Blog

How To Buy Local in Tuscany

When in holiday most of us search for something to take home that reminds us of our trip abroad. Naturally you would you like to think that what you buy is made locally, and not from a factory far far away with an ‘Italy’ stamp on it. Luckily in Tuscany, artisans still exist even if you have to search a little harder for them in 2014.

The first key to buying locally is find out what typical products come from the area of Italy where you are staying. In Tuscany, you might be looking for extra-virgin olive oil (with us you don’t have to look far), leather products, fabrics, wood antiques, ceramic from Montelupo, wines from Chianti, salami and local cheeses.

Go to a place where you know they have making these products for generations and ask the people who know best, fellow locals! Many towns are experts at certain products, for example, a nice cheese farm not far from us in nearby Scarperia is Il Palagiaccio farm, in the ancient Reggia degli Ubaldini. Scarperia is also home to artisan-crafted knives, some of the best in the world.

We also encourage you to go to local markets where many people browse daily for items and it is a great place to ask for advice for specific things. Most Tuscan towns have at least one local market while the bigger ones, like Florence, have many throughout the month and weekends as well. Think antiques, organic foods and more, here is a great guide to ones in Florence via blog ‘Florence For Free’.

And don’t think you can’t go digital, we even discovered this handy ‘Made in Tuscany’ app that helps you find local products based on where you’re staying.

Quick Booking snippet


  • Arrival Date:

  • Nights:

  • Rooms:

  • Adults:

  • Children:

Guide to UNESCO Sites in Tuscany

Tuscany, an Italian region renowned for its cultural and historical wealth, is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These sites represent not just the architectural and artistic beauty of the region but also its significant historical heritage.

A Guide to Italian Cuisine

Italian cuisine, celebrated globally, is a mosaic of flavors and traditions. From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the bustling streets of Naples, each region contributes its unique essence to what we recognize as Italian cuisine. This culinary journey explores how history, culture, and regional diversity have shaped the renowned gastronomy of Italy.

Guide to Wine Tasting in Tuscany

Tuscany is world-renowned for its rich winemaking tradition, a heritage rooted in centuries of history and culture. In this detailed guide, which is like a true oenological journey, we will discover not only the fine wines of the region but also the traditions and landscapes that make Tuscany an unmissable destination for wine lovers.

A Guide to Tuscan Vineyards

In the heart of Italy, Tuscany stands out as one of the most emblematic regions for wine production. Famous for its landscape of gentle hills, cypress trees, and picturesque villages, this region is also a paradise for wine lovers. Tuscan vineyards, nourished by fertile soil and an ideal climate, produce wines that are appreciated worldwide […]

Horseback Excursions Mugello

For those looking for a firsthand experience, the Agricultural Tourism Company Badia di Susinana offers horseback rides and trekking and riding courses with a guide, in addition to hospitality for horses and riders, located in Palazzuolo sul Senio. Alternatively, the Farm I Cavalli del Vento allows crossing beech forests and vast chestnut groves, with rides […]

Sport Fishing in Tuscany

Sport fishing in Tuscany offers a wide range of opportunities due to the abundance of inland and coastal waters in the region. Specifically, the province of Pistoia, with Lake Nievole in Serravalle Pistoiese, is renowned for trout fishing and other fish such as carp, grass carp, tench, and sturgeon, with a catch and release rule. […]

Where to Eat Chianina in Val di Chiana

In Val di Chiana, to savor an authentic Chianina steak, there are several renowned restaurant options: 1. Ristorante Casa Cecco: Offers the chance to taste a Chianina steak in a farmhouse dating back to 1600. 2. Agriturismo di Trequanda: Here, Chianina meat, raised in local pastures and processed by the company’s trusted butcher shop, becomes […]

Artists of the 1400s: The Most Famous Italians and Florentines

The Italian Quattrocento was a period of extraordinary artistic effervescence that produced numerous world-renowned artists. Among them, some of the most influential were: 1. Andrea Mantegna (1431–1506): A painter and engraver from Padua, famous for his frescoes in the Camera degli Sposi in Mantua.