From a Tuscan Hillside: Chianti Spectacular

Friday, October 25, 2013

Chianti Spectacular

Circuit routes through Chianti:

the pick of the bunch - so far

Le Ripe is just opposite the river from Lucarelli which is 10 o'clock from Radda

Greve-Lamole-Panzano roundtrip

Vignamaggio, the villa and vineyard where the Monna Lisa was supposed to have lived and where Kenneth Branagh's Much Ado about Nothing was filmed

Panzano-Volpaia roundtrip

the winery/village of Volpaia seen from the beautiful La Locanda hotel; wine tours available and a good range of eating places

Castellina-Radda-Panzano roundtrip

the view from Castellina castle; the castle is beautifully restored and boasts a tiny Etruscan museum: admire the terracing

Panzano-Badia Passignano-Bargino-San Casciano-San Donato-Sicelle

Badia a Passignano and the Antinori vineyards surrounding it; famous restaurant, Osteria di Passignano

Radda-Vertine-Gaiole-Badia a Coltibuono

virtually intact medieval village of Vertine, near Gaiole

Panzano-Montefioralle-Greve-Lamole

main street, Montefioralle, situated above Greve

Pietrafitta-Castellina-Fonterutoli-Ricavo-San Donato-Sicelle

lavender fields above Fonterutoli where there is a pleasant restaurant

Naturally there are many other variants and many other routes but these (mostly) circuits offer beautiful scenery, hilltop views, ancient villages and castles, vineyards and restaurants along the way, all of which can be enjoyed and/or visited. We shall add to the list over time.

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A MesSy FaMily having MaSses of FUn

These are the navenchas (adventures) of the Savage family: Sadie Savage, her Sensitive New Age Grandma Angie, her parental units Delia and Phil and her snotty-nosed, squabbling twin brothers Peas and Mash, who get into some a-m-a-zing scrapes, plus last but not least: Toddy the bounding Irish wolfhound and Splendour the splendid cat.
From chocolate cake disasters to Komodo dragons and liquorice allsorts, pogo sticks to paragliding cats, a night at the opera to ice-cream bashing, the Savages are good value for money: there is chaos and confusion for everyone in SaVAgE DAyS.

FOR MESSY KIDS FROM AGE 8

The diary of an Australian Milkmaid, 1882-1889

Em Munro writes her diary in late 19th century colonial Australia, a time and place rife with contradictions. Ordinary settlers struggle to make ends meet in a tough environment where the squatter class has claimed the best land. And the Indigenous Australians who thrived for tens of thousands of years on that land are dispossessed and crushed. Woman’s place is in the home but women’s suffrage is in the air; dreams of independence vie with romantic fantasies; new loyalties compete with old: life choices need to be made.
Em is passionate but trapped in a provincial world with little stimulus and less scope for advancement. Her diary recounts her family’s story, her daily life but also her dilemmas and dreams and eventually her ‘getting of wisdom’.

Threepenny Tales 2

Lily of Lonestorm is another whimsical Tall Tale for readers from age six. Lily's courageous search for her parents unfolds on her island in the Windy Western Ocean and on board the miraculous Seraphina, a ship with Special Potentiality. In the company of a most unusual band of pirates, a surly goat, some bad-tempered fowl and her best friend, rascally Rags, Lily braves Adventures on the high seas and explores uncharted territories, never losing Hope, Wonder and her love of Home.

FOR STORY LOVERS FROM AGE 6

Threepenny Tales 1

The Adventures of Barnaby Twickins is a whimsical Tall Tale for all readers from age six up. Barnaby's jaunty, often tongue-in-cheek story takes place in a 17th or maybe 18th century fantasy world of lace and cauliflowers, clogs and fripperies. Our Hero is a merry, plucky Boy who dreams of becoming a Clown and entertaining the World. Readers will enjoy meeting Barnaby's assorted surprising Companions, as well as sharing his Adventures with their dash of Romance and twist of Absurdity.

FOR STORY LOVERS FROM AGE 6

Shakespeare's Childhood Story

Little is known of Shakespeare's childhood and youth. Will's Way imagines how young William's family, his childhood experiences in Warwickshire in the 1570s and his particular moment in history may have inspired and motivated the man and writer he became.
In addition, the novel contains a literary treasure hunt: over 160 quotations from Shakespeare's works have been put in the mouths of its characters. The reader is invited to spot the quotations and identify their sources which are to be found at the end of the book.

Friday, October 25, 2013

Chianti Spectacular

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