TERRA VERDE artfarm

The anticipated harvest of olives

2011-10-12T15:06:00.012+02:00

Hello!

I'm not much online these days as olive harvesting is underway here. After spending the time in the vineyard, now I am (hand) picking olives that will be pressed to make the olive oil.

So even if we do have a WiFi Internet across the vineyard and the olive grove, it's yet not easy to climb the trees while staying online :)

"Couldn't you publish some olives photos and live videos?"

What?!
No, I will not pick olives online! :D
Want to video-hangout?
If you have never seen the olive harvest, you could come here, give me a hand and go online yourself!
:)
Feel free to mail me if there's something you'd like to ask.

*Terra Verde organic olive oil

The olive oil produced in the area of the Pisan Hills is renowned for its excellent quality.

Terra Verde artfarm produces organic extra virgin olive oil, without using chemicals.

The olives are hand picked and cold pressed immediately after harvest. This ensures high quality and sensory richness.

Terra Verde likes the restaurant - pizzeria "I Due Laghi" - The Two Lakes - near Casciana Thermal Baths

2011-08-14T16:58:00.015+02:00

The restaurant-pizzeria "I Due Laghi" (The Two Lakes) was born several decades ago from the initiative of the owner, Salvatore, a man who, after having worked as a craftsman, decides to create a lake for sport fishing in this valley that lies near Casciana Terme and Casciana Thermal Baths. Over the time, a second adjacent lake was made and then, finally, the restaurant.

Now it is one of the best restaurants in the area where you can taste typical dishes, made with ingredients that mostly come from the family garden.

In the warmer seasons you can eat outdoors on a pleasant terrace surrounded by greenery.

You can find appetizers, first and second dishes but also grilled meat. The Fridays menu is enriched with seafood and there is always a good assortment of desserts. Even pizza, baked in a wood fired oven, is excellent and you can taste it with the homemade tomato sauce and the fresh basil.

The restaurant - pizzeria "I Due Laghi" is located just a few miles south-west from Terra Verde and is one of the places that we warmly recommend.

find "I Due Laghi" on the map

Terra Verde artfarm inaugurates a new holiday apartment

2011-08-08T07:16:00.003+02:00

Are you looking for a perfect holiday apartment to stay in Tuscany?

This could be an opportunity not to be missed: a relaxing stay in Tuscany at a highly affordable price, only 20 euros per night per person!

In the same building where the Sunrise Apartment is located we have just inaugurated a fully independent second apartment, Evening Rainbow, with 3 double bedrooms.

pink room

green room

milk & coffee room

small upper saloon

bathroom

The approx. 120 sq m apartment in typical Tuscan style house is suitable for a group of friends or family and can accommodate up to 6 people. It is composed of 3 double bedrooms, small upper saloon, comfortable bathroom and 1 huge, welcoming and fully equipped living room/kitchen diner.

The garden is equipped with BBQ and wood oven and is directly accessible from the kitchen.

Terra Verde is located in the countryside on The Wine Route of the Pisan Hills, area renowned for its excellent quality extra virgin olive oil and wine made by local producers.

From here you can easily reach the most beautiful art cities, medieval villages or seaside resorts of Tuscany.

Evening Rainbow Apartment
Weekly price for 3 bedrooms apartment (sleeps 6): 840.00 Euro / week
Sunrise Apartment
Weekly price for 1 bedroom apartment (sleeps 2): 560,00 euro/settimana

Both apartments are self catering only. 5 night minimum stay required.

This offer is valid until August 27, 2011.

Do not hesitate to contact us to check availability and for any further information.

The Amalia Laghi bathing facility

2011-07-09T23:00:00.013+02:00

There's an interesting news for those who have chosen to spend their holidays in Terra Verde artfarm (and, I believe, for the others too).
Just a few days ago a bathing facility was inaugurated not far from here, about 15 minutes drive away, in a natural lake of 6 acres.

The structure is called Amalia Laghi (Amalia Lakes) and includes a sandy beach of 150 meters with 80 umbrellas, a dock, toilets, showers, cabins, children's playground, a bar and a restaurant/pizzeria with a terrace overlooking the lake.

While the access to the bar and the restaurant is free, there's an access fee to the beach and the swimming area of the lake.
Here are the prices:

access to the beach - 5 euros/day (with option to purchase 13 tickets for 50 euros)
rental of 1 umbrella + 2 chairs - 12 euros/day (option: 75 euros for 1 week and 130 euros for 2 weeks)
rental of 1 umbrella + 2 beds - 14 euros/day (option: 85 euros for 1 week and 150 euros for 2 weeks)

The Amalia Laghi bathing facility is an alternative to sea beaches which are approx. 30-50 km away from Terra Verde artfarm, depending on the resort you want to reach (Marina di Vecchiano, Tirrenia, Castiglioncello, Follonica, Torre Mozza, Cecina, etc).

Car rental companies comparative price list

2011-07-07T22:40:00.013+02:00

In order to reach Terra Verde artfarm from Pisa or Florence Airport, you may rent a car directly at the airport. You need a car to stay in Terra Verde art farm to go shopping, to move around, to visit the magnificent medieval villages, the Tuscan countryside or sea coast, the famous art cities and typical local restaurants.

We hope you'll find useful the following tables with comparative price list provided by car rental companies and depending on the rent duration and car type.

The rates may be subject to change over time by individual operators. For any further information you should contact directly the service providers.

Train strike in Tuscany region of Italy

2011-06-23T01:34:00.012+02:00

If you’re a biker, this doesn’t concern you :)
You can’t do anything about them. You get stranded. They cause you to hit a snag. They separate couples. They force you to sit for hours on some uncomfortable train station bench in a small town with an unpronounceable name.
Yes, I’m talking about train strikes.

One is going to hit the Tuscany region of Italy on next weekend, so be aware: in Tuscany the trains will be on strike from 9 pm, Saturday June 25, 2011 to 9 pm, Sunday June 26, 2011.
Stay home and read a book; take a walk in the countryside; eat in some nice Tuscan restaurant.
I’m sure you’ll not regret that.

My Pretty Rose Tree

2011-06-02T18:54:00.003+02:00

These roses flourish producing so abundant blooms that it seems that they are rewarding me - even if I give them so little care.

Dear rose, I still don't know your name!

My Pretty Rose Tree

A flower was offered to me,

Such a flower as May never bore;

But I said "I've a pretty rose tree,"

And I passed the sweet flower o'er.

Then I went to my pretty rose tree,

To tend her by day and by night;

But my rose turned away with jealousy,

And her thorns were my only delight.

William Blake

One-day wine tasting tour around Terricciola

2011-05-25T23:53:00.017+02:00

Arianna & Friends organizes wine tours to the authentic wine area of Terricciola, also called the "New Chianti", with visits to cellars and wine tasting.
Discover this enchanting world, deeply rooted in the local tradition of Tuscany.

Info and reservations:Arianna and Friends, Viale G. Mazzini 71 - Peccioli
tel: 0587 691878 • fax: 0587 672088
info@ariannandfriends.com • www.ariannandfriends.com/tasting_wine.htm

Duomo, the cathedral of Florence

2011-04-18T09:16:00.010+02:00

The Florence Duomo, dedicated to Saint Mary of the Flower, and its famous dome (cupola), projected by Filippo Brunelleschi, are so popular that from this opera most people instantly recognize Florence. Have you been there? I have and I'm happy to share some photos with you, hoping that you might feel the irresistible impulse to make a wonderful and unforgettable journey to Florence.

The monument of Luigi Pampaloni to Filippo Brunelleschi in Florence

Easter Holidays in Pisa with Galileo Galilei

2011-04-13T19:36:00.010+02:00

Born in Pisa on February 15, 1564, the renowned physicist, mathematician, astronomer and philosopher Galileo Galilei has left an indelible imprint that has marked our modern science.

If you'd like to follow in the footsteps of this great scientist under the leaning tower of Pisa, there is a great opportunity: The Galilean Tour, a two-kilometre, two-hour walk around Pisa’s historic centre.

Meeting point:
Casa Ammannati / Piazza della Repubblica – Galileo’s birthplace

Route:
Casa Ammannati (Galileo’s birthplace) - Piazza Cairoli, an old fruit and vegetable market along the Arno river - Borgo Stretto, Church of San Michele, commercial centre of Pisa - Palazzo della Sapienza / antique anatomical theatre - Palazzo Reale / Piazza del Duomo

Timetable:
April 22
10.30 a.m. - tour in Italian

April 23
10.30 a.m. - tour in Italian

April 24
10.30 a.m. - tour in Italian
03.30 p.m. - tour in English

April 25
10.30 a.m. - tour in Italian
03.30 p.m. - tour in English

Tickets:
6 euro / min 8 – max 40 people

Further information, booking, tickets:
LA VIAGGERIA srl
Via S. Lorenzo, 62 - 56127 PISA
Tel. +39 050 554034

PISAINCOMINGUIDES
Tel. +39 050 822207
cell. • +39 333 6144924 • +39 329 3941989
www.pisaguide.com
piccini.silvia@tiscalinet.it

In collaboration with Pisa Province

Discover Pisa and its surroundings!

The sixth edition of The Teatro del Silenzio

2011-04-05T22:30:00.002+02:00

We have already written a post on the concert of Andrea Bocelli that is to be held in July at the Teatro del Silenzio in Lajatico, but as we have received a communication from the Department of Tourism, Youth and Sports of the Province of Pisa with some more details on this event, we're happy to share them with our blog readers.

Dear Friends of the Teatro del Silenzio,

This year we renew the invitation to participate in the sixth edition of The Teatro del Silenzio, in the splendid frame of the rural town of Lajatico, in the Pisa Province.

The 2011 edition assumes a particular turn, because the Teatro del Silenzio and his Honorary President, Andrea Bocelli, have welcomed with enthusiasm the invitation from the extraordinary ambassador of the Chinese Popular Republic in Italy to host Bravo China.

Bravo China is a show in which Chinese international fame artists meet the main interpreters of the hosting country. All forms of art, from “il bel canto” to dance and to pop music, will meet in a spectacular event that creates a dialogue, a comparison and a high-profile artistic interchange between these two so distant countries that will be made artistically closer by the night of the Teatro del Silenzio.

The past 9 editions of Bravo China have crossed all 5 continents, have been in Hollywood and Rio de Janeiro passing through the acropolis in Athens and Kremlin, Moscow.

On November 6th 2010, on the occasion of the 40th year of diplomatic relation between Italy and China, the Chinese Cultural Year in Italy has been announced and The Teatro del Silenzio has been chosen as one of the main events for the celebrations with the patronage of the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities.

Bravo China will also be broadcasted as a big event on the main television stations of both countries.

Besides Andrea Bocelli, another artist of worldwide fame that has performed with all the most prestigious orchestras of the world, Lang Lang, has confirmed his partecipation.

The rest of artistic cast is still to be defined, however, the presence of the grand tenor Dai Yuqiang, the Chinese Opera star, is already confirmed, as well as the presence of the singer and songwriter Liu Huan who performed in the 2008 opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing with the British singer Sarah Brightman, with the song "You and Me".

The Italian cast foresees the participation of the extraordinary artists, such as the violinist Uto Ughi, the mezzosoprano Cecilia Bartoli, the dancer at the Opéra Garnier in Paris Eleonora Abbagnato, the flutist Andrea Griminelli.

The event is set for July 21, 2011 at 8:15 pm.

You can purchase tickets through the Four One music & events site, Vivaticket site and TicketOne site.

Thanks, see you in Lajatico!

Association TEATRO DEL SILENZIO

The Uffizi Gallery on the Google Art Project page

2011-04-04T10:24:00.013+02:00

Florence is a city of art well known throughout the world. It takes time to visit it, because the art it offers is so rich that it is hard to decide where to go first! Google, the luminary of the Web, now offers a service that allows you to view the content of many famous museums in the world, among them the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Taste the beauty that you can see in this famous place, visiting the Google Art Project page.

Andrea Bocelli in concert at Teatro del Silenzio in July

2011-03-29T20:26:00.008+02:00

The concert of Andrea Bocelli that was held last year in the Teatro del Silenzio (The Theatre of Silence) in Lajatico, Pisa Province, Tuscany, seemed to be the last edition of this magical event. Maybe he feared that the enchantment couldn't last forever and so he decided to end the event at the top of its success?

The whole world have learned the news with great disappointment.

Luckily, Andrea has rethought his position and everyone (including us!) breathed a deep sigh of relief.

Now we look forward to hearing the warm, velvety Andrea's voice again; the concert date is set for July 21, 2011 and will also host international stars such as the pianist Lang Lang, the tenor Dai Yuqiang and many others.

Andrea Bocelli and the Theatre of Silence still have so many things to say!

We are happy to live just a few kilometers from Lajatico and to be able to go there easily to hear the concert!

If you too are thinking about attending this magical event, hurry up, because pre-sale tickets are selling like hot cakes! You may find them at Four One music & events site.

Good luck!

Wine, oil and windmills - a new rural Tuscany landscape

2011-01-10T21:20:00.007+01:00

Wine, oil, energy and hospitality - the Tuscan way of farm life is changing!
The Italian legislation encourages the use of sustainable building solutions in order to reduce energy consumption and to stimulate the adoption of renewable energy.
In the Valdera countryside the way of sustainability is particularly strong and is developing in a way that takes into account the wide spaces available.
It's so that in recent years, along with vineyards and olive groves, solar farms and windmills have sprung up, well integrated into the rural landscape: a new compromise between tradition and modernity.

The energy production from renewable sources is part of a wider farm - diversification process that combine traditional farming activities with tourism, education, social services, land management, etc., making the Tuscan countryside more and more interesting for a pleasant stay.

Happy New Year from Terra Verde

2010-12-31T23:25:00.003+01:00

Happy New Year Everybody!

Snowy weather - Tuscany with whipped cream

2010-12-17T21:23:00.006+01:00

After the bad weather lately hit around the globe, now it's our turn: today Tuscany is white-washed. The countryside between Ponsacco and Casciana Terme (Pisa provence) at first seemed wrapped in a light mist, then, at about 11 am, it started snowing.

A couple of hours later, people on their way home for lunch have had ( to many unwelcome) surprise, perhaps losing half of a meal because of the snow chains still to fit.

The local landscape with the gentle Pisan Hills today recalled the scenes of the Alps.
Once back home, the old centenary olive resembled the Tower of Pisa but the ancient wood-fired oven looked more like a mountain hut.
At the end of the afternoon thunders started, pouring afterwards a layer of icy rain over the white snow coat.
If you are driving in this area, pay attention to the (possibly) icy roads.
It’s good to be equipped with chains, since there is a number of parked cars near the Villa San Marco, unable to climb the old road to Chientina.

And please, keep the safety distance!

Two-day strike for the State Museums of Florence

2010-11-24T18:52:00.004+01:00

From Sunday, December 5 to Tuesday, December 7, 2010, the state museums in Florence will stay closed.

Polo Museale Fiorentino home page

The mushroom season in the Tuscan countryside

2010-11-09T00:40:00.000+01:00

Tuscany is famous for mushrooms and not only for the fine truffles. The extension of the forests and the habitats variety along with the mild climate, influenced by the sea, make it an ideal environment for mushrooms growth in almost all seasons of the year.
Indeed, many people go mushrooming and their kitchens are full of delicious mushroom recipes.
In autumn mushrooms appear in the hilly areas and are easily found in the countryside. Some of them live in symbiosis with plants: Armillaria Mellea with olives; Lactarius Vinosus and Boletus granulatus with pines.

Anyway, they end up in the same pot :)

Autumn in Tuscany

2010-11-04T23:15:00.001+01:00

Autumn is the ideal time for walking in nature through the cloud of pleasant underbrush scent. The mild temperatures and a number of events make this period particularly interesting to those who want to discover Tuscan traditions.

The Tuscan scene now offers one of its most famous plays: the olive harvesting has started and will continue throughout the autumn.

If you are in Tuscany, be sure to visit one of many small local oil mills. You can attend the extra virgin olive oil pressing and buy excellent oil directly from local producers, our "TERRA VERDE Olio d'oliva extravergine" included.

The long shadows of an early autumn afternoon

2010-10-05T21:28:00.025+02:00

In this period a low-angle sunlight casts long shadows that make contrasts deeper, accentuating the rich range of greens and increasing the impression of depth.

It's pleasantly warm. Sometimes it rains, as it normally does here in October; it's perfect for reading, cooking, blogging or watching a movie.

When it doesn't, it's great to go for a walk, to clear your mind, to look for a place that catches your attention, find a ripe fruit or admire flowers.
In the huge garden of Terra Verde art farm you will walk by many different plants and trees, sometimes rare, sometimes almost forgotten but common.

You will feel more relaxed and at ease.

A bright and beautiful day in Tuscany

2010-09-25T23:53:00.021+02:00

The weather was uncertain in the last few days; sunshine alternated with rain showers. Fortunately, today was a bright and beautiful day, with a blue sky scattered with white cotton clouds - a warm welcome to our new guests.

Their arrival was expected in the afternoon so I went to take a glance at the apartment, just to check if everything was ok.
The light was special and inspired me to grab the camera. The apartment seems different to me every time that the weather changes.

When the guests arrived, the sun was still shining.
Hopefully it will accompany them during their stay at Terra Verde :)

Late September in Terra Verde

2010-09-20T18:31:00.002+02:00

After being left to dry in the sun the hazelnuts are now ready to be shelled and toasted.

Walking around the garden and enjoying the fabulous September weather, you can notice the wild asparagus that exhibits small green berries (that are poisonous!!). This plant grows naturally everywhere around but you have to wait for the spring to collect the edible parts.
Asparago selvatico - asparagina

Jujube trees are full of almost ripe fruits that are turning brownish red. They can be eaten or used to prepare the "jujube broth" (brodo di giuggiole), an ancient drink that used to be offered to welcome the most important guests.

The real surprise in the garden is a small watermelon that has grown spontaneously and a bit too late to ripe.

We'll see :)

Gas Stations in Italy on strike 14 -18 September 2010

2010-09-12T00:06:00.007+02:00

If you are traveling by car around Italy, keep in mind the gas stations strike that will begin 7.30 am Wednesday 15 September and last until 7.00 am Saturday 18 September. City gas stations throughout the country are expected to be closed.
Highways gas stations will remain closed from 10.00 pm Tuesday 14 September to 10.00 pm on Friday 17 September.
Check for updates on "sciopero benzinai" on the Gestori Carburanti page.

Discover the rich and extensive Italian cultural heritage!

2010-09-04T18:24:00.021+02:00

If you find yourselves in Italy in September, you may want to know that 25 and 26 of September Italy celebrates the European Heritage Days, allowing visitors to enjoy the sightseeing of public monuments of Italian cultural heritage - for free.
In order to bring attention to the richness, importance and value of heritage and cultural contents, the Italian Ministry of Culture is organizing a series of initiatives at national level, with the participation of various public and private cultural institutions.
Within these initiatives you can enjoy free access to public monuments and cultural heritage which includes the archaeological, artistic, historical, architectural, archival, cinematographic, theatre and musical cultural heritage.

The Uffizi Gallery hallway

Visit Tuscany and discover why Florence has been named one of the 10 most visited cities in the world!

From TERRA VERDE art farm you can easily reach Florence and many other fascinating art cities, such as Pisa, Lucca, Forte dei Marmi, Pietrasanta, Viareggio, S. Gimignano, Volterra, Siena...

Italy - The European Heritage Days, Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 September 2010.

Harvesting the hazelnuts

2010-08-30T10:28:00.010+02:00

The hazelnuts harvesting in Tuscany starts from mid-August. The hazelnuts tree is a hardy plant that does not require special care.
In TERRA VERDE the plants are grown naturally, without any treatment, and the fruits are abundant and of excellent quality.
The plants are grown tree-shaped or bush-shaped. The leaves create a shady blanket over the ground and a very special ecosystem. Even the soil is different, darker and peaty.

The harvest is done manually, collecting the hazelnuts from the ground, and it continues until mid-September.
The collected hazelnuts should be left to dry in the sun. In this way they will last for long. With a bit of patience, you can toast shelled hazelnuts to make them ready for use in cakes and other delicious food.

Counting the jars

2010-08-22T14:51:00.022+02:00

This year's yield of our vegetable garden was good, considering the crazy summer weather that has been more than unpredictable.

Now it's time to pick tomatoes and prepare the sauce.

After collecting and washing them, the tomatoes are blanched for 3 minutes, dropped into cold water, peeled, cut, passed through, finally, cooked over low heat.
When the foam on the surface does not form anymore and removed the tomato sauce from the heat, one part is put into sterilized glass jars and sealed and the other is to be frozen.
While, hopefully, you’re relaxing in some beautiful place during your well earned holidays, we are gaining them now, till late November, till the Autumn rains and first cold winds come to ventilate our lands.
Until then, we’ll keep up with our labor, counting jars, oil containers, bottles, gunny sacks and pounds…

… 11,12,13, 14…
... pounds that we are losing, enjoying our days outdoors and savoring the delicacies of healthy Mediterranean cuisine.

The lakeviewer's recipes with Mediterranean flavor:

Loving Real Food

September grape-picking

2010-08-15T14:07:00.007+02:00

Here in Tuscany, this year's wine grape harvest is expected to be abundant and high in quality. The grape-picking will start in the next few days, in mid-August, to continue throughout September.
This area of the Pisan Hills is an ideal place for wine lovers, as it lies on "The Wine Route of the Pisan Hills" that makes its way through the high wine-vocation territory.

The route winds across small picturesque villages and magnificent landscapes of Tuscan countryside, encountering many wine cellars where you can enjoy the quiet peace of country life, taste the renowned Chianti and be tempted by many other local specialties, such as the excellent food and olive oil.
We usually use our best grapes to make a small quantity of hand made wine, about 250 liters, just for our personal use and to be given to our friends. As we still have some bottles left from the previous year, we plan to put more effort in the olive oil production to meet the growing demand for olive oil that we are receiving.

Fresh tomatoes in our vegetable garden

2010-07-28T18:04:00.007+02:00

The tomato that we greatly appreciate is called "Canestrino". It's been made for the tasty, fresh summer salads that we love so much and will always have a place of honor in our garden.

But this year we decided we'll also plant the "Black Krim Tomato" (70 - 75 days to maturity), an ancient tomato variety, originally coming from a peninsula of Crimea (Krim) on the northern coast of the Black Sea.

The plant produces dark red fruits rich in lycopene, a natural phytochemical known to neutralize free radicals, and is therefore considered to have antioxidant properties.
We added "Tomatoberry”, the heart-shaped cherry tomato.

It is excellent eaten fresh, but also grilled.
The other one that never disappoints is the famous "Round Smooth" or "One-Kilo" tomato. With one of its fruits you make a salad for 4!
The tomato called "Costoluto Fiorentino" is very suitable for sauces, it tastes really exceptional but also has an incredible amount of seeds.

The latest pictures of the Sunrise Apartment

2010-07-26T14:38:00.018+02:00

This latest pictures of the Sunrise Apartment were taken at sunset, July, 2010.