We wish you all the best in your travels.

Ongoing Restoration at the Uffizi Gallery!  The Uffizi Gallery will soon double in size 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 of art on display will expand to 2000 from the present 1200.

The giant Laocoon marble restoration that has just been unveiled will be able to be viewed by visitors once again.  Because the marble group could not be moved the process was very complex, requiring a temporary worksite and sophisticated tools.

Restoration of seven huge tapestries woven of wool, silk, silver and gold threads depicting the Valois Festivals staged at the French court of the Queen Catherine de Medici is underway.  The new Uffizi project is allocating a room with proper light, humidity and temperature for a rotating exhibition of these seven splendid tapestries, as each one is restored.

Everyone says they love Florence. 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 organization based in Palm Beach, Florida are making possible restoration and exhibition of previously damaged or unseen works of art.   While the Italian Government supports its museums and historical art works, the devastation of art works throughout Italy has made it impossible for the government to fully support all of the much needed restoration work.  In addition to the restoration of paintings, sculptures and tapestries, art works are being restored for exhibition in recently completed new space within the Uffizi Gallery.

As a member of the Board Directors of the Friends of the Uffizi Gallery, Mary Jo Zingale (owner with her husband Joseph of the Zingale Estate) who lives in the United States and Tuscany, works with other art and history lovers to create interest in the organization and to promote membership. President of the Friends of the Uffizi Gallery and the Amici degli Uffizi, Contessa Maria Vittoria Rimbotti, who lives in Florence, works with the volunteers who are making this support a visible reality to the millions of people who visit the Uffizi Gallery each year. The Friends of the Uffizi Gallery is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 charity, an advantage for United States citizens. The board members, volunteers and contributors are from throughout the United States and the world. Knowing that you must love Florence, too, please consider this opportunity to show your love with a donation to the Friends of the Uffizi Gallery.  Please view the organization’s website www.friendsoftheuffizigallery.org.  If you would like more information please contact the office at the e-mail address of friendsofuffizi@gmail.com. Add your name to history.

Stia is the home of castles, wonderful woolen mills and the 2011 European Wrought Iron Exhibit.  The lovely small town  is just a short ride through the national forest from the villas and is a wonderful day trip. There you will find castles dating from the Medieval Age: Castle of Chiusi della Verne, Poppi, Romena, Castel San Niccolo and Montemignaio among others and museum. Summer brings cultural events, exhibits and firework displays.

Stia is also home to high quality woolen mills offering fabrics, cashmere clothing and mohair plaid blankets. TACS is open daily and sells to the public.

Every other year (2011) Stia hosts the European Wrought Iron Exhibit for several days in late summer.

 

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, home of the Ladies Italian open for many years.

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 environment. Duplicating these conditions for growing truffles commercially is not feasible or cost-effective on a wide scale, hence their high price. 

There are nearly three dozen different types of truffles that range in size from a walnut to an apple, and both Italy and France will claim the best truffles come from their own homelands. Truffles look potato-like, round and irregular with either smooth or wrinkled skin.

Truffle hunting is big business between November and March in France and Italy. Every year at this time trufficulteurs use specially trained dogs to hunt for truffles, usually at night. The trufficulteurs hunt at night so the location of any truffle colonies they find remains a secret. In the past female pigs or sows were used to hunt for truffles, as the pungent odor the truffles emit is similar to that of a male pig. However, the sows were difficult to hold back once the truffle was located and would readily consume the expensive delicacy, and so most hunters turned to dogs.

The taste of a truffle is often compared to garlic blended with an earthiness or pungent mushroomy flavor. They are most often served uncooked, shaved into foods like pasta, salad or omelets. They are also served in light sauces, on fondue or even on pizza.

Of the many varieties of truffles some of the most famous are the Italian white truffle, the French black truffle, the summer black truffle, and the March truffle. The white truffle, often referred to as the white diamond, is considered the most rare and demands the highest price. Truffles in general are among the most expensive foods in the world.   Our office depending on dates, may arrange for guests to be part of a guided Truffle Hunt in Tuscany – truly life in Tuscany!.