Amazing Cake with Amaretti Biscuits

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Elena Nacci

Cake with Amaretti BiscuitsThis cake with amaretti biscuits is incredibly and surprisingly delicious!!!
When I prepared it for the first time, my guests and I were more than enthusiastic, a real surprise, that’s one of my favorite cakes :-)

If you have guests for dinner or if you want to prepare a very special and different cake for a special occasion, that’s the right choice!
This is a recipe I again found on my grandmother’s book of recipes.

The main ingredient of this fantastic cake is amaretto (macaroon), a biscuit made with a pastry of almond paste, sugar, and egg white. Amaretti can be dry or soft, and are slightly bitter.

Amaretti are used and produced in all regions of Italy, though their origin is not certain, some say they were invented in the region of Piemonte in the 18th century, others say they were born in Liguria during the 19th century, while it seems they were born in Italy during the Middle Ages.

Anyway, these fragrant biscuits are delicious and characterized by a particular taste. Continue reading →

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Top 5 Romantic Hideaways in Tuscany

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Elena Nacci

Hotel le Terme Bagno Vignoni, SienaLooking for a very romantic hideaway in a unique and special place in Tuscany?

Well, Tuscany is an incredible region, so full of beautiful places, amazing locations, and dreamlike sceneries, that you’ll be really spoilt for choices!

Based on my personal experience, here I recommend very romantic hotels and properties in Tuscany, all very characteristic and beautifully set in extraordinary environments; no better way to pass unforgettable moments with your partner :-)

Great accommodations, lovely bedrooms, intimate atmosphere, great food, stunning views, relaxing and restful ambience, extraordinary sceneries, special amenities, and much more…

1. Hotel Le Terme, Bagno Vignoni, Siena

Hotel Le Terme thermal pool in Bagno VignoniThat’s one of my favorite hotels in Tuscany, where I love to go at least twice a year!
Bagno Vignoni is an extraordinary and absolutely characteristic tiny medieval village to the south of Siena, between Montalcino and Montepulciano.
Right in the heart of the Val d’Orcia region and its flourishing nature, this extremely fascinating place is made even more special thanks to its hot and curative thermal waters, that you can admire in the large and scenic Renaissance pool. Continue reading →

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Delicious Torta Mantovana

Posted on October 28, 2012 by Elena Nacci

Torta Mantovana CakeIt’s a rainy Sunday! Why not preparing a simple yet incredibly tasty Tuscan cake from my grandmother Nonna Nada’s recipe book? :-) The Torta Mantovana!

This wonderful cake is typical from the city of Prato, near Florence; probably its origins date back to the year 1490, when Isabella d’Este gave this recipe as a gift to the Medici court.

She was just 16 years old when she married Francesco di Gonzaga, so becoming Marchesa di Mantova, hence the name of the cake.

It’s a very soft, yellow and fragrant cake, with a very quick preparation.

Ingredients for the Torta Mantovana:

170 gr of flour
170 gr of sugar
150 gr of butter
1 egg and 4 yolks
80 gr of almonds and pine nuts
1 lemon zest

How to make the pastry for the cake:

First of all mix all the eggs with the sugar, you can do it by hand but also using a mixer. Then add the flour little by little and blend well, and finally add the butter previously melted.

Put the pastry in a pan, cut the almonds and the pine nuts to pieces and put them over its surface. The thickness of the cake should be rather thin. Put all in the oven, that needs to be preheated at a moderate temperature, around 150 degrees. Then let it cool and decorate with icing sugar.

The result will be a success :-) this fantastic cake is perfect to be served as a dessert or to have a great breakfast.

And what about you? Have you have tried a similar recipe?

 

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A Guide to Siena’s Top Attractions

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Elena Nacci

View over the Duomo of SienaSiena is so beautiful and particular to make it not like anywhere else. It’s so special a place that anyone coming to Tuscany shouldn’t miss visiting it.

The city has a very characteristic and appealing historical center, enclosed within its medieval walls, through which traffic is not allowed.

While entering the town, it’s impossible to not be affected by its peaceful and thrilling atmosphere; it’s a bit like entering another world, where life still goes slowly.

Siena is small enough for you to reach every corner of it on foot, so enjoy the pleasure to wander across the incredibly charming alleys and hidden corners of this beautiful Gothic town. If you go for Siena, here is a guideline to Siena’s top attractions.

What to Visit in Siena

Piazza del Campo in SienaPiazza del Campo 

Il Campo is the core of Siena, an amazing and spectacular huge curving square with the strange shape of a shell. You’ll not find a similar square anywhere else, it’s unique and particular, one of the most beautiful squares in the world. I suggest you walk all across the square and stop here and there to admire it and all the beautiful historical buildings surrounding the piazza.

Right at the highest point of the piazza is the beautiful Fonte Gaia, the fountain of joy, carved by Jacopo della Quercia in the 15th century and representing the Virgin surrounded by the Virtues.

It’s a place full of atmosphere, even more evocative and enchanting at night. As it was in the past, il Campo is still the focus of public and daily life, from the city’s marketplace to the Palio horse race. Continue reading →

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Chic Accommodations in Cortona

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Elena Nacci

Relais Il Falconiere in CortonaThe beautiful and scenic medieval village of Cortona, set in the province of Arezzo, can be an ideal destination to pass a great holiday in Tuscany. The village itself offers a lot to the traveler; museums, churches, historical monuments and buildings, picturesque alleys and outstanding views.

Its strategic location in eastern Tuscany, right on the border with Umbria, serves as a perfect base to visit some of the most beautiful and fascinating attractions of both regions: from Montalcino, Pienza, and Montepulciano in Val d’Orcia, to wonderful Umbrian hill towns like Assisi, Gubbio, Perugia, and Todi.

The shores of the beautiful Trasimeno Lake are just few kilometres away. With its scenic islands and imposing castles, the lake is a very popular place for watersports, fishing, and cycling.

The surroundings of Cortona are ideal to embark on a number of interesting and captivating activities: wine tours (Brunello and Nobile of Montepulciano), cooking classes, trekking, mountain-biking, horse riding, and so on.

In case you wish to spend some days in Cortona, here you can find my personal tips and suggestions on charming hotels and accommodations in Cortona:

Hotel Il Falconiere CortonaIl Falconiere Relais is an incredibly charming and exclusive luxury relais with view over the countryside near Cortona, surrounded by olive groves, vineyards, and lush meadows. The rooms and suites are very romantic and beautifully furnished with great attention to details; frescoes, antique furniture, canopy beds, precious loom-woven fabrics and textiles. Here you will have everything to make your stay unique: the luxurious spa with indoor and outdoor pool, the first class awarded restaurant, the possibility to have cooking classes, and the Baracchi winery, with a prestigious wine cellar. Continue reading →

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Visiting the Charming Hill-Town of Cortona

Posted on October 11, 2012 by Elena Nacci

Town Hall in CortonaIf you travel south from Arezzo, one of Tuscany’s most charming art towns, you enter the Valdichiana, wonderful and prosperous area of Tuscany, home to the famous Chianina cattle, source of the most delicious bistecca Fiorentina, incredibly tasty and genuine steak.

The landscape is enchanting, dotted with small medieval towns here and there, of which Cortona is probably the most inspiring and particular. Perched on the very top of a hill, Cortona is reached through a scenic road winding amongst terraces of vines and olive groves.

Once up in town an authentic spectacular and incredibly vast panorama opens to embrace all the Valdichiana, with the wonderful Trasimeno Lake in the background; the view is really immense, it seems to never end, stretching throughout the hills down to the plains.

The view is even more amazing and intriguing at night, with all the lights sparkling like stars in the sky. Continue reading →

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Montalcino, home to the Brunello Wine

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Elena Nacci

The fortress in MontalcinoMagically set in the beautiful landscape known as the Val d’Orcia, southwest of Siena; Montalcino is another spectacular and perfect Tuscan hill-town, where time seems to have stopped leaving everything as it was hundreds of years ago.

For all wine lovers Montalcino is an authentic paradise, producing some of the finest wines in Italy, notably the Brunello, rich and bold red wine characterized by two years of oak ageing and a further three years in the bottle before it is perfect and you can drink it, for a unique and captivating tasting experience. The production of high quality honey and extra virgin olive oil is also extraordinary.

But Montalcino is not just wine! The landscape all surrounding this majestic medieval town is extremely varied and fascinating, with secular olive groves, spectacular vines, secular oaks and woods, only interrupted by scenic fields of grain and wonderful sunflowers. Walking is a real delight throughout the year, leading you among some of the most enchanting natural scenery, with wildflowers and wildlife all around. Continue reading →

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Chic Accommodations in Lucca

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Elena Nacci

Chic Hotels in LuccaHistory, culture, great sights and delicious food, plus lots of activities to do! Lucca has so much to offer to make it a great holiday destination in Tuscany, with the advantage of being less chaotic and touristic than many other art towns.

Being very near Pisa and the Leaning Tower, the sandy beaches of the Tuscan coast, and the beautiful hills and valleys of the Garfagnana area, Lucca is a fantastic base for exploring this beautiful corner of northwest Tuscany.

When you pass through the town’s gateways, within its extraordinary and perfectly preserved majestic walls, you have the sensation of entering another world; so why not choosing a chic accommodation right in the old town center?

Here are my suggestions for special hotels and lodgings within Lucca’s city walls:

The elegant Palazzo Rocchi in LuccaPalazzo Rocchi is a luxury residence of great charm located at the last floor of an ancient palace facing the Church of San Michele. Terracotta floors, beautiful frescoes, stylish and elegant furnishings, and antiques, make it an exclusive special place to stay in Lucca’s center.
You can choose to stay in one of the four wonderful luxury apartments or in one of the beautiful and refined suites and bedrooms, characterized by great quality furnishings, frescoes, and lovely views. Continue reading →

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Siena’s Duomo and its hidden treasures

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Elena Nacci

The Duomo in SienaSeptember is approaching and we hope the hot temperatures of this long and ever sunny summer will finally decrease.

The famous Palio in Siena, amazing and spectacular horse race taking place right in Piazza del Campo, has just passed off this August 16th 2012, with the victory of the Montone contrada.

Now the city is less chaotic and the forthcoming months are then ideal for a visit to this beautiful and enchanting art town in the heart of Tuscany.

From the 18th of August to the 24th of October the beautiful mosaic pavement of the Duomo or Cathedral of Siena will be exceptionally open to the public; it is so wonderful that Giorgio Vasari defined it as “il più bello.., grande e magnifico.. che mai fusse stato fatto”. That’s a great occasion and a further reason to head on to Siena and admire its hidden treasures, discovering what makes this enchanting place a great holiday destination!

The majestic 12th century Duomo of Siena is a must see, a great Gothic masterpiece, with its striking black and white marble exterior and rich decorative interior.

The intricate mosaics covering the floor, incredibly created over three centuries starting from 1349, form geometric patterns and represent different and mixed subjects, from biblical scenes to allegories. Continue reading →

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Passing a Week in Tuscany

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Elena Nacci

Charming Landscape of TuscanyIf you are fortunate enough to spend a whole week in the wonderful region of Tuscany, then you are probably wondering what are the top destinations and attractions to visit!
Which are the best and most scenic art towns and surprising places not to be missed for an unforgettable stay in Tuscany?

Well, you may find the following suggestions for a 7 days itinerary in Tuscany very useful; at least you may get some idea on what you should absolutely visit :-)

Seven full days are quite enough to get the most out of Tuscany! I highly recommend moving by car, as it is the best way to fully discover and appreciate all the beauty of Tuscany, especially when you are leaving larger cities like Florence to explore the beautiful Tuscan countryside.
Driving through the scenic winding roads of Tuscany, while admiring its wonderful landscapes and undulating hills, is a real delight! You’ll have a lot of fun driving around and exploring the country.

Apart from all the beautiful sights you’ll visit in Florence, that always tends to be crowded, Tuscany is the perfect place to enjoy relaxing moments. When I go for a weekend, I always choose very quiet places, full of silence, that’s my idea of a great stay, at least after a day sightseeing!

So, I would spilt the week this way:
Florence & Chianti 3 nights – Lucca & Pisa 1 day trip from Florence – Siena 1 night – San Gimignano & Volterra 1 day trip from Siena – Val d’Orcia 2 nights Continue reading →

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