Country Houses of Tuscany

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Another book on Tuscany? Is it still possible to discover something new there? Barbara and Rene Stoeltie prove that it is. They have found the most beautiful country houses in the remote towns of Chiusi and Montalcino and in the Chianti and the wild Maremma region. These romantic farmhouses and isolated villas have been photographed exclusively by Rent Stoeltie for the third volume in the successful "Country Homes" series. Rene is a master at capturing the soft light of Tuscany which, once seen, is never forgotten. It Floods the interiors and paints cryptic messages on the uneven terracotta floor tiles. In a corner, bathed in the famous "sfumato," a timeless still life consisting of a picture of the Virgin and a kitschy infant Jesus. Barbara Stoeltie writes consummately on the landscape and its inhabitants, on the hermitage in a hidden river valley near Arezzo, the "fattoria" with its award-winning wine, the palazzo in the moon-like landscape of Siennese Crete and the Renaissance villa near Sienna, formerly the country home of the Chigi family. She also managed to entice from the owners of these houses their favourite recipes for classic Tuscan dishes such as "fagioli" or "ribollita," wholesome food that is quick and easy to prepare. A tempting invitation to rediscover Tuscany!