The romantic legend has it that when Sister Ginevra heard arriving her beloved Sir Giannetto, whom she thought had died during the Crusades, she began to mix dried and candied fruit, spices, pepper... And she created the "panforte", a Sienese dessert.

And it was Sister Brigida who, again by mistake, invented the crispy "brigidini" from Lamporecchio: she got confused while preparing hosts and since she did not want to throw away the dough, she added some anise to it! In Lucca countryside, godmothers and godfathers offered some spongy "buccellato" to their godchildren on their Confirmation day. From the magic mix of fantasy, tradition and history... develops the most sweet Tuscany.

• At the restaurant of Tuscan holiday farms do not renounce to dessert. In any part of Tuscany, you will find simple but savoury dishes (fruit of the frugality typical of the rural world). There is always a bottle of extra-virgin olive oil on the table. Pour some drops on a slice of bread, on a tomato "bruschetta", on your warm boiled beans or on the traditional "ribollita"... That is the delicious tradtional healthy Tuscan cuisine!

• Let you be tempted by the strong and full-bodied taste of the so-called "olio novo" (the olive oil that has just exited the oil-mill). In October and November many feasts are organized all over Tuscany, where you can taste the best extra-virgin olive oils produced in the region together with other local products.

• Some desserts are best enjoyed when served with typical Tuscan products. An example? "Cantuccini" (hard almonds biscuits from Prato) and Tuscan Vinsanto.

• Some holiday farm organises cooking courses exclusively dedicated to typical desserts: "sommommoli" (particular rice pancakes), "castagnaccio" (made with chestnut flour), "cavallucci" (biscuits made with walnuts, candied orange and anise seeds), etc...

• Some sugar, flour... and two fresh eggs that have just been picked from the hen-house. If you have booked an apartment in a holiday farm in Tuscany, enjoy cooking traditional cakes, obviously made with the local genuine products.