His call reminded me that this is a wonderful time of year to be in Tuscany.

For thousands of years, late October/early November has been the right time in Italy to pick and gather those full, ripe fruits produced from the ancient, gnarly olive trees. In Tuscany, the varied-colored nets that have been spread under the trees are filled with fallen olives and you can catch glimpses of olive pickers in the trees among the silvery leaves.  Olives are still picked by hand.

Everyone’s “Bucket List” should include “I want to taste extra virgin olive oil immediately after it comes out of the press!”  At no other time will the olive oil taste this wonderful as it immediately starts to lose some of its amazing organoleptic properties after pressing.  This is why olive oil must be quickly bottled and stored in a dark, dry place.

If you are like me, you’ll want to savor the new oil directly from a spoon. Or, pour a bit over a slice of great bread and you will have an incredible treat.

Freshly-pressed olive oil is used in recipes that highlight its fresh taste and penetrating fragrances such as simple fish or vegetable recipes and carpaccio,

serenella@toscanamia.biz

The villa is situated in the little village of Falacrine in the province of Rieti in what used to be the Sabine territory  in antiquity.

Leading the group of international archeologists on this dig is Filippo Coarelli, a professor from the University of Perugia.  Coarelli stated:

“The villas of this period generally don’t bear any inscriptions which makes it difficult to attribute ownership.  But there are many indications, including the location, that lead us to believe that this is the villa where the Emperor Vespasian was born.”

Using small shovels and scalpels, the archeologists worked for four years close to an ancient necropolis and a little church of probable medieval origins when they uncovered the perimeter of this villa.

Part of a 14 thousand square meter complex (about 150,000 square feet), the building was constructed with luxury features; grand reception halls decorated with multi-colored marbles from north Africa, columns and private thermal baths. Some rooms have floors covered in delicate mosaics.

According to the archeologists, a villa of this type could only be built for an extremely wealthy family such as that of Vespasian.

Tito Flavio Vespasiano became emperor of the Roman Empire in 69 AD following a turbulent and unstable period that led to the death of Nero.  Vespasian ruled for 10 years and gave birth to the Flavi dynasty.  His name is tied to the construction of the Coliseum which was actually inaugurated under Titus in 80 AD. Vespasian also built the new forum and the Roman public baths (and instituted the taxes that went along with them).

For more information Great Italy site for villa rentals, weddings, tours, real estate, e-books, products and more!

Remember the Seinfeld episode where there were no villas in Tuscany available for renting?  That is no longer the case as the world’s purse strings have tightened.  This year, we have seen villas from as low as €36 (about $52.00) per person, per night for beautiful properties in idyllic surroundings. Try finding any luxury hotel room in Italy (or anywhere else) at this price! Heck, this may even cost less than the currently popular ‘staycations!’

Villas come in a multitude of locations, sizes, shapes and price ranges. Villa rentals are perfect for you if you want to really experience Italy as a way of life and luxuriate in the spaciousness, comfort and privacy of your own Italian villa…. Take day trips and explore the mazes of dark, narrow streets and churches in medieval towns, marvel at renaissance palaces, discover amazing wines, delight in the beauty of the landscapes. Live life from an Italian perspective!

If you have any chance to fly to Italy this year, now is the time to take advantage of villa rental prices that are lower than they have ever been. Even if you cannot leave this year, you can probably negotiate prices for next year by booking now.

Rent your own dream home in Italy for a week. It will do wonders for you!

For more info: 

For Italy Villa rentals, contact Toscana Mia

For an original and unique eBook on everything you need to know before renting a villa in Italy, contact Toscana Mia for The Ultimate Tuscany Villa Rental Guide

Native Italian and fitness expert Paul Frediani recently returned from his annual trip to Italy. Paul is passionate about Italy and the Italian lifestyle. While he always loves the precious time spent in his native village of Bozzano in Tuscany, Paul is bothered by a disturbing trend. Are the Italians emulating some of America’s negative habits?

Here are Paul’s thoughts:

“Tutto il mondo é un paese” – an old Italian saying meaning “the world is a village” – is certainly true when it comes to the alarming increase in the rate of obesity in western society today. The Italians are no exception. The obesity levels in Italy are up 25% since 1994. Italian obesity is at 9%, while America’s is at 30% but the Italians are gaining fast. It’s no wonder Fiat bought Chrysler. It was a strategic move: At the rate of their fast expanding waistline Italians will no longer be able to fit into their Cinquecentos. I was shocked and baffled by what I saw in Italy this past year. Young teenage girls with big bellies hanging over their waistline, men so fat their Armani’s are busting at the seams. Although I have seen the slow but gradual weight gain of the Italian population over the years, this last trip simply “blew my mind”.

The Italians are FAT, not only the older population but also (and even more alarming) the children. Italy is close to having the same rate of obesity in children (16%) as the U.S. Imagine the overload on the Italian health system in 10-20 years. Italy already has the highest percentage of people over 60 years old. What is going to happen to the health system when it is further strained as these children are inflicted with the chronic diseases associated with obesity? A perfect storm. Many experts believe that this may be the first generation of children that will be outlived by their parents!

Not only are Italian adults and children fat but so are their pets, 46% of cats and 36% of their dogs are obese! Really. Italian pets are fat. Perhaps there is a correlation between fat pets and a fat society? I bet you won’t find many fat pets in Afghanistan.

Western society and western culture have reached the boot. Supermarkets with refined and processed foods and lack of exercise are the two main culprits. Most women are now in the work force and have less time to be vigilant over the family diet. Years ago everyone walked or road bicycles; today everyone is in a car or motorcycle. Years ago, Italians shopped daily for fresh provisions which were grown locally; today, many shop once a week with packaged items that come from all over Europe.

I don’t want to sound like an alarmist or a personal training Fascista. There is no way I’m giving up my proscuitto, pasta, and formaggio – I just don’t eat them everyday. What I do eat is the same things that my parents made for me when I was growing up. Fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes, lean meats and seafood. I was lucky to be born Tuscan, our food is from the earth and sea. It is unadulterated and simple. Last month sitting down with my Mother at the dinner table in my little village in Italy, I was eating anchovies on a slice of buttered Tuscan bread. It was accompanied with a glass of red wine. It was simply the best meal I’ve ever had in my life. .

Paul Frediani lives in New York, NY and is the Author of the following books: Surf Flex, Power Sculpt for Men, Power Sculpt for Women, Power Band, Golf Flex, Net Flex, Tri Power and Boot Camp Workout.

www.paulfrediani.com
www.surfflex.com

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Leonardo (from Ansa in the Foggia area), is a retired physician, married with children and the ex mayor of his native town Troia.

“There is nothing extraordinary about this,” says Leonardo. “I only study before each test.”

His first degree was in medicine followed by degrees in law, political science, the arts, philosophy, agriculture, science of tourism, history of science, social history and this last one in Biotechnology.

One wonders what he might do next!

Readers have been asking for a list of movies that are representative of the Italian lifestyle through various decades. The following list is from movies I have viewed (many for the second time) this year.

After you watch these movies, please share your reviews or comments with us.

Films from the list below are available for rental or purchase. The information on these movies is from The Internet Movie Database (IMDb):

1) The Night of the Shooting Stars – La Notte di San Lorenzo (1982)
The Night of San Lorenzo, the night of the shooting stars, is the night when dreams come true in Italian folklore. In 1944, a group of Italians flee their town after hearing rumors that the Nazis plan to blow it up and that the Americans are about to arrive to liberate them

2) Umberto D. – (1952)
Umberto Domenico Ferrari, an elderly and retired civil servant, is desperately trying to maintain a decent standard of living on a rapidly dwindling state pension. But he’s up against his tyrannical landlady, who keeps demanding rent that he can’t pay (while renting his room out to prostitutes during the day), and his only friends are the pregnant housemaid and his little dog Flike…

3) A Brief Vacation – Una Breve Vacanza (1973)
A woman lives a miserable life in the basement of her Milan apartment, with her boring in-laws and three children (boys). Her husband has been injured. Her bleak life takes an unexpected turn when she is diagnosed with tuberculosis and has to go to a sanatorium in the Italian Alps. At the medical clinic in Milan she meets young mechanic with the similar health problems. At the sanatorium she meets again the same man and they start a passionate love affair. All good things must come to an end. When she is cured, she has to return to that rat hole from which she only briefly emerged.

4) Caterina in the Big City – Caterina Va in Cittá (2003)
When her father, Giancarlo is transferred to Rome from the small country town of Montalto Di Castro, Caterina, a 12 years old girl, will discover her new classmates, a totally new world, an ambient extremely divided politically. She starts developing her friendship with the “left side”, represented by Margherita, and the right, Daniela, side of her class. She will lose herself, without knowing who she really is. However, maybe Edward, the young Australian boy, who lives in the apartment across hers, can help her more that she thinks.

5) Family Flaw – Un difetto di famiglia (2002)
A runaway coffin, a conservative wedding, an eccentric older man, two transsexuals, the police and an adorable puppy, collide on a humorous and heartwarming journey through the picturesque South of Italy. The “unexpected” death of 103 year-old Rosa creates an awkward family reunion the evening before what was to be a lush and opulent wedding. Rosa’s grand-daughter, Chiara Gammarota, is set to marry the son of a wealthy general, much to the excitement of her conservative father, Nicolo. Francesco, Nicolo’s “eccentric” brother caused a town scandal when he revealed his homosexuality 40 years earlier. He has returned for the wedding-turned-funeral and the two polar opposites see each other for the first time in decades. Acting on the final wishes of their mother the conflicting brothers reluctantly embark on drive through the countryside to bury their mother in their hometown; forcing them to confront family secrets, learn to love one another again and discover the true meaning of “Family Values.”

6) The Swindle – Il Bidone (1955)
Aging small-time con man Augusto, who swindles peasants, works with two younger men: Roberto, who wants to become the Italian Johnny Ray, and Bruno, nicknamed Picasso, who has a wife and daughter and wants to paint. Augusto avoids the personal entanglements, spending money at clubs seeking the good life. His attitude changes when he runs into his own daughter, whom he rarely sees, and realizes she’s now a young woman and in need of his help to continue her studies. His usual partners are away, so he goes in with others to run a swindle, and they aren’t forgiving when he claims he’s given the money back to their mark. They leave him beaten, robbed, and alone

7) Seven Beauties – Pasqualino Settebellezze (1975)
Directed by Lina Wertmüller
Pasqualino, an Italian everyman, deserts the army during World War II. Germans capture him and send him to a prison camp, where he does just about anything to survive. In lengthy flashbacks, we see him and his family of seven unattractive sisters (the seven beauties), his accidental murder of one sister’s lover, his confession and imprisonment, his calculated switch to an asylum, his rape of a patient, and his volunteering to be a soldier to escape confinement. To the chagrin of his obese German captor, his weak and cowardly character enables him to survive the war and return to Naples where he has a plan to survive the next world catastrophe.üller

9) Facing Windows – La Finestra di Fronte (2003)
Giovanna is a bookkeeper in a company which packs chickens. She is married to a man who has a precarious job. First she starts being curious about a young man who lives in the block opposite hers, and then she falls in love with him. The relationship between the two becomes much stronger when she starts to find out more about him from an old man who bursts into their lives. The old man, obsessed with the memories of some things that happened n the long past autumn of 1943, has lost his memory and finds refuge in Giovanna. Written by

10) Seduced and Abandoned – Sedotta e Abbandonata (1964)
Agnese a 15-year-old Sicilian girl is seduced and impregnated by Peppino, her sister’s Matilde fiancé;. Soon Vincenzo, Agnese’s father, discovers everything and after had hit like hell his daughter run to Peppino house and did the same. He also oblige Peppino to marry the ‘dishonored’ Agnese instead than Matilde.Peppino run away and Vincenzo send his son Antonio to kill him!! At this point Agnese go to the police to try to stop the events. They all are taken to the court. But the events couldn’t be stop, there is still space for a fake kidnapping! An happy end is still possible.

For more info:

Internet Movie Database (IMDb)
www.toscanamia.biz

A project and creation of the students of the Scuola Superiore di Sant’Anna of Pisa, a scientific research institute of the University of Pisa, the DustBots are part of a 3-year project aimed at finding new ways to dispose of urban trash.  The project is gathering world-wide interest.

The robots have a touch screen for ease of use and are adorable to look at. They are fitted with GPS navigation, a gyroscope, beacons and a multitude of sensors to keep them from running into humans (an excellent idea since these robots weigh in at 1.5 tons)!

The DustBot can also serve as a personal concierge for anyone needing information on the town.

According to the Institute of Sant’Anna:

The DustBot project is aimed at designing, developing, testing and demonstrating a system for improving the management of urban hygiene based on a network of autonomous and cooperating robots, embedded in an Ambient Intelligence infrastructure.

As always, an initial experiment is never perfect: these first robots are slow moving and have a small bin capacity.  But, with just a call from a customer’s cell phone, these bots are ready to help Italians move towards a greener world!

Following the recent World Baseball Classic made me think about what a true “World Series” looks like. It is wonderful to see so many countries participating in the great American pastime!

Did you know that baseball in Italy started at the end of WW2? Nettuno is an Italian town one hour south of Rome along the Tyrrhenian Sea (west coast and is close to the American cemetery in Anzio (site of the famous World War II battle). American troops went to Italy during WWII to push out the invading Nazis. They accomplished this valiantly plus also left behind the legacy of Italian baseball. They taught Italian kids to play the game, started to play in front of spectators and planted the seed.

The first Italian League tournament in Bologna took place in 1948 and Bologna won the contest. Italian cities with a past and current baseball tradition include: Nettuno, Bologna, Parma, Milan, Rimini and Grosseto.

There is a sign entering Nettuno saying “Benvenuti a Nettuno – Città del Baseball.” (welcome to Nettuno, city of baseball).

Italian baseball trivia:

• Joe Di Maggio visited here when he was retired and smashed a ball out of the park.
• The first Italian-born player to play Major League Baseball in the U.S. was Julio Bonetti: Genoa, Italy (St. Louis Browns, 1937)

Photo:  Examiner.com

I am not knocking  this trend - the desire to share the Tuscan lifestyle is the reason I began writing this  column. I am from Tuscany and passionate about all it has to offer :Art, architecture, food, wine, history, vineyards, sunflowers and natural beauty. Tuscans are very proud of their heritage and live a great life. But who knew that all the traditional foods I grew up with (such as bruschette, crostini, rustic bread soups, home-made salumi and sautéed beans) would end up being featured in the trendiest of U.S. restaurants?

It seems I cannot drive more than a few minutes from home without seeing a “Tuscan” or “Tuscany” restaurant, hotel, condominium building, cooking school or billboard. Even the Olive Garden Restaurants have joined this trend with their Culinary Institute of Tuscany and their latest television commercials featuring Tuscan menu specials.

Perhaps my favorite Tuscan tidbit of the last few weeks was the following from The Onion:

Area Woman Will Eat Anything With ‘Tuscan’ In Name
MARCH 2, 2009 | ISSUE 45•10

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP, NJ—Veterinary assistant Lauren Millardi, 27, will eat any dish prefaced with the word “Tuscan,” sources reported Monday. “Tuscan shrimp, Tuscan garlic chicken, it doesn’t matter,” said Millardi’s boyfriend, Tim Vernacini. “I’m not really sure if she even knows what makes food Tuscan, but there’s something about that region-specific culinary modifier that she finds inordinately appetizing.” Vernacini added that Millardi likely would have loved the 2003 movie Under The Tuscan Sun had it not failed to meet her strict film criterion of having taken place between the years of 1743 and 1919.

It’s wonderful to see this passion for Tuscany and I enjoy everyone’s enthusiasm for all things Tuscan. My one suggestion is this: if you really love Tuscany and Tuscan food, try your best to actually travel to Tuscany. Nothing compares to the real thing!