How is life in Tuscany in winter? It’s a magical place, still worth visiting, perfect for those seeking a slower pace of life and a connection with nature.
Recently, a cold northern wind, swept through our usually mild Mediterranean climate. I imagine it traveling all the way from the North Pole, crossing countless landscapes before finally slipping through our windows.
This wind has cleared everything up. The light is so bright, the sunsets stunning and the leaves on the olive trees are shining with a silver glow. It’s the time of the year when we prune them quite a lot, as they’ve grown too tall and are not easy for harvesting the olives.
Winter in Tuscany is when nature is full of invisible energies, even though everything seems dormant. Little signs tell us that the garden is waking up. The first blooms of the year are like little sparks of joy.
These days, we’re busy testing new recipes, creating videos, and spending time with friends. We take long walks on the beach and hills, and finally have time to practice yoga. Arnaud never misses his morning cappuccino walk with the dogs.
We’re also getting the first bookings for our Food & Wine trips, and planning next year’s experiences—the part I love most! During these trips, I do what I love most: teaching how to cook authentic Italian recipes and showcasing our beautiful country.
Come cook & explore Tuscany with me
As you may know, I’m not a trained chef—I’m actually an architect who learned to cook from my grandma and nanny. What I share is real home cooking, simple ways to put together a meal just like Italians do.
We’ll have a lot of fun in my kitchen while cooking classic Italian multi-course meals, from antipasto to dessert, with a first and a second course plus a side dish in between.
Each day of our trips is filled with genuine food, local culture, and excursions to beautiful, lesser-known villages along the Etruscan coast. You won’t just visit Tuscany—you’ll experience it like a local, immersing yourself in its history, traditions, and daily rhythms from an insider’s perspective.
But these trips always become something more. The secret ingredient? Connection.
Spending long days together—cooking, sharing meals, and exploring—naturally turns us into family. Year after year, I’ve seen incredible friendships form, and I feel so grateful to have shared my passion for Tuscany with such amazing people.
During our food & wine trips, we’ll:
- Â Cook authentic Italian recipes together in my home kitchen.
- Taste Super Tuscan wines from top vineyards.
- Explore beautiful medieval villages, meeting artisans, winemakers, and locals who have become our friends.
- Dine at my favorite restaurants and wine bars, tasting the best of Tuscany.
- Travel in small groups (max 6-8 people) for an intimate, authentic experience.
We’re in a perfect location, close to Rome, Florence, and Siena, easily accessible by car or train.
If you’re curious to learn more about these adventures, just respond to this email, and I will send you all the travel details or you can start to have a look here ​https://cookingintuscany.cc/food-wine-trip/​.
My recipe for you!
I also want to share with you a delicious chickpea flour pizza that I’ve been baking these days. It’s completely gluten-free and so simple to make.
This dish is a tradition in Livorno, where the best place to try it is at Gagarin, a tiny little shop just outside the central market. Locals line up for a hot, crispy slice, usually enjoyed inside a crunchy bread roll—because yes, in true Italian style, we even put pizza inside bread!
You can make it at home with just a few ingredients. Give it a try and let me know what you think! ​https://cookingintuscany.cc/2017/03/10/chick-peas-flour-pizza/
Love from Tuscany,
Chicca & Arnaud
