Saturday, July 4, 2009

Walking and Cooking in the Tuscan Hills

For breathtaking walks in the Tuscany region head to the historic centre of San Marcello. History buffs will enjoy strolling through the town's historic centre, which contains buildings such as the Consortium T'Delizia and The Observatory from where it is possible to view the star-clad skies of the region. Another important monument that you may want to visit on your walks in Italy is the Mammiano Suspension Bridge. Brave walkers may even wish to attempt to cross the rope clad bridge, which joins the two banks of the Lima River.

The Lima River is bordered by verdant woods, which offer a number of opportunities for tourists on their walking holidays in Italy. It is not only possible to spend a day horse-riding or mountain-biking in the thick forest, but you can also arrange excursions kayaking and even paragliding in this area.

Located nearby to San Marcello is the scenic town of Gavinana, a popular spot for walks in Italy. The town is the site of a former 16th century fortified castle and still retains much of its medieval architecture. On your walking holiday in Italy spend a day exploring this town, which has an equestrian monument in memory of its local hero Francesco Ferrucci, at its very centre.

All this walking is bound to make you hungry so head back to your hotel in order to learn some Tuscany cooking skills that you will astound your friends with at your next dinner party. Tuscan cookery is typically very home orientated with many casserole based dishes containing cannellini and borlotti beans all, of course, with a generous splash of olive oil. Roast suckling pig and wild boar are also two typical Tuscan dishes that you may find yourself cooking whilst on your walking holiday in Italy. The Tuscan chefs are particularly passionate about the food which they cook and will happily give you hints and make sure that you cook the best possible dish on your walking holiday in Italy.

Walking in Italy's cultural capital of Florence is a great way to burn off the calories, so spend the next day on your walking holiday in Italy visiting the many art galleries and monuments of the region. Unmissable is the Accademia which houses Michelangelo's David and the Uffizi Gallery containing works by Botticelli and other giants of the Italian Renaissance. It is possible to spend a whole day in Italy's premier art gallery, but the city has many incredible sights to visit including the Duomo (Cathedral) and the Ponte Vecchio.

You'll need to take a great wine home in order to complement the Tuscan cookery skills that you have picked on your walking holiday in Italy. So before the end of your holiday head into the Chianti region between Florence and Siena and spend a day sampling the local produce. After all you don't want to spoil all the effort you've made on your Tuscan dinner party by offering your guests cheap wine.

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