While our Tuscany UnTour is in Brunello wine territory, the Chianti Valley is within easy day trip distance and offers another flavor of farm traditions, scenery, village life, and viniculture. If you love natural beauty, robust red wines, and hearty food, look no further than the Chianti Valley. The Chianti villages hold a special…
This guest post by Carol Yee is adapted from her book book Welcome Back to Abuja Once Again: How I Became a Citizen of the World. When one thinks of Tuscany, one may think of Florence, the leaning tower of Pisa, and the Palio in Siena, but also of pasta, wine, and gelato. And this is…
Tracy, who has been welcoming travelers to Tuscany for years, has a gift for sharing the region’s culinary traditions with warmth and authenticity. Eggplant (Melanzane) Parmigiana is not just a dish; it invites us to appreciate simple ingredients and their stories. Tracy shares her beloved recipe for this Tuscan classic—perfect for recreating a…
You might have heard of the Stendhal Syndrome, or the Florence Syndrome. You may have even experienced a mild case of it yourself. It is the feeling of being overwhelmed by too much art: too many beautiful paintings, sculptures, frescoes, mosaics, architectural wonders. It is a particular physical and mental response to art that was…
When we say Renaissance, what is the first city that comes to mind? For us, and for most, it is Florence. A cradle of architecture and artistic growth under the patronage of the Medici, Florence was seminal in the development of western art and culture. On our upcoming Virtual Weekend in Tuscany, we will explore…
Missing Italy? Here’s a little glimpse of one of our favorite towns in Tuscany. A short taxi or bus ride from the city center of Florence, Fiesole doesn’t feel quite as ambitious as a day trip. Yet its history is distinct and important. No trip to Florence is complete without a side trip up into…
Anyone who has been following our exciting Virtual Events on Zoom knows that our Tuscany UnTour staff person Tracy has become a regular. As she teaches the Italian classics in fun lessons broadcast live on Zoom from her kitchen, she has developed a loyal following. You can check out her upcoming classes here. In the…
If Italy is the king of wine in Europe, then Tuscany is the jewel in its crown. Tracy Hyde is our on-site staff person for the Tuscany UnTour. She is also our cooking teacher for UnTours at Home Virtual Events, with a loyal following of Zoom students. But better still, she is a wine expert and…
Semifreddo is Italian for half-cold, and it is a favorite traditional dessert for warm weather. This is one of the dishes Tracy has taught in her online cooking classes, live from her kitchen in Tuscany. This recipe uses crunchy Torrone (Italian almond nougat), but you can put almost anything in this ice cream. Try chocolate…
