Dall’Albero del Respiro,  Ritiro in Cammino in Terra d'Otranto

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Nel corpo dell’Olivo incontriamo

orizzonti fioriti e campi di sterminio,

l’uno accanto all’altro. 

Sostenuti dal respiro del mare, dal soffio del vento, dalla luce dagli Insegnamenti,

la nostra presenza si radica in ogni passo,

portando pace in noi stessi, 

seminando pace sulla Terra.

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April 27 - May 3 2019 The tree of breath, Hiking retreat in Salento

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With brothers Phap Luu and Dao Luc (Plum Village Community)

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Walking towards the finibus terrae, on the south-eastern border of the Italian peninsula, we meet a world lying in the very middle of the Mediterranean and revealing multiple faces of an ancient landscape: from the Messapians who settled here, to the first monks who came from the East to live as hermits in caves, from thousand year old olive trees, to the winds constantly blowing. In May the Mediterranean bush is abloom, wild orchids meet our eyes like stars amidst the dry stone walls and the rocky paths carved by the sea. The Tree crowns this earth: the Tree of Life, mirror of a culture of encounter, a great book of symbols sealed in the mosaic of the Basilica of Otranto and the Olive Tree, messenger of peace. In this journey, we are the Tree. Our roots are filled with vital force and sink into inner silence.

A hiking retreat is a time dedicated to rediscovering stability, calm, clarity, lightness of heart, mind and body. The day flows in the spirit of a retreat. We anchor ourselves to the present moment, to our breathing, when we sit, eat, rest, walk accompanied by exercises that amplify perception and focus attention. Nourished by the beauty of nature we feel admiration and gratitude. We also enrich ourselves with the practice of the group and we make the experience of being distinct and at the same time "one body".

We can all feel a sense of deep admiration and love when we see the great harmony, elegance and beauty of the Earth. When we really can see and understand the Earth, love is born in our hearts. We feel connected. This is the meaning of love: to be one.

- Thich Nhat Hanh

Accompanied by:Brother Phap Luu, Dharma teacher from Plum Village Monastic Community (https://plumvillage.org/about/dharma-teachers/br-phap-luu/) e Brother Dao Luc.

Anita Constantini mother, sculptress and environmental hiking guide, in love with the beauty of nature and mindful walking. She bas met Thich Nhat Hanh in1992 and in 2005 she conceived and realized the first hiking retreat with the sisters of the monastic community of Plum Village.

Walk & Cook

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Tuscanwise opens 2017 with a brilliant new collaboration with italian chef and foodblogger Stefania Fermi.

Stefania is a passionate connesseur of traditional and regional italian cuisine, specialized in healthy and natural food.  Antonio Scaccio, Dolce & Gabbana’s personal chef, has been one of her mentors in vegetarian and vegan cuisine. Her unique style gets you in an unforgettable experience. You can visit her blog www.fattoincasaconstile.it (homemade with style) in the english version.

Join Anita and Stefania in this brand new itinerary: A travel foodie's dream to tuscan wellness and lifestyle.

Detailed program in preparation!

 

Stefania at work!

Stefania at work!

Yet another prince's taste

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The solar eclipse and spring equinox welcomed us today for a walk on the grounds of the estate of Villa Le Corti, in San Casciano Val di Pesa. The Princes Corsini, owners of Le Corti, exemplify Tuscan care for the land.  Their heartfelt commitment comes down to simple daily gestures, as I could observe and appreciate in our meeting with Clotilde Corsini. 

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Villa Le Corti

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Our scenic walk through the vineyards passes several of the estate’s poderi- old farmer’s houses- down to the river and back up the hill in the bush, past olive groves to the Villa. The vines are now organicly grown. Alternate rows are sowed with field beans to keep the natural balance of the soil, creating green and brown stripes through the landscape.

You can discover more about the villa at www.principecorsini.com although you need to be there to experience, at the end of the walk, a pleasant winetasting and light lunch in the old cellars. Sobre and refined.

 

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The Prince's Taste

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In Renaissance’s cradle even ice cream can take on a historical perspective. Florentine ice-cream makers honored the 500 years old bestseller “the Prince” by Machiavelli, Florentine diplomat and political theorist. 

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Their delicious creation was elaborated using ingredients typical of the XV century: a milk cream base flavored with sage, cardamon and the aromatic liquor Alkermes. 

The term "alkermes" derives from the abab word "quirmiz", meaning the color scarlett. The liquor in fact has a bright ruby red color and a warm and spicy flavor. The origin of the liquor Alkermes is from the XV century, whereas today’s recipe was formulated in 1743 by Fra' Cosimo Bucelli, who was the director of the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. When in Florence a visit to this unique 400 year old sanctuary is a must. www.smnovella.it

You can taste the Prince’s flavor at the gelateria Perchè no!, in via dei Tavolini, Firenze.


Where there is great will there cannot be great difficulties. 

-Niccolò Macchiavelli