Girl in Florence

A Tuscan Texan immersed in Florentine life

Cycling in Valtiberina, undiscovered paradise

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IMG_1485 While visiting Anghiari during my recent trip to the beautiful area of Valtiberina, part of our itinerary was a bike tour along the tobacco fields. I was super excited to get the chance to ride in this very green area of Tuscany after such a nice morning discovering one of the most beautiful borghi in Italy. Our bike tour leaders are actually part of the annual Intrepida cycling race every October (this year the 19th and the 20th) where cyclists sport vintage costumes and bikes. Because quite honestly, why not? Plus they also happened to look pretty dapper.   We got outfitted with our bikes and set off from Anghiari. The ride was mostly flat which was awesome since I am no Lance Armstrong.The guides were super nice and professional, making sure we were all comfortable and riding at a steady pace. Ie. made sure I didn’t fall and hurt myself ;-).  I honestly could trip on flat ground. The tobacco fields (planted with Kentucky tobbaco to make the very valuable, Toscano cigars) we passed by were absolutely beautiful, I had no idea this plant was so aesthetically pleasing to the eye. I really appreciated a bike ride like this because it was something I feel even amateurs like myself could easily do, which with some of the hills in Chianti, isn’t always the case. 

cyc1We also stopped by an organic vegetable farm, Ortobano for lunch and a tour around their property. I of course couldn’t lose an opportunity to frolic among the vegetation. I really liked this farm because they believe in teaching children (and adults) the importance of eating well, they show that eating healthy is so much easier than you can imagine. Especially with the addition of special facilities for cooking classes. After all, It all starts with education.

Now lets get to the meat of this post, well ok no meat, just vegetables but rich just the same! Lunch was made using their seasonal veggies, I absolutely loved the cherry tomatoes, we literally ate them off the vine! Fresh bruschetta, pasta with fresh oil and tomatoes, roasted potatoes, and savory pie made sure we didn’t return to Sansepolcro hungry.

picisto-20131010101004-823414Perfect afternoon in a place I won’t soon forget – Valtiberina. Plus, we also visited a donkey farm, I am not joking around but really a place where over 30 donkeys frolic happily in the hills. Of course, this will be for a later post, so stay tuned!

Speaking of fresh food – If you live in Florence you can actually get fresh veggies from a farm, delivered to your doorstep, I am a fan of Fattoria di CorazzanoL’Orto@Casa, and freshFresco in Città.

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7 Responses

  1. Looks fabulous and thanks for the farm links, I have been wondering if farmers do that here…nice to see a little hint of summer!

    1. I was searching for some time for a place that delivers fresh veggies since often I’m at work during market hours. It’s great that we have options! Ps. I miss summer already!

  2. I’ll have to pass on the bike riding at this time, but I sure can handle the lovely food. Pictures seem extra good to me as I’ve never been there. Off to find something to eat!

  3. Love the Anghiari reference, we purchased a tapestry of the Battle of Anghiari while we toured the beautiful town of Assisi. I am interested in any information you might have of a local wine tour around the Florence area that would not be too far out of the city limits. Love your blog and all the fresh fruit and vegetable references. I am back in Stuttgart and am in love with the Hokkaido pumpkin squash soup that is in all the restaurants right now, just made my first pot and it is delicious!

    1. Hello Lori, Assisi is indeed incredible! As for a wine tour that is close by, look into some of the places in the Chianti Rufina area, it’s not far from Florence and the wines are spectacular there! ps. I am jealous of your pumpkin soup already, I have a craving!

  4. My wife has a cut up pumpkin on the stove right now. Too bad it is such a long swim here.

  5. Really enjoyed this article and we know the area well having lived near Arezzo for a short while. We are also long-term veggies!

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Georgette Jupe

Welcome to my personal blog by a curious American girl living and working between Zug, Switzerland and Florence, Italy with my husband Nico, our newborn Annabelle and Ginger the beagle. This space is primarily to share about my love for Italy (currently on a 13 year romance) with a fair amount of real talk, practical advice, travel suggestions and adjusting to a new culture (Switzerland). Find me on IG @girlinflorence @girlinzug

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