Antiques & Crafts

You may find several antique and restoration shops both in Tuscany and Umbria , famous worldwide for their works of art, prints, old furniture and modern art. You will also come to know local crafts shops, such as the famous earthenware of Cortona and Tuscan fabrics and leather.

Breweries

Tuscany and Umbria have opened many tiny local breweries in just the past few years. These enjoy more freedom to experiment with ingredients than vintners in the heavily regulated wine industry, so are able to produce quirky local brews with creative ingredients worth the time and effort to seek out.

Ceramic ware

The ancient art of making pottery is one of the most traditional of Tuscan and Umbrian craft. Deruta , Gubbio and Siena are the main modern centers of the art of Majolica pottery in Italy. The defining characteristic of this kind of pottery is the white background onto which all the other colors are painted.

Cashmere

Umbria now boasts some 500 companies specializing in the noble art of making cashmere. It is not by chance that the English, among the most affectionate aficionados of the luxuriant wool, refer to the area around Trasimeno as “‘Cashmere Valley’”, and that they put shopping by the lake right next to the region’s artworks, landscapes and cuisine on their list of reasons to visit Umbria.

Chocolate & sweets

The manufacture of chocolate in the city of Perugia dates back to the early 1900s. Traditional sweets can be found all around the region, and a chocolate Festival is held in Perugia every October.

Great fashion outlets

They are located in Tuscany between Florence and Arezzo, at around 90 min car from the estate
Prada outlet is located along the side of Highway 1 outside of Florence in the little city called Montevarchi. Prada outlet is a shopping paradise for those who appreciate high quality and most recent design but are not willing or able to pay fortune for it. It is a blue warehouse with shopping areas broken down into men’s clothing and shoes, women’s purses, shoes and clothing, and sports and children’s ware and shoes.
Immersed in the idyllic Tuscan countryside in an elegant and refined architectural space, The MALL outlet centre is the unique home to a selection of the most exclusive labels of international fashion. Customers can stroll through shops dedicated to women’s, men’s and children’s clothing and accessories, perfumes, shoes and articles for the home. Gucci, Valentino, Armani, Roberto Cavalli, Fendi, Dior and many other high fashion products are on sale at the MALL at extremely advantageous prices.

Traditional & handmade textiles

Tuscany and Umbria have a rich history in textile production. The local art of hand-woven silk and linen jacquard featuring stylized animals—griffins, eagles, and lions—and floral motifs reached its height in the Renaissance, though the craft can be traced back to the 11th century, and was used both for altar cloths and religious vestments and domestically in the wealthiest households.

Food & wine

Eat and drink your way through the legendary cities, charming hill towns and expansive vineyards that make Italy a foodie mecca. Tuscany and Umbria bring their own unique flavors to the table, competing for both your heart and stomach. Tuscany and Umbria aren’t just beautiful, but boast delicious food and great wines too. Their cuisine is known for being simple, seasonal, and hearty, featuring locally-raised game meats, fine wines and delicious olive oils, and wild produce like truffles and wild asparagus.

Truffles

In central Italy, truffles are found primarily in the regions of Tuscany and Umbria. Truffles are a top Italian fall culinary item and are celebrated with truffle fairs and festivals. Going to a truffle fair is a must for foodies visiting Italy. In Umbria, the town of Pietralunga holds its Mostra Mercato del Tartufo, Trade fair of Truffles, in mid-October. Citta di Castello holds the Truffle and Forest Products Fair in November. Every year, at the and of October, in the historical centre of Gubbio, one of Umbria’s most beautiful mediaeval towns, the National Fair of White truffles is held. In Tuscany, San Giovanni d’Asso, near Siena, has a good truffle festival the second and third weekends of November and a truffle museum open on weekends.