San Galgano Abbey, a secret treasure in Tuscany

Far only 1 1/2 hour by car from Fortezza de’ Cortesi, situated on the main road between Massa Marittima and Siena, the Cistercan abbey of San Galgano leave to visitors an indelible picture in the memory. It was built between 1224 and 1288 and contained the earliest Gothic churc in Tuscany. It provided the inspiration of Siena Cathedral. A magical, special, suggestive place. Absolutely to visit!

OUR DOG CLEOPATRA AND ...CATS.

What about Cleopatra the curious Fortezza de’ Cortesi dachsund? So brave, amusing and affectinate with all humans, she’s terrible with our cats. The hunter insticts guide her short legs chasing the poor felines who take refuge on the property’s wood trees. She waits adamant barking for hours till exhausted she comes home with his tongue hanging out.

Mint, an extremely versatile herb

Mint is an important ingredient in health products and beauty, especially for hair and oily skin. It also complements dishes both sweet and savoury.
It has the ability to bring freshness to any dish you may prepare for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Mint tea is said to aid digestion. Use it fresh to make this delicious mint tea recipe. It’s incredibly easy to make.
You will need 1 oz (15-30 g) of fresh mint.
Put the leaves in a tea infuser. Heat 3 cups of water to boiling. Then pour the boiling water over the leaves and into the pot. Let fresh leaves steep for about 3-4 minutes.
Now, drink and enjoy the taste of a relaxing summer sunshine in a cup.

What a kind way to start the day!

What a pleasure to recognize the same values and feelings in the appreciation of one's guests! Today after breakfast, two delicious American guests told me how nice is rediscovering the pleasure of speaking, the useless of telephone and television in a place like the Foretezza. I replied, this is exactly what brought me and my husband in this magical place, here there is time and peace of mind to find ourselves and our loved ones.

Tuscan emotions, romantic luxury of a relaxing holiday in the countryside

Tuscany is the place where senses re-align to the nature; the smell of the countryside by the season change, the sight of generous landscaping, deliciously rolling lush of olive trees, cypresses vineyards dotted by antic villages, the luscious taste of a fruit picked from its tree, the story of struggle working hands on the roughness of an old "beating" table, the sound of the nature at night.
Enjoy the romance of a luxuriant holiday of idleness, antonym " negotium", forced time to tasks materials, taking the privilege of ample living space to share in a few ......

Cooking class at Fortezza de' Cortesi!!

An experience of savours, flavours, consistence, you will be aware of the essential secrets of cooking, giving you all right instruments to share them with your friends and amaze your guests during your genuine Italian dinner.

I will show you the organic row ingredients we mostly use for our recipes; we ‘ll pick aromatic herbs and vegetables directly from our garden in our organic farm, then I’ll give you some basic information on our self produced saffron DOP and extra virgin olive oil, so that you will have no difficulties to choose the right ingredients from the shelves once back home.

Come and stay with us!!!! ask for more info to: info@fortezzacortesi.com

About Charming Country Resort in Tuscany

The Charming Country Resort will be the right choice for a holiday, making you experience the full potential of this land, combining pleasures of the countryside comfort and relax, luxury and antic, wellness and culture, art and food, wine and traditions.
A stay of excellence, the pleasure of living according to natural rhythms of the seasons, to enjoy the taste of the old home made breakfast and meals with local produce, to spend time lost in idleness reading or just listening to the chirping of cicadas on the edge of a swimming pool or chatting in front of a fireplace, have the luxury of this era in which everything is experienced in haste. In Tuscany and throughout Italy there are several structures that apply this philosophy of hospitality. The guest has the opportunity to enjoy a holiday full of exclusive comfort out of the same stereotype farmhouse rustic and good. Often these luxury cottages to foster local knowledge, organize courses of all kinds, from those of typical local cuisine to those of medieval history, horseback and bicycle tours, guided tours of the city of art and wine.
Some even offer the possibility of personal services such as relaxing massages, Shiatsu, sauna etc.. and are often organized as a real beauty farms. All this offers the opportunity for both owners and guests to give and receive hospitality at all times of the year beyond the limit of seasonality. At all times so you can spend a period of pleasant break to relax and then return to everyday...... knowing that somewhere not too far away, there are places where you can experience that time got still human beats .

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Feel the atmosphere of our Tuscan Retreat, a special place for unforgettable holiday.... beautiful pictures will make you feel here and share with us unforgettable moments in San Gimignano, Tuscany!