Purveyors of most unusual adventures in Italy
Janice Kitson last summer at our Italian “bistrot” in Summerland, BC
Filming begins soon!
January 1, 2023 As soon as weather permits, we will be opening up our “Bistrot” for filming. This idea was sprouted during Covid as a way of creating our own version of Italy here in Summerland, British Columbia. The objective was to create a backdrop for filming at the same time as feeling like we were in a small pizzeria in the Tuscan countryside. The idea has taken on a life of its own and we have some pretty exciting pizza sessions a la philosopher’s café style set up to film this coming spring and summer.
The pizza chefs we have onboard for our adventure include Alanea Holmstrom who is by day a tax administrator for the Osoyoos Indian Band with a background as a professional cook at the Spirit Ridge Resort in Osoyoos. Alanea who specializes in the most exquisite dessert designs, has been perfecting a fusion of Italian and First Nations ingredients for the “Bistrot”. Think elk meatballs in a red wine sauce using an Nk’Mip Talon rich red topped with the taste of Italian truffles. Alanea has also created a sumptuous candied salmon pizza with wild asparagus in a Parmesan sauce.
Alanea’s philosophy is simple. “Eating fresh ingredients that are locally sourced and ecologically produced are at the forefront of creating any great dish. Spending much of my time as a child growing up with farm-to-table cooking was such a valuable lesson, with my mother carrying on the tradition created by her grandmother of garden-fresh ingredients for the family.”
Alanea’s profile is coming this spring but suffice it to say that “holistic” is her governing philosophy. Alanea trained to become a yoga teacher and completed advanced training in Costa Rica in 2021. She was also awarded the Class Valedictorian in her studies with Tulo Centre for Indigenous Economics in Kamloops. In the summer of 2022 Alanea also went to Portugal for additional training in Advanced Yoga Restorative Practices.
Alanea is an extraordinary chef and we are thrilled to have her with us.
In spring of 2023 we will be having our first official pizza “Indigenous/ Italian Fusion” night. More on that later…
Chef and adventurist Sophie Chamberlain and friends exploring the back streets of Colle Val d’Elsa
Colle, not to be confused with Casole d’Elsa, became known for the production of its beautiful crystal glasses, originally blown specifically for their noble content, Chianti wines.
The town’s printing press and its most famous master builder Arnolfo di Cambio, born in Colle in the 12th century, made the city famous.
Another famous son of this town is Carlo Lorenzini aka Carlo Collodi known and adored for his creation of Pinocchio.
Visitors enter the old town through the gorgeous stone gate Porta Nova, and continue on an old medieval path past the venerable cathedral to the elevator to the modern lower town. A hike through the Santa Caterina district is recommended, to the old part of the city, which leads through the Palazzo Campana and Via di Castello. Here memories of bygone traditions come alive, as the path leads past historic buildings.
Colle Val d’Elsa is well worth a trip when you are in the Tuscan region. (photo by Sophie Chamberlain)
Check out Sophie’s new website launched in March 2024.
Check out our video above on the new shopping bags now available
Modelled by the lovely Nykita Sky at Blossom Fruit Stand in Summerland, BC these gorgeous floral print shopping bags are hand printed and handmade in Italy by friend Sophie Chamberlain of Untainted Tuscany. We are pleased to announce that they are available on our online shop.
Who we are
Uncommon Italy is growing into the equivalent of a small community. A community with one thing in common – we are all Italophiles. Some of the people involved are themselves Italian, some are British, one is Irish and the rest of us are Canadian.
Join us if you like what we are doing either by way of being a supplier to our friends and guests when they come to Italy, or partake in our adventures such as Italian lessons with Chiara Borghesi on our site at Chiacchiere con Chiara!
Returning to Italy
It’s been all ups and downs as we have watched from afar as Italy and the world grapples with the Covid-19 virus. Twice last year we re-booked and waited with baited breath – each time having to cancel and postpone for another six months. We are now booking for autumn 2023.
The Italians are strong and resolved to deal with the barriers to people travelling, especially since so much of Italy’s economy is dependent on tourism. While we are locked down in Canada, we are taking this time to rebuild our business so that we can go back stronger and reinvented for our North American clients.
In the meantime we’ve put together Uncommon Italy with some of the country’s sights and sounds – to tide us over until we can return.
One of countless reasons why we love Italy
Seven minutes of pure delight – soon you will want to start each day with this audio…
This lovely clip below was recorded in a Tuscan vineyard - of the dawn chorus of Italian songbirds. Ask Sophie Chamberlain to be your guide on one of the many hundreds… yes, literally hundreds of walks she knows in the Tuscan region.
Audio credit Evernaut.
Uncommon adventures in Italy
Ok, il fare un picnic!
Picnic with Sophie Chamberlain of Untainted Tuscany
Sophie and friend Sarah and their two doncs who port picnics packed in paniers, will create a lovely sojourn into the Italian countryside that you will remember always.
Sophie has been living in Italy for 25+ years and is a private chef primarily working with the Belmond Castello di Casole, a stunning 5-star hotel and villas in the lovely hilly area near Casole d’Elsa.
As a private chef, Sophie offers lunches, dinners, pizza evenings and cooking classes ‘at home’ using locally sourced, home grown and foraged ingredients.
We can’t wait to be driven through the Italian countryside by Gianmaria!
We had the good fortune of finding Gianmaria through an online friend while wistfully dreaming of being transported back to Italy. Speaking of transporting, Gianmaria’s limo service company chauffeurs you between airports and accommodation, takes you sightseeing, enables you to drink copious amounts of the most delectable Italian wine (think Brunello) all the while speaking impeccable English and with a sense of humour to boot.
His company is comprised of a fleet of luxuriously appointed Mercedes vans and Mercedes E and S Class sedans. Spit polish clean, you will marvel at the pride that Gianmaria takes with both his company and his services.
Big News! Gianmaria will be doubling as a model for us for our client’s product that we will be bringing to Italy. Watch also for upcoming videos featuring Gianmaria that will give you a native’s guide to one of the most fascinating parts of the world. Viva Italia… and Gianmaria!
Wine not?
“Francesca” is the App for that…
I’m Francesca and I believe WINE IS SHARING.
I was born and raised in Tuscany surrounded by wonderful local food and wines. My first college Degree in English Translations and Interpreting brought me to the US. After living in Florida for several years, where I obtained an AS Degree in Business Administration, I decided to return to my roots and moved to Bolgheri where I restored an old farmhouse with my husband.
Wine has always been part of my life.
My grandfather was a farmer and used to make his own wine with the help of the family. I have grown up being a wine enthusiast.
I have obtained a Level 2 Award in Wines & Spirits, WSET, a highly recognized international certification and I’m currently studying for a Level 3 Award certification.
I would love to plan and guide you on the tours, while enjoying fantastic food and wine, share with you some tips about how we live over here. And, of course, discover the vineyards where SuperTuscan wines were born! Wine is sharing as this is one of the many gifts in life to get to know a place, its culture and its people.
Wine not? There isn’t any better way to discover our amazing TUSCANY.
How does it work? If you are interested in getting to know the stunning wine region of Bolgheri and its surroundings get in touch with me. We will talk about your wishes and expectations and I will suggest the wine itinerary that best suits your interests. My tours are private and totally tailor-made!
Learn on the fly with an artist and a photographer/ filmmaker on assignment in Tuscany for North American clients
Everything is an opportunity to tell a story. As an artist and as a photographer - we have found the more tools you have, the better you can tell the story. Writing is critical, illustration is critical, personal style whether it is humour, ability to embellish facts to create more of a story… all of these are tools whether the medium is paper, materials, photography, or videography. New challenges help hone these tools so that we are constantly evolving.
Now we are also doing this in Italy… If you are looking for an adventure based on immersion (ie. soaking up info and experiences like a sponge) then you are going to want to join us. See our Internship section for more info.
Interns will learn about all aspects of what comprises a client photoshoot - from choosing and hiring the models to styling and shooting be it video or stills. Photo of Giada - a model we hired in 2019 from Casting Firenze, was for promotion for Canadian client Aya Eyewear.
Photo by Stephanie Seaton shot at Bichi Borghesi, a 17th century estate. Styled by Susan McCarrell.
A 2025 internship opportunity – coming next spring
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