HOTEL BORGO PRETALE

COOKING TUSCAN STYLE

2012-02-21T11:35:00.001+01:00

TASTE OF TUSCANY

THE RIBOLLITA VEGETABLE SOUP

A journey through our country may start from the most intimate place of your home...your kitchen! You can learn step by step how to cook the most famous Tuscan Speciality and surprise all your friends.

Our Chef is keen on Ribollita and he likes to cook it freshly using local products.

You will find Our Special Ribollita on our Menù à la carte at any time of the season. Of course this is a soup and it is better to enjoy it in winter time. But as we are Tuscans we love it all year round and we found it fab especially at dinner with a glass of Chianti Wine!

What's the Ribollita?

Ribollita

is a simple and inexpensive Soup made with stale unsalted Tuscan bread

and a variety of vegetables including the typical Tuscan kale.

We commonly call it ribollita

because it is consumed the day after its preparation

when it is warmed up in a pot with extra olive oil and reboiled.

Prep time:

30 mins

Cook time: 15 mins

Total time: 45 mins

Ingredients

· 400 g dried cannellini beans

· 400 g of dried unsalted bread

· 400 g of Tuscan kale

· 700 g white cabbage

· 300 g swiss chard

· 2 medium sized potatoes

· 1 spoon of tomato paste

· thyme

· 1 onion

· 2 garlic cloves

· 2 celery stalks

· 2 carrots

· extra virgin olive oil

· salt and pepper

Instructions

1 Soak the beans overnight then discard the water and boil them in abundant water until soft adding salt towards the end. Drain them (keeping the water), blend half of them in a food mixer and keep 1/3 of the beans whole.

Chop the carrot, celery, onion, garlic and sauté with oil in a large saucepan with some thyme. After a few minutes add the cut up potatoes and the other vegetables together with the spoonful of tomato paste that you need to melt in a little warm water.

3 Next pour in the liquid that you kept aside when boiling the beans and the purèed beans and let the soup cook at a low temperature for an hour, just before you finish cooking the vegetables add the beans.

Slice the bread into thin slices and place them into the pot with the soup and stir for a few minutes. Take the pot away from the stove and add salt, pepper and some olive oil.

5 Now, at this point you should leave your soup to rest…..if you can’t wait go ahead and taste it knowing that in this phase it is not a ribollita soup, since it hasn’t reboiled! The next day use some olive oil to reboil it for a few minutes and pour a little extra virgin olive oil.

Offerte speciali Pasqua a Siena

2012-02-10T11:51:00.000+01:00

WEEKEND DI PASQUA....fra Arte e Relax
sotto il sole della Toscana

Vi aspettano le città d'arte di Siena, San Gimignano

e la famosa Abbazia di San Galgano con la sua Spada nella roccia oltre a tanti sentieri nei boschi intorno a Borgo Pretale dove passeggiare nella natura!

L'offerta Speciale PASQUA A BORGO PRETALE include
• Soggiorno di min. 2 notti in camera Doppia/Junior Suite o Suite
• Ricca Colazione a Buffet
• Aperitivo di Benvenuto
• Trattamento di mezza pensione per tutto il soggiorno con 2 cene o a scelta 1 pranzo e 1 cena (anche pranzo di Pasqua) bevande escluse
• Parcheggio privato all'interno della proprietà

Prezzo a partire da Euro 79,00 p.p./notte

Se vieni con la tua famiglia...ecco le nostre offerte per i tuoi bambini:
da 0 a 3 anni: gratis
da 4 a 10 anni: 50% di sconto
Suppl. adulto: 15% di sconto

La nostra offerta è valida dal 6/04 al 09/04 incl. e non cumulabile con altre offerte.

Per maggiori informazioni e prenotazioni
www.borgopretale.it

2012-01-11T22:21:00.001+01:00

BEST MOVIES SET IN TUSCANY

How about planning your journey in Tuscany
throught your favourite films..

..Famed for its countryside, the unspoilt coastline and the medieval towns,
Tuscany has been used as a backdrop for many films during the last 50 years.
Its the fusion of nature combined with art, history and strong traditions
that draw so many art directors to shoot their movies here.

Certainly the scenes of "the Gladiator" running to the top of the hill,
is one of the most celebrative images of our countryside.
But coming by yourself to the Val d'Orcia and capture with your eyes and memories
the real essence of this landscape is worth a visit!!

Under the Tuscan Sun: One of the more recent and notable movies shotin Tuscany, the film takes the viewer on a journey of self-discovery throughthe protagonist Frances Mayes (played by Diane Lane). After going through apainful divorce, Frances, at the urging of her friend Patti (Sandra Oh) takes atrip through Tuscany and ends up making a permanent move. Through therestoration of her villa, Frances discovers new friends, Tuscany and herself. Film locations:Cortona.

Stealing Beauty: A film by the great director Bernardo Bertolucci, a young 19 year old girl, played by Liv Tyler travels to the Tuscan countryside to find her true father, and along the way also discovers herself. The film is full of beautiful cinematography, and the colors found in the film are often compared to those used by the French Fauvists. Bertolucci combines love, drama, and art to produce an unforgettable movie. Film location: towns of southern Siena.

TheGladiator: The fameddirector Ridley Scott knew he could only find the right light to portrayparadise in Tuscany, specifically in the Val d’Orcia. Those who have seen theblockbuster movie will be familiar with the scene where Maximus rides back homefrom the war along a cypress lined path to arrive only too late to save hisfamily. This scene is shot in the Sienise countryside. The scenes where Maximusdreams of paradise are shot instead in the Val d'Orcia, the valley most oftencaptured in Tuscan postcards. Film location: Val D'Orcia valley

Hannibal: Another film by Ridley Scott, displaysFlorence in its gothic glory. Hannibal, appearing to be an expert on Dantegives lectures in Palazzo Vecchio's Sala dei Cinquecento as well as commits hismost gruesome crimes in Piazza della Signoria and Piazza della Reppublica. Film location:Florence.

Tea with Mussolini: Presents Florence in a most tourist light. Itincludes all the greatest monuments in Florence such as Ponte Vecchio, Piazzadel Duomo, Piazza Santa Maria Novella, Piazza Santissima Annunziata, theEnglish Cemetery, Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, and of includes theFlorentine sunsets and sunrises.
Film location: Florence.

A Room with aView: The 1985 moviebased on the E.M. Forster novel follows the artistic education of Lucy, who happens to have the perfect panorama ofFlorence from her room in the Bertolini pension. It is also includes thepicturesque countryside accompanied by the melody of mandolins. Film location:Fiesole

Life isBeautiful: Roberto Benigni’smasterpiece, which was awarded three Oscars (best actor, best foreign movie andbest soundtrack), was set in Arezzo. The city is the ideal backdrop for thecomical conquest of the beautiful schoolteacher by Benigni's character. Thecity also reveals the inevitable that happens later on in the movie, with thesigns prohibiting Jews and the conceit of the fascists. Film location:Arezzo.

Midsummer’sNight Dream: TheShakespearean classic is set in the town of Montalcino, world famous for itsBrunello. It includes a stellar cast of stars: Kevin Kline, Michelle Pfeiffer,Rupert Everett, and Sophie Marceau. They all bring the text to life, althoughwithout the dark undertones found in Shakespeare's original. The Tuscancountryside's role is used for its folkloristic charm. Film location:Montalcino and Val D'Orcia area.

The EnglishPatient: The director,Anthony Minghella, chose to film the majority of this critically acclaimed filmin the monastery of Sant'Anna in Camprena, a setting most appropriate forrecounting this story of burning passion. The film is also features locationssuch as Pienza, Montepulciano, and Versilia. Here, Tuscany was the perfectsetting to accompany the tragic film. Film location:Pienza, Montepulciano

The Portrait of a Lady: This period piece, starring Nicole Kidman, isset in a Luccan villa with typical Baroque gardens, a perfect setting for thestory of a woman playing the part of a perfect wife to an upper class man,meanwhile inside she is a tortured woman desperate to break free. The villamirrors this character, with its perfectly geometric facade but has a dark andmysterious interior. Film location: outside Lucca.

Letters to Juliet: The movie tells the story of a young Americangirl who finds an old letter of a person addressed to her lover in Verona inthe courtyard of the house of Juliet (that of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet).Here pepole gather everyday to write letters to their lovers or about them. Thesecretaries of Juliet respond to each one of them on a voluntary basis, even tothose mailed from all over the world. However, this letter was hidden andunanswered despite the secretaries of Juliet. Therefore the girl writes back tothe writer of the latter and decides to make them encounter again. Tuscanycomes into play for much of the film as the person the letter was addressed tois in Tuscany. The wonderful countryside, the small towns, and the people ofthe region are the main frame of the story. Film locations:towns of southern Siena.

Up to the Villa: Superficial people are revealed and drastically changed by circumstance or luck in this a tale of death, seduction, blackmail and theft among British and Americans in Florence in the turbulent days just before World War II.
Film lacations VILLA CETINALE near Siena ( just 10 kms away from Borgo Pretale)

007 Quantum of Solace: Seeking revenge for the death of his love, secret agent James Bond sets out to stop an environmentalist from taking control of a country's valuable resource. The Palio horse race and the town of Siena are a great frame for this exciting movie.
Film lacations Siena

and the last one....The Twilight Saga: the famous series of supernatural romance fantasy films from SummitEntertainment based on the four Twilight series novels by the American authorStephenie Meyer. The films star Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and TaylorLautner. Part of Twilight Saga New Moon movie was filmed inMontepulciano

Find this in Tuscany in Movies

VAL DI MERSE DA SCOPRIRE

2011-12-01T01:56:00.003+01:00

Il Ponte della Pia

Ponte della Pia sul Torrente Rosia - 6 Km da Borgo Pretale

Percorrendo la strada che da Borgo Pretale porta fino a Siena, appare all’improvviso tra il verde acceso dei boschi , un PONTE Medievale dalla maestosa arcata, che deve il suo nome alla Pia dè Tolomei, bellissima ragazza vissuta a Siena nel XIII secolo e citata da Dante nella Divina Commedia:

“Deh, quando tu sarai tornato al mondo

e riposato della lunga via”

seguitò il terzo spirito al secondo

“ricorditi di me che son la Pia:

Siena mi fè, disfecemi Maremma:

salsa colui che inanellata pria

disposando m’avea con la sua gemma”.

Divina Commedia, Purgatorio, Canto V

Dante incontra lo spirito della Pia fra coloro che si sono pentiti dei propri peccati in punto di morte e per questo hanno ricevuto il perdono divino. Nonostante non risultino prove concrete sull'esistenza della Pia legata alla famiglia Tolomei, le vicende di questa donna morta per amore hanno ispirato storie, leggende e artisti per molti secoli.

La leggenda narra della vita di Pia che dovette lasciare la sua Siena per raggiungere il suo amore in Maremma. Sposata in seconde nozze con Nello dei Pannocchieschi, la Pia sognava di vivere finalmente una vita felice al Castello della Pietra vicino Gavorrano, mentre con la sua carrozza attraversava questo piccolo ponte. Purtroppo dopo anni di sofferenza e illusioni, l' infedele marito pose fine alla sua vita gettandola dalla torre più alta del castello.

Rimane di lei il ricordo di una donna dolce e bellissima, il cui spirito, nelle notti senza luna, appare triste e pensoso sull’arcata del ponte, come se ancora soffrisse per aver lasciato per sempre la sua Siena.

PERCORSI TREKKING / M.BIKING

Il Ponte della Pia si inserisce perfettamente negli itinerari di Trekkingnaturalistico o M/Bike che attraversano la Val di Merse.

Distanza da Borgo Pretale: 1h e 40'

Da Borgo Pretale si prosegue verso Tonni sulla sentiero ben segnalato dal CAI N°114 per poi prendere il sentiero N°100 verso Montarrenti.

Discendendo lungo la Cava di Marmo si raggiunge la strada principale SP73 e poi si prosegue in direzione di SANTA LUCIA - PONTE DELLA PIA.

Il sentiero è ben tracciato e permette di visitare sia il Ponte che le rovine del Monastero di Santa Lucia costruito sulla vecchia via Francigena, un tempo ricovero per Pellegrini e viandati.

Castello di Montarrenti

San Galgano e la Spada nella Roccia

2011-06-17T00:55:00.003+02:00

L'Abbazia Cistercense di San Galgano rappresenta uno dei tesori architettonici e storici più importanti della Val di Merse. Da Borgo Pretale dista soltanto 17 km percorrendo la vecchia strada (SP73) che un tempo portava verso la maremma. Un tragitto breve e molto bello visto il panorama che si può godere della campagna senese e i castelli (Frosini) che si incontrano lungo il percorso.

La sua maestosità rapisce subito lo sguardo fino a scendere poi nel dettaglio e accorgersi che questa chiesa in stile gotico a croce latina, non ha il tetto! Un particolare che desta non poca sorpresa soprattutto perchè volutamente lasciata come le vicende storiche ne hanno segnato l'esistenza.

La storia dell'Abbazia risale agli ultimi secoli del Medioevo. La leggenda narra che un giovane di Chiusdino di nome Galgano Guidotti, dopo una visione mistica del San Michele Arcangelo, avrebbe deciso di ritirarsi in preghiera e abbandonare per sempre la vita di Cavaliere.

Alla sua morte nel 1181, sul quello stesso colle, fu eretta un cappella (Montesiepi) dove tutt'oggi viene conservata LA SPADA che Galgano aveva piantato nella roccia per pregare.

Dopo la canonizzazione di San Galgano nel 1185, fu costruita l'Abbazia secondo i canoni dell'ordine cistecense di cui era seguace. In origine la chiesa doveva era sicuramente ricoperta di marmi preziosi ( Marmo Giallo di Siena) provenienti dalle numerose cave della Montagnola senese.

Nel corso dei secoli,l'avvicendarsi di epidemie e guerre, causarono il lento abbandono dell'Abbazia e il conseguente saccheggiamento. Ultimo tentativo di salvarla fu fatto dai monaci nel XVIII sec. tentando di vendere il tetto per estrarre del metallo.

Soltatno nel secolo scorso è stata recuperata e grazie ad un restauro conservativo sono stati limitati i danni strutturali.

Oltre ad essere uno dei centri di maggiore interesse della nostra Regione, San Galgano rappresenta anche un magnifico TEATRO OPEN AIR. Nel periodo estivo infatti, vengono organizzati spettacoli danza classica, concerti di musica classica e opere liriche. L'emozione della musica, lo scenario dell'Abbazia illuminata e il tetto di stelle creano un atmosfera unica che solo per quella varrebbe la pena di fare un viaggio!

Per maggiori informazioni sul calendario delle Opere liriche visitate la sezione eventi del nostro sito: http://www.borgopretale.it/eventi_siena_toscana.asp

e per trascorrere un indimenticabile WEEKEND IN CONCERT a Borgo Pretale sempre in occasione della stagione operistica visitate la sezione Offerte WEEKENDS del nostro sito

DISCOVER TUSCANY....on foot!!!

2011-02-21T01:27:00.005+01:00

Enjoy a walking experience in Val di Merse

Joying a Walking tour is one of the best way to discover Tuscany. But if you are a bit lazy and you rather wish to balance sport and relax into a perfect mixed holiday, these walking tips might be useful to you!

Before leaving....
Training shoes and comfortable clothes are advisable also in shorter walks.
Take some water and snacks in your bag...there are no bars in our woods! and...
don't forget your camera...

WALKING FROM TORRI TO STIGLIANO

Total lenght: km 2,5
Walking time: 40'
Interesting places to see: Romanic Cloister in Torri, old marble Quarry, Stigliano

From Borgo Pretale to Torri: 10 min. by car ( 10 km)

TORRI

It's is a tiny hill top medieval villag where time as stopped!

The Romanic Cloister of Torri was once part of a 11th century monastery founded by the Benedictine Monks of Vallombrosa. In the MiddleAge, this Monastery played an important role in the development of the area thanks to the engeneering knowledge and forward thinking of the monks. They carried out an agricoltural and industrial revolution, draining marshes and building water mills on the Merse River.
The little cloister dates from 12th century, being the powerful era of the Monastery, but has also structural details from three centuries later. It's indeed a well balanced mix of black and white stone, renaissance bricks and carved wood. Extremely charming and architecturally unique..a real Gem of Tuscany!

It's private and open only twice a week (on Monday and Friday) from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m

WALKING THROUGH THE WOODS....

Leave the Medieval Gate of Torri and continue onto a white road on the left through the woods. Follow the track keeping the left towards Stigliano. Very enjoyable walk, easy and relaxing, suitable for everybody also for kids. Trees and bushes are typical of the mediterranean area: helm oaks, broom, chestnut and olive trees. Walking around you shouldn't be surprised of meeting foxes, deer, pheasants and even wildboars.

AN OLD MARBLE QUARRY

The exavation of Marble has been an important element in the growth of this area. Since the 14th century the Yellow Marble of Siena has been used for some of the masterpieces in the Duomo of Siena and Florence.

STIGLIANO AND ITS MEDIEVAL TOWERS

Stigliano is a medieval hamlet which became important XIII cent. thanks to its strategic position on the main road to the Maremma and the coast. Marchants and Pellegrims passed there, increasing commerce and industrial development of its area. Nowadays only three towers have survived to time. They belonged to the noble families of the village and now they are beautiful private residences.

2011-02-09T00:03:00.000+01:00

ENJOY YOUR EASTER HOLIDAYS IN TUSCANY!

HOTEL BORGO PRETALE - Siena - Tuscany

SPECIAL OFFER FOR EASTER HOLIDAYS

valid from 21/04 to 26/4.

Our Offer includes:
• Min Stay of 2 nights in Double/Junior Suite or Suite room
• Buffet Breakfast
• Welcome Drink
• Half board basis for the whole stay (either 2 dinners or 1 lunch and 1 dinner) drinks are not included
• Private parking inside our property

Special Price: starting from Euro 79,00 p.p./night

More discounts for Families with Kids!!
from 0 to 3 years: no charge
from 4 to 10 years: 50% off
Extra charge for adult: 15% off

BOOK NOW THIS SPECIAL OFFER http://www.borgopretale.it/

The Best Country Hotels of Tuscany by Travel&Leisure

2011-01-30T18:01:00.000+01:00

The Best Country Hotels of Tuscany - Articles - Travel + Leisure

It's been a while since we haven't read this article... but believe us nothing has changed especially food care and service!!!

Enjoy reading it!!
we really feel proud to have an article like this on Travel & Leisure

Marry me under the Tuscan sun!

2011-01-28T18:10:00.000+01:00

If you are looking for a romantic retreat for your Italian Wedding
then this might be your perfect spot. Wind your way up a hill through the woods
and that's where you'll find us: Hotel Borgo Pretale.

History and Charme are well mixed in this tuscan hamlet.
The tall and stern tower dates back to Middleage while the lovely cottages
are later and all differently furnished. The Restaurant offers the best of Tuscan Cuisine
with a precious wine list including local and Italian labels.
You will fall in love with the view of the countryside from the Terrace and..
.immagine how romantic would it be having your wedding party there!
Your guests will love the candle lights and their magical atmosphere.

Strolling around the hotel you will enjoy the 22 hectars of lawns and forest
far away from any traffic or noise.
Yet Borgo Pretale is in a central location, close to all the places you might want to visit
and show to your guests, some of the world’s greatest cultural treasures are here in Tuscany
Siena, San Gimignano, Volterra and San Galgano Abbey.

The most romantic church: San Galgano Abbey

Siena: The Campo Square

For more information and bookings
come to visit us http://www.borgopretale.it/eng/index-eng.html

or write to us: info@borgopretale.it

Hotel Borgo Pretale - welcome to the countryside of Siena

2011-01-09T17:13:00.005+01:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Hotel Borgo Pretale - welcome to the countryside of Siena

View more presentations from Borgo Pretale.

Il nostro Blog è la novità del 2011!!

2011-01-03T23:28:00.000+01:00

L'Hotel Borgo Pretale inaugura una nuova stagione con una grande novità! un blog dedicato ai nostri amici con tante informazioni utili su eventi della nostra Val di Merse e su Siena, eventi organizzati nel nostro hotel e tutte le novità che stiamo preparando per la stagione 2011!!!
Buon anno a tutti e vi aspettiamo dal 22 Aprile in poi per scoprire questo piccolo borgo della Toscana!!!