Guidebook for Toano
Essentials
Mini market, bakery, cafe/bar. Note that the shops close between around 12.45pm and 4pm and on Thursdays they are closed from lunchtime.
Quara
Mini market, bakery, cafe/bar. Note that the shops close between around 12.45pm and 4pm and on Thursdays they are closed from lunchtime.
Food Scene
This is our local parmesan producer - visit in the early morning to see the artisans at work. Informal tours available,please ask Janet, or just buy your local parmesan here
Latteria Sociale Quara
1 Via CrocettaThis is our local parmesan producer - visit in the early morning to see the artisans at work. Informal tours available,please ask Janet, or just buy your local parmesan here
This is probably the liveliest spot within easy reach of the house - it's a bar/birreria/pizzeria/restaurant with friendly staff and a great garden with views of Bismantova.
The food is excellent, from hand made pizzas to incredible steaks and locally inspired filling for their homemade pasta.
Very popular with the locals . They often have live bands at the weekends.
8 locals recommend
Osteria del Maggio
This is probably the liveliest spot within easy reach of the house - it's a bar/birreria/pizzeria/restaurant with friendly staff and a great garden with views of Bismantova.
The food is excellent, from hand made pizzas to incredible steaks and locally inspired filling for their homemade pasta.
Very popular with the locals . They often have live bands at the weekends.
Hearty home-made local dishes. Cooking lessons also available (advance booking essential - contact us for more information)
Ristorante Albergo Al Ciocco
2 Via Palloncino-tiaHearty home-made local dishes. Cooking lessons also available (advance booking essential - contact us for more information)
This restaurant offers a more modern and cosmopolitan menu than many other locally. Generally only open on Saturday evening and Sunday lunch, but opens more frequently during the summer if he has bookings.Andrea, the chef, also offers specialist food evenings, please ask Janet for more details.
Excellent food - a little more expensive than some others locally but very good value given the high standard.
La Cantoria
7 Via Martiri della ResistenzaThis restaurant offers a more modern and cosmopolitan menu than many other locally. Generally only open on Saturday evening and Sunday lunch, but opens more frequently during the summer if he has bookings.Andrea, the chef, also offers specialist food evenings, please ask Janet for more details.
Excellent food - a little more expensive than some others locally but very good value given the high standard.
This restaurant run by a fluent English speaking chef has the best lunch menu in the area. The quality of fresh produce is only enhanced by the chefs delicate touch and produces traditional food that is exceptional. They are open for lunch all week and dinner at the weekends, as all local restaurants do, they expand their opening times in the summer.
Fabio, the chef, also does food courses in house, please ask Janet for details.
Osteria dei Cacciatori
30 Via Ponte DoloThis restaurant run by a fluent English speaking chef has the best lunch menu in the area. The quality of fresh produce is only enhanced by the chefs delicate touch and produces traditional food that is exceptional. They are open for lunch all week and dinner at the weekends, as all local restaurants do, they expand their opening times in the summer.
Fabio, the chef, also does food courses in house, please ask Janet for details.
Sightseeing
Toano
One of the best preserved Roman churches in the Apennines (La Pieve)
A thriving medieval city whose Duomo is considered one of the greatest examples of European Romanesque architecture and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This is also the home to Masserati and its museum, as well as the Enzo Ferrari museum which houses not just the story of his life, but also exhibitions of other major sports cars in their motoring museum .
71 locals recommend
Modena
A thriving medieval city whose Duomo is considered one of the greatest examples of European Romanesque architecture and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This is also the home to Masserati and its museum, as well as the Enzo Ferrari museum which houses not just the story of his life, but also exhibitions of other major sports cars in their motoring museum .
The Ferrari museum (and factory and racetrack) is in Maranello, just south of Modena: www.galleria.ferrari.com.
There is also the Museo Casa Enzo Ferrari in Modena: http://www.museocasaenzoferrari.it. This museum focuses on Enzo Ferrari himself and the history of racing cars.
22 locals recommend
Maranello
The Ferrari museum (and factory and racetrack) is in Maranello, just south of Modena: www.galleria.ferrari.com.
There is also the Museo Casa Enzo Ferrari in Modena: http://www.museocasaenzoferrari.it. This museum focuses on Enzo Ferrari himself and the history of racing cars.
Bologna, the region's capital city, is a real delight, with its characteristic red-brick buildings and over 40km of covered porticos (useful in bad weather).
232 locals recommend
Bologna
Bologna, the region's capital city, is a real delight, with its characteristic red-brick buildings and over 40km of covered porticos (useful in bad weather).
Parks & Nature
Also known as the Parco del Gigante, it is one of the largest National Parks in Emilia. Great for walking and horseriding
26 locals recommend
Riserva MAB Appennino Tosco-Emiliano
31A Via Val D'enzaAlso known as the Parco del Gigante, it is one of the largest National Parks in Emilia. Great for walking and horseriding
Local community-run ski resort - ski lift to the top of Mount Cusna open during the summer. Fantastic views, walking/biking trails etc.
9 locals recommend
Febbio
Local community-run ski resort - ski lift to the top of Mount Cusna open during the summer. Fantastic views, walking/biking trails etc.
Ski resort about 1 hr 15 min away - ski lifts open during the summer
38 locals recommend
Cerreto Laghi
Ski resort about 1 hr 15 min away - ski lifts open during the summer
This amazing pre-historic rock has opportunities for climbing, hiking and it being in Italy a great lunch at the Refugio.
63 locals recommend
Pietra di Bismantova
This amazing pre-historic rock has opportunities for climbing, hiking and it being in Italy a great lunch at the Refugio.
Drinks & Nightlife
Friendly local bar/cafe for your morning coffee, early evening aperitivo, gelato made on site. Open till late, occasional party evenings during the summer months
Bar Gelateria K2
34 Via Conte SassoFriendly local bar/cafe for your morning coffee, early evening aperitivo, gelato made on site. Open till late, occasional party evenings during the summer months
Run by an English Bar maid and Italian chef, husband and wife team. very friendly, home made ice cream and stunning hot chocolate as well as local wines and beers. Lunch is local fare with Pizzas made on site every night except Tuesdays. Watch the locals play cards out side in the summer months while you have an ice cream and a drink.
Happy Caffe Di Marazzi Silvia & C. Snc
4 Piazza della LibertàRun by an English Bar maid and Italian chef, husband and wife team. very friendly, home made ice cream and stunning hot chocolate as well as local wines and beers. Lunch is local fare with Pizzas made on site every night except Tuesdays. Watch the locals play cards out side in the summer months while you have an ice cream and a drink.
Shopping
Toano has two local mini marts, two hairdressers, two bars an hotel and a pharmacist . opening times vary and change with the seasons.
Toano station
Toano has two local mini marts, two hairdressers, two bars an hotel and a pharmacist . opening times vary and change with the seasons.
A supermarket that is the only one open all day from 07.30 to 20.00 hours daily in the area.
7 locals recommend
Villa Minozzo
A supermarket that is the only one open all day from 07.30 to 20.00 hours daily in the area.
Entertainment & Activities
Vivi L’arte Italiano
We have a very special Artist local to Villa Bonicelli, who has created a house full of murals that she has painted over 8 years.
Pheona has a well equipped studio and lots of outdoor areas to work in , including a beautiful landscaped garden.
In Scotland, where Pheona is from, she created a very successful art department in Strathclyde University where she pioneered a fast track learning scheme for artists.
Part of the learning process for Pheona is having fun , she teaches art history and new and inventive methods for all sort of artistic activities, making it a great overall experience.
Bedogno
Vivi L’arte Italiano
We have a very special Artist local to Villa Bonicelli, who has created a house full of murals that she has painted over 8 years.
Pheona has a well equipped studio and lots of outdoor areas to work in , including a beautiful landscaped garden.
In Scotland, where Pheona is from, she created a very successful art department in Strathclyde University where she pioneered a fast track learning scheme for artists.
Part of the learning process for Pheona is having fun , she teaches art history and new and inventive methods for all sort of artistic activities, making it a great overall experience.
Cook and eat with Fabio Troncanetti Chef Fabio Troncanetti at “Osteria dei Cacciatori” cooks traditional italian and local dishes with a modern twist. Unlike local restaurants, Fabio challenges local dishes to meet the future, with a simple taste explosion using only the freshest seasonal produce. Your lesson will involve assisting Fabio and his staff de cuisine, in the daily preparing and service of his seasonal “a la Carte “ menu for his lunchtime guests, followed by a 4 course tasting menu just for yourself. Fabio speaks fluent English and spent many years in the Uk working as a private chef. He brings that personal service to your day by guiding you through the menu and helping you.
Cerredolo
Cook and eat with Fabio Troncanetti Chef Fabio Troncanetti at “Osteria dei Cacciatori” cooks traditional italian and local dishes with a modern twist. Unlike local restaurants, Fabio challenges local dishes to meet the future, with a simple taste explosion using only the freshest seasonal produce. Your lesson will involve assisting Fabio and his staff de cuisine, in the daily preparing and service of his seasonal “a la Carte “ menu for his lunchtime guests, followed by a 4 course tasting menu just for yourself. Fabio speaks fluent English and spent many years in the Uk working as a private chef. He brings that personal service to your day by guiding you through the menu and helping you.
Pasta Galore
In Farnetta a few miles from the villas, there is a restaurant hiding an amazing secret. La Ciocca run by Gabriella runs morning classes unlocking the local secrets of Pasta making.
Think lovely grandmas with very deft hands around the kitchen table executing tortellini quicker than you can think, whilst a full kitchen prepares for lunch. The calmness of Gabriellas manner and her positive teaching style, makes her very popular classes, a must do for any family of foodies.
The morning is spent learning the ancient craft of making pasta which you will then take away with you filled with lots of local goodies. Lunch is at the restaurant with Gabriella and a local wine is provided
Farneta
Pasta Galore
In Farnetta a few miles from the villas, there is a restaurant hiding an amazing secret. La Ciocca run by Gabriella runs morning classes unlocking the local secrets of Pasta making.
Think lovely grandmas with very deft hands around the kitchen table executing tortellini quicker than you can think, whilst a full kitchen prepares for lunch. The calmness of Gabriellas manner and her positive teaching style, makes her very popular classes, a must do for any family of foodies.
The morning is spent learning the ancient craft of making pasta which you will then take away with you filled with lots of local goodies. Lunch is at the restaurant with Gabriella and a local wine is provided
As Italy is renowned for fine wines and the food that matches for all occaisions, why not take this opportunity to sample the delights of the Cerredolo wine experience.
Be shown around the wine cellar of the stone built wine shop, where the hostess will show you the wine layed down for clients from around the world.
Follow this up with a tasting of wine, meats and cheeses that all match effortlessly in their purpose built dining room with views down the valley. You can choose the wines you wish to taste from the extensive range of Italian fine wines in the store, or be surprised by the selections of wines offered to you.
Wine can then be bought from the store and taken home to be enjoyed.
La Valle
As Italy is renowned for fine wines and the food that matches for all occaisions, why not take this opportunity to sample the delights of the Cerredolo wine experience.
Be shown around the wine cellar of the stone built wine shop, where the hostess will show you the wine layed down for clients from around the world.
Follow this up with a tasting of wine, meats and cheeses that all match effortlessly in their purpose built dining room with views down the valley. You can choose the wines you wish to taste from the extensive range of Italian fine wines in the store, or be surprised by the selections of wines offered to you.
Wine can then be bought from the store and taken home to be enjoyed.