South Africa Lodge - Villa Spring Grove

Spring Grove is a luxury Lodge in Malaria free zone in Easter Cape. It comprises of five luxury double suites, each with a breathtaking view of the environment.

All have en-suite facilities and access to the decks. The large lounge has a magnificent view over the water, home theater system and a fireplace. A smaller lounge can be enjoyed for more intimate moments. Sumptuous meals are served in the dining room with its unique handmade dining table or on the deck, overlooking the magnificent valley, or in the bush.

The Villa sits inside a private game reserve offering its guests the privacy of 2000 hectares of indigenous South African wild. Vast Landscapes ranging from valley Bushveld to open grasslands present panoramic vistas and superb wildlife viewing opportunities. Guests enjoy a one-on-one environmental experience on the property – either on foot, horse-back or mountain bike. Close encounters with African wildlife are assured.

The lodge is only 90 minutes from Port Elizabeth Airport.The reserve is situated only 20 minutes from the finest white beaches along the Indian Ocean. Guests can relax on the beach or take part in numerous activities in the area. There are also several fantastic golf courses in the area. Kenton on Sea is situated between 2 tidal rivers - the Kariega and Bushmans Rivers. It has an unspoilt beachfront as a Nature Reserve borders the beach and covers the sanddunes that line the magnificent pristine beach between these rivers. The main beach next to Kariega River was voted best beach in South Africa in 2001. Small buck and other wild game live in this reserve and are spotted regularly. Because of this ideal situation, Kenton is also a birder’s paradise with the sea, rivers and nature reserve in close proximity. Fishing is excellent - deep sea, surf, rock and river. Whales are spotted regularly from April to December.

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.