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Tuscan style kitchen

Traditional and luxury guest accomodation, the Casale Sodini, a Tuscan retreat of great charme available for exclusive private rental.

Villa Casale Sodini is available for rent all year round! www.casalesodini.com

Ground Floor

* dining room
* family dining room and TV room
* office
* kitchen
* laundry

First Floor

* 3 double bedrooms with bathrooms en suite
* 1 master double bedroom with bathroom en suite
* 1 suite double bedroom with bathroom en suite

Facilities

* daily breakfast
* air conditioning
* central heating
* computer & internet
* telephone & fax
* computerised telephone billing
* stereo CD player with central rediffusion
* satellite TV
* alarm

Staff

* 1 cook on request
* 1 maid (6 days a week)
* gardener

Exclusions

* food
* beverages
* telephone and fax billing
* gratuities
* laundry
* transfers
* lunch and dinner

Orecchiella park, natural reserves

“Orecchiella” Park was born in the 1960s. It includes the Regional State Forest and three nature reserves (Orecchiella, Lamarossa and Pania di Corfino). In the Apennine part of the Garfagnana region, one can find this natural reserve rich in flora and fauna with deers, roe deers and wolves roving freely in the wilderness.
Many species of birds, some migratory, have found their home in this ideal habitat.
The Royal Eagles, always present on the Pania di Corfino, have extended their hunting territory up to the summits of Monte Prato and Monte Vecchio. The mountain flower garden with wonderful summer flowers and the botanic garden “Piana di Corfino” will fascinate wildlife lovers.
The Visitors’ Center hosts reception facilities, the Nature Museum and the Museum of Birds of Prey.
The Nature Museum presents dioramas of ungulates in dynamic situations, as well as a series of three-dimensional panels which illustrate the cycle of the traditional natural elements (air, water, earth, fire).
The Museum of Birds of Prey presents the life-size reproduction of an eagle’s nest, informational panels on diurnal and nocturnal birds of prey, and display cabinets with stuffed specimens.

This Park can be reached from Castelnuovo by following the directions for Villa Collemaldina and Corfino.

For contacts:
Phone +39 0583 619098 or +39 0583 955525
Fax +39 0583 619002

GPS: 44°12’14.85″N 10°21’28.91″E

www.ingarfagnana.it
www.alpiapuane.com

Village Follonica, Tuscany

Cala Violina

Follonica is a town and comune (township) of the province of Grosseto in Tuscany. Follonica is about 40 km north west of the Grosseto.
It was founded in 1834 by Grand Duke Leopold II of Tuscany for the workers of a new ironworks plant. However, the area was already settled in Etruscan and Roman times. The ruins of the medieval castle Castello di Valli, built in 884 AD, overlook the modern town from a nearby hill.
Follonica is a popular tourist site during the summer for Italians. The city has been awarded the Bandiera Blu (“Blue Flag”) every year for the cleanliness of its beaches and seawater.

The most important beaches are:

Cala Violina
Carbonifera
Torre Mozza
Pratoranieri
Cala Martina

More informations on:
www.comune.follonica.gr.it
www.follonica-apartments.com
www.prolocofollonica.it

Tuscany – A Few Choice Villa Weeks Are Still Available For 2010

With the 2010 vacation season fast approaching I wanted to remind you that there are a few choice weeks left at either Villa al Boschiglia or Villa Casale Sodini.

The dollar against the euro is better than it has been for two years and plane fair from Newark to Milan is as low as $725. All in all this makes an unforgettable Tuscan trip more affordable.

We already have several bookings for 2011, so it is not too early to consider your plans for next year.

If you have any friends that you think might be interested in this information kindly pass this along to them. Thank you.

Villa al Boschiglia – Casale Sodini

Tuscan lasagna

Tuscan lasagna

Serves 4
Pasta Ingredients & Directions
400 Gr. Flour
4 Eggs
1 TBS. Olive Oil

Pouring the flour on your board make a well in the center. Add remaining ingredients to the well and slowly mix until incorporated. Knead until the dough is smooth. Keep floured well to avoid the dough getting sticky. Roll the dough through the pasta machine several times. Cut the pasta it into sheets about 20 cm long and keep on towel until ready to cook.

Meat Sauce
500 gr. of ground beef
1/2 cup (120 mL) of chopped onions
2 cloves of garlic chopped
Cook ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned. Stir in tomato sauce, and water. Season with basil, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley. Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Besciamella Sauce & Directions
½ Liter Milk
50 Gr. Butter
50 Gr. Flour
Salt & Pepper to Taste
Melt butter and add flour mixing well. Add the milk slowly and stir till thick. Season to taste.

Grease a rectangular baking dish. Boil water to cook the lasagna until el dente, drain, and lay on a damp cloth and salt. Cover the bottom of the pan. Then add a layer of meat sauce, and then a layer of Basciamella. Continue this in a least 3 layers finishing with the meat sauce and basciamella. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until browned and bubbly.