Vatican - Cash Only

Beginning the first day of 2013, the Vatican will be cash only. This will come to a surpass for the millions of tourists that line up at the gates with card in hand to see the treasures of old, however cash it will be.

Reported through numerous news organizations, this cash only policy is the result of the Vatican being unable to detect and discourage money laundering through its state run banks. Until this year the Vatican has authorized Deutsche Bank Italia to handle its card transactions, however the Italian central bank, through the Bank of Italy has stated that the Vatican does not respect international anti money laundering norms and an Italian-registered bank can therefore not operate on its territory.

The Perfect Tuscan Christmas Meal

For the perfect Christmas Day dinner why look ant further than those recommended from four of the leading wine producing families of Tuscany: Folonari, Antinori, Marchesi die Frescobaldi and the Mazzei family. In 2011 Wine Enthusiast magazine delivered the perfect Tuscan Christmas Day meal from anti pasti to dolci (one from each of the families) to share with its readers. The result is a four course meal for nobility, and good wine.

Here is a brief on the dinners to whet your appetite, or aprire il stomaco (go to the article for the full recipes)

Folonari Family 

The Folonari are among Tuscany’s most prestigious Tuscan wine families. The fancily history in wine began in the late 1700s and continues today with Ambrogio and Giovanni Folonari.  They're wines in Tuscany range from Super Tuscans, to Brunello, Bolgheri, Vino Nobile, Chianti Classico and some whites of northern regions.

Folonari Antipasti
The Folonari favorite for Christmas is pumpkin soup. Vellutata di Zucca Gialla. A hearty meal in itself that combines yellow pumpkin, potato, onion, croutons and even cookies.

Mazzei Family

Located in the heart of Chianti Classico, off the famous strada di vino 222 and 5 km from Castellina in Chianti is the Fonterutoli Estate. A hamlet that has been home to the Mazzei family and the vineyard Castello di Fonterutoli since the 1400's. Producing a classic Sangiovese wine is a long tradition matched by their excellence of olive oil.

Mazzei Primi Piatti
Timballo di Spaghetti alla Chitarra. Guitar string pasta with a rich cheese sauce.

Marchesi dei Fescobaldi

The Frescobaldi family is one of the most important producers of premium wines in Italy. With five estates, dei Fescobaldi is also the largest producer in Tuscany. Originally from Florence, the family still manage and own the many vineyards and estates since the 1300's. That's 30 generations of wine making.

Frescobaldi Secondo
Brasato Natalizio al Nipozzano. A traditional Christmas braised short rib using wine, and in this recipe, Frescobaldi's Nipozzano.

Antiniori

The Antinori name and brand is respected globally. Their wines filling the top shelf of stores around the world are centered in not only Tuscany, and the North and South of Italy but have stretched into the New World vineyards of Napa, Chile, Washington State, Hungary, Malta and Romania.

Dolci Antiniori
They have a traditional desert called a Monte Bianco. Chestnut and chocolate mounded desert topped with whipped cream to resemble Mount Blanc.

Avocado & Sashimi Tuna

Here's a wonderful recipe adapted from a Bon Appetite article for those hot summer days. It's light and fresh with both savory and citrus tastes and seasoning. Pair this with a Pinto Gris for a a full body, perfectly acidic white from France's Alsace region. A French terrior of long history that often shares the table with the more popular but less complex Italian Pinot Grigio.

This is a light meal, but will work nicely with an additional vegetable dish. For a good summer idea and an easy make try a ratatouille. It's a surprisingly good pairing. Serves 3.

Dressing

Zest of 1 lime

2 tablespoons of water

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 tablespoon sugar

2 tablespoons plus 2 tsp. soy sauce

2 tablespoons Champagne vinegar or white wine vinegar

2 tablespoons grated peeled ginger

3/4 pound of Sushi Tuna

olive oil, divided

Sea salt to taste (small pinch)

2 avocados, halved, pitted

3 radishes, thinly sliced

Chili oil (No chili oil? Try using siracha and olive oil)

Preparation

Dressing

Combine lime zest, lime juice, sugar, and water in a small saucepan, bring to a boil and let it cool covered. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl and add soy, ginger and vinegar. Cover and chill...for several days if you want.

Tuna

Mince or small cube the tuna and toss with a drizzle of fresh extra virgin olive oil and salt to taste. Cover and chill.

Thin slice the radishes.

Put it together as follows:

Mash or completely smash the avocado and evenly spread over three small plates as the base of the dish. Add the cubed tuna on top, drizzle the tuna with the sauce (don't drown the dish with the sauce like the photo shows - drizzle it). Finish the dish by adding 3-5 slices of radishes on top of each mound of advocado and tuna. Lightly drizzle the radish slices with chili oil. If not using chili oil, the alternate would be to add a little siracha to olive oil and drizzle that.

Historic Italy, Population 14

Civita And Walkwat

Civita di Bagnoregio, Viterbo is located in northern Lazio, just south of the Tuscany border. This "hill town" came to our attention as one of our guests were seeking a scenic place to visit on their way to Tuscany. We say "hill town" because this place is way up there perched on top of a very high hill. An amazing feat of medieval engineering. Civita di Bagnoregio is actually two remote towns. Civita is on a hill accessible only by a long stone walkway that begins at the end of the road from neighboring Bagnoregio. The photos show the long walking bridge. A modern idea of marrying contemporary design to the towns antiquity was "imagined" not construction not begun.

The "Imagined" New Walkway

Civita is perched atop a volcanic hill just south of Orvieto and to the east of Lago Bolsena. It is about 1 1/2 hour north of Rome. It' a dramatic setting and tenuous too. Civita clings to the edge of a crumbling cliff of tufa rock that has slowly etched by wind, sun, rain and seismic activity that is not new to this town or region. Indeed, Civita is yet another example of endangered Italian cultural heritage threatened by earthquakes as we have seen in the north. Just a little shaking here, which has not happened in some time, and old stone facades are weakened and the cliffs of Civita di Bagnoregio squeeze in ever more.

A Dreamy Place At The Right Time

Civita di Bagnoregio was founded by Etruscans about 2.500 years ago in a time when geologically it was not so difficult a location. During the Etruscan period, in fact, it was an important city for its position along an ancient road connected to a dense network of trade routes and traces of Etrusca are found in the town's necropolis beneath the belvedere of San Francesco Vecchio and cave of Saint Bonaventure which was transformed into a chapel during the Middle Ages. Saint Bonaventure is one of the most important figures of Civita, who was miraculously cured from a serious illness by St. Francis of Assisi, it is said.

Circa Mid 1800's

During the Dark Ages the town passed through hands from the Lombards to the Franks and finally passed under the Papal State, as everything did in this region with the fall of Rome. From 740 to 1695 Civita di Bagnoregio grew with imitations and peacefully prospered through domination by Orvieto.  But in 1695 Civita's descent began through a serious earthquake that compelled many residents to leave the city. The continuous seismic activity through the centuries since brought a long series of landslides and departures. Compared to its halcyon days, Civita di Bagnoregio retains a very small number of people - it is said there are only 14 year round - who are determined to keep this corner of history little alive.

A Day For Donkeys

La Tonna, The Slow Palio

Twice a year, during the first Monday of June and the second Monday of September on the main square of Civita a donkey race with jockeys takes place. This race begins in the afternoon, after a brief procession in the town. In ancient times, the donkey was considered an intelligent animal compared to its role today as a "jackass". At La Tonna the donkey regains its protagonist role.

Living Nativity

During the Christmas holidays through the 6th January more than 50 characters in costume perform the birth of Jesus Christ. The performance begins at 17:00 hour and ends at 19:00 on the 26th December, 1st January and 6th January.

A Local Meal

You may wish to have a little something to eat at Antico Forno. 

Hunting The Illusive White Truffle

Who's Ready To Truffle Hunt?

That seasonal walk in the woods to hunt for the "diamond in the kitchen" returns in October and November 2012. Hunting truffles, harvesting olives and picking porcini are some of the most enjoyable Italian rituals of the Fall. Brisk, clean air, Fall colors and a bounty of produce are some great memories.
ItalianVillaRentals.com offers its Umbrian Truffle Hunt. A three day - all inclusive* - food and culture focused immersion is perfect for not only foodies, but for those that simply want to enjoy while staying on an historic country estate 90 minutes from Rome. Perfect for retired individuals or groups; perfect for couples or individuals planning for a long weekend get away.

Three Full Days Of Food, Culture and Wine

First Day

You can tell he's a truffle hunter by his camouflage outfit.
Truffles don't have a chance. They never see him coming!

We join a professional truffle hunter (cavatore) on his morning hunt with his faithful dogs in the beautiful forests of Umbria. This will be followed by a Umbrian lunch at a farm, tasting the precious "diamonds" just harvested with a meal served with an Umbrian wine. In the afternoon, a visit to the Urbani Truffle Academy, perhaps Italy's most important processor and promoter of truffles. There will a guided tour and a presentation about their products ending with a tasting. In the evening, an unforgettable truffle based menu at Torre Orlando.

Day Two

Ahhh.the elusive white truffle.
A diamond in the rough.

A visit the Citta' di Castello region, where the famous white truffles are found. We'll visit a local manufacturer and its museum, Bianconi, and learn more about this amazing ingredient, described as "the most expensive food in the world". At the Bianconi Truffle Museum roll up your sleeves for a cooking class of truffle-based recipes, followed by lunch. In the afternoon, guests will learn about Umbrian wine production in the towns of Bevagna and Montefalco, visiting typical wineries and enjoying a wine tasting of 4 of the best red grapes of the region: Merlot, Rosso di Montefalco, the coveted Sagrantino and Sagrantino Passito. During the grape harvesting season (September-October), it will be possible to observe the various phases of the wine production. In the evening, dinner at the winery with local recipes, wild boar cold cuts, homemade pasta and venison stew accompanied with serious red wines.

Third Day

Oilve picking in November.

We will explore the Spoleto area, visiting this spectacular Medieval town, and have lunch at Apollinaire, a restaurant specializing in truffle recipes. This is a really cool place with its 12th century walls, wooden beams and atmosphere. The afternoon will be dedicated to another highlight of Umbrian gastronomic tradition, olive oil. Umbria is said to have some of the best olive oil in Italy...but then every region says that. With a visit the St. Emilian olive-tree (1,700 years-old) near Trevi, followed by an olive oil tasting at Decimi, probably the best producer of the region. During the olive harvesting period, in October and November, it will be also possible to visit an orchard and a mill and observe the various phases of olive oil production. On the last evening, dinner at La Torre Orlando with Medieval recipes.

Price start from Euro 980 per person, all inclusive with meals, wine, rental, and transfers including with pickup and drop off at Rome's Fiumicino. *Air not included. Drop us a line for a final price and which house you wish to stay.

Northern Italy Rocks

Sant'Agostino Town Hall Before

Sant'Agostino Town Hall After

We are collectively sorry to hear of this distressing news coming from Italy over the weekend. The earthquake many of us have now heard about was centered 6 kilometers outside of Bologna. Shaking the region for 20 minutes it caused deaths, injuries and homelessness. But it is the visual devastation to historic buildings and monuments in the cherished Centro Storico many of us have visited, enjoyed and remember that hurts the most. Some of the most wrenching destruction is coming out of Bologna and Finale Emilia, to the Rocca della Finale Emilia.

With the ongoing Euro struggles with Greece and concern for Italy's financial health, reconstruction is possibly far off Italy's future.

Sad destruction to history. Our hearts go to all the Italian people for such a loss of life and monument.

Here is a link on Repubblica that shows the places impacted by the earthquake.

La Rocca Finale Emilia

Frank Lloyd Wright In The Heart Of Tuscany..And A Dash Of Richard Neutra Near Colle Val d'Elsa Tuscany

 Villa Riserva, Italian Villa Tuscany is a unique architectural experience designed in the tradition of Frank Lloyd Wright and Richard Neutra. Perfectly located between Florence and Siena, as well as a convenient distance from numerous other Tuscan must-see places including San Gimignano (visible in the distance from the north side of the villa), Volterra, Pienza, Montepulciano, Montalcino, Lucca, Pisa and the western seacoast. Villa Riserva is perfectly located for touring Tuscany.

Owner's VineyardsD

This impressive and affordably priced villa is perched on a hill surrounded by the owners' vineyards, woods and fields: an estate the family has owned for over 170 years. It provides all the privacy, peace and quite one could wish for while being close to small towns and hamlets for food shopping, banking, cultural, historical, sporting, medical and other needs.

Here at Villa Riserva antiquity and modernity blend together seamlessly in that unique Italian style to deliver a lifetime of memories for those who choose to stay in this unique location.
The villa is furnished with a very impressive combination of Tuscan antiques and Italian modern furniture and lighting. Great combination. Sleeps 11 in 6 bedrooms with 5 bathrooms.