With Christmas just around the corner. Our specialty stores around Florence are packed with delicious artisanal Panettone. Italy’s classic Christmas cake. That we typically eat anytime of the year. Although you can really only find the best Panettone from the last week of November until December 23. This is when the true artisans of Panettone are baking from the 4am in the morning. After leavening over night the Panettone are ready to go in the Oven It is around this time that Baker Maurizio begins baking. After he has made his classic dough. With Flour, Yeast, Sugar and Butter Mixing the rais ..read more

Virtual Cooking class & Wine Pairing, We bring Florence to you! Claudio Bisanzio a local Cook and I have decided to create a Virtual experience together. A great and sustainable gift idea! Every meal should start with a Prosecco – DOCG from Valdobbiadine Live online Cooking Classes in the comfort of you Home!  Enjoy an interactive online Cooking class. You will learn classic Italian dishes with Claudio. Classes are avalable from 09.00am – 8.30pm CET – Italian Time.  We’ll take you step by step through each recipe while showing you ..read more

Last week I had the pleasure of visiting two Luxury brands in Florence. I arrived at the Worshop and showroom Stefano Bemer. The brand makes Be-Spoke men’s shoes and tailored suits. The store is in a sconsecrated Church on Via San Niccolo. One of Florence’s most beautiful districts on the Oltra arno. Workshop and Show Room Stefano Bemer A walk down this historical charming road. That’s shadowed by its medieval tower. ‘La Torre di San Niccolo’ The only door that shows us the actual height of the original walls of the city. The Tower of San Niccolo I met Filippo who showed me around the three f ..read more

One of my favorite moments in Italy is the Aperitivo Hour. Out of Italy you know it as the ‘Happy Hour’. The tittle ‘Happy Hour’ sums up its definition. Enjoying Prosecco at Procacci You can enjoy an Aperitivo before lunch or dinner. Before lunch, you can find locals in main squares and bars enjoying an Italian Soda. The typical choices include a Red or White Bitter, Crodino & Cedrata Campari Bitter at the original Campari Bar in Milano Camparino In Florence an evening Aperitivo is a glass of red wine, prosecco or cocktail. Amoung the classic cocktail choices you can enjoy a Negroni. Aperi ..read more

After two months in lock down it has been so nice to be able to move beyond 200m from our homes! Florence is as beautiful as ever although it certainly is missing its buzz. With most stores closed along with Galleries and Churches the City is looking quite desolate. Although with such beauty and architectural masterpieces we can still enjoy a lovely walk. Masks are obligatory and social distancing is still a part of life. What I really miss is the interaction.  My morning cappucino at a local bar. . Meeting up with friends, watching kids play in the main squares. I miss me ..read more

  Panzanella is a classic Tuscan dish. It has been one of my favorite recipes during quarantine. Simply because it is so easy to make, it tastes delicious and you can use your two – three day old bread. Three Day Old Bread – Durum Wheat Salted – Best to use a hard crusted bread The most important ingredient is the tomato that MUST be pulpy and sweet.  The best place to by great tomato’s in Florence is at the Jewelry store. I used Datterino & Pachino Tomato both originally from Sicily I don’t mean the classic jewelry store I mean those fruit and veg vendors in the histor ..read more

JUST MINUTES AWAY FROM THE ICONIC SITES OF FLORENCE IS THE PERFECT COTTAGE. NESTLED AWAY ON THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF THE ARNO RIVER WITH BREATHTAKING VIEWS OF THE TUSCAN LANDSCAPE THE CATHEDRAL IN FLORENCE ENJOY THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS FLORENCE AND THE TUSCAN COUNTRY SIDE The cottage includes a large living space with full equipped kitchen, Indoor and outdoor dining tables with eight chairs, large indoor and outdoor couches. All amenities are state of the art and designed to perfection by a Florence Architect and Roman Interior Designer. With air conditioning, floor heating, a laundry room with w ..read more