There is a lot of great food to try whilst visiting Tuscany. Pastas, fresh local vegetables, cheese, salami & hams to name but a few of the gastronomic delights available. Below we have listed a few of our recommendations. If you are interested in trying some of the local gastronomic delights we provide a list of places to go to all our guests when they arrive.

The cheeses produced in the Garfagnana are well known all over Italy. Pecorino, Caprino, Ricotta are the well known generic names but there are hundreds of variations offering a tasting experience to remember. Don’t forget that cheese must also be enjoyed with wine, bread and fruit.

Another of the wonders of the region are the meats. Most restaurants will offer a selection of cold cuts, often locally produced, and steak or tagliata on the menu but the real joy is going to those special salumerias and bars which really specialise in cold meats and local foods.

Every region in Italy has its favorite side dish or vegetable and the northern part of tuscany is no different. Fungi Porcini, chestnut flour, chickpeas, beans, rape, black cabbage are just a few of the local staples but its not the ingredients but what you do with them that makes the difference.

Tuscany just wouldn’t be Tuscany without wine. Far too many to chose from and it would take several lifetimes to sample them all so the best solution is to ask for a recommendation at the restaurant or from a specialist vinter. Dont buy from the supermarket. If you wish we can recommend a wine tour to some of the local vineyards.

Some of the best olive oil in the world comes from the Lucca region. It goes without saying that when you are here you must try it. Olive oil from the area is available in a variety of places depending upon the size of the producer. Local delicatessens, food festivals and farmers markets are  best way to sample small producers. Alternatively we can guide you to some of the main producers where you can go on a tour, sample the products and have lunch.