TUSCANY: A HISTORY -- PART 3

ALISTAIR MOFFAT BOOK REVIEW

 

Moffat's well-researched, scholarly content is conveyed in eminently readable prose.

It’s like those lectures of your favorite undergrad history prof: the one who made learning ancient stuff so surprisingly enjoyable.

Describing Tuscany’s appeal, Moffat writes: “…(I)t looks old, and very beautiful, and very detailed.

Punctuated by tall cypress trees, patterned by fields, olive groves and vineyards…crossed by dusty, winding roads and tracks, the landscape bears the marks of the men and women who have worked every corner of it for millennia.”

I think I’ll check the Alitalia website for flights to Firenze…  
 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: 

http://www.birlinn.co.uk/book/details/Tuscany-9781841588315

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

TUSCANY: A HISTORY -- PART 2

ALISTAIR MOFFAT BOOK REVIEW

It could not be otherwise, what with its unparalleled art and architecture, amazing food and wine, and exquisite natural beauty. Even the sun shines differently there. It’s almost unfair.

Author Alistair Moffat fell under Tuscany’s spell in 1971 when studying abroad.

In Tuscany: A History, Moffat offers up an entrancing story of the region from pre-historic times to the present day.

And what a story to tell: of oligarchs and popes, iconic artists and writers, soaring cathedrals and medieval walled towns.

Even a bad writer could beguile readers with a narrative woven with tales about Dante, Giotto, the Medici, the Knights Templar and the Black Plague. 

Fortunately for us, Moffat is anything but a hack.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: 

http://www.birlinn.co.uk/book/details/Tuscany-9781841588315

TUSCANY BOOK REVIEW CONTINUES

TOMORROW -- SEPTEMBER 21

TUSCANY: A HISTORY -- PART 1

ALISTAIR MOFFAT BOOK REVIEW

Sometimes the upshot of a trip abroad is little more than a few postcards, a couple cheap souvenirs and some digital photos posted on Facebook.

Short-lived fun and a few happy memories. Other trips, however, are different.   

Some places get under your skin, ooze into your pores, maybe even change your DNA.

Once you’ve been there, you always yearn to go back, and conjure up daydreams of moving there, living the ex-pat lifestyle.

Tuscany is just such a place. It begs not to be simply toured, but rather absorbed, tasted, savored. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: 

http://www.birlinn.co.uk/book/details/Tuscany-9781841588315

TUSCANY BOOK REVIEW CONTINUES

TOMORROW -- SEPTEMBER 20

ANTONELLA MARCUCCI -- SUPERSTAR ENGLISH SPEAKING GUIDE TO LUCCA (WITH INSIGHTS INTO TRAVEL BY WHEELCHAIR)

FOR AN OUTSTANDING GUIDE TO LUCCA:

Antonella Marcucci is an outstanding and passionate guide to all the treasures of Lucca.

She is the English speaking guide that led us the Il Mecenate.

In her words:

"I got my Degree in Foreign Languages at Bari University and, after travelling the world as a Tour Leader, about 20 years ago I decided to stop in Lucca where part of my family come from.

I am a mom (my son is 14 years old), I love motorbikes (I’ve got a yellow one), I love art and ceramics, archery and walking, Middle Ages, painting and telling stories.

I am also a Licensed Lucca and surroundings Tourist Guide, a Tour Leader (worldwide) and a Licensed Disability Manager at Università Cattolica in Milano (Italy).

I have a Solid Tour Guide experience and I am very passionate and very knowledgeable about Lucca, wonderful city, and its surroundings."

http://luccaguide.wordpress.com

antonella@guidelucca.it

mobile: + 39 339 6328832

IL MECENATE -- LUCCA, ITALY -- PART 5

LOCALLY SOURCED, DIVINELY PREPARED CUISINE

IN THE FINEST LUCCHESE TRADITION

Torta di arancio e cioccolata consists of almonds pulverized into a flour the consistency of corn meal, blended with oranges and served with a dark chocolate sauce. 

The lusciously grainy texture, paired with the tartness of the citrus and sweetness of chocolate formed a union that transcends words.

 

Il Mecenate charmed this day tripper, a rich reward for stepping off the beaten path in Lucca.

IF YOU GO:

Il Mecenate is in the center of Lucca at Via del Fosso, 94.

Phone 0583512167 or 3202307408

Its website gives the old address, when the restaurant was still in the countryside, so ignore that old information and remember that Mecenate is within the walled city.

http://www.ristorantemecenate.it

LUCCA STORIES CONTINUE

TOMORROW -- SEPTEMBER 18

IL MECENATE -- LUCCA, ITALY -- PART 4

LOCALLY SOURCED, DIVINELY PREPARED CUISINE

IN THE FINEST LUCCHESE TRADITION

For secondi pasti, we selected perfectly al dente spaghetti with garlic, olive oil and more fresh prawns.

The simplicity of the dish allowed the quality of the ingredients to shine through.

We sampled more wine along with oven cooked fish and roasted, lightly seasoned potatoes.

More simple, yet spectacular dishes.

 

It’s hard to argue with chocolate as a conclusion to a great meal.

We would enjoy it in two ways: straightforward and unforgettable.

The former consisted of a luscious, moist cake.

The latter -- according to our host -- a much-treasured heirloom recipe passed down through generations. 

IL MECENATE REVIEW CONTINUES

TOMORROW -- SEPTEMBER 17

IL MECENATE -- LUCCA, ITALY -- PART 3

LOCALLY SOURCED, DIVINELY PREPARED CUISINE

IN THE FINEST LUCCHESE TRADITION

 

No English translations on the menu here.

But between our host’s decent but limited English, our very limited Italian, and some similarity of Italian to Spanish, we felt right at home.

Our host read aloud to us everything listed on the menu, plus the specials, all the while rhapsodizing about the charms of each tantalizing dish.

 

We started with Tortino di Carciofi: artichoke flan. 

This typically Tuscan dish was a soft, spongy, flavorful confection.

A tomato-based soup with locally sourced prawns and a light, citrus-y pino gris made for a lovely pairing.

We savored our primi pasti, enjoying the sight of an elegant greyhound who’d come with his master to chat a spell with the proprietor. 

IL MECENATE REVIEW CONTINUES

TOMORROW -- SEPTEMBER 16