A Trip to Tuscany

Jul-20-2012

The view from our bedroom window in Tuscany

If you saw my previous post, you’ll know I’m off to Italy this week. First stop, the seaside in Le Marche, then up to the Tuscan hills where, when I wake each morning, I’ll be confronted with this view.

I can’t take credit for the photo above – my Dad took it early one morning last year, mist still drifting through mountains bathed in a hazy, lazy light – but I hope to capture many more, (alongside a ton of food photos), to share with you when I’m back.

A rainbow breaks over the mountains

I don’t have a recipe for you today. Instead I’m sharing a list with some links: things I’m planning to see, cook, eat, enjoy, experience. Italy is where I spent every summer as a littler loaf, and heading back each year is like slipping on a favourite pair of slippers or catching up with an old friend – it’s somewhere I know, love and anticipate visiting with complete and utter joy. Sometimes excitement comes from the unknown, and sometimes from the familiar, delivered by the secure knowledge that what you’re going to get will be very, very good.

Nothing to see but gorgeous green hills

Some things I’ll be enjoying over the next 10 days:

Eating at this incredible restaurant
Sampling as many different ice cream flavours as I can
Sitting in the square of our local town (made famous by Frances Mayes)
Lamenting the fact that we’ll be missing this incredible festival, but making up for it by grilling incredible Bistecca alla Fiorentina on the BBQ
Deep-frying delicate courgette flowers, fresh from our neighbour’s garden
Adapting this recipe to make the most fruit hanging heavy and ripe from the trees in our garden
Steeping some of said fruit with teabags to make the best iced tea
Drinking spritz before dinner and sgroppino after
Making tiramisu based on this recipe, laced with local vin santo
Eating these ‘ugly but good’ biscuits with these chocolate truffle pots
Picking fresh basil from the giant plant that grows on the terrace & making it into pesto
Experimenting with variations on the no-churn ice cream recipes from this beautiful blog
Playing around with my camera in real, natural sunlight (no after work rush or pouring rain!)

I’ll be back at the end of July and am hoping to have lots and lots of recipes and stories to share with you.

25 RESPONSES TO A Trip to Tuscany

Having just come back from our house in France, I can definitely relate to this. Have a wonderful time, it looks like such an inspiring place and I can’t wait to hear your stories when you come back.

Gorgeous pics!

Italy! There is really no where else like it. Drink good wine, eat good food, enjoy the rolling hills and meandering walks and we’ll be here when you get back. Looking forward to trying your tiramisu cake while you are gone. Perhaps it will transport me to Italy, even if just for a little bit. Happy travels.

Oh, lucky, lucky you! Sounds like you’re going to have a wonderful time. Enjoy it (something tells me I don’t need to remind you of that ;). Do deep-fried zucchini (courgette) blossoms taste very good?? Somehow I have it in my head that they’d be bitter. Well, have fun!

enjoy your time! and thanks so much for the link love. 🙂

I am very much looking forward to hearing all about your travels to Le Marche,and seeing some breathtaking pictures,I am sure that you will have a glorious time,and indulge in the most divine culinary treats.

I think I speak for most of us when I say – don’t worry about making too many posts! Instead, find us some delicious Italian gems to share with us all. 🙂

Gorgeous photos! Have a wonderful trip!

What a gorgeous capture by your Dad. It looks so beautiful. I’m sure you are having a wonderful time. I can’t wait to read more about your trip when you get back.

By the way, thanks for the link love 😀

Lucky you! I went to Europe a year ago and now I’m already wishing I’m back there, right now! Have a safe trip and I’m sure you’re enjoying yourself right now!

Sounds amazing! I’ve always fancied going to Italy,but never seem to get there. Looking forward to the recipes on your return.

Deep fried courgette flowers sound… interesting – what do they taste of? (Courgette?)

It looks absolutely wonderful. I’m sure you’ll have a great time – all that lovely food!

Oh so beautiful!! Lucky you!! Have a totally brilliant trip Kate x

AMAZING photos and sighhh really want to travel 🙂

That view made me jealous and I live in Italy!!! Hope you have a wonderful time, that is a gorgeous area, we spend a lot of time there.

thelittleloaf - July 30, 2012

Kathryn – thank you. Now I’m back from holiday I know exactly how you feel 🙂

Laura – thanks!

Talley – ooh yes, love that tiramisu cake, yum!

Amy – they are absolutely delicious, you have to try them!

Sarah – thank you 🙂

Tracey – ah, thank you.

Baking Beardy – I’ve got some good ones coming up, promise!

Savory Simple – thank you 🙂

Jennifer – he’s such a good photographer, am hoping some of his skill will come down through the genes 🙂

Jasline – thank you!

Buttered Crumpet – they do taste ever so slightly of courgette, with a very fresh aftertaste (which can be slightly overpowered when deep fried, even though they are delicious like that!)

Choclette – thank you.

Jaime – thank you!

Daisy – I just got back, and I want to travel again NOW! 🙂

Nuts About Food – whereabouts to you visit? Isn’t it gorgeous?

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