From the Etruscans to Sodoma: A Day in the Sienese Countryside

The Etruscans left few written records, and nobody knows what the complex at Poggio Civitate, a hill near the town of Murlo (southwest of Siena), was. However, the footprint our man left in the roof tile is dramatic proof of the suddenness with which destruction came: Life size terracotta statues of gods and sphinxes, roof tiles, frieze plaques with horse race and banquet scenes, pottery, jewelry, all was smashed and buried. 

And so it remained until Mr. Phillips, who hoped to find an Etruscan town, began excavating Poggio Civitate in 1966. The first day a wall was discovered, but instead of being part of a house, it proved to be part of a huge, fabulously... 

Follow the link below and explore some charming holiday accommodation in Tuscany where you can stay to visit plenty of Etruscan dwellings:

Tuscany accommodation

3 - 7 October 2009 - Following the traces of St Francis of Assisi

Following the traces of St Francis of Assisi
Sat 3 - Wed 7 October

An easy but intense excursion in the high Tiberina Valley, following the traces of Saint Francis of Assisi.

• 6/7 hours walking per day
• Price: € 170,00
• Guide: Luca Panaro Write me a message and take a look at my website here 

You can take a long or a short break in a truly charming farmhouse in the vicinity:

Villa Siena - Web Page










Borgo "La Chiusa" - Web page

Pure & Authentic

Pure and Authentic represents a fine selection of private homes, villas and farmhouses. Pure and Authentic is dedicated to ensuring a unique holiday experience in stunning settings, off the beaten track.

Siena City Walk

This circular walk takes you past the major attractions of Siena and also through quieter neighbourhoods with less famous sights, though none the less interesting, and will give you a real feeling for the city and its history. The notes below will complement those under ‘Siena’ in this booklet or the information in any simple guidebook on the city. (Since it is difficult to reproduce a suitably detailed map of the city I recommend that you collect a map from the tourist office.) 

Check all the details on Pure & Authentic Holiday Leisure
 

You can take a long or a short break in a truly charming farmhouse in the vicinity:

Villa Siena










Borgo "La Chiusa"

Recipe of the week: "La Ribollita"

Ribollita is the most typical Tuscan dish - it is a vegetable soup whose name means 'boiled again'.

It is quite rare to find the authentic recipe anywhere, as traditionally, the Ribollita was nothing but the leftover of a 3 day old vegetable soup, boiled again with onion slices and old bread.

Its main ingredient, which makes it different from any vegetable soup, is black cabbage - cavolo nero.

The recipe that follows is our favourite version of Ribollita, as cooked by our friend and chef Luana.

La Ribollita

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 200g borlotti beans
• 300g Cabbage
• 300g Cavolo nero
• 2 Carrots
• 2 sticks of Celery
• 1 large Onion
• 3 cloves Garlic
• 1 Leek
• 2 Spring onions
• 400g Bietole (swiss chard)
• 1 bunch Parsley
• 1 bunch Basil chopped
• 2 spring Onions chopped
• 300g stale Bread cubed
• ½ litre Water
• Salt & Pepper (to taste)
• Pinch chilli powder
• 4 tablespoons Oil
  

Preparation:

Cut vegetables and place in a pan with herbs, oil, salt, pepper and chilli.
Place on low heat, simmer vegetables in their own juice do not add water.
When all their natural liquid has evaporated add water a little at a time until vegetables are cooked.
Heat oil in a non-stick frying pan add cooked vegetables and cubed bread, bring to boil and simmer until combined. If the mixture is too dry add extra water and heat through.
For a firm, well combined consistency simmer until mixture doesn’t stick to the pan.
Remove from heat and add basil, parsley and spring onions.
Serve with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

Siena Film Festival

Siena Film Festival
6-10 October
13th edition - International competition focused on social and universal issues.
This year the films preferred will deal with matters about the abused children, environmental protection, human rights and peace.
Twenty films in competition will be screened at Cinema Nuovo Pendola, where will take place the meetings with directors and actors. Also great music devoted to a songwriter and poet.

Accomodation available within 5 kms from the festival:

Borgo "La Chiusa" - Web page

Wine & Grapes festival

Chiusi
from 19/09/2009 to 27/09/2009
A traditional look at the wines of Porsenna. As well as wine tasting in all the canteens and Osterias, there are also cultural activities and games between the town's districts. The "tripartite" is a traditional competition of the grape festival; three football teams and three balls on the field.

You can take a long or a short break in a truly charming farmhouse in the vicinity:

Antico Mulino - Web page

Loft in Milan

Coming soon on pureandauthentic.co.uk ....
Loft in Milan: next to Porta Ticinese, only 5 minutes from the beauty of Navigli with their happening pubs and restaurants.