Thursday 24 September 2009

Autunno, autumn in Tuscany

Autumn is when you can find the most rich flavours in Italy. The intense heat of July and August finally lets up leaving us with vegetables that taste of the golden sunshine and lucious green landscape of this famous region.
This is a time to enjoy the famous truffles and drink local red wines - perhaps while sitting on a terrace watching the landscape change with the leaves from emerald green through burning red and finally to yellow. In Autumn Italy slows down, la dolce vita takes a different pace and before you know it you've been tricked into winter.



We recommend spening an afternoon driving the meandering roads until you come across a restaurant specialising in porcini mushrooms. During autumn the porcini are predominantly local, or "nostrali" in Tuscany. Rainfall, temperature and exposure of the sun are the main factors effecting the growth of mushrooms in the forests, so it's always better to ask if it's been a good year.


Why not explore the forests and hills of Tuscany when the olive groves and vine yards are buzzing with activity and laden for harvest. The autumn food in Tuscany retains the warmth of the summer - it's a perfect time to have a cooking renaissance!


Flavours offer Italian cooking holidays at two venues in Tuscany, Villa Maria (close to Florence) and Villa Segalato (close to Lucca). Flavours also offer Pilates and Painting holidays in Tuscany.

For more details visit www.flavoursholidays.co.uk



2 comments:

michele carbone said...

Perhaps your readers would be interested in creating La Dolce Vita in their lives? You are invited to view the delicious photography, read the humorous excerpts, and be inspired by the free menu plans (including l'autunno) from Friday Evening: Creating La Dolce Vita, one bite at a time at www.fridayeveningthebook.com or savor the culinary moments while watching the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfrPuWLTV-Y&feature=autofb

Laura in Paris said...

Lovely pictures of Tuscany!