What's Up Tuscany English

About What's Up Tuscany English

Every Friday the podcast from L'Arno will paint you a picture of the extraordinarily beloved region by telling the stories from today and the past that make it unique, while explaining every time a facet of the Tuscan character and the history of this land. The only English language podcast made by Tuscans, dedicated to everyone around the world that has a special place in his heart for this wonderful but very complicated region. Hosted by Luca Bocci, available every Friday.

Publisher

L'Arno.it

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

15 Feb 2021

Latest episode

26 Jan 2024

Latest episodes

165 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   26 Jan 2024

   The peposo and why Tuscany loves meat - Ep. 165

   One of the things that annoy us Tuscans to no end is that most of what people know about our land is just wrong. The image that comes to mind to 90% of foreigners that come to visit us is mostly incorrect, just a result of the work of spin doctors, marketing guys and pretty much anyone that wants to sell stuff at an inflated price. This is quite obvious when it comes to food stuff: apparently, just adding the word "Tuscan" to anything allows the manufacturer to raise its price by a significant margin. Everything can be Tuscan, from herbs mixtures that no Tuscan has ever heard of to stuff that would make us cringe. If you ask anyone that knows a little about this land, they will tell you that Tuscan cuisine is all about vegetables, pasta, simple ingredients cooked in creative ways. While dishes like this exist, we Tuscans LOVE our meat. Maybe because it was a rare treat, we worship what we affectionately call "ciccia". The most famous of our meat dishes were born out of necessity: being meat very expensive, we would invent ways to turn the most lowly cuts into masterpieces. The recipe that was invented near Florence was so spectacular that it goes strong six centuries after its creation, which explains why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Impruneta to discover all the secrets of the amazing peposo. If you listen to the full episode you will learn how this beef stew was invented by terracotta workers that looked for a way to turn cheap cuts of meat into a sensational taste bomb. The slow cooked marvel was so incredible that Filippo Brunelleschi, while building the cupola of Florence cathedral, made it the official dish of the building site, spreading the recipe across Tuscany. In the second chapter we will go through the mandatory steps you have to follow to prepare a proper peposo and I will also give you a simple recipe to make this amazing dish in your very kitchen. There's going to be a few practical tips, suggestions on side dishes and the perfect wine to match. In the final chapter I will tell you how Impruneta is so in love with this meat lovers dream to have a November festival with a spectacular cook-off that will make you drool in anticipation. If you can't wait until then, I'll point you to several restaurants both in Impruneta and in Florence where you can enjoy this masterpiece of Tuscan cuisine at its best. While i can't say this is the signature dish of this land without incurring in the wrath of anyone who is not from Florence, I'd so as far as to say that the peposo should be its standard bearer. it has got everything we love about this land: it's made from cuts of meat no one wanted, cooked at low temperature for a long time which makes the meat extra-tender and super tasty. Next time you come to visit us, try it. If you love meat, it's a no brainer! Email: podcast@larno.it Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://www.lacucinaitaliana.it/tutorial/le-tecniche/peposo-impruneta-ricetta/ https://www.discoverpistoia.it/peposo-storia-curiosita-ricetta/ https://www.today.it/benessere/alimentazione/storia-peposo-ricetta-impruneta-toscana.html https://www.gazzettinodelchianti.it/impruneta/peposo-day-2023-super-successo-alla-cena-del-peposo-oggi-la-sfida-fra-rioni/ BACKGROUND MUSIC Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental) Incompetech - Leopard Print Elevator Mike Chino - Calm and Harmony Wayne John Bradley - Pick You Up Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077 https://soundcloud.com/argofox/mike-chino-calm-and-harmony https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/pick-you-up-slow-poprock-style-instrumental-creative-commons https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons http://www.pipechoir.com/

2. 

   12 Jan 2024

   Pitigliano, Tuscany’s Little Jerusalem - Ep. 164

   After three years spent looking for stories about this incredible region of mine, coming back from a little break was never going to be easy. No matter how ahead you plan, the dread of being late or having chosen the wrong subject is always around the corner. Luckily, though, this land is so full of amazing things that you just need a bit of luck and inspiration. A while ago, as I was researching for stuff to talk about, I bumped into an article that was talking about a town in Maremma that I had heard something about a long time ago. As it's quite far from where I live I never actually visited it but then I read a couple words that almost prompted me to take the car and drive there immediately. What were those words, you might ask? Possibly the best nickname for a town I've come across in the past 10 years: "Little Jerusalem". Being an history buff I immediately started thinking about the Templar Knights, relics stolen during the Crusades but the explanation was much simpler and, possibly, more intriguing. This charming village earned its nickname by being one of the very few places where Jews expelled from Rome actually were free to live and prosper. This story was so interesting that I had to look into it, which explains why, this week, What's Up Tuscany will travel south, to the heart of Maremma, to tell you everything there is to know about Pitigliano, a tuff masterpiece of a town that has got to be seen to be believed. If you listen to the full episode I will tell you about the many landmarks in this hilltop village, from a pretty church to a monumental fountain, from the aqueduct that was a gift from the Medici to an ancient monastery that became a fashionable palace in the Renaissance after being revamped by a famous architect. Then we will focus on the history of the Jewish community, how the ghetto grew with time and how the relationship between them and the general populace was strong enough to convince many regular families to risk their lives in order to hide their neighbours from the clutches of the Gestapo. The synagogue is still active and, even if the community is much smaller than in the past, people in Pitigliano still celebrate it by producing kosher wine and organising events to promote this interesting heritage. After some info on how to know the ghetto a bit better, I'll also point you to a couple amazing walks in the surrounding countryside that will let you know the mysterious and incredible Vie Cave, tens of metres deep man-made roads carved into stone that still baffle experts. In the final chapter I'll provide you with plenty of tips on stuff to do, eat and drink in this part of the Maremma that has a lot of things to offer. If you know what's good for you, try a good acquacotta, the old-time soup that is part of local folklore but don't forget to try some of the sweets that are produced around here. Some, like the migliaccio or the cialdino del tufo, sound quite simple and similar to other stuff you find around Tuscany but there are a couple, from the "tortello dolce" to the "sfratto dei Goym" that you can find only in Pitigliano. We will wrap things up with two excellent local wines that are quite great and don't cost a fortune plus a bunch of events that you should sign on your calendar. The Count's Banquet in late August sounds like a very smart choice. This is not your regular Tuscany: it's a place that is at the same time very real, hearty and charming. Rather than cramming on the beach with thousands or fighting with random tourists in downtown Florence, spend some time here, in the heart of Maremma. You'll thank me later. Email: podcast@larno.it Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY) https://www.expedia.it/stories/10-cose-da-vedere-a-pitigliano-e-dintorni/ https://pitigliano.org/palazzi-e-monumenti/fontana-delle-7-cannelle/ https://www.quotidiano.net/itinerari/pitigliano/ https://www.visittuscany.com/it/idee/viaggio-nella-piccola-gerusalemme-di-pitigliano/ https://pitigliano.org/la-piccola-gerusalemme/ BACKGROUND MUSIC Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental) Pipe Choir - Walking the Wall Pipe Choir - Fortress (Instrumental) Pipe Choir - A dark Blue Arc (Instrumental) Pipe Choir - Trampled (Instrumental) Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-walking-the-wall-creative-commons-music https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-fortress-instrumental https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-a-dark-blue-arc-creative-commons-instrumental https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-trampled-creative-commons-instrumental https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons http://www.pipechoir.com/

3. 

   29 Dec 2023

   New Year's Eve in Tuscany, 5 smart choices - Ep. 163

   We come back after a little Christmas break trying to answer one of the most annoying questions ever: "what are you doing on New Year's Eve?". While it looks quite harmless, it has the potential to unleash a world of pain, both to your sanity and your beleaguered wallet. I've made so many mistakes trying to follow the party imperative that I pretty much gave up completely on this tradition, choosing to spend the last hours of the year mostly at home. As not many people ascribe to this rather austere fashion, I was wondering if it was indeed possible to have a great time in Tuscany without breaking any further the proverbial bank. Happy to report that there are indeed quite a few interesting options available that you might still be able to book if you're already in this neck of the woods. This explains why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you all over this remarkable region to give you five smart choices for a New Year's Eve to remember for a long time. If you listen to the full episode you will find that we tried to cater to all sorts of people. If you're a history buff like yours truly, you might be able to attend a real Mediaeval banquet, organised in an ancient abbey that is just a trebuchet throw away from Monteriggioni, one of the most outstanding walled towns in Italy. If the whole idea of spending a night wearing potentially silly costumes, looking at court jesters or magicians playing some tricks doesn't sound particularly appealing, don't fret: we've got you covered. Are you in love with the paranormal? Why don't you have your party in an ancient castle that is said to host the restless soul of a famous commander, murdered brutally centuries ago in Florence? While we don't really believe in this kind of things, people say that this very pretty castle actually experiences strange phenomena, from sabre rattling to sounds of chains quite regularly. Who knows? You might be able to actually meet old Baldaccio d'Anghiari. In the last three chapters we will provide you with a wealth of information on how to spend a perfect New Year's Eve if you have quite specific needs. If you're a discerning traveller that appreciates some quality time in a quiet and refined locale, we've got the right place for you: a 14th century monastery that has been recently converted into a B&B. You know what the best part is? This cloister is very close to the mysterious and fascinating Etruscan town of Volterra, which has many things to explore in its cramped alleys. If you can't resist the call of the crowd, why don't you head to Lucca, which truly shines in the time between Christmas and Epiphany. From gourmet meals in Piazza Anfiteatro to the historic Christmas market that offers the best products of this land, you'll also be able to celebrate 2024 twice in just a few minutes. Want to know why? Listen to the episode, it's really a fun little oddity. While I would advise you to head to the Teatro del Giglio for their New Year's Eve concert and dinner, if you're more inclined to have some wholesome fun, nothing better than heading to Leghorn. Here you'll find pretty much anything you might want: from a laughter-filled vernacolo show at the Teatro Quattro Mori to a very fancy cenone in a five star hotel that is just on the Terrazza Mascagni, where you can see the amazing fireworks on the sea. Probably the best way to spend your night is to wander downtown, jumping from a bar to some great quick food options. Just be sure to be in Ardenza the next morning to witness the first swim of the year of the sea-crazed Livornesi. Whatever you choose, I hope your 2024 will be full of peace, good fortune and health. After all we've been through, we all need a lucky break. Email: podcast@larno.it Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larno.it Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany LINKS TO SOURCES https://www.chiostrodellemonache.com/ https://www.castellodisorci.it/ https://www.medievalitaly.it/ https://www.capodannissimo.com/toscana/capodanno-a-firenze/ https://www.ghpalazzo.it/ https://www.teatrodelgiglio.it/it/news/dettaglio/concerto-di-capodanno-2024/ BACKGROUND MUSIC Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental) Incompetech - Leopard Print Elevator Pipe Choir - Almost Time (Instrumental) Pipe Choir - Fortress (Instrumental) Pipe Choir - Blue Hope New Sky Pipe Choir - Gemini (Instrumental) Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500077 https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-almost-time-instrumental-creative-commons https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-fortress-instrumental https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-blue-hope-new-sky-creative-commons-instrumental https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Pipe_Choir/SGONS_Instrumentals/Pipe_Gemini_Instrumental https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons http://www.pipechoir.com/

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