Buon Natale

Tuscany!

The Tuscany region of Italy is how many Americans imagine life in Italy must be like - thanks to the cinema and television industries that frequently film in this area. Recent films like Under the Tuscan Sun, The English Patient, Life is Beautiful, Gladiator and Il Postino depict a picturesque landscape of rolling hills, lush, carefully cultivated vineyards, vibrant colors, historic art and charming old towns with a piazza that beckons you to sit for a while, sip some Chianti and sample some fresh pasta and bread drizzled with the best local olive oil.

On our trip to Tuscany the first of November we were pleased to discover that it was all – true! We too fell under the spell of this spectacular Italian countryside. Tuscano (Tuscany) is one of the 20 regions of Italy. The regions function similar to the states in the US. Most tourist guides will highlight the towns of Florence, Siena, Pisa, San Gimignano and Pienza as a must see when exploring Tuscany. Our viaggio (trip) included only a drive through the suburbs of Florence but we did see San Gimignano along with the towns of Greve in Chianti, Certaldo and Vinci (as in the birthplace of Leonardo).


Of course I was going and I was able to convince Michael to come along as the “token” male.

Testosterone Power!

The villa, Fattorie Giannozzi, was located in the town’s central piazza. The very plain exterior was not indicative of the spacious and lovely appointed interior. There were eight bedrooms, several sitting rooms, a courtyard and a large formal dining room with a warm fire place where we had breakfast and dinner.

Michael and I stayed in the spacious loft

It was a unique three day weekend. Our group was large enough to rent out the entire Villa. At dinner, the owner and host Simone regaled us with stories about the villa, their family history and their olive and wine making business. The meals were outstanding and served with their best wines. You have never had lasagna until you have had Italian lasagna with home made noodles and all fresh ingredients. Molto delicioso! It was fortunate that we just had to stumble to our rooms and not drive after indulging in several bottles of wine.

One of the highlights of the trip was our personal tour to Simone’s family olive farm where we got a lesson in how the olives are raked not picked from the olive threes and then processed to a final state of various grades of olive oil. It takes two trees to make about one bottle of olive oil.

Our day trip to San Gimignano was lovely with a lunch of pasta Bolognese (meat sauce), Chianti, pane toscano (unsalted bread) and of course gelato. There were dozens of small and interesting shops. With ten women you can imagine there was some purchases made. This small walled medieval hill town is well known for its architecture and high towers that can be seen for miles.

Wars, catastrophes and urban renewal resulted in Florence and most other cities in Tuscany being without their towers. San Gimignano has managed to conserve fourteen towers of varying height which have become its international symbol and the distinction of being one of the most photogenic towns in Italy. It is also a popular location for film making. Tea with Mussolini was filmed here staring Judi Dench and Cher in 1999.

In the background, near Florence, is the home where Leonardo da Vinci painted the famous portrait, Mona Lisa that now hangs in the Louvre in Paris.

In the town of Vinci, Leonardo’s home town, we visited the Vinci museum. My little nephew Cooper (a talented architect with his toy blocks) would be totally enthralled if he could see all the displays that highlight the creativity and prophetic inventions of this genius. Tuscany was also the birthplace of Michelangelo and Botticelli. Dante Alighieri (the father of the Italian language) was also from the Tuscany area.

Mike bought this shirt and likes to wear it. I am not sure why.

Translation: “I am a genius!”

After about 36 hours with the ladies, the token male was looking for a little more testosterone or a least another bottle of Chianti.

Michael did a fabulous job with all the driving and after a four hour drive through the mountains, navigating through dense fog, three women providing annoying “back seat driving” he returned us safely home to Vicenza. We look forward to returning to Tuscany and for Mike’s sake, with a lot less estrogen.

Ciao!

“The Creator made Italy from designs by Michelangelo.” --Mark Twain

“Traveling is the ruin of all happiness! .There’s no looking at a building after seeing Italy.” –Fanny Burney

“You may have the universe if I may have Italy.” –Giuseppe Verdi