5 ways to escape a Tuscan heat wave
With temperatures reaching up to 36 degrees celsius (or 99 farenheit) this week in Tuscany, all of us, even at Villa Campestri Olive Oil resort are feeling the burn. When it gets this high, this fast – we normally want to stick our heads in the freezer but luckily we have some better ideas for those who are in the Mugello valley. As usual in Italy, the seasons are changing faster than we can say ‘Ciao Bella.’ While the heat wave is only temporary, we have 5 tips for you to stay cool when #heatwave2014 hits ground.
1. Head to the Lake
While everyone is heading to the seaside, we also recommend the beautiful Bilancino Lake located in nearby Barberino di Mugello. A man-made resevoir, you can sunbathe, paddle-boat, kayak and do just about anything in this beautiful place. There is also a cool beach bar, Bahia where you can rent a sun bed or umbrella and grab some ice-cold snacks! If you get the chance, stop by the nearby nature reserve, Oasi del Gabbianello where you can bird watch and rent bikes (late afternoon).
2. Lazy afternoon by the pool
There is a reason that Italians embraced the idea of the siesta in generations past, quite frankly between the hours of 1-4 it was sometimes too hot to work. While this tradition really hasn’t continued that often in Tuscany, we recommend planning your day poolside. At Villa Campestri, you can lounge by ours as long as you want, overlooking a gorgeous view of the Mugello Valley.
3. Take refuge in an off-the-beaten-path museum
In tuscany you can find many world class museums worth exploring. Even in the Mugello valley, you can escape the blaring hot sun and experience slow art in a cool environment, from discovering the history of ceramics to the history of the appenines. There is something for everyone, all of which can be found here.
4. Go on a nature walk
One of our favorite family acitivities in the summer is going on nature walks around our property which is abundant in flora. We have some paths that we know you would enjoy, all laid out for you here.
5. Overindulge in Italian gelato!
This famous treat known all around the world is also one of our personal favorites, we even have a special olive-oil gelato on our menu! When your appetite goes away and all you can think about is staying cool, why not try some wonderful geleterias in the local area. We adore Gelateria Fiocco di Neve di Magherini Margherita in nearby San Piero a Sieve.
Our famous olive-oil gelato
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Extra virgin olive oil is a natural product that continues to evolve after pressing. Heat, light and oxygen accelerate this process and gradually affect both flavour and quality. At Villa Campestri Olive Oil Resort, this is something we know well. Our family has been producing extra virgin olive oil for generations, using olives grown in […]
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