I may never come home.........

14 years ago

I can't tell you all how beautiful it is here in Tuscany. I should have been posting more often but the internet connection is seriously flaky and besides I've been busy ; )

This is staring our third week in Tuscany and the weather has been beyond amazing. Hot and sunny every single day.....much hotter than normal.

I can't even begin to tell you where I have loved most. Florence is amazing but I preferred Sienna. Cortona is the most beautiful little town , truly the heaven "Under the Tuscan Sun"

So many wonderful little mountain top towns , all with wonderful views and food and oh the vino!

We have taken two trips through Chianti region , the views are breathtaking.

Food is amazing but you can get a little "fooded" out believe it or not! I don't have food pics because it just doesn't seem right to take pics.

Here are some pics of where we are staying.

The main villa and secondary villa with restaurant

We have a private out building, pic doesn't do it justice

View from our "terrace"

Looking back at our room from pool

The dining room

Lunch in Assisi

Ciao for now !

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Comments (24)

rob333 (zone 7b)
14 years ago
Not that I would blame you, but gosh I'd miss you terribly. That is so so lovely. I'll bet you're refreshed when you get back. At least, I hope!
jessyf
14 years ago
Looks lovely. One of these days we'll cover your tracks!
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Comments (26)
Thank you all so very much for your thoughtful, moving responses. Wow - I'm overwhelmed to know that so many of you feel similarly, and also wowed that there at least a couple of you whose lifestyles are like mine - with your hubbies staying at home while you go out there and bring home the bacon. (It is an unusual lifestyle, and I've found, surprisingly, that even in this day and age of acceptance, many people still raise eyebrows at the choice that my DH and I have made in this regard.) I think that women just lean naturally more towards that nurturing instinct than men, which is pretty much what Red said. Not that there aren't men who make a home and do it beautifully (I think of my own dad, who adores making homemade soup and knows how to clean house down to the last perfect detail), but more often than not, home-nurturing is a feminine trait. Perhaps it is a combination of seasonal change and hormones and "the grass is greener syndrome" rearing up in me that's causing my feelings. We don't have kids at home, although 7 indoor cats are demanding and force constant cleaning vigilance around the house. I must admit, I'm thankful that DH is home to deal with the nastier aspects of this, as I have zero desire to wipe up kitty barf or clean up the misplaced "tootsie rolls" that magically appear on the rugs at times. In my past life (when I was married to my ex), I spent 4 years as a full-time homemaker, and I absolutely adored being at home. That was a period in which some of my fondest memories were made, as my mom and I got to enjoy hours of "girl time" together. We shopped, we lunched, we traveled, and on my own I decorated and gardened and cooked and sewed, and did not for one minute miss the outside workplace. After four years circumstances dictated that I go back to work full time, and I've now been at this job for 15 years. Just as I was thankful for my time off work, I'm also thankful for my job. I know it's enabled me to do much and have things and experiences that I otherwise wouldn't have been able to. A very important part of my life nowadays is traveling. DH and I love Mexico, and I honestly am not sure what I'd do if suddenly I were forced to give up our twice-yearly trips down south of the border. This thread has reminded me that there are indeed trade-offs, and I need to be increasingly thankful for what I do have and love and enjoy, instead of pining for what I don't have. I feel I'm rambling now. Just wanted to thank everyone for the wonderful input. There's so much to ponder here.
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User
Original Author
14 years ago
Forgot to say that the low "hedges" you see by the pool and the villa are rosemary and the silvery ones in the background are sage!

We watch the chef come out and cut them every day. Plus a baker from the nearest village arrives every morning about 9 AM with a wonderful selection of panne, pannini,pizza and dolces for us to choose from.

La dolce vita....
mustangs81
14 years ago
How fabulous; looks like a wonderful villa! I really enjoy your pictures. That area has so much to offer; I'm glad you are able to spend so much time exploring.

While I loved Assisi, we don't have fond memories--it's where Raymond had his heart attach. I was calling him a wimp because he wouldn't walk up the hill from the cathedral to town.
Lars
14 years ago
Stay there, and I will be out to visit you as soon as possible!

Architects love Sienna, and so I can understand why it is your favorite - I just have to get there to see it for myself! I think photos do not do it justice. Your photos are gorgeous, however! Nice to see Clive again.

Lars
dedtired
14 years ago
Do you have that entire building to yourselves? Oh my goodness, everything is so lovely! I'm jealous.
chancesmom
14 years ago
Wow, that looks spectacular! I am so glad you are having a wonderful time.
jessyf
14 years ago
Any discussion about Amanda Knox?
mustangs81
14 years ago
Jessy, I was wondering the same thing since Sharon is so close to Perugia. I have been thinking about the impact on that charming little town.
compumom
14 years ago
And no wonder you don't want to come home! It truly is la dolce vita!
sally2_gw
14 years ago
Sharon, I'm so glad you're having such a great time. Your pictures are lovely, and yes, I did recognize the rosemary immediately, but not the sage. It looks like it's flowering. Heaven, you must be in Heaven.

Sally
User
Original Author
14 years ago
I was sure I posted this yesterday and even saw it on the thread but obviously the vino got to me! As I said the internet is seriously flaky!

Yesterday we had a wonderful day toddling about the other two wine regions of Tuscany. The towns were breathtaking in their medieval beauty and the Tuscan landsacape is beyond description. Miles and miles of rolling hills and terraced vineyards and olive groves speckled with gorgeous old villas and wineries.

We spent time in the village of Montalcino , home of the famous Brunella wines and Montepulciano home of the Nobile reds. We also visited the tiny village of Pirenza, the Pecorino "capital" of Tuscany.

We enjoyed some wine and cheese tastings and I bought myself a beautiful Italian table cloth as well as a piece of Tuscan pottery for oil and balsamic dipping.

We ended the afternoon with lunch in a tiny little hamlet San Angelo in Colle. I would have to say it was one of the best meals I've had yet of so simple. Home made thick spaghetti in a fresh tomato sauce with garlic that had been poached in an olive oil and a few hot peppers. It was outstanding.

Today we went back to Cortona, I loved it there so much I wanted to go back. Dinner will be at a little Ristorante in a village close by.

As for Amanda, very little coverage here except for what was reported on CNN international and the BBC...but even then not much.

Perugia is very close to where we are but we have been avoiding it becasue the media circus had taken over the town. Maybe next week.

This weekend we go to Venice for a few days.

Here is the little restaurant we had lunch at yesterday.

Here is a link that might be useful: Il Ponzzo
wizardnm
14 years ago
Sharon, I'm so glad you are having a wonderful trip...I'm also jealous!

Nancy
Bizzo
14 years ago
Ahhhhhhhhh.......!
User
Original Author
14 years ago
Well we are home , safe and sound. Both the luggage and the waistlines being heavier now than when we left!

All in all we spent 6 days in Rome several days in each of Florence, Siena and Venice. The rest of the time we stayed at a villa contained within an active farm near Arezzo.

From there we explored Assisi, Cortona, San, Gimignamo, Arezzo, as well as the Chinati, Montepulciano and Montalcino wine regions.

The food , scenery, wine, and people were wonderful...the driving not so much!

Italy is an amazing country and will always have a special place in my heart.
rob333 (zone 7b)
14 years ago
Ah, welcome home dear one!
User
14 years ago
Welcome home. Cottage country must be ablaze with fall colours.

Looking forward to more pictures from Italy.

Ann
sally2_gw
14 years ago
Welcome back! I can't wait to see more pictures. I'm so glad you had a great time.

Sally
riverrat1
14 years ago
Welcome home Chase and himself! I can understand how you would want to stay there. The true Italian life is so laid back and they surley do love love their fabulous food and wine. I'm loving the pictures. Rest up and post more as you can...I miss Italy and am hoping to get there again in the next few years.
mustangs81
14 years ago
Sharon, I was wondering if I was going to have to come get you and drag you back home! I'm happy for you; your itinerary was perfect for experiencing the real Italy.

Raymond is really talking up going back for one last Italian adventure--which scares me when he puts it that way.
wizardnm
14 years ago
Glad that you are home, what a dream vacation.
dedtired
14 years ago
Yes, glad you are safely home with memories to last a lifetime. I always breathe a sigh of relief when I am back in my own driveway, safe and sound. Welcome home.
triciae
14 years ago
What a wonderful trip you've enjoyed. Memories to last a lifetime. Thanks for the pictures. I can see a part of Italy through your eyes!

Glad you're home safely.

/tricia
mitchdesj
14 years ago
it sounds like a wonderful trip !

I may never come home.........

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rob333 (zone 7b)

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