Everybody Loves Tuscany

Gladiator Scene If you’ve seen the movie Gladiator, then you will surely remember the scene where Russell Crowe was walking through fields of wheat on his way back home.  This and other scenes were shot in Val d’Orcia.  Specifically, the memorable scene of Russell Crowe walking home leads to the roadway leading to Agriturismo Terripile. […]

Pienza Pienza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in the Val d’Orcia region of Tuscany and the province of Siena.  Pienza, previously known as the village of Corsignano, was where Pope Pius II was born in 1405.  It was rebuilt under the plans of Bernardo Rossellini  over a 3 year period and completed in 1462 as the […]

Castelnuovo dell’Abate Castelnuovo dell’Abate is a small village in the Val d’Orcia region of Tuscany.  This medieval hilltop village is near Montalcino.  The Abbey of Sant’Antimo, a Romanesque church is a major attraction of the area. Here is a video I made of the small town of Castelnuovo dell’Abate. JOIN US ON THE NEXT PAGE […]

Poggio Antico Wine Tour Poggio Antico is a winery in Montalcino and a producer of the famous Brunello wine. Free tours are offered year-round, seven days a week from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, holidays included. The tours end with a tasting of three to six wines (for a fee) held in a tasting room. […]

Scuola del Cuoio Scuola del Cuoio is a leather school in Florence which offers short and long term courses to students.   In addition, the school offers a free 15 minute visit to the public that includes a short introduction to the Scuola del Cuoio and a demonstration of the gilding of the leather.  Leather bags, […]

Scandicci Market Every Saturday, Scandicci hosts a market filled with clothes, housewares and food.  In October, La Fiera di Scandicci is held wherein additional vendors also sell crafts and specialty foods.  Scandicci can be easily reached by taking the tram located at ALAMANNI – STAZIONE right outside of Santa Maria Novella Train Station.  The stop for […]

A Day in Lucca Lucca is a medieval city in Tuscany and only a 1 hour and 20 minute train ride from Florence.  Once you arrive at Lucca train station it is a 10 minute walk to the city centre.   Top sights include San Michele in Forno, Piazza dell’ Anfiteatro,Basilica of San Frediano, Lucca Cathedral, […]

A Stroll Through Montepulciano Montepulciano is a medieval town in Tuscany and known for wine.  Cars are not allowed in the center of this Tuscan hill town so be sure to wear comfortable shoes while exploring this area.  The town center offers many shops and beautiful views to enjoy. Here is a video I shot […]

Abbracci Gratis Abbracci Gratis or Free Hugs is a social experiment wherein participants offer hugs to people.  The campaign usually takes place in crowded public places. Some people offering hugs blindfold themselves while others don’t.  All participants in the campaign hold signs showing they are a part of the event. JOIN US ON THE NEXT […]

Beyond Tuscany: Naples & Nutella Nutella is a popular treat and a staple in all kitchen cabinets all over Italy. Here is a video of some treats made with Nutella in Naples. As you can see from the video, Naples isn’t just famous for pizza. JOIN US ON THE NEXT PAGE FOR THE VIDEO