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Showing posts from January, 2016

Carnevale and the gem: Locanda Amordivino

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Where to start...i guess the start should be what is a carnevale...its music...a festive time...people dressing up in costumes....from clowns, to princesses, to Peter Pan, Snowhite....you name it...it is there...let your fantasy go wild...hahaha....so yes, in Italy there is also carnevale time...and the time depends on Easter...so because Easter is early this year, it means that the carnevale season is early....all villages are decorated in little carnevale figures...let me share a pic.... Carnevale season Let me give another small description....Carnevale also know as carnival or madri gras, is celebrated in Italy and many places around the world 40 days before Easter, a final party before Ash Wednesday and the restrictions of Lent. Carnevale in Italy is a huge winter festival celebrated with parades, masquerade balls, entertainment, music and parties. Children throw confetti at each other....let me share a pic of what confetti is.... Confetti...basically looks like punched paper pi

Il Madonnino dei Monti

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As promised...our local spot....how did we discover it...well, very easy, it is at the end of our dirt road (the other side of the Montisi). It is about 2.5km from the house....very convenient and one night we decided to give it a shot....and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. it is nothing fancy (the decor could definitely improve a little, cause it is a little cold).....the owner (i assume) is very friendly and by now greets Sofia with the biggest welcome when she comes...in fact I must say, Italians are extremely child-friendly. Now let me share a few pics.... Outside Sign...in case you would like the number (open everyday except for Wednesday evening) Front Cover Front side of the menu (more Pizza and Dessert on the back side) The first night we were there we indulged in various Pizzas, including the Bufala (Margherita but with Bufala mozzarella), Wurstel (Vienna sausages) , Proscuitto e Funghi (ham and mushrooms) and Fresco (cherry tomatoes, rocket and parma ha

Montisi

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So....time has arrived to write a little bit about our little village where we decided to settle for the next 16 months....hmmm....where after that...well....that we are not sure yet....let's take one step at a time...hahaha. So the house we have found is in a place called Montisi....small village between Montepulciano and Pienze (well between but north of them both)...I think maybe I should share a map to make things a little bit more clear... Montisi Location The house is a beautiful Tuscan "brick" house...exactly what you would expect of the Tuscany, but inside it is newly renovated, which I must say is fab (mosquito nets, underfloor heating etc). We have a large garden and pool and rooms with on-suite bathrooms...a thing that for us, coming from South Africa, was a given but here in Europe it is not so common....but again...to give you an insight into what I am talking about....here is some pics of the house.... Front of the house Again...front

New Year

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New Year....in the beautiful Tuscany...specifically we decided to celebrate in Montefollonico in a place called La Botte Piena....but before i talk about that...let me show you how ready Sofia and I were for our New Year's Eve out.... Sofia and me She was ready to go...Such a happy camper....arrival....the venue...restaurant....what a beautiful setting...wow...we walked in and it took my breath away....I guess i need to share a pic so that we are all on the same page....but just to set the scene a bit...casual yet cosey....full of wine bottles, wamr feeling, intimite and the decoration with all the wine bottles....BEAUTIFUL As you enter restaurant Downstairs The owner told us that he has 1200 differnt wines and 6000 bottles all together...quite impressive...and i just loved the whole atmosphere....i was truly hoping that the food would be as great as the atmosphere...and i can already tell you...it definitely did not dissappoint...it was a fantastic dinner and evening....but i gu