About 3 kilometers from our Resort, there is the Astronomical Observatory “Torre di Luciana” where they have different events, here’s a couple:

• Friday 15 June at 9 PM “Gazing at Jupiter and Saturn”
• Friday 27 July at 8 PM “THE TOTAL MOON ECLIPSE”

Of course we would be pleased to reserve tickets for those interested.

The post The Astronomical Observatory: Torre di Luciana appeared first on Vicolabate.

Perfect for a healthy diet and enhancing modern as well as classic dishes…

And if you have the chance to try our olive oil that has just been pressed, you will be able to taste the slight bite and full aroma of an excellent quality oil!

It is true, bread and olive oil are a great combination, but attention please, it must be Tuscan bread!

Have you ever tasted Tuscan bread? It is without salt!

It is said that this is because of a conflict between Florence and Pisa (rivalry still exists today).  Around 1100 A.D. it is said that Pisa decided to block the salt trade with Florence so as to force their submission. But the Florentines did not give up the fight– but simply began to make bread without salt.

You will realize that unsalted bread is a must to accompany typical Tuscan dishes, especially our salted meats and flavourful cheeses.

Tuscan bread is also the basic ingredient in some of our renowned recipes, like Ribollita (Vegetable and Bean Bread Soup) or Pappa al Pomodoro (Tomato and Bread Soup) and of course our Crostini con Fegatini (Chicken liver Patè Toast).

During your stay, you will see how this bread is prepared as well as “schiacciate al olio” –Florentine focaccia, which can be served with locally cured meats.

We can suggest many local restaurants where you can find various traditional dishes, or, you can hire a chef to cook the dishes of your choice.

The post Bread and Olive Oil: 2 basics of Tuscan Cooking appeared first on Vicolabate.

It is a non-competitive bicycle race/event.

It is a historical and commemorative race that passes along the unpaved dirt roads of Chianti.

To participate you must wear vintage-style riding clothes and ride old-fashion bicycles.

There are 6 different trails: from “Piccolo Chianti” (Small Chianti) that is 44 kilometers to “Lungo” (Long) which is 209 kilometers.

The Start Off is quite spectacular for the history, passion and fun that every participant adds…with vintage bicycles and colorfully dressed riders that you’ve never seen before.

Those that have participated, usually return the following year, sometimes challenging themselves on a different trail, but definitely enjoying something they will never forget

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