A wordless Tuscan weekend
luglio 25, 2011
If you see me now, I have John Wayne’s femininity and charm. I walk with that cow-boy-like walk, staggering, holding my back with one hand and leaning on whatever support I find with the other one. The reason for this behaviour is a horse. And no, I wasn’t trampled by the horse, and I wasn’t neither unseated … I just had a wonderful ride around San Gimignano, one hour of walk, 3 minutes to trot. The result is this crooked walk. My athleticism is well-known, though, so no worries!
After the walk through the Tuscan vineyards and woods, made in the farm Il Vecchio Maneggio, we moved to the Fattoria Poggio Alloro.
The following photos were all taken in Poggio Alloro: at first I thought I would have brought my camera on the horseback as well, but after a careful consideration with Emiko about our respective riding abilities, we decided to leave it in the car. A wisest decision has never been taken before, I thought bouncing unseemly on the horse and holding on with all the hands that I had (I still have two hands, but if I had a third one, I would have used that as well!)
Fattoria Poggio Alloro is an enchanted place, a true and real farm, with real people working every day with passion and enthusiasm. It’s an organic farm, with quality products as wine, olive oil, cereals, saffron and honey. They have the Cinta Senese (a local swine breed well-known for the tasty meat, used for cured meat) and the majestic Chianina breed, the enormous white Tuscan cows.
The view of San Gimignano, my mum’s birthplace, is breathtaking … this is what you see from the terrace during lunch.
And here they are, the Chianina calves… calves, but they seem horses!
It is the newly born baby cow.
These are the cows bred for the milk, while the Chianina is bred for the renowned excellent meat. I love their placid eyes.
It is the funniest, a sweet baby cow.. isn’t it lovely?
Posted in 
A midsummer night's dinner. Mascarpone cream with vinsanto
luglio 25th, 2011 at 12:39
Oh, fabulous! I love the pictures of the cows…
Cheers,
Rosa
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Giulia Risposta:
luglio 26th, 2011 alle 10:44
Cows in emerald green fields is one of the reason I would love to visit Switzerland!
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luglio 25th, 2011 at 12:57
Lovely pictures!
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Giulia Risposta:
luglio 26th, 2011 alle 10:45
Thank you!
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luglio 25th, 2011 at 13:17
Beautiful pictures! Love the food shots.. everything looks so fresh and delicious
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Giulia Risposta:
luglio 26th, 2011 alle 10:55
it was really fresh, local, delicious, organic, amazing!
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luglio 25th, 2011 at 13:49
Beautiful photos!
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Giulia Risposta:
luglio 26th, 2011 alle 10:57
thanks!
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luglio 25th, 2011 at 13:57
Wow, beautiful photos. Love the scenery, the food looks fantastic – and those cows are just so cute!
Julia
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Giulia Risposta:
luglio 26th, 2011 alle 11:00
I love the cows, their eyes! thank you
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luglio 25th, 2011 at 14:20
Beautiful photos, Juls! I have to be in Tuscany very soon!!!
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Giulia Risposta:
luglio 26th, 2011 alle 11:00
you know, Zita, I’m waiting for you!
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luglio 25th, 2011 at 14:37
Love the pictures…and the eyelashes on the baby calf!
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Giulia Risposta:
luglio 26th, 2011 alle 11:06
Indeed, the eyelashes are the cutest part!
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luglio 25th, 2011 at 15:30
Simply Wonderful!! Thank you for sharing…
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Giulia Risposta:
luglio 26th, 2011 alle 11:06
My pleasure!
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luglio 25th, 2011 at 16:34
Lovely photos–and I don’t have to tell you I love seeing the chianine! Hope you are a little more recuperated by now
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Giulia Risposta:
luglio 26th, 2011 alle 11:13
hahahah! I know! I was thinking at that fun episode as well! I’m great now, thank you!
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luglio 25th, 2011 at 16:45
Che bello! E, la pasta sembra proprio deliziosa.
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Giulia Risposta:
luglio 26th, 2011 alle 11:13
Lo era! e anche il ragù!
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luglio 25th, 2011 at 17:49
Gorgeous photos!
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Giulia Risposta:
luglio 26th, 2011 alle 11:14
Thank you Natalie!
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luglio 26th, 2011 at 03:17
I love your pictures and I’m sure you’ll be walking fine in no time. I lived in Sicily for 3 years and I just loved Tuscany. My favorite town in all of Italy was Assisi. Such a beautiful area – and the FOOD! There is nothing better…
…thanks for the amazing post!
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Giulia Risposta:
luglio 26th, 2011 alle 11:15
Yes, I have my usual walk back now! Do you know I’ve never been to Assisi before? It’s one of my upcoming place to see, though! By the way, Sicily where? I DO LOVE Sicily and its food!
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luglio 26th, 2011 at 03:30
Lovely! Wish I was there.
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Giulia Risposta:
luglio 26th, 2011 alle 11:16
thank you! It’s really an enchanted place!
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luglio 26th, 2011 at 09:54
You surely need that John Wayne’s femininity and charm to be part of this gorgeous scene. Love your humorous intro to such a beautiful post! Both your writing and the pictures are delightful.
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Giulia Risposta:
luglio 26th, 2011 alle 11:17
Reese, thank you so much for your point of you, hahah! you’re totally right
Actually a John Wayne is so much suitable to that scenery than a Audrey Hepburn character!
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luglio 26th, 2011 at 18:40
I just recently found your blog and I am falling in loooove! I’ve never been to Italy, but I am Italian and I cannot wait to make some of your gorgeous recipes (:
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Giulia Risposta:
luglio 27th, 2011 alle 13:58
really!? Italian? Where from? I’m so happy you can enjoy a bit of Italy through my blog!
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luglio 26th, 2011 at 22:05
Everybody goes to Toscan despite of me.
Ohhh I’d like to so much tp be with you there
And eat these wonderful things!
Greetings!
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Giulia Risposta:
luglio 27th, 2011 alle 13:59
hahah! sooner or later you’ll visit Tuscany, I’m sure!
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luglio 26th, 2011 at 23:38
Oh I so agree when people say :”a picture is worth a thousand words” You photos are gorgeous…and mouthwatering meal!!!
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Giulia Risposta:
luglio 27th, 2011 alle 14:00
thank you Sandra!!
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novembre 2nd, 2012 at 08:00
[...] when Emiko introduced me to her agriturismo, Poggio Alloro, a few kilometres past San Gimignano. I fell in love instantly, I could not find words to describe how peaceful and soulful that corner of Tuscany was. Yet today [...]