Pecorino Toscano Cheese

Made for at least 2,500 years old Pecorino Toscano cheese, is produced nearby in Tuscany at a cheese factory called Il Forteto. It comes in soft and semi-hard versions; the soft version is ripened at least 20 days, while the semi-hard cheese is ripened at least 4 months. Formed into wheels, the rind is pale …

American Friends of the Uffizi Gallery, Inc.

                                                            Uffizi Gallery Restorations Everyone says they love Florence. buy generic viagra But this organization is showing its love by donations provided directly to projects at the Uffizi Gallery, helping them to restore the museum and works of art to the level they deserve. Donations by the Friends of the Uffizi Gallery, Inc. a US …

Maps Of Tuscany

Maps Of Tuscany and Tuscanyvillas (The Red Star)

Golf in Tuscany

  Near the villas in is the acclaimed Poggio dei Medici Golf Club in nearby Scarperia (about a 40 minutes drive through the beautiful Mugello region). The course, designed by a renowned Italian architect along with a professional player allows for four different play routes within its 18 holes. It is a world-class championship course, …

Tuscan Villas Just 18 Miles From Florence – Italian Capitol of Art

The villas are a short drive from the Contea commuter train station to Florence.  It is easy to visit all that Florence has to offer without the worry of parking and driving in the city. The rail station is within easy walking distance to the Duomo, Uffizzi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, markets and more. Luncheon can …

Truffle Hunting in Tuscany

    Truffles are a rare and delicate type of edible mushroom that grow mainly in France, Italy, Croatia and Slovenia; truffles are also collected in the United States in Oregon and Washington. Truffles grow underground among the roots of oak, elm, chestnut, pine and willow trees where they form a symbiotic relationship with their …

Italian Designer Outlet Shopping in Tuscany

        Enjoy an extraordinary shopping day immersed in the art and culture of the Muggello just a short drive from the villas. The Barberino Designer Outlet offers a unique shopping experience set against the wonderful natural backdrop of the Sieve Valley. Designed to resemble a Renaissance village, the mall features 100 shops of leading …

Olive Harvest at Villa Zingale Starts Mid-November Each Year

The fragrant olive oils of Tuscany are unique; they are less delicate than Ligurian varieties, and less full than varieties grown and pressed in the south. Our oils are distinctive in their balance of fruity flavor and peppery undertones, and much dedication goes into their production. Olives are still picked by hand, and they are …

Tuscan Chestnut Festival in Vicchio

FESTA DEI MARRONI is held each October Every year Vicchio comes alive with the sights and sounds of this traditional event.  On sale are chestnut and typical products featuring chestnut wood.  Local artisans display their works in wood, ceramics and glass while a variety of dishes including pecorino cheese, lamb, pork, cakes and other gourmet …

Tuscany – Etruscan Archaeological Dig in Dicomano

  Excavation is focused on Poggio Colla a settlement and sanctuary spanning the 7th to the 2nd century BC when the site was destroyed by the Romans. Countless ceramics, bronzes gold jewelry and bronze and silver coins have been discovered and are to be installed in the new museum in Dicomano. Under the guidance of …

English-Speaking Medical Advocates in Tuscany and the Ivy League eyes Florence As Medical campus site for Princeton and Harvard

Foreign nationals living or visiting Florence and surrounding areas will now be able to benefit from the first ever English-speaking medical assistance service in the city. As of September 2008, Florence Medical Assistance, or EMC2, in country medical care for internationals in and around Florence located on Via Michele Mercati, 59r, EMC2 is the first …

New hints seen that red wine may slow aging

Red wine may be much more potent than was thought in extending human lifespan, researchers say in a new report that is likely to give impetus to the rapidly growing search for longevity drugs. The study is based on dosing mice with resveratrol, an ingredient of some red wines. Some scientists are already taking resveratrol in …

Unique Shops of Florence

    To find truly unique gifts from Florence and between visits to the museums, churches and restaurants put some adventure in your shopping. While jewelry shops line the Ponte Vecchio and Via Torabuoni hosts the big names in Italian fashion, the side streets offer small unique shops selling chocolates, olive oil, handmade paper products …

Italian Business, Banking & Shopping Hours

  Italian business hours are approximately from 9.00am to 1.00pm and from 4.00pm to 7.00pm, Monday to Friday. Banking hours in Italy are approximately 8.30am to 1.30pm and 3.00pm to 4.00pm Monday to Friday. The afternoon opening hours may vary from city to city. Banks are closed on Saturday, Sunday and on national holidays. Shops …

Weather in Tuscany

Below are the average Temperatures for Florence.  The estate in the village of Londa is at a elevation of 1200 feet and backed by a national forest, are usually 5  to 10 degrees cooler. January 50 degrees high 34 degrees low March 59 degrees high 40 degrees low April 65 degrees high 45 degrees low …

Tasting the Wines of Tuscany & Visiting a Wine Museum

Tuscan winery visits help with writing and wine tastings are a great treat. These beautiful villa estates are quite magnificent and the wineries themselves fascinating. Arrangements usually start with a tour of the estate followed with the tasting of 2 to 4 wines served with Bruschetta with Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Options can include Affettati …

The Mall at Leccio – Designer Outlets

  The Mall at Leccio speech on pollution in english is just a 30 minute drive from the villas. There you will find prestigious brand name designer goods at 33% to 66% off retail prices. The center hosts Agnona, Bottega, Emmanuel Ungaro, Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Salvatore Ferragamo, Valentino and Yves Saint Laurent outlets to name …

Ongoing Restoration at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence

  The Uffizi Gallery will double in size this year with the opening of the newly revived first floor. Work is now underway to expand what is being called the “New Uffizi”, which will allow the museum to bring out hundreds of masterpieces now being kept in storage. The number of works art on display …