Summer Spritz

by: Jennifer Richardson on

Luisa and Franchino show us how to make the prefect Summer Spritz.

Art. Food. Relax. ITs Italy

by: Jennifer Richardson on

During my 3 month stint in Florence earlier this year I had the pleasure to meet some extraordinary local artists and artisans. Apart from gaining some great new friends, I was thoroughly inspired to pursue an art journey of a difference in Tuscany.

Stay tuned because we have some exciting programmes coming up in 2018 and 2019 with inspiring teachers from around the world.  We’ll be offering painting and drawing courses and exploring the seldom discussed, but exciting contemporary art scene and hidden treasures of this area. We’ll be welcomed into studios of outstanding local artists, we'll explore sculpture parks, museums and beautiful sites for both architectural and landscape drawing. 

There will be time to relax in the countryside, explore prized vineyards in the Chianti and Brunello regions, eat and cook delicious produce, pick olives and walk some quiet ancient cypress lined roads and drink up the beauty of this region and beyond. It is Italy!

A few more images from Florence and glimpses inside some local artists' studios. 

If you would love to bring out your artistic flair in one of the most picturesque and historical regions in Europe, let us know. 

Dates, Venues, Programme and Prices are coming soon.

Contact us with any questions and interests about these trips now >>

Marco's 60 Italian Hand Gestures

by: Jennifer Richardson on

One of my favorite Italian lessons...a little gesticulation goes a long way.

Feeling Greedy today!

by: Jennifer Richardson on

Sitting down watching two of my all time favorite cooking heroes- Antonio Carluccio and Gennaro Contaldo !

Bella Ciao!!

by: Jennifer Richardson on

Anyone who has participated in our Singing in Tuscany or Singing in Siena events over the years would appreciate Bella Ciao.We have had the pleasure of singing it with Kavisha Mazzella, Rachel Hore, Riccardo Tesi and Ginevra di Marco plus of course Paolo Turchi and friends at Casa Gialla and unforgettable performances by Damiano Donati at Montestigliano!

Bella Ciao is historically known as the show which marked the startup of Italian Folk revival.

Now these legends in Italian Folk music are making a 50yrs anniversary album.

Lucilla Galeazzi - vocals

Elena Ledda - vocals,

Ginevra Di Marco - vocals

Alessio Lega - vocals, guitar

Andrea Salvadori - guitar, tzouras, armonium, arrangements

Gigi Biolcati - percussions, vocals

Riccardo Tesi - button accordion, arrangements, musical direction

Go to MusicRaiser to support this important project>>

Rehearsal of 'Lilly in the Valley' with Tony Backhouse

by: Jennifer Richardson on

A final rehearsal of 'Lilly in the Valley' at Montestigliano before they gave it out to the waiting audience of 200+ gypsies and local Tuscan's. They shared the stage with Ginevra di Marco and her band. A truly wonderful night.

 Don't they all look gorgeous?

Tony joins us again for a wonderful week in Italy, check out the deets

Anna's Risotto with Radicchio and Gorgonzola

by: Jennifer Richardson on

One of my favorite recipe's from Anna our cook at Montestigliano for you to try.

RISOTTO CON RADICCHIO E GORGONZOLA 

Ingredients

100g butter
1 onion
1 radicchio
125g gorgonzola
1.5litres of vegetable stock
Olive oil, salt, pepper
250g aborio rice

Preparation

Heat oil and add finely chopped onion and radicchio, saute on a gentle heat. 

Add a little stock, salt, pepper, simmer until vegetables are almost a sauce.  Blend in the gorgonzola.

Melt butter in pan, add rice and cook 1 minute, add stock gradually and stir until rice is al dente.
Blend through the radicchio sauce.

Add parmesan to serve.

We will be adding more recipes to blog so stay tuned.

Join us for Cooking at the Source for a week of cooking and a hilarious good natured local festa with the Donati family or Singing in Siena this year to meet up with Anna and learn direct from the source. 

Hand gestures of Italy by Caurucci

by: Jennifer Richardson on

 Emergency traveler's language guide to survive in Italy- Very helpful for our Festa and Fun in Mercatello sul Metuaro!