HAPPY NEW YEAR!

January Issue of This Tuscan Life is now available for download. [ebook_store ebook_id=”5045″]

January is the month of fashion in Florence with the historical Pitti Immagine trade shows.  An incredible time to be in the city and observe all of the best fashionistas, bloggers and influencers strutting their latest looks.  We cover the history of the show whose origins date back to the early 1950’s when the first fashion shows were  staged in the Sala Bianca in Palazzo Pitti.

Florence is regarded by some as the birthplace and earliest centre of the modern fashion industry in Italy and it is also home to many famous fashion designers.  Why not visit the Gucci Museo where you can admire the incredible archive of iconic products that the company have produced over the years.

In the second edition of our feature on local Artisans, you can read about Florentine cobbler,  Stefano Bemer and visit his studio where you can see shoes being hand-made.

To keep you warm and nourished, be sure to try my favourite Winter soup, Ribollita, a peasant dish using vegetables, beans & old bread.  The Tuscans have known the benefits of ‘superfood’  Cavolo Nero for centuries and it is a staple  in many dishes at this time of year.  Also included is the recipe for Pappa al Pomodoro and you will also find a beautiful recipe for roast pumpkin Tortellini with cavolo nero pesto spinkled with sausage, courtesy of the Florence Food Studio where I had the pleasure of taking a cooking class recently.

If you are looking for your ‘home away from home’ while staying in Florence, then take a look at our feature on Palazzo Belfiore which will have you feeling like a local the second you step foot in the door!

Enjoy JANUARY!

Lisa