About me

I came to the Tuscan Maremma in 2007 as a terribly young and possibly foolish Australian looking to teach English for a year. Suffice to say, I became besotted with this completely unpretentious, but utterly gorgeous region in Southern Tuscany almost instantly.

I say ‘almost instantly’ because I needed a little help from a boy (there’s always a boy, isn’t there?) to throw caution, and my return ticket to Australia, to the wind, and move to the Maremma permanently.

Sure my boy was cute, but more importantly he showed me what it was like to be a local in the Tuscan Maremma.

The tourists who cleverly find their way to the Maremma are blessed with an incredible bounty of gorgeous countrysides, breathtaking medieval and Renaissance towns, centuries of Etruscan and Roman relics, lovingly preserved traditions and legends, affable locals, divine food and wine… and the list goes on.

But to experience the Maremma as a local is to be a part of the amazing little differences that make every town and city stand out from its neighbour.

To taste the utterly unique Goym (Italian and Jewish fusion) cooking in Pitigliano, left behind by its 16th century Jewish community.

To experience the  Balestro del Girifalco in Massa Marittima and know that this event has defined the spirit of the Massetani for centuries.

And to appreciate how living with six nature parks on your doorstep has left the locals of Monte Amiata with an innate understanding of their beautiful landscape.

Not one to keep paradisiacal holiday destinations to myself, I created this blog/website to share my love of the Tuscan Maremma, so that you too can experience it as a local, savour its flavours and traditions and have an unforgettable vacation in one of the most spectacular corners of the globe.

I’m always looking to share the love for Southern Tuscany and in a wider sense, Italy beyond the big cities. If you want to collaborate, guest post, advertise, click here.