|
Buongiorno,
I just got back from La Maremma, which is the southernmost part of Tuscany and a bit of Lazio. I enjoyed beautiful coastal walks in the Parco dell'Uccellina, peaceful countryside in myriad shades of green, and the hilltown of Pitigliano that rises up from the cliffs like a fairy-tale castle.
After exploring spooky Etruscan tombs and walking along a perfectly preserved Roman road, I got to choose berween soaking in the hot springs at Saturnia or quaffing the marvelous Morellino di Scansano, a DOCG red wine that holds its own against Tuscany's more famous cousins in Chianti & Brunello.
Since the hot springs smell
strongly of sulphur, I preferred to breathe in the bouquet of
Morellino di Scansano.
La Maremma feels a lot like the Tuscany I knew some 20 years ago when I first moved to Italy - rustic, untamed and welcoming. I recommend it for walking, cooking, wine tasting, historical & cultural tours - or mix in a bit of everything like we do on our classic Maremma Walk.
Our October 2009 tour is already booked, but it's not too early to think about booking La Maremma in the spring.
Ciao, Anita Iaconangelo
Call toll-free: 800 462 7911 (USA & Canada)
E-mail:
info@italian-connection.com
| |
|
The hilltown of Pitigliano has a towering castle, a Medici acqueduct, a tiny synagogue and mysterious Etruscan roads carved into the rock. Our guide reveals secret passages along with the story of delicious sfratti - evictions - an aromatic sweet belying its bitter history.
________________________________
The Parco dell'Uccellina in the Maremma is a protected coastal area, with stupendous walks and a lovely beach. It is also home to the short-toed eagle, whose preferred food is snake. One pair of these eagles consumes 500 meters of snake per year.
________________________________
Acquacotta Recipe
Acquacotta is a peasant soup of la Maremma and is the perfect hearty dish for a cool autumn day. Try it!
________________________________
Italian Lesson, Illustrated
In la Maremma you'll find lots of simple agriturismi - farm accommodations - that cater to families, so la Maremma is a great place to bring kids. On one of my walks, I spotted a family of pheasants out for a stroll.
It would have been a simple task to catch them, lending credence to the Italian expression of calling someone a fagiano - pheasant - who is gullible, easily duped, a real sucker, or just a plain idiot.
| |
