Editor’s note: In the premier issue of The Tuscan Times, an exciting new supplement to The Florentine (read more about it here), our contributors shared their insider knowledge of their home bases with us. Amy Gulick of The Bittersweet Gourmet is our go-to source in the Mugello, so we picked her brain on the best of everything in the area–this summer and beyond.
1/ Best bar in your area for an aperitivo
Bar L’Orologio, Borgo San Lorenzo
2/ Favorite restaurant for Tuscan food with a twist
Locanda San Barnaba, Scarperia
3/ Best weekend getaway near your base
Villa Campestri or Monsignor della Casa Resort
4/ Best traditional dish in your area
Tortelli
5/ Best place to beat the heat
Badia di Moscheta, near Firenzuola
6/ Best place to people-watch
Ingorgo Sonoro, the Mugello’s music festival
7/ One shop every English speaker should know about
Gotica Toscana WWII museum and shop, Ponzalla, near Scarperia
8/ The best “Tuscan-ism” you’ve got up your sleeve
Quando i’ Casentino ride, i’ Mugello piange. When the weather’s good in Casentino, it’s crap in the Mugello
9/ The event everyone’s talking about
The reopening of the Chini Ceramic factory, Borgo San Lorenzo
10 / Quirkiest summer sagra in your area
Fried frog sagra in Marcoiano, near Scarperia
11/ Essential experience in your area
Casa d’Erci museum, Luco Mugello
12/ Weirdest Tuscan summer ritual
Small children playing in the piazza at midnight
13/ A place that inspires you
Il Palagiaccio farm, near Scarperia
14/ Best place to watch a Tuscan summer sunsetù
Montesenario Convent
