Two of our favorite friends, Marc & Debby Waldman, went to one of our favorite places…TUSCANY…without us. We enjoyed living vicariously through Marc’s recap and wanted to share it.
As our fantastic time in the glorious hills of southern Tuscany winds down, some thoughts on what the Tuscan experience should and (in a few instances) shouldn’t be:
- Get here and stay in a countryside villa (even if you have to sell the kids). I am assuming an agrotourismo is a more affordable option, but still pretty special. However, if life ever presents the opportunity, you and some of your closest compatriots should rent the Tenuta Aiola for the exquisite facilities, gorgeous grounds, the serenity and the sounds of Tuscany.
- Eat Tuscan. The produce, the cheese and the meats are to die for. Tuscan biscotti is called Cantucci and it is out of this world. Find yourself a little italian specialty shop where the owner will set you up with all the delicacies you need.
- Drink the wine. Nobile di Montepulciano and Brunello di Montalcino are the kings and worth the title, but even the 7 Euro local whites, red and rosé are fantastic.
- Which leads to happy hour. Afternoon wine or apertivos are never to be missed and experienced at all costs, outside.
- If you have any funds left after the sale of the kids, get a private chef for an evening or if you are as lucky as us, two. OMG, the five course meals Sabrina prepared and served to us were magnificent ( see the pictures and try not to drool). Either outside or in your Tuscan hunting lodge room is acceptable. And, they handle the cleanup.
- Come in search of the famed white Tuscan cattle and then make sure you have it for dinner. We think we saw some (pictures and old eyes are a little iffy). Sabrina made us the famed Florentine steak and it definitely worth the reputation.
- Drive the beautiful country hills of the Val d Orcia. The hills and the curves and the views are something special. Rick Steves provides a great route through Bagni Vignole, Pienza and Montepulciano ending at the beautiful English country gardens at the Iris Origo estate of le Foce. We were lucky enough to rent a new Audi Q3 that handled the sometime iffy roads of Tuscany.
- Go to a thermal bath. The warm spring fed baths are quite relaxing and are purported to have healing properties. I was skeptical, but it was quite enjoyable and only slightly smelly.
- Do this trip with people you really enjoy. All of the above is perfect for doing with a group. Our companions have been absolutely wonderful.
Tuscany is not fast anything, particularly food. Tuscany is small towns with lots of countryside in between and no strip malls. Tuscany demands that Americans not act like Americans (no hurrying, no demanding, no impatience and by all means, learn how to say hello, goodbye, thank you and your welcome in Italian).
We are off to southern Italy tomorrow, so new tales to tell from there.
Arrivederci,
Marc and Deb
Sabrina’s First Meal
- Huge caprese platter
- Carrot leek soup
- Homemade pasta with mushroom and sausage gravy
- Gilled radicchio, eggplant and zuchinni
- Lemon roasted chicken
- Tiramisu
Sabrina’s Second Meal
- Salumi or Italian charcuteries board of salami, prosciutto, capiccola and a variety of cheeses
- Caprese salad
- Pci al’aglione
- Florentine steak
- Fried zucchini flowers and sage leaves
- Homemade vanilla gelato with fresh fruit
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