Tuscany. Cecina

Sometimes confused with not so charming Chechnya, it is not at all like that. All you have to be afraid of here is spending way too much money in the local Tuesday market or shopping mall, fresh pasta shop, or the Pescheria just next door and eating way too much ice cream and local cantucci.

The Tuesday market (skip the clothes section, though) is a must with fresh local ricotta, mozzarella, buratta, and other cheeses. Grab some salsiccia, porchetta, and eggs from the locals as well as all the possible local fruits and veggies at stands where locals sell LOCAL produce. There are some old ladies (smoking like chimneys) and some organic producers. Skip the big shouters, unless you don't care what you eat. Since last year, Cecina organic society is lucky enough to be able to go shopping in the new, beautiful organic produce shop Natura bio (Via Amendola 2), and just few minutes away you have to go to Pasta Fresca Il tortello (Corso Matteotti Giacomo 295) to get the freshest pasta there is. Packed in different shapes, there are ravioli, tortellini, sombreri, and tortelli next to freshly made tagliatelle, spaghetti and… the list is long. Try all the seasonal fillings and shapes you can, and be sure to take just few more than you can digest, because you'll regret it otherwise.

For the freshest and most amazing local bread, stop by Briciole di Pane (Via Aurelia Sud 6/F). They are open every day until one, and they just make the best pizza, bread, and great croissants, too. Try their Panforde di Cecina that melts in your mouth in no time. But Gelateria Le Carapine (piazza Giosue Carducci, Vicolo S. Giuseppe 3) is for those, who think that no vacation in Italy is complete without gelato in one hand. Here they have a superb selection of so many tastes, including local pine tree gelato.

Story and pictures: Signe Meirane
Camera: Sony Alpha 7s