Events Travel & Hotel

Tuscany with Kaleidotour 2016

Card-by-Charming-press-photo-by-Little-Big-BellA few months ago, I was kindly invited by events planners, Italian Eye, to be part of an exclusively selected group of social media influencers, to attend their annual Kaleidotour in Tuscany.

Kaleidotour is essentially a short holiday with a difference, creating experiences that are fun and truly special.

It consist of a series of bespoke themed workshops and amazing food tastings, all in a beautiful destination.

Influencers were invited to experience and showcase, at their own discretion, the programme organised by, and the brands working with Italian eye.Borgo-Sant'Ambrogio-resort-photo-by-Little-Big-BellThe Kaleidotour took place in April. We stayed at the Borgo Sant’Ambrogio resort.

The apartment I stayed in was incredible spacious, clean and luxurious. It had a door that opened into a pretty courtyard surrounded by Olive trees.Borgo-Sant-AmbroglioHere’s a side profile of the apartment block.
swimming-pool-hotel-Sant'ambrogio-phot0-by-Little-Big-BellEverywhere we looked, we were surrounded by the far reaching and stunning views of the Tuscan countryside.
Borgo-Sant-d'Ambrogio-little-big-bellCheck out the swimming pool. pink-balloons-at-Kaleidotour-Little-big-BellDuring the first evening, we were invited to a “Golden with a touch of rose pink” themed party.

I simply adore those pink helium balloons with their dangling gold strings.

The room was decorated with an abundance of pink flowers and golden tableware. Even the food had the same colour theme.

We had Pici pasta with golden crumbs to start, followed by Golden chicken with a spicy pink sauce and dessert was Fennels and Grapefruit salad, rose panna cotta with golden fruits of the forest. All the dishes were delicious, cooked by the talented Chef Ryan Hanley.Kaleidotour-photo-by-Little-Big-Bell-blogThe next morning, I couldn’t resist photographing last night’s balloons in the daylight.

The pink of those flowers match the balloons so well don’t you think?Kaleidotour-breakfast-Borgo-Sant'Ambrogio-photo-by-Little-Big-BellIt was such a treat to have breakfast out in the open air.Hasslaccher's-chocolate-photo-by-Little-Big-BellWe even got to sample some delicious hot chocolate by Hasslacher’s, made from artisan grown cocao beans.

Chunks of chocolate were simmered with milk, then poured into and served from a large jug.Breakfast-tart-Tuscany-photo-by-Little-Big-BellWe were served a variety of pastries and hot food for breakfast.

There were lots of traditional tarts and cakes on offer too.

Yes, you heard me right, lots of sweet things for breakfast. Why not right? I say it’s OK to indulge a bit on holiday.

Vespa-tour-Tuscany-Vacanze-Toscane-Kaleidotour-photo-by-Geraldine-Tan-Little-Big-BellAfter breakfast, we were invited to take a Vespa tour with Vacanze Toscane around the Tuscan countryside.

I must admit, I was a little bit apprehensive to start with, but later decided to bite the bullet and sat behind the tour leader.

We whizzed me up and down the country lanes, the wind blowing in my hair, as I gazed at the beautiful views.Vespa-tour-Tuscany-photo-by-Geraldine-Tan-Little-Big-BellHere’s Alice and Hannah of Belle and Bunty, modelling for me on those bright red Vespas we all rode on.Solerno-blood-orange-liqueur-styling-and-photo-by-Little-Big-BellWhen we returned to the resort, we were all treated to some refreshing and thirst quenching Blood orange Solerno cocktails. We sipped them whilst lounging by the pool.

I had so much fun taking this photo, a play with the shadow of my Flamingo cocktail stirrer.Tuscany-holiday-photo-by-Geraldine-Tan-Little-Big-BellAfter cocktails, we casually strolled down towards the resort’s lake, to a picturesque spot for our picnic lunch.

Every time I look at this photo, I long for another holiday.Kaleidotour-picnic-photo-by-Little-Big-BellYummy sandwiches were waiting for us.picnic-in-Tuscany-Kaleidotour-photo-by-Geraldine-TanThis was the view from where I sat.Desmond-and-Dempsey-pyjamas-photo-by-Little-Big-BellThe programme on this short break was packed with all things fun. We even had a pyjamas party one morning.

It was lucky that we were all gifted with some super glamorous pyjamas from Desmond & Dempsey, as I didn’t quite fancy walking around in my usual sleepwear.

I picked the Riccardo print cotton pyjamas set in a coral pink shade. The pattern on the pyjamas was inspired by the Italian marbling techniques practised in Florence.

Desmond-and-Dempsey-pyjamas-photo-by-Geraldine-Tan-Little-Big-BellSuch a pretty colour don’t you think?Belle-and-Bunty-in-Kaleidotour-photo-by-Geraldine-Tan-Little-Big-BellHere’s the stylish Alice and Hannah posing for me again, in their Desmond & Dempsey pyjamas.Desmond-and-Dempsey-1-pyjamas-photo-by-Geraldine-Tan-Little-Big-BellThe pyjamas also comes in black and white.

I’ve been wearing mine a lot since Tuscany. They are so soft and comfortable.Flower-decorating-in-Tuscany-photo-by-Geraldine-Tan-Little-Big-BellIsn’t this colourful table so pretty? All the flowers were set out ready for our next workshop.Cake-decorating-Kaleidotour-photo-by-Geraldine-Tan-Little-Big-BellIt was a floral cake decoration workshop with The Flower appreciation society.Flower-society-cake-decorating-photo-by-Little-Big-BellHere is their cake, all expertly decorated.Floral-cake-by-Geraldine-Tan-Little-Big-Belland here is mine.Floral-cake-decorating-Little-Big-Bellproudly holding it up to show all.Floral-naked-cakes-photo-by-Geraldine-Tan-Little-Big-BellHere’s everyone’s cakes all together.Lily-Vanilli-cakes-photo-by-Geraldine-Tan-Little-Big-BellThe floral prettiness didn’t end there, as we were immediately invited to a very floral tea party, hosted by Lily Vanilli.

Just look at that gorgeous cake! Lily’s cakes are not just stunning, but they are so tasty too. Kaleidotour-cakes-by-Lilli-vanilli-photography-by-Geraldine-Tan-Little-Big-BellSince I’ve returned from Tuscany, I have ordered many cakes from Lily and have recommended her to many of my friends. In fact, a few of them are now getting wedding cakes made.Lily-vanilli-cakes-1-photo-by-Geraldine-Tan-Little-Big-BellI couldn’t resist photographing these.Cake-by-Lilly-Vanilli-photo-by-Little-Big-BellLove her trademark glitter sprinkled cherries.lily-vanilli-cakes-Little-Big-BellYou can now buy Lily Vanilli cakes at Fortnum and Mason.Kaleidotour-party-in-Tuscany-photo-by-Little-Big-BellThe flower arrangements are by Palais flowers.Lily-Vanilli-biscuits-photo-by-Geraldine-Tan-Little-Big-BellLet me tell you this – these biscuits were melt in your mouth delicious!!silken-favours-cushions-photo-by-Little-Big-BellThese pretty silk cushions at the tea party are by the lovely Vicki Murdoch of Silken Favours.

If you ever meet Vicki in real life, you could seriously mistake her for Gwyneth Paltrow.Fratelli-Lunardi-Tuscany-photo-by-Little-Big-BellNot only did we decorate cakes, ate cakes and wore trendy pyjamas, we also made Cantuccini with Fratelli Lunardi.

Bags of fresh Rosemary and herbs were all lined up on the table ready for some serious Cantuccini flavouring.Making-Cantucci-with-Fratelli-Lunardi-photo-by-Geraldine-Tan-Little-Big-BellHere’s the making of the dough.Cantucci-making-in-Tuscany-Little-Big-BellTa-dah! the Cantuccini that I made.Cantucci-from-Fratelli-Lunardi-styling-and-photography-are-by-Little-Big-BellPerfect with a strong cup of freshly brewed Italian Espresso.Pici-pasta-making-photo-by-Geraldine-Tan-Little-Big-BellNearby to the Cantuccini making table, was a wonderful demo of Pici pasta being made from scratch.

We had Pici pasta for our first dinner in Tuscany, and I’ve been hooked ever since. I bought quite a few packs home and the kids love it.Wine-red-theme-dinnerThe dinner party above was a special treat. The food was being prepared by the talented and elegant Tini Ferragamo of Chef on high heels.

For the main course, she made a delicious pappardelle with slow cooked wild boar ragu. Many of us had seconds.Tini-Ferragamo-pear-dessert-photo-by-Little-Big-BellHere’s Tini’s delectable salted butter chocolate brownie with Tuscan pears poached in red wine. Is your mouth watering now?Frittata-di-Riccioli-by-Symmetry-breakfast-and-Tini-Ferragamo-photo-by-Little-Big-BellTini also made us some breakfast one morning together with Michael from Symmetry breakfast.

The above is called Frittata di Riccioli ( Frittata in curls). It is a recipe from Pellegrino Artusi’s book La Scienza in Cucina e i’Arté di Mangiar Bene dated from 1891.

It looks like pasta, but it is actually beaten eggs and pureéd spinach, made into thin crepes and sliced into ribbons.Terrazza-del-chiostro-lunch-at-Kaleidotour-photo-by-Little-Big-BellYou wouldn’t be wrong to assume that we ate a lot during our time at Tuscany.

This wonderful lunch was prepared for us on our last day by La Terrazza Del Chiostro.Tuscany-meal-photo-by-Little-Big-BellLooks so good right?Yoga-in-Tuscany-photo-by-Little-Big-BellAfter that eating, we all really needed some gentle exercise.

How wonderful that there was a yoga session organised for us.Yoga-with-Adam-Husler-photo-by-Geraldine-Tan-Litle-Big-BellIt was a session with the renowned yoga teacher Adam Husler.

This was the first time I’ve ever done yoga and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

It was so relaxing. Although at the time, it didn’t feel overtly vigorous, after the session I knew or rather I could feel that I had worked my muscles well.

Hope you have enjoyed a peek into my recent trip to Tuscany with Italian eye. If you are looking to running a creative event, party or wedding, then I highly recommend them.

Wishing you all a happy new week.

( All photography are by and the copyright of Geraldine Tan, editor of Little Big Bell. I was invited as press to the Kaleidotour in Tuscany by Italian eye. )

19 Comments

  1. This looks amazing Geraldine! Those sparkly cherries and the cushions and what a beautiful location:) Fun to try a Vespa too – looks like you had a great time:)

    • littlebigbell

      Hi Abbie, it was super fun. You should try one of their events. I believe they are doing a yoga one in September soon. x

  2. Ciao Geraldine,
    Thank you so much for your article and the beautiful pictures you have made. Was a pleasure for us meeting you.
    All the best
    Paola Stabilini
    Fratelli Lunardi

    • littlebigbell

      Dear Paola, you are most welcome. I love those Cantuccini so much, especially the chocolate ones. x

  3. Such a pretty trip! So much to take in! You lucky thing 🙂 xx

  4. Old Fashioned Susie

    This looks AH MAZ ING!! And those PJs look right up my street

  5. Lovely photos, especially the gorgeous balloons and cakes! It sounds like you had a good time.

    • littlebigbell

      I had a fab time Rachel. You should go visit one day, Borgo Sant’Ambrogio is amazing.

  6. What a fabulous opportunity Geraldine. Looks like you had a ball.

  7. Wow, wow, wow. What a fantastic event Geraldine. It looks like you had so much fun. I can think of nothing better than pasta, cake and yoga in pyjamas. And that scenery. Your photos are just stunning. I’m not jealous in the slightest!

  8. Honestly the photos on this blog post are amazing! The colours, flowers and styling is so stunning. What an amazing trip

  9. It looks like a wonderful few days and wow those cakes look delicious! x

  10. Wow! What beautiful pictures!! You always seem to capture the moment Geraldine, what a fabulous trip; great food, scenery, yoga, friends, it had it all… x

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