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Thursday 15 January 2015

Why Tuscany?



It could be the rolling hills and romantic vineyards or the tempting food? Somethings attracting flocks of tourist and thousands of expats wishing to live a relaxed way of life.
Located on the west coast of Italy just above the knee, Tuscany (Toscana) has a  history which dates back before the Romans and some of the worlds most iconic buildings. The regions capital, Florence is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance, and full of stunning monuments, detailed churches and glorious museums filled with world famous art.

Northern Tuscany is where Hikers and the mountains climb up into Lunigiana and Garfagnana region. The mountainous area north of Lucca, is famous for its stunning natural beauty and porcini mushrooms. The Apuan Alps, well known for its marble that Michelangelo used it for his masterpieces and the cities of Massa and Carra form a backdrop to a line of blue flag beaches running down the Versilia coast. Further inland the river Arno Runs under the famous bridges of Florence, through Empolli and Pisa before flowing into the Tyrrhenian sea.

Central Tuscany reaches down from Florence to Siena, This area is is covered with gentle hills, fields of vineyards and olive groves, small stone villages and the famous wines of the Chianti regian. Between Chianti and the hills of Umbria are the truly enchanting hilltop towns of Cortona, Montepulciano, Chianciano Terme and Chiusi.

The Golden wheat fields and avenues of cypresses join the isolated towns in Southern Tuscany, The less crowded area of the Val d'Orcia is he most photographed part of Tuscany. Taking its name from the river which runs through the regionthe winding roads run through the landscape to and meet up with the unspoilt coast line of the Maremma Regian. South of the the industrial city of Livorno, Off the coast is the Island of Elba, which form  the Tuscan Archipelago.

So....
Tempting us with the tastes of their simple culinary cuisine, mouth watering wines and Tuscan truffles. Then offering beautiful beaches, lush green countryside, city's filled with art and over 120 protected nature reserves, Its no wonder this region is attracting millions of tourists each year.

Saturday 10 January 2015

10 useful Phrases


What ever your reason for visiting Italy its a good idea to know at least a few basic phrases in Italian to help you get by. 

Here's a quick collection of useful phrases in Italian with links to sound files!

Thank you/ Your welcome - Grazie/Prego

Excuse me - Mi scusi!

Good Morning - Buongiorno

Good Afternoon-  Buongiorno / Buon pomeriggio

Good evening - Buonasera

Good night - Buonanotte

I don't understand -  Non capisco

How do you say... in Italian? - Come si dice ... in italiano?

Where's the toilet/bathroom? - Dov'è la toilette? /Dov'è il bagno?

How much is this? - Quanto costa?

For more like this check out this site.

Ciao....