Hidden TuscanyHiking
Acquerino: Tuscany's Wild Mountain Sanctuary
Discover the hidden wilderness of Acquerino nature reserves - pristine forests, rare fungi, and wildlife in Tuscany's Apennines.
The Journal
Journal
Field notes from the Tuscan Apennines — trails, mushrooms, birds, light, and the slow craft of reading a landscape.
Mycology
Yellow Stagshorn Fungus: Not a Chanterelle
Yellow stagshorn (Calocera viscosa): the bright jelly fungus on pine stumps often mistaken for a chanterelle. Identification …
Trees and Flora
Douglas Fir at Acquerino: North America in Tuscany
Douglas fir at Riserva Acquerino: the North American tree thriving in Tuscany since 1830, its ecological role and forest impact.
Mycology
Birch Bolete (Leccinum Scabrum): Rare in Tuscany
The birch bolete (Leccinum scabrum): brown cap, scabrous stem, edible. Identification, habitat, and why it's rare in Tuscan …
Mycology
Porcelain Fungus: A Translucent Mushroom on Beech
The porcelain fungus (Oudemansiella mucida): translucent, slimy, and found on beech trees. Identification and ecology.
Mycology
Scaly Mushroom With Raised Scales: Pholiota Squarrosa
The spiky mushroom with raised scales on its cap — Pholiota squarrosa. Identification, habitat, and ecology in Tuscan forests.
Mycology
Chanterelles in Tuscany: Hunting the Golden Mushroom
Learn to identify and find chanterelles (galletti, gallinacci) in Tuscany's forests with expert mycological guidance and …
Mycology
Cauliflower Mushroom (Sparassis Crispa) in Tuscany
The cauliflower fungus (Sparassis crispa): identification, pine forest habitat, edibility, and where to find it in Tuscany.
Mycology
Tinder Fungus: The Mushroom Ötzi Had 5000 Years Ago
Tinder fungus (Fomes fomentarius): the hoof-shaped bracket mushroom Ötzi carried. Identification, ecology, and where to find it in …
Mycology
Lycoperdon Perlatum: The Puffball That Tastes Like Crab
Lycoperdon perlatum (vescia) in Tuscany: the common puffball's flavour, safe identification, and habitat, from an expert mycology …
Hidden Tuscany
Best Outdoor Activities in Pistoia: Nature and Hikes
Pistoia's hidden outdoor treasures: nature reserves, Apennine peaks, family hikes, and wilderness beyond the typical tourist …
Mycology
The Mushroom Book I Still Recommend for Foraging
Why Geoff Dann's Edible Mushrooms is the best beginner's guide: difficulty ratings that prevent deadly mistakes, from a Tuscany …
Mycology
Can You Hunt Mushrooms Freely in Tuscany?
Essential guide to mushroom foraging in Tuscany: permits, fees, safety considerations, and why regional knowledge matters from an …
Hidden Tuscany
Castelvecchio: Explore Tuscany's Hidden Medieval Ruins
Castelvecchio's ruins near San Gimignano: a forgotten medieval village from the year 1000, reachable only with local knowledge and …
Mycology
Laccaria Amethystina: Tuscany's Amethyst Deceiver
Laccaria amethystina in Tuscany: the amethyst deceiver mushroom, its vivid colour, arsenic accumulation, and foraging safety, from …