Betsy and our extraordinary VRBO host Felipe in front of the Trevi Fountain at 6 a.m. on the morning of our departure. He was a great host, very helpful, and lugged our heavy luggage up and down stairs even though we protested that he was doing too much. Also, we highly recommend staying at the … Continue reading Nov. 1 & 2: Rainy Rome & Back Home & A Self-Inflicted Hassle →

After the G20 Summit folks left the Trevi Fountain along with all the security teams, we ventured out of the apartment. My first order of business was to buy some comfortable shoes. Yes, the trip is nearly over and I've limped along this long in a pair of shoes I bought specifically for this journey … Continue reading Oct. 31: Roaming Around Rome →

 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 →