ESCURSIONI LABORATORI DI PITTURA E DEGUSTAZIONI

Si svolgerà nel territorio di Piegaro l’ultimo appuntamento di  “Sentieri d’autunno 2009”, la manifestazione organizzata dalla Comunità Montana  Trasimeno – Medio Tevere, che coinvolge, sempre più numerosi, gli appassionati  del paesaggio umbro e delle sue tipicità enogastronomiche. Il ritrovo è alle ore 9,00 di domenica 29 novembre, presso la piazza Verneuil  en Halatte. Da lì ci si sposta in automobile per arrivare al parco di Montarale (la cima più elevata intorno al Trasimeno, 853 m.), che si raggiunge attraverso una strada molto panoramica. Da lì inizia l’escursione. Si comincia a scendere sul versante che guarda verso il Trasimeno e che si apre su panorami vasti che spaziano dai borghi di Chiusi, Chianciano e Montepulciano, comprendono Cortona e poi il monte Tezio, il Subasio e un’ampia porzione dell’Appennino dall’Acuto-Catria al Coscerno-Aspra. Si attraversano porzioni di bosco e radure in direzione di Greppolischieto. Si arriva presso l’antico borgo che si attraversa affacciandosi sulla bella e movimentata vallata che ci divide da Montegiove e guarda verso il marscianese. Si prende l’ampia strada bianca a tornanti che comincia ad essere accompagnata da muretti a secco, piante secolari, antichi casali e il monte Peglia sullo sfondo. Si riprende poi a salire per boschi verso l’altro versante del Montarale di cui si riguadagnerà la cima attraversando antichi sentieri che pian piano si apriranno verso il monte Cetona e l’Amiata. Una escursione di grande bellezza che chiude Sentieri d’autunno, attraversando uno dei territori dell’Umbria che più hanno saputo conservare i tratti di un paesaggio agrario e pastorale antico. La lunghezza è di circa 12 km, il dislivello di 300 m a scendere e altrettanti a risalire, la durata di circa 3,5 ore. A conclusione della passeggiata, viene offerta anche la  possibilità di una sosta – pranzo, a base di prodotti tipici umbri, presso “La Baita di Montarale” (costo del pranzo € 15,00). E’ obbligatoria la prenotazione.

Per informazioni e prenotazioni contattare i seguenti recapiti: Graziano Vinti,

3494642484,  graziano_vinti@libero.it; Giannermete Romani,

3471148395,   ermete.romani@gmail.com

I’m building a new business, creating and hosting small vacation trips to luxury villas around the world.  Our first trip will be to Italy, to the city of Cortona in Tuscany (yes, this is the town that Frances Mayes wrote about in “Under the Tuscan Sun”).

After a year of loss and setbacks, I took stock of my life and my goals.  There are many things I love to do, and many things I have done to make a living.  But the two things I love the most are writing, and travel.  Cooking and socializing and art and gardening are all part of the mix, but if I have to work for a living (and currently, I do) then I’d like to do something that involves writing or traveling or both.

So. I’ve written a novel, and am seeking representation along with thousands and thousands of other writers who have found the current economy has allowed them more time to write in lieu of earning income.  I believe in my novel, and in my future as a writer of novels.  But my belief is not paying the bills.

And so I devised the idea for this business, ComeToTheVilla.com. 

I rent a large house or villa in a beautiful part of the world, and arrange intimate trips composed of 8 to 12 guests, for whom I and my (someday) staff will provide concierge service… picking them up from the train station, arranging day trips and providing two square a day… that is breakfast and lunch spreads, as well as some sort of wine/cheese/bread/olive thingee in late afternoon or evening.

The advantages of a trip like this are many… Let’s say you decided to come with us for a vacation in the villa (and you know I’m going to ask you to).  For less than you might pay in a hotel, you get the run of a large and luxurious house with a pool, sharing these amenities with a small handful of other guests.  These guests provide social opportunities many Americans do not experience when traveling to Europe.  So, you can keep your own schedule, going to restaurants of your choice and enjoying the privacy of your room, or you can socialize with other guests at communal meals and daily outings.  It’s up to you.  You’re an adult, and you have the choice have your vacation the way you want it to be.

So, with the aid of my brilliant cousin Matt, we’ve just launched a perfunctory website…  cometothevilla.com is live and ready for your booking!

Villa Marsili: Villa Marsili è hotel quattro a stelle ed è ubicato a pochi passi dal centro storico della cittadina etrusco-medioevale di Cortona.La villa dispone oggi di 26 camere con vista panoramica sulla valle o sulle antiche case del borgo. Le stanze, tutte elegantemente affrescate, sono arredate con mobili d’epoca e rese più confortevoli da vasche idromassaggio, telefono, linea Internet, climatizzatore, minibar e cassaforte. Per la prima colazione l’Hotel Villa Marsili mette a disposizione degli ospiti un ricco e selezionato buffet, un trionfo di bontà con specialità tipiche toscane, al pomeriggio, nel piccolo giardino panoramico che si affaccia sulla suggestiva Valdichiana, si può degustare un aperitivo offerto dalla casa. Il nostro intento primario è quello di contribuire al benessere degli ospiti. Parcheggio libero esterno o a pagamento (€ 12 al giorno…

Hotel Villa Aurea : L’hotel Villa Aurea è ubicato a Cortona a pochi chilometri da Firenze, Siena, Perugia, Arezzo. All’interno dei 30.000 mq di parco, la Sequoia centenaria domina i giardini all’italiana che scandiscono gli spazi e i percorsi distensivi, di questo 4 stelle costituito da tre unità abitative indipendenti; “la Villa” risalente al 1700 con annessa la cappella privata, e le due dependance laterali. Il ristorante “Le Salette” arredato con rigore minimalista per riprodurre l’atmosfera di relax che caratterizza tutto l’albergo, propone la cucina della tradizione culinaria italiana lasciando ampio spazio ai sapori, presentando nuovi piatti da scegliere dal menu antistress o dal menu classico. L’Hotel dispone di un originale ed innovativo Centro Benessere…

Relais Villa Petrischio: Immersa nell’affascinante campagna della Val di Chiana, a Farneta di Cortona, Villa Petrischio, costruita nel secolo XVIII sulla collina più alta della zona, gode di uno spettacolare panorama. Le 18 camere sono arredate con estrema cura, preziosi mobili d’epoca felicemente si sposano con i più moderni comfort: dalla televisione satellitare alle vasche o docce a idromassaggio, che offrono agli ospiti momenti di benessere e relax Tutte le camere si affacciano sul vasto parco e sulla piscina costruita su una terrazza naturale che domina l’intera vallata, offrendo l’indimenticabile spettacolo dei tramonti toscani. Il ristorante propone il “Menù à la carte” con un’ampia scelta tra piatti della tradizione Toscana rivisitata in chiave moderna con particolare attenzione alla presentazione e cura dei piatti. Un’accurata Carta dei vini offre un’ampia scelta tra le migliori etichette . La colazione continentale a buffet è servita nel gazebo a bordo piscina…

Tuscany Farmhouse Accommodation With Swimming Pool

Casa Primula is a Farmhouse on the Tuscany Umbria border with a swimming pool. Located just on the Tuscan side of the border, this four bedroom farmhouse has views across the beautiful Niccone Valley and looks down on the striking ruin of Pierle Castle, which once guarded the entrance to the Valley. It is a twenty five minute drive to the famous hill town of Cortona in Tuscany and Lake Trasimeno in Umbria.

Casa Primula, Tuscany Farmhouse Accommodation

Casa Primula, a farmhouse in Tuscany has four bedrooms but has accommodation for up to ten with the use of a sofa bed. It’s location high above the valley makes it a tranquil hideaway for your holiday; should you wish, you can simply relax by the swimming pool and enjoy the fantastic scenery. You can also use the farmhouse as a base for touring most of Tuscany and Umbria.

Casa Primula, Tuscany FarmhouseWith Swimming Pool

Tuscany Farmhouse Accomodation

You can stay at  Casa Primula, a Tuscany Farmhouse With Swimming Pool when you holiday on the stunning Tuscany Umbria border. This Tuscany holiday accommodation is available for vacation rentals through Gorgacce Rentals, tuscanyumbria.com. Look at our website for a superb choice of Farmhouse Accommodation In Tuscany and Umbria, Tuscany Villas and Tuscany Apartments With Pool.

Casa Primula, Tuscany Farmhouse Accommodation With Swimming Pool

Whether you need Tuscany Luxury Holiday Villas, or Cheap Accommodation In Tuscany we have holiday accommodation suitable for you. Our vacation accommodation in Tuscany includes Holiday Villas To Rent In Tuscany, Tuscany Farmhouse Holidays and Tuscany Agritourism.

tuscanyumbria.com: Farmhouse Accommodation Tuscany

Ristorante “Il Falconiere”: Il Falconiere sorge nella bella campagna di Cortona, in una villa seicentesca, dimora nel 1848 del famoso poeta Antonio Guadagnoli e di proprietà della famiglia Baracchi dal 1860. Sapientemente restaurato, è caratterizzato da un’atmosfera di antica serenità. Il ristorante, ricavato nell’antica limonaia è disposto su due livelli con una sala più grande che può ospitare fino a 60 persone, una più raccolta con solo 5 tavoli e la piccola sala degli orologi, veramente speciale, con un unico tavolo. Da non perdere le delizie ed i sapori della cucina, accompagnata da grandi vini, inclusi quelli di produzione dell’azienda Baracchi con le vigne e le cantine all’interno della proprietà. Sangiovese, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet e Trebbiano, olio , grappe e lo spumante.: sono queste le uve che danno vita ai vini dell’azienda. Un tributo alla terra di Cortona e al piacere del buon bere. Nella bella stagione, nulla è più piacevole che cenare al lume di candela, su una terrazza dal panorama…

Hotel Restaurant Corys: L’hotel Corys è ubicato in una zona panoramica e tranquilla alle porte dello splendido centro storico di Cortona, rinomata culla della cultura etrusca. L’albergo è un piccolo hotel raffinato di sole sette camere, con vista sulla Valdichiana e sul Lago Trasimeno; tutte le sistemazioni sono confortevoli, elegantemente arredate ed offrono i servizi propri della categoria inclusi Tv sat, minibar, asciugacapelli, cassaforte, climatizzatore. Circondato dal verde delle colline toscane, è il luogo ideale per trascorrere delle vacanze rilassanti all’insegna della buona cucina Toscana e degli ottimi vini. I servizi a disposizione includono una piscina esterna, un bar, un ristorante e un punto internet ADSL. L’hotel offre l’opportunità di immergersi nell’atmosfera della cultura etrusca, medievale e rinascimentale del centro italia, e di girare città favolose come Città della Pieve, Assisi, Perugia, Gubbio, Montepulciano, Pienza o Montalcino…

Cortona - Copyright 2009 PegaPPP

 

Photowalking is the act of walking with a camera for the main purpose of taking pictures of things that the photographer may find interesting.

It’s a social photography event where photographers get together, usually in a downtown area or trendy section of town, to walk around, shoot photos, and generally have fun with other photographers.

It is usually a communal activity organised by camera clubs, online forums or commercial organisations. It is often done as a method to practice and improve one’s own photography skills rather than a with specific focus on documentary photography.

While not exclusive to digital photography, in practice digital photography makes photowalking more realistic as a hobby due to its experimental nature, the number of pictures typically taken in the process, and the possibility of post-processing afterward.

While related to street photography, photowalking is differentiated by the main impetus being to photograph things of interest rather than people specifically. Photowalking is also a form of exercise as it can take the photographer over the course of several miles as they wander a particular site or neighborhood.

Photowalking is also often associated with online photo sharing.

(Sources: Wikipedia.org, WorldWidePhotowalk.com, Flickr.com)

Tuscany Farmhouse With Swimming Pool

Casa Cerratella is lovely Farmhouse Accommodation in Tuscany. Located near the village of Teverina behind Cortona, Tuscany.

Farmhouse Accommodation Tuscany - Casa Cerratella

This farmhouse with swimming pool has five bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, the swimming pool is 10 x 5m. The location is rural and peaceful, this farmhouse accommodation in Tuscany makes an ideal place to have a relaxing break.

Farmhouse Accommodation in Tuscany - Casa Cerratella

The road between Teverina and Cortona is one of the most beautiful drives in Tuscany, most of the major towns in Tuscany and Umbria can be visited on daily outings using the farmhouse accommodation as a base.

Casa Cerratella – Farmhouse Accommodation, Tuscany

Casa Cerratella can be booked for a Tuscany farmhouse holiday through Gorgacce Rentals, tuscanyumbria.com

Gorgacce Rentals – Farmhouse Accommodation, Tuscany

Gorgacce Rentals have vacation accommodation suitable for most groups and budgets visiting the Tuscany Umbria border. Have a look at our selection of large Tuscany Farmhouses With Swimming Pools, smaller Holiday Villas to rent in Tuscany, Tuscany Apartments With Pools and Tuscany Agritourism apartments. Whether you are looking for Accommodation for a Farm Stay In Tuscany,  Tuscany Luxury Holiday Villas or Cheap Accommodation in Tuscany we probably have Tuscany holiday accommodation for you.

Farmhouse Accommodation in Tuscany

La Scuderia – A Holiday Villa For Rent In Tuscany

La Scuderia is a beautiful two bedroom, two bathroom holiday villa for rent in Tuscany. Situated close to the Tuscan hill town of Cortona, this villa is set in the well maintained grounds of a larger villa. There is an enormous swimming pool available for guests’ use. This rental villa makes a great holiday location and can be used as a base to explore both Tuscany and Umbria.

Holiday Villa For Rent In Tuscany - La Scuderia

Tuscany Holiday Villas, Gorgacce Rentals

Tuscany Villa, La Scuderia is available for holidays through Gorgacce Rentals. Look at their web site for Large Holiday Villas For Rent In Tuscany, Small Holiday Villas For Rent In Tuscany, Tuscany Apartments With Pool. Whether you are looking for a Luxury Tuscany Holiday Villa, or a Budget Tuscany Apartment With Pool, Gorgacce Rentals have  vacation accommodation in Tuscany for everyone.

TuscanyUmbria.com  Holiday Villa Rent Tuscany

Caselle – Tuscany Farmhouse with Swimming Pool

Caselle is Tuscany Farmhouse Holiday Accommodation With A Swimming Pool in the beautiful hills behind Cortona. Situated close to the border with Umbria, this large Tuscan Farmhouse has ten rooms, seven bathrooms and sleeps twenty.

Tuscany Farmhouse With Swimming Pool, Caselle

This vacation accommodation on a working farm in Tuscany is ideal for a large group of family or friends to relax and escape the pressures of the modern world.

Caselle, Ideal For Your Tuscany Farmhouse Holiday

Originally four Tuscany apartments with a shared pool, the holiday accommodation is now offered to single groups to ensure total privacy.

Caselle, For Your Tuscany Farmhouse Holiday

There is a large kitchen capable of seating 20 people, a TV room, outdoor dining areas and a large garden with boules pitch and table tennis.

Caselle, Tuscany Farmhouse Holidays

Staying at Caselle, your Tuscany Farmhouse Holiday location is exceptionally peaceful; the beauty and tranquility of the wooded hills will leave you feeling as if you have escaped from hectic day to day life.

Tuscany Farmhouses With Swimming Pools

Gorgacce Rentals, tuscanyumbria.com , have a great selection of Large Tuscany Farmhouses, Small Tuscany Farmhouses, Tuscany Apartments with Pools, whether you are looking for a Tuscany Luxury Holiday Villa or low cost Tuscany Agritourism Apartments you will find vacation accommodation for your holiday in Tuscany and Umbria.

Gorgacce Rentals : Tuscany Farmhouse Holiday

Relais Villa Baldelli: Il Relais Villa Baldelli di Cortona è ricavato da una prestigiosa Villa padronale del 1700, già residenza estiva della nobile famiglia Cortonese Baldelli. Relais Villa Baldelli è circondata da maestose querce secolari, vigne e oliveti, dove è situata la piscina dalla quale si potrà gustare tutto lo splendore e la quiete della Val di Chiana. Un bellissimo campo da Golf 3 buche è a disposizione dei clienti per i momenti di relax. Gli interni sono stati ristrutturati nel rispetto dell’antica struttura privilegiando il recupero degli elementi decorativi interni originali, come i pregiati pavimenti del ‘700. Le 15 camere ricavate al suo interno sono interamente arredate con mobili e tappezzerie d’epoca e dotate di ogni comfort. La sala per la prima colazione è riscaldata nelle stagioni più fredde da uno splendido camino settecentesco, il buffet offre un ampia scelta di dolci e marmellate fatte in casa come una volta…

During my vistit to Cortona I visited several hotels. Amongst theese, I recommend the followings:

Villa di Piazzano

Exploring Tuscany visiting the main film location: Florence and Cortona.

Overflowing with familiar sights and picturesque landscapes, Tuscany has been used as a film location for many major films. The charm and appeal of Tuscany is quite unmatched, and several movies have not just been filmed, but were also centered upon the scenic cities of Tuscany, such as Cortona and Florence.

Bask Under the Tuscan Sun

One of these movies is Under the Tuscan Sun, a 2003 Audrey Wells direction based on the Frances Mayes novel of the same name. The film helped reveal the best sights and historical attractions that dotted the city of Florence. Some of the locations used in the film included the Piazza della Signoria and the Piazza della Republica.

The Piazza della Signoria is a square in the form of an L, and is found in Florence, Tuscany. The plaza is a significant historical base, as it served as the former political center of the city. The square is flanked by several other must-see sights such as the Uffizi Gallery, the Uguccioni Palace, and several others.

Piazza della Republica is another one of the many piazzas that dot Tuscany. The semi-circular area is ornamented at the center with the Fountain of the Naiads, which was commissioned back in 1870 and completed in 1888.

Under the Tuscan Sun was mostly set in Cortona, Arezzo, Tuscany, and starred Diane Lane. In the movie, the main character Frances Mayes travelled to Tuscany in the aftermath of a divorce. During the trip, she experiences the Tuscan life and finds new friends. Though a bit recent, the movie played a huge role in promoting the subtle but standout beauty of Cortona and the rest of Tuscany.

Live the Beautiful Life in Tuscany

But using Tuscany as a location for a film is not a new concept. After all, Tuscany has always had its grandeur and old-world appeal and has managed to retain it through the years. Thus, yet another iconic film, La Vita é Bella or Life is Beautiful, takes viewers through a tour of Cortona.

One of the scenes in the film was set in Cortona at the Teatro Signorelli, which is located in the Piazza Signorelli. The theatre holds regular presentations you can also enjoy during your Tuscan holiday. Outside, however, it is considered as one of Tuscany’s most distinctive landmarks. The theatre spills out to Piazza Signorelli. Both the piazza and the theatre has become important locations for Tuscany’s various festivals.

The La Vita e Bella is a 1997 film directed by Roberto Benigni. The film, which is shot in several different locations in Tuscany, centers around Guido Orefice, a Jewish man, and his quest to save his son’s life. The movie mixes romance and comedy both, and offers a good view on love and family values. However, it is perhaps the breathtaking locations used in the film that contributed to its unabashed success.

The film, which was made extra beautiful thanks to the beauty of Tuscany, eventually went on to win the Best Actor award for Benigni, the Best Picture award, the Best Foreign Language Film, the Best Original Screenplay, and several others.

Have Tea in Tuscany

Tuscany, however, is just plain overflowing with sights to see and places to visit. Some of the other popular places in Tuscany are Piazza Santa Maria Novella and Piazza del Duomo, which both appeared in the1999 movie, Tea with Mussolini.

Piazza Santa Maria Novella is a world-renowned attraction in Florence. The square or plaza was featured in Tea with Mussolini and is famous for being one of the biggest historical squares found in the city. The square is a wide expanse of a grassy area dotted with a central fountain at the middle. It is also the location of the Santa Maria Novella church, a major church in Florence.

The Piazza del Duomo has the classic features of a square, such as a wide expanse of grass dotted with several different monuments. The square’s history and style can be attributed to the medieval age, and the overall style of the square revolutionized the artistic world of Tuscany.

Tea with Mussolini is practically a Tuscany guidebook as it takes viewers to several different Tuscan areas and popular attractions. The film, which starred popular musician and actress Cher, is partly autobiographical as it follows the life of Franco Zeffirelli. The film went on to win the 2000 BAFTA Awards, among some other awards, as well as some nominations.

Enjoy the Picturesque Views of Tuscany

Finally, you can move to Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, one of the most distinct locations in Tuscany. It is dubbed as the most beautiful square found in

Florence, and it is scenically flanked by four buildings. These four buildings also happen to be significant monuments, which included the Santissima Annunziata church, Brunelleschi’s portico, and the Spedale degli Innocenti, among several others.

The scenic and panoramic image of the Piazza della Santissima Annunziata can also be enjoyed when you check out the 1986 film Room with a View. The film, which was directed by James Ivory and which starred Helena Bonham Carter, went on to win several awards, which included the Best Picture award, Best Supporting Actor for Daniel Day Lewis, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Actress for Maggie Smith, and Best Supporting Actress for Judi Dench.

All in all, it was a film that gave a glimpse of Florence’s countryside life in contrast with its upper class scene.

Should you be interested in visiting the areas made famous by great films and you would like to deepen your knowledge on Tuscany, visit my website Florence Hotels. You will find other important information on the city of Florence and Cortona. Here you will also find reviews on hotels and restaurants.

Presentation / Presentazione del 12/Sept/2009

English / Italiano (sotto il video)

The organisers had given me two hours to present on communication in politics (including campaigning through social media).

I settled upon a flexible road-map because I wanted to create an opportunity for the participants to express their opinions. Most presentations, espescially in continental Europe tend to be monologues where the audience sits passively and is expected to absorb dense and sometimes deliberately obscure.

In the end, the presentation was thus:

Part 1) “If you (the audience) were the communications team of your party’s candidate, and your candidate had to participate in a presidential debate in a month from now: what would you do; what would you suggest; what would your strategy be?

Part 2) Focus on www.mybarackobama.com, where I state that the genius of the campaign was to reduce the distance between “emotion” and “action”.

Part 3) At the request of the audience, we then focused on the French Presidential Debate between Ségolène Royal and Nicolas Sarkozy. In particular, I demonstrate how Mr Sarkozy was far more prepared and had a communications strategy to meet this challenge. (see an earlier post on Presidential Debates)

What you see in the video below are excerpts of the presentation (in Italian). For the entire 2-hours presentation click here.

Special thanks to my "mentor" Brunella Devoti who dealt with the logistics throughout the conference and introduced my talk.

Questo e’ il reso-conto del mio intervento a Cortona a l’occasione dell’evento “Cultura Democratica”

Come accade spesso (e a maggior ragione in Europa continentale), questo tipo di presentazione si trasforma in un diluvio di informazione che per il pubblico e’ difficile da gestire. C’e’ da scommettere che in certi casi, l’opacita’ e la densita’ della presentazione e’ il risultato, non di un presentatore che non a cura di chi lo ascolta, ma, che sono volute.

Decidetti dunque di far partecipare il pubblico; di dare lui l’opportunita’ di esprimersi, di rivelare quante opinioni contrastanti possano esserci e di diriggere il dibattito. Il meta-messaggio che volli trasmettere tramite l’interazione, e’ che la comunicazione in politica e’ un tema molto complesso.

Percio’, la sessione fu divisa in tre parti:

1) “Se voi foste i consiglieri di un candidato, e che questo candidato dovra’ affrontare il suo avversario in un dibattito televisivo in un mese da oggi; cosa gli consigliereste di fare?

2) Il caso di mybarackobama.com e come il sito ha accorciato le distanza tra “emozione” e “azione”.

3) Per decisione del pubblico, e’ stato approfondito e in fine dimostrato che Nicolas Sarkozy fu molto piu preparato di Segolene Royal durante il dibattito presidenziale del 2005. (Articolo sul tema Presidential Debates).

Tutta la presentazione (2 ore) puo’ essere vista cliccando qui (richiede quicktime).

Vorrei ringraziare Brunella Devoti, il mio "tutor" a Cortona per il suo aiuto e professionalismo. 

I am very pleased to make a special announcement today…I am inviting you all to join me for a great workshop in Cortona, Italy in 2010!  Prenda un codice categoria con me nell’ambito del Sun toscano. In Cortona, l’Italia. Well…now you know why I am presently polishing my Italian speaking skills. I always dreamed about visiting Italy…I love the culture, the food…the history.

Wouldn’t you want to take a workshop me and visit this amazing place at the same time?

I am so honored to be part of the Toscana Americana roster of instructors in 2010. Toscana Americana offers Art, Culture and Travel.

My workshop is called Paper Head Dresses & Heraldic Fashion. If you are wondering about how the theme for my workshop took shape I can say that it happened almost by accident. After visiting New York City this past July…I got really inspired by the Medieval exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. And this experience led me to create some of the heraldic pieces for my workshop!

Cortona is a little-known haven of Etruscan tombs, medieval alleyways, Renaissance art, sweeping views and small-town ambience. The medieval-themed Archidado Joust Festival takes place between May and June. It’s a week of costumed festivities and events that traces its origins back to the middle Ages.

Giostra dell’Archidado {The Joust of Archidado} traces its origins back to the Middle Ages…

It’s a historical recalling of 1397’s archery contest between the Quintiere of Cortona in celebration of the wedding of Francesco Casali & Antonia Salimbeni in that year.

This fabulous event combines costumed pageantry, drummers, buglers, amazing flag-tossing competitions and symbolic presentations of gifts to the town and church hierarchy. It takes place in Piazza Signorelli.

It will be a week long creative experience for all of us where we will embrace the heraldry, history and romance of this fabulous place. At the Paper Head Dresses & Heraldic Fashion Workshop you will learn a variety of paper art techniques to make your own crowns and tiaras in Etruscan and Medieval style. You will also discover how to design your own heraldic fashion pieces to wear and much more…

Imparerete varie tecniche di carta di arte per fare le vostri propri parti superiori e diademi in Etruscan e nello stile medioevale. Inoltre scoprirete come progettare le vostre proprie parti araldiche di modo per portare e molto più…

Full workshop description of my Paper Head Dresses & Heraldic Fashion right here.

Enroll early and save before September 30, 2009 here.

Materials list and kits information are available on the workshop page right here. But don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Lo vederò tutto là!

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La Toscana és un destí de vacances. No d’una petita sortida o d’un viatge llampec a Florència. Perquè Florència és la capital de la Toscana. Però la Toscana és molt més, moltíssim més que Florència. I Florència mereix una visita, una visita àmplia, de tres o quatre dies. I la Toscana mereix una setmana, mínim. Per això la Toscana no la podeu fer amb menys d’unes vacances. Unes vacances d’estiu, quan el blat és madur. Els camps grocs s’ondulen sota el vent suau que cabalga els turons. Els xipresos s’alcen, potents, i els pins escampen flaires de resina i de mediterrà arreu. Les cigarres canten a cor que vols i la calor atonta els sentits. Les línies es difuminen sota el sol inclement. S’anyoren les parres i la frescor de les ombres dels carrers de les viles quan ets en mig del camí polsos. O bé per les vacances de Pasqüa quan la primavera és jove i les espigues, tendres, s’alcen tenyint els conreus d’un fals verd de gespa. L’aire es afilat al matí, com un ganivet. I la boira, (a la foto), domina el territori després de la pluja. Al migdia la llum ho esbatana tot, obrint les portes i les finestres, definint amb nitidessa les arestes dels palaus i les cases de pagés. O per Nadal. Per Nadal fa fred a la Toscana. Els pobles fan olor de llenya i de xemenia. Sovint la neu corona els cims dels Apenins i fins els carrers de Siena. El fum s’escapa de les teuleres i puja, dret, cap un cel blau, blau infinit. Arribar a la Toscana és fàcil. Tot és autopista. Són menys, poc menys de un miler de kilòmetres. Car arribar-hi per Lucca, la ciutat joiell, tancada per les muralles, plena de perles. I seguir a Pisa, a tocar, amb la seva torre inclinada, mil vegades vista, i el duomo, i el baptisteri, però també dels palaus. I, naturalment, Florència. Tot l’art del món resumit en un quants carrers, unes quantes esglèsies i unes quantes mansions. Però també heu de veure Siena, senyora del seu espai, de les places i carrerons, i les viles dalt de turons: Sant Giminiano, Volterra, Pienza, Montepulciano, Arezzo, Cortona, Gubbio, Fiesole. I els monestirs toscans com Monte Oliveto o Sant Antimo. I sobretot la terra, les viles, les grans cases de camp, els arbres. I els petits detalls: les portes, les finestres, les flors. Per dormir teniu moltíssimes cases rurals. També hotelets molt típics als petits pobles i ciutats mitjanes. L’amiga Nyapi ens ha deixat un comentari a aquesta entrada recomanant una casa rural molt bonica. I hotels de les grans cadenes internacionals, com els novotel, a Florència. A nosaltres ens agrada molt dormir en càmpings. Com el petit i senzill càmping Torre Pendente de Pisa. O el gran càmping Girasole Club de Florencia, una bèstia.

La Toscana es un destino de vacaciones. No de una pequeña salida o de un viaje relámpago a Florencia. Porque Florencia es la capital de la Toscana. Pero la Toscana es mucho más, muchísimo más que Florencia. Y Florencia merece una visita, una visita amplia, de tres o cuatro días. Y la Toscana merece una semana, mínimo. Por eso la Toscana no la pueden hacer con menos de unas vacaciones. Unas vacaciones de verano, cuando el trigo está maduro. Los campos amarillos ondulan bajo el viento suave que cabalga las colinas. Los cipreses se alzan, potentes, y los pinos esparcen aromas de resina y de mediterráneo por todas partes. Las cigarras cantan a sus anchas y el calor atonta los sentidos. Las líneas se difuminan bajo el sol inclemente. Se añoran las parras y la frescura de las sombras de las calles de los pueblos cuando estás a medio camino de la nada. O bien podeis ir para las vacaciones de Pascua cuando la primavera es joven y las espigas, tiernas, se alzan tiñendo los cultivos de un falso verde de césped. El aire es afilado por la mañana, como un cuchillo. Y la niebla, (en la foto), domina el territorio después de la lluvia. Al mediodía la luz lo invade todo, abriendo las puertas y las ventanas, definiendo con nitidez las aristas de los palacios y las casas. O id para la Navidad. En Navidad hace frío en la Toscana. Los pueblos huelen a leña y chimenea. A menudo la nieve corona las cimas de los Apeninos y hasta las calles de Siena. El humo se escapa de las tejas y sube, derecho, hacia un cielo azul, azul infinito. Llegar a la Toscana es fácil. Todo es autopista. Son menos, poco menos de un millar de kilómetros. Hay que llegar por Lucca, la ciudad joya, cerrada por las murallas, llena de perlas. Y seguir hacia Pisa, junto con su torre inclinada, mil veces vista, el duomo y el baptisterio, pero también de los palacios. Y, naturalmente, Florencia. Todo el arte del mundo resumido en unas calles, unas cuantas iglesias y algunas mansiones. Pero también tienen que ver Siena, señora de su espacio, de las plazas y callejuelas, y las villas alto de las colinas: San Giminiano, Volterra, Pienza, Montepulciano, Arezzo, Cortona, Gubbio, Fiesole. Y los monasterios toscanos como Monte Oliveto o San Antimo. Y sobre todo la tierra, las aldeas, las grandes casas de campo, los árboles. Y los pequeños detalles: las puertas, las ventanas, las flores. Para dormir tiene muchísimas casas rurales. También hotelitos muy típicos en los pequeños pueblos y ciudades medianas. Y hoteles de las grandes cadenas internacionales, como los novotel, en Florencia. A nosotros nos gusta mucho dormir en campings. Como el pequeño y sencillo camping de Pisa. O el gran camping de Florencia.

Last week Shawn and I went to Italy! He was the best man in a friends wedding that took place in the town of Cortona. It was an amazing trip, a beautiful wedding and an awesome experience all together. I love Italian food as much as the next person but I have to say I was a bit worried about getting meals that were totally vegan especially since I don’t speak any Italian whatsoever. Quite the contrary to what I had feared, I had some truly unforgettable vegan meals.

The wedding was a full two day event with multiple five course dinners, not to mention lots of wine, hor d’oeuvres, and breakfast treats. Lucky for us, we had our own special vegan menu. The majority of the meals were vegetarian to start with and minor adjustments were made to accommodate us. Everything was insanely delicious. All the vegetables were so fresh and delightful. The tomatoes were like nothing I have ever had before and courses dressed with olive oil were to die for. I still can’t get over how delicate and fresh everything was and how well all the flavors complimented each other.

After the wedding, we spent the remainder of our time in Rome as neither of us had ever been before. We managed to see a great deal of the city by foot, on bicycle and on a brief Smart car tour (which I’ll get back to later). We walked through the Colosseum, hiked through the ruins of the Roman Forum, drank beer on the Spanish steps and threw coins in Trevi Fountain. It was a bit unreal. And of course we sampled some of the city’s vegan offerings. Our first stop was the Beehive Cafe. This small vegetarian restaurant, located inside the Beehive Hotel, is cute and comfortable. They have a handful of vegan options and a very accommodating cook who helped us put together our meal. They use a sliding pay scale and no set portion size so you only get what you want to eat and only pay what you feel you should (of course there are recommendations).

We started with a large vegetable soup filled with zucchini, peas, tomato and orzo. This soup was unbelievable. This could possibly be one of the best soups I’ve ever had. It was hearty and rich, full of vegetables but not overly heavy. There was a touch of sweetness to it and each vegetable was able to shine. I could eat this soup for days. In fact I could go for some right now. Paired with some fresh bread this stuff was like heaven.

We also got a plate of hummus, vegetable patties, salad and some mixed vegetables. The hummus was also superb. There were two different veggie patties available the day we went and we chose one with chickpeas, nuts and spices. They were a little bit crunchy on the outside but soft and perfectly spiced on the inside. I really enjoyed the flavor of these but they were a bit dry on their own. I would have preferred these as actual veggie burgers but they were quite good mixed with everything else on the plate.

I highly recommend trying this place if you’re in Rome as it has a really nice atmosphere and they are very helpful and speak English too so that’s a plus. The food is unique and well thought out and is a good alternative to traditional Italian meals.

We also tried the only other vegetarian restaurant that I new of: Il Margutta. We stopped here for lunch, where instead of their normal menu, which has it’s own vegan section, they have a buffet with options of how many add-ons you’d like. While I enjoyed the food here and thought it was well crafted, I wasn’t blown away. Looking back, I would have preferred to order one dish than sample a bunch. I will say the seitan in one of my dishes was really great, but I only had a small serving. We decided to get the dessert option (despite the fact that I was convinced they weren’t going to have a vegan cake) and they did in fact have both a chocolate and carrot cake. These cakes were obviously made of quality ingredients and were overall pretty good but they were a bit grainy and oily. I was happy to have them anyway but they weren’t amazing either. I will say this place was packed for lunch and it was a pretty good deal overall, whereas the dinner menu is much more pricey.

Just for a second though, let’s talk about my favorite thing in Italy: ESPRESSO. I am without a doubt a caffeine addict. I make myself a soy latte every morning and usually can’t get through the day without something in the afternoon as well. I also have a fairly sensitive stomach, which means me and coffee don’t really get along. Through the years I’ve found ways to manage this like drinking espresso instead of coffee, always having it with soy milk, etc. In Italy though, I am able to just have espresso with a bit of sugar and I’m set. It’s so rich and delicious and doesn’t have the same caffeine jolt as the stuff over here. It is more flavorful and much less abrasive. It baffles me that people don’t want to drink stuff this good here and instead prefer bitter, watery coffee. It is a mystery! In any case, I had a week of sweet deliciousness and feel so lucky that I did.

But wait there’s more…come back tomorrow for a surprise find of a fully vegan restaurant and adventure tour that ensued…

Oggi è Domenica 6 Settembre.

13 meno 6= SETTE.

Oh, cavolo, da oggi inizio a vivere la mia ultima settimana da adolescente e, oddio, oddio, ODDIO, la lista delle ‘cose che un adolescente dovrebbe fare ma che non ho ancora avuto modo di fare’ è ancora piuttosto lunga!

Non ne ho mai compreso il motivo, ma ho da sempre una fissazione quasi ossessiva con le convenzioni numeriche che, per scelta di chissà chi, determinano l’inizio e la conclusione di un’era, sia essa di respiro più storico, sia prettamente relativa alle fasi della nostra vita. Ne consegue quindi che mi appresto a vivere una settimana alquanto DIFFICILE, ahimè, come se quella appena trascorsa fosse stata una passeggiata, tra tentativi di ‘Eternal Sunshine Of A Spotless Mind’(dare un’occhiata al film per afferrare ciò che intendo) ed ore e ore passate nella federazione del PD ad organizzare la festa dell’unitàmocratica.

Mi consola però sapere che vivrò questa settimana senza pesanti fardelli emotivi, portati sulle spalle per mesi e mesi, dalla Germania sino all’Italia, passando per la Repubblica Ceca(non ci si fa mancare nulla!).

Sarò peraltro concentratissimo sulle giornate dense di eventi nella Scuola Estiva di Cortona, con iniziative che terranno la mia povera mente occupata dalle 9 di mattina sino al tardo pomeriggio, sperando comunque in catarsi alcoliche notturne.

Concludo con una riflessione pre-congressuale, da ‘addetto ai lavori’:

Tornare da Zena fa cambiare idea, ahimè.

Casa Cerratella, A Tuscany Villa In The Hills Behind Cortona

Tuscany Villa Casa Cerratella is a restored self catering holiday farmhouse with swimming pool, close to the Tuscany Umbria border. There are 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and the villa sleeps a total of 8 people.

Tuscany Villa, Casa Cerratella

The swimming pool is 10 x 5m and the villa has a well maintained garden, in fact there are 16 acres of land but most of this is not kept as garden!

Tuscany Villa Casa Cerratella, Swimming Pool

Tuscany Villa Cerratella: Ground Floor

The ground floor has a large, well equipped kitchen / dining room, bathroom with washing machine and 2 bedrooms, one double and one twin. a third (twin) bedroom is reached from the ground floor via a staircase.

Tuscany Villa Casa Cerratella

The ground floor also has an entrance hall and double doors leading onto a shaded terrace.

Tuscany Villa Cerratella: Upper Floor

A large living room, a double master bedroom and bathroom. Stairs lead from the upper floor to the top of the tobacco drying tower where there is a bedroom with a single bed.

Tuscany Villa Casa Cerratella

The location of Casa Cerratella on the Tuscany Umbria border makes an ideal base for touring these beautiful central Italian regions. Florence, Siena, Arezzo, Cortona, Montepulciano (Tuscany) and Assisi, Perugia, Gubbio, Spoleto, Todi and Orvieto (Umbria) as well as the towns of the Upper Tiber Valley (Anghiari, Sansepolcro, Citta di Castello, Monterchi, Montone, etc.) and Lake Trasimeno (Passignano, Castiglione del Lago, Tuoro, Panicale, Paciano, etc.) can all be visited as day trips from the villa.

Gorgacce Rentals: Tuscany Villas, Tuscany Agritourism

You can stay at the vacation villa, Casa Cerratella when you holiday on the Tuscany Umbria border. Gorgacce Rentals have a selection of self catering holiday accommodation in this beautiful part of central Italy, visit their web site http://www.tuscanyumbria.com/ for Large Tuscany Villas, Small Tuscany Villas, Tuscany Farmhouses, Tuscany Agritourism and Tuscany Bed and Breakfast apartments, all with swimming pools. Also, look at our Cortona Apartment, Tuscany and Spello Apartments, Umbria. Whether you are looking for a Luxury Tuscany Villa or budget Tuscany Agritourism Apartments you will find suitable accommodation for your vacation in Tuscany and Umbria.

I am writing this article from the terrasse of a beatifull Hotel in Cortona called Villa di Piazzano. I am connected in WIFI with my web site trying to organize my 2 days in Cortona.This Hotel is the perfect starting point for my itinerary.

Cortona Town Hall

Situated at 600 metres above sea level, Cortona is positioned high over an unrivalled panorama which stretches as far as the Sienese mountains and Lake Trasimeno. A town of Etruscan origin which grew rapidly during the Medieval and Renaissance periods and left behind some important reminders of its past that are still perfectly conserved. Presumably the medieval city sprung up inside the Etruscan walls and was subsequently enlarged with the addition of some splendid Renaissance buildings.

The present day town is still enclosed within the ancient city walls which go up and down the slopes of Monte S. Egidio, stretching for almost three kilometres in total. Once inside the walls, the many historical monuments, which highlight the town’s various architectural styles, offer a feast for the eyes.

Heading along Via Nazionale on foot, you come to the airy Piazza della Repubblica where you can see the thirteenth century Palazzo Civico.

Etruscan bronze chandelier

A little further on you can find the most noble of all Cortona’s buildings. Palazzo dei Casali, now home to the prestigious and much renowned Museum of the Accademia etrusca (Visits –10am-1pm and 3pm-5pm, closed on Monday).
Established in 1727 as an extension of the Accademia etrusca, it contains some valuable antiques from Egyptian and late Roman times, a vast Library (visits on request) and numerous Etruscan ornaments including a famous bronze chandelier, dating from the 5th century BC. There are also works by Pinturicchio and Luca Signorelli, who was born in Cortona and was responsible for the frescoes seen in the Cathedral of Orvieto.

Continuing along Viale delle Mura Etrusche, do not miss the Diocesan Museum (Visits –from April to September, 9.30am-1pm and 3.30pm-7pm; from October to March, 10am-1pm and 3pm-5pm; closed on Monday) housed inside the Church of Gesù, right in front of the cathedral where you can see the stunning Annunciation by Beato Angelico, one of the Tuscan artist’s greatest works, in the upper church. Other works by Beato Angelico and Luca Signorelli are kept in the churches of San Domenico and San Niccolò, which are located in the bottom part of the town, together with the wonderful sanctuary of the Madonna del Calcinaio designed by Francesco di Giorgio, a work of Florentine and Brunelleschi inspiration considered to be the archetype of suburban sanctuaries of the period bridging the 1400 and 1500s.

Just a little distance away on the slopes of Monte Sant’Egidio, you can find Le Celle Hermitage, (to the northeast of the town centre, just outside Porta Colonia), a convent founded by St. Frances between 1211 and 1221 and built into the rock hanging over a torrent where you can visit the saint’s cell. Standing triumphantly on top of the hill is the Girifalco Fortress where you can look down over all Val di Chiana, closed in on the horizon by Monte Amiata, and Lake Trasimeno.

Para alegrar el corazón!

I have been invited to speak at the “Scuola Politica 2009″ in the Etruscan town of Cortona in Tuscany.

Scuola Politica's Home Page

The Scuola Politica is a annual forum which gathers international thought leaders such as Rigoberta Menchu’, 1992 nobel peace prize winner, Abolhassan Banisadr, the first president of Iran after the fall of the Shah, Richard Parker Lecturer in Public Policy and Senior Fellow of the Shorenstein Center at Harvard University, David Schweickart, Professor of Philosophy at Loyola University Chicago.

The event will take place from the 10th to the 12th of Septembre. Each day will be devoted to a particular theme: Society, Culture, Communications and politics.

This last theme is the one I have chosen for my presentation. I have realised that while much praise has been given to the Barack Obama presidential campaign, few people have examined in details why it was so effective in spurring volunteers into action.

My presentation will be available for download after the event is over.

Links:

Scuola Democratica homepage

List of participants

Schedule (9, 10, 11, 12 of Septembre)