that it means to be from Civetta or Tartuca or Drago would be on display for the world to see. The world again would know just as it has since 1656 (and before) that Siena was a distinct place -a place where history would not be lost...where identity would be paramount. This is what it is all about.
    
    ...and as the world watched and anticipated and prepared for what was to come tomorrow, tragedy struck.

    ...to find out what happened and to see more photos please visit our blog

    hopeculturelove.blogspot.com

    

  • Blog post
  • 4 months ago
  • Views: 388

• Tuscan Lanscape

  • From: patfax
  • Description:
  • 4 months ago
  • Views: 165

• Tuscan Vineyard in the mist

  • From: WineLuvr
  • Description:
  • 4 months ago
  • Views: 354

• Under the Tuscan Sun

  • From: mccabefamily
  • Description:

    We stayed a few nights in Castellina in Chianti, Tuscany. The vineyards were beautiful, the wine & food were delicious, and the Tuscan scenery was breathtaking.

  • 5 months ago
  • Views: 221

• My son wandering in the Tuscan

  • From: islasisterchick
  • Description:

    This was the entrance to an Etruscan well out in the Tuscan countryside.  Found the place in the guide, "Food Lovers' Guide to Tuscany."  It was a plant nursery owned by a couple of Australian guys.  Also, from this book, I found a fantastic little restaurant that I don't think had ever had a foreign tourist (no menu, no one spoke English) where we had a $60 5-course meal for 3 people with wine.  It was somewhere outside of DiVinci, Italy.  Now if the book hadn't been stolen on my trip, I could tell you the exact name.  That's how good the book was.....everyone wanted one!

  • 5 months ago
  • Views: 185
  • Not yet rated

• Tuscan hilltop farm

  • From: ibnelly
  • Description:
  • 5 months ago
  • Views: 129
  • Not yet rated

• Water fountain

  • From: Dave56a
  • Description:

    Water fountain in Tuscan hill town

  • 5 months ago
  • Views: 119
  • Not yet rated