3 days to discover all the flavors of Prato

In three days, we will try to see as much of the Prato area as possible so our journey starts early in the morning from the center of Carmignano.

Let's enter inside the prepositura of Saints Michael and Francis. If we are lucky, we can admire the beautiful Visitation by Pontormo, a masterpiece of early Florentine Mannerism. Often the work is loaned to museums and international institutions, so it's best to inquire before travel.

Leaving the church, we immerse ourselves in the history of the Medicean Villa of Artimino, also called La Ferdinanda or Villa of the hundred fireplaces. The villa is absolutely worth a visit. Built at the wish of the Grand Duke Ferdinando I de 'Medici who had fallen in love with Montalbano, it served as the family's summer residence. To indulge his passion for hunting, the great Barco Reale was also created, a huge game reserve that surrounded the villa.

After so much art and culture, we can allow ourselves a relaxing lunch with many local products. And Carmignano has plenty! Dried figs are a big element of local cuisine, a winter product that is mainly consumed during the Christmas holidays.

The Carmignano area produces exquisite wines. We will taste the DOC Barco Reale and DOCG Carmignano but there is also Vinsanto DOC Occhio di Pernice, to be combined with amaretti. Carmignano amaretti are another delicacy not to be missed: they are amber-colored sweets with an almond flavor, made following a nineteenth-century recipe.

We end the day with a nice walk near the fortress of Carmignano to enjoy the view of the surrounding hills. In the summer, the Calici di Stelle event is organized here, offering wine tastings and local specialties under the August sky.

Prato needs no introduction. We have limited ourselves to a selection of some of the attractions that have become symbols of the city.

Prato is considered an important reference point for contemporary art thanks to the Pecci Center. We head to visit the most famous art installations and works in its possession. In fact, the collection includes over a thousand works, mainly sculptures, installations and immersive experiences, paintings and video works, created between the 1950s and the present day. Of particular importance are the works of various exponents of Arte Povera and the Italian and international Transavantgarde, as well as artists from the former USSR and photography.

Prato also has plenty of offerings in terms of food and wine. Mortadella di Prato IGP, for example, is very different from the classic one. Already from the bright pink colour you can appreicate its uniqueness. In fact, alchermes are among the ingredients and its spicy scent is unmistakable. Let's prepare a sandwich with the Prato bozza, a historic bread of humble origins that is ideal for creating soups and ribollita. Prefer something sweet? No problem. Let's move to the historic center of Prato to enjoy the legendary peaches in the pastry shop: two small amber hemispheres joined by custard and soaked in alchermes. We finish off lunch with a glass of white Vermouth from Prato, present in the city since the eighteenth century.

A walk through the shops and shops in the center is mandatory. Be amazed in front of the Duomo and the pulpit, built by Michelozzo and decorated by Donatello.

Let's take a break from our cultural outing and dedicate ourselves to outdoor sports! A pair of hiking shoes, water and a desire for adventure are enough. We undertake one of the possible itineraries within the Alto Carigiola and Monte delle Scalette Nature Reserve which extends between the municipalities of Cantagallo and Vernio. The area, crossed by the CAI path network, is characterized by the presence of thick forests of deciduous oaks, hornbeam, ash, chestnut and beech trees.

Let's relax after our exertion in an osteria in Vernio to taste its legendary tortelli stuffed with boiled potatoes and cheese, better if seasoned with meat sauce. But the real specialty of the area is Vernio's zuccherini, an aniseed biscuit. In the Bisenzio Valley they were prepared for weddings; in fact, the traditional donut shape recalls the wedding ring.

In the afternoon, after a visit of your choice between Villa Buonamici in San Gaudenzio (where Galileo Galilei also frequently stayed) and Villa Mulinaccio in the Vaiano area, we treat ourselves to a last snack of Sassi della Calvana. This biscuit recalls the shape and color variations of the stones of the Monti della Calvana.