On a clear day in late February, just before Italy went into lockdown, I set off from Florence to Podere il Casale, an organic, family-run farm located in the breathtakingly beautiful area of the Val D’Orcia.  The property, located about ten minutes from the Renaissance town of Pienza has been owned by Swiss-born, Ulisse Braendli […]

Today, the first snowflakes fell across Florence.  Unfortunately not enough to stick as the flurry quickly became more of a slushy sleet but the surrounding Tuscan countryside has a lovely white blanket covering it this evening.  I was tempted to take a drive into the Chianti hills this morning to take some photos but I […]

A Traditional Autumn Tuscan Treat With rain forecast for this weekend and as Monday 1st November is a public holiday here in Italy, why not spend some time in the kitchen making a traditional Tuscan slice known as Castagnaccio. It is very easy to make, a simple slice made with chestnut flour, pine-nuts, sultanas and rosemary […]

The coastal town of Viareggio on the Versilia coast has a certain charm that has always made me feel like I am stepping back into a glamourous past.  The boardwalk of art deco luxury hotels and designer boutiques set the foreground for the long stretch of beach that in Summer is lined with umbrellas from […]

‘Little Athens’ on the Tuscan Coast   The town of Pietrasanta on the Versilia coast is a personal favourite of mine and it’s all thanks to my sister Toni, who first moved there in 1998, making it her home for the next 15 years.  I would travel there as often as possible to enjoy the […]

Our cover brings a bit of resort to the city with the stunning exhibition by Florentine visionary, Emilio Pucci.  We take a look at the incredible man whose designs have an elegant and timeless appeal to women of all ages.  I couldn’t think of wearing anything else but Pucci while sailing on my Benetti superyacht […]

One of the things I love about writing the magazine, This Tuscan Life is learning the stories of the many, very talented artisans that can be found in this enchanting region that we know as Tuscany.  In our latest issue, I write about Richard Ginori, maker of the most beautiful porcelain and whose business was […]

While some of us are still thawing out after the ‘big-freeze’ of this past week, it’s refreshing to know that the warmer months are approaching quickly! Wish this rain would now stop!  I, for one, am more than ready to put my heavy Winter clothes away, throw on a Summer dress and enjoy aperitivos all’aperto! I am […]

My new year resolution was to keep this blog regularly updated as after last Summer I found myself a bit overloaded with juggling work and the neverending Italian school holidays that are just way too long in my opinion!  As a working mother, trying to organise your kids for 2.5 months can get very challenging […]