Archive for 'Pisa'

Torta coi bischeri is a typical Pisan dessert. “Torta” means cake and the word “bischero” literally means the small key which is used to adjust the strings of a violin. However, the word has developed dozens of other meanings in Tuscany. In the case of the Torta coi Bischeri, the word refers to the rolls of dough which are arranged during preparation to surround the cake, and which look exactly like the aforementioned violin key.

This “cake”, is actually closer to a tart and is made of chocolate decorated with currants, pine nuts and candied fruit. As well as the traditional recipe, there is also a green version which sees the rice mixed with beets. Although it is widely sold throughout Pisa, this cake actually originates from Pontasserchio.

In this village, the cake is especially popular during the month of April due to a festival where all residents must bake a spring dessert. As it is a popular gift amongst family and friends during Easter, it is an obvious choice. However, as so many of the cakes are made, each with the family's own recipe, the festival turns into a competition.

The best place to try the cake is in its birthplace or in the surrounding but if you’re too far away, you can try to make it at home with local ingredients. Follow our recipe for now and find a holiday rental in Pisa so you can try the real deal later – or, maybe, even compete in the festival yourself!

Casciana Terme is a town located in the Pisan Hills in Tuscany which is best known for its thermal springs and spas. The town is very much a typical Tuscan one and has all the charms one would expect of the region with a skyline characterised by terra-cotta roofs, undulating green hills and a medieval bell-tower.

Of course, there is a wonderful local cuisine, beautiful old buildings and museums and lots to see and do in the area, as there is in most Tuscan towns but it is the waters and treatments of Casciana Terme that make it stand out from all the rest.

For the ultimate relaxing Tuscan holiday just find a luxury villa in Casciana Terme.

Toulouse-Lautrec is a French artist of the nineteenth century who worked in similar circles to the Impressionists such as Monet. Even if his name is new to you, it is unlikely that you are unfamiliar with his works as they have become hugely iconic. The so-called “soul of Montmartre”, he captured the streets, lights, music and atmosphere of the bohemian Montmartre district in the late nineteenth century. He was an illustrator and engraver and is best known for the posters that he designed for establishments such as the Moulin Rouge. This key figure of Parisian art history is being showcased in a fantastic exhibition not in Paris but in Pisa at the Palazzo Blu which has become more and more well-known for its world-class exhibitions. Any serious art-lovers who are thinking of holidaying in Tuscany will want to find a luxury villa in Pisa and drop by before the exhibition closes in February.

You don't have to spend a lot of money to have a great holiday in Pisa. Once you've flown there, found a luxury villa in Pisa, bought a couple souvenirs and had some great dinners, money will start to look a little scarce.

So you don't have to worry about it getting any scarcer, we've compiled two lists of things you can do absolutely for free so that you don't have to watch every penny and can just enjoy yourself.

Read this list and, if you still want more, go find the original one and see what's on there as well!

Spending can pile up on holidays and the last thing you want to have to think about is money while trying to enjoy yourself. This is particularly true of popular tourist destinations where the town relies on tourism and, therefore, seems as if they're going to try charging for air next. Pisa is no different. Between the Leaning Tower, museums, transport, food, souvenirs and all those little extras, it wouldn't be long before you've spent your entire budget.

In order to make sure you can make it last and keep money aside for the important things – like eating good food – we've compiled a list of things that you can do free of charge.