Showing posts with label pizza. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pizza. Show all posts

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Tuscan Retreat, Winery Tour, Yoga, and more!

Here is a picture of the bountiful breakfast prepared daily by the hotel chef.

Tuscan travelogue

Although some would prefer to stay closer to Florence a great way to see the area by train is to stay in a smaller town. Biking, golf, skiing, spa wellness and horseback riding are popular activities in Pistoia. Little did we know what would await us at breakfast. The highlight was the chef prepared tart made with a delicious fruit jam, decorated with a lattice criss-cross design, cooked in the stone oven, and sprinkled with powdered sugar.  The staff was very accommodating and will prepare individual lunches to go upon request. If on a tour with a full day then an early evening antipasto plate with wine for guests is also available since Italian dinner time starts at 8pm. A pool is being built on the hotel grounds which upgrades the allure of spending a week there this May! Yoga, a winery tour, relaxation, spa treatments, Florence, local cuisine, and more fresh tarts await. And we do mean fresh as in tasty homemade goodness!

Our upcoming Tuscan tour will have daily yoga and a regional winery tour to enhance the week of Italian lifestyle immersion. Yoga mats will be provided, wine pairings with group dinners, optional activities include spa treatments, golf, biking, cooking classes, photography, and painting.

*Dates and prices are subject to fluctuation

Il dolce far niente

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Italy in Summer and flowers!

Italy in Summer (click for more photos)

Mopheads (Hydrangea macrophylla)


Hydrangeas are the Italian flowers that besides the sunflower have been widely photographed for travel memories, wedding planning, festivals, botany, and more. Used often in bouquets they are as versatile as roses and other locally grown Italian flowers. You'll find them next to a garden trellis, down a meandering path, in flower boxes and centerpieces. Hotels, restaurants, estates and spas have them in gardens growing heartily. If you love hydrangeas there is even an Italian Hydrangea festival in late June every year that takes place in Bolsena, Italy. Another city on the bucket list!