The History and Mysteries of Europe’s Misericords Part II by Dave Douglas Davis Misericord – or Mercy Seat – is the name of the ledge on the underside of the folding seats in the church’s choir stalls. Often hidden and usually unnoticed, these small seats meant a great deal for monks during their arduous day…
Italians love their dolce. Even in wintertime, you can be sure to see Italians eat gelato and so it comes a no surprise, that they have no less than 6 Christmas cakes to sweeten the chilly days of Christmas. But choosing which cake it should be, can even ruin the Christmas spirit in Italian families.…
The History and Mysteries of Europe’s Misericords Part I by Dave Douglas Davis A couple of hours after sunset on the evening of January 29, 1497 a light frost settled over the fields outlying Villefranche-de-Rouergue. By the time Père Dominique arose from the wooden platform that served as his bed a little before two in…
If you’re like me, pasta is something you boil into an edible state from its natural, dry state. But perhaps, when tossing the plastic-wrapped spaghetti into your cart in the grey gleam of the supermarket strip light, you have daydreamed about another possibility. To stand around a wooden table, music in the background, laughing among…
Degustazione is the word to watch for on the winery signposts along the various wine routes in Tuscany. This means that you can taste the wine produced at that vineyard and if you like it, you can buy a few bottles. You might also want to keep your eyes open for an enoteca – this is an establishment, usually in a town, where you can sample wines from a wide variety of local wine estates. Here’s our take on what is the best way to discover Montepulciano and how to go wine touring.
By Lara Sierra Tutte le strade portano a Roma, but you have endless choices once you get there. Regardless of your budget, there is something for everyone in this enigmatic city of secrets. Read on to discover how to make your budget work its hardest for an unforgettable trip. If you were to choose one…
One of the best ways to explore the Tuscan countryside is Wine Touring; driving from vineyard to vineyard along cypress alleys, among olive trees, sampling the wine in its natural habitat. There are plenty of wine areas to choose from and we will present the most important in the following weeks, starting with the prestigious Montalcino.…