Pienza

Beautiful Pienza....let me do an introduction....

Pienza, a town and comune in the province of Siena, in the Val d'Orcia in Tuscany, between the towns of Montepulciano and Montalcino, is the "touchstone of Renaissance urbanism."

In 1996, UNESCO declared the town a World Heritage Site, and in 2004 the entire valley, the Val d'Orcia, was included on the list of UNESCO's World Cultural Landscapes.

We go there quite often because it is only about 15min from where we live...its where the typical Pecorino cheese is from and the little shops where they sell them are just so quaint and really beautiful.....you get Pecorino in all different varieties, from soft, to semi-hard to extremly hard (could even be mistaken for Parmigiano). Let's formalize this a little bit.....All come in a variety of styles depending on how long they have been aged. The more matured cheeses, referred to as stagionato ("seasoned" or "aged" ), are harder but still crumbly in texture and have decidedly buttery and nutty flavours. The other two types semi-stagionato and fresco have a softer texture and milder cream and milk tastes. Let me share some pics from the shops....

Different Pecorinos
Hard Pecorino
More Pecorino
And some more Pecorino
Of course there is not only cheese shops....there are also some coffee shops and bars in the old town....the one coffee bar looks like a hole in the wall...but their cappuccino....is absoloutely amazing, unfortunately, i do not have a pic....i guess ill need to go back another time and not forget to take a pic....they also have delicious pastries....the place is positioned as follows: when looking at the old church, on the right in the corner....very very small....let me share a pic of the beautiful church...
Church
During Christmas time the church decoration outside was very beautiful.....let me share some pics...
Decoration
Me and Sofia
Me and Sofia
There is also a cute little bar/cafe at the end of the old town where normally the market takes place....very casual...we have been there a few times...from aperitivo to cappuccino to some light lunches. The aperitivo is quite amazing, you even get a small plate with pecorino cheese and salumi. The cappuccino is ok...not great, it is strong, but the foam is non existent....and not thick at all....the lunches are very nice...simple...but delicious...let me share pic of the cold meat platter....
Toscana platter
So...this little town is DEFINITELY worth a visit....not to miss....still need to try some restaurant there though....but for now...this is it....so from me...goodnite...we chat soon...oh yes...there is also a gelateria...but i do not have a pic...those will come in the summer...but i have tried this really cool flavour...salted caramel....yummie....Anyway....goodnite now.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Wedding time.....my baby sister's wedding

Image
Oh my word....my sister, who wanted to be a nun (inspired by the movie Sister Act), is getting married....and to a guy that suites her perfectly.....we started getting reAdy around lunch time...make up artist, Victor Ortega, was flown in from Manila. He did my sister's, my mom's and my makeup....but now a few steps back...this wedding pre- celebration started on Wednesday night with a Swiss family dinner, Thursday night a pub crawl and Friday night a close family (Aboitiz and Bucher) at a Spanish tapas place (where the food was amazing...first time i tried nero paella)....but to the pub crawl we get later..... Nero Paella Lechon So....the make up artist was fabulous.....he did an amazing job, he also did the hair for the three of us...the other brides maides' make up and hair was done by his entourage.....here a pic of us getting ready for the big event.... My sister and Victor Victor and me I loved how subtle he did it...and then time for pics with t...
Read more

Hong kong

Image
So, lets do this blog a little different....when you go to Hong Kong, this is my top 10 highlights, things i think you must do (not any particular order): 1. Junk boat cruise (1 hour) 2. Dim sums at Maxims Palace City Hall 3. Deep Fried Pork Bun at Tim Ho Wan 4. Shopping (not neccessarily to buy but just to see) 5. Flute bar in Soho (such a variety of cocktails) 6. Armani Prive bar (rooftop bar) 7. Tram to Victoria Peak 8. Lamma island and of course that includes the hike and seafood 9. Under the bridge crab (garlic crab) 10. Nightmarket with eating local food which includes 1000 year old egg So...now some of those i have done this time in Hong Kong and some i did last time.....so lets do this way..im going to split my experience in Hong Kong in 2 parts, otherwise this blog will be endless.....but im gonna go through all top 10 attractions.... Number 1: Junk boat cruise.....they leave from both the Kowloon side (always on the half of the hour, for example 16:30...
Read more

Podere il Casale

Image
Beautiful place near Monticchiello in the Southern Tuscany. My parents, together with Mutti and Sofia went there whilst Kim and I were in Corsica. They raved about it, stating that it was Swiss owned and they met the couple who owns and runs it. They are actively involved and so are their children. Their food is produced on the farm, they are famous for their Pecorino cheese. They also offer Pizza and bread courses, camping etc etc....in fact i was really looking forward to visiting this place. They have outdoor and indoor seating but i must say the outdoor seating cannot be compared to the indoor hall. The outside is quaint, picturesque and has breath-taking views. There is quite a long dirt road following up to Podere il Casale....its not so easily found. The sign at the entrance is also not too good. Once we parked a beautiful sign welcomed us....let me share a pic... Podere il Casale As mentioned the place was quaint and picturesque with beautiful laid tables....and a fabulous vi...
Read more