It was sad to bid farewell to our Tuscan villa. We enjoyed such a great week of small villages, beautiful views, great food, tasty wine and just relaxing in our outdoor space in the sun.The morning light at the VillaA last look out the window before leaving.We started our departure early. Hauling our luggage downstairs … Continue reading Oct. 30: Rome & Betsy's Birthday →

A beautiful sunriseThe sun rose on another clear and gorgeous day in Tuscany, such a gift for our last day in our villa and our little corner of this region. And our last day was highlighted by such a great visit to a farm and learning about cheesemaking.We set out early for our drive to … Continue reading Oct. 29: Making Cheese! →

One of the jewels of Tuscany, Montepulciano did not disappoint. This hilltop town is filled with shops, history, good food and, of course, famous for its red wine.A cappuccino helped fortify us for the steep climb from the base of Montepulciano to the Grand Plaza at the top of the city.We stopped for a coffee … Continue reading Oct. 28: Montepulciano →

The leaves get prettier every day.Our trip into the countryside was a perfect way to spend a day. We drove the Val d'Orcia, which is the valley along the Orcia River. This area is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's a feast for the eyes.There are various versions of this drive. We chose … Continue reading Oct. 27: Backroads & Small Villages →

We had such a fun and interesting day. As planned, we relaxed around the house for the morning, which was needed. Betsy made us a breakfast of sausages, eggs and toast. It was another beautiful morning. The rain that had been forecast a few days ago never fell. The leaves, however, are falling but are … Continue reading Oct. 26: Wine Education & Tasting →

Birthday BrunchCelebrating 60 in Tuscany with friends makes this birthday one of the best ever. We've had a whirlwind couple of days, but are getting into the rhythm of the Tuscan atmosphere. While it's been a bit chilly at times, it's also been clear, sunny and beautiful the past two days.Our first full day together … Continue reading Oct. 24 & Oct. 25: Birthday Celebration & Tuscan Towns →