Alas, our trip ended way too soon but we were able to enjoy one last day enjoying the Tuscan region in a very enjoyable manner.
We started off by hiking up to a very spiritual place at the top of one of the mountain peaks.
This was built in the 1800s by a gentleman that wanted his Catholic heritage to return to some of the basics within their religion. He wound up with a following that settled in this very beautiful and isolated location, giving up on their materialistic goods and ways.
Here is an entryway down into where a very private altar and meditation chamber was located. This was not the place for those claustrophobic.
The same shot without a flash.
The view from the top was very special.
Denise, Bill and John pose for a quick photo.
A little bit of time was spent reflecting on the hill side view and the overall experiences that we had over the last week and a half.
Into the next little town of San Fiora. This fireplace was inside the room that we drove through to get inside the city walls.
A clever shot of a location map.
Here is the owner of the restaurant we had lunch at, showing off the mushrooms that have just arrived.
This was a cute restaurant, and based on the food, we would definitely go back.
Here they offered their own line of Chestnut liquor and Olive oil.
All roads lead to Tuscany!
Here is the start of our last meal.
Carey finally located a boar in the woods! (Sorry John)
A pose outdoors in the moonlight.
Carey finally located a boar in the woods! (Sorry John)
A pose outdoors in the moonlight.
Antonio is still teaching us as we go. This will go into the equivalent of Italian Chicken Noodle Soup....because Antonio was tired of everyone having a cold and said we really needed this for the trip back.
Many hands make for light work!
Elena gets into the act!
Antonio has a few fresh dough balls rising for calzones.
Mimi penetrates the defenses and makes it indoors again on our last day.
A fun shot of the cut lavender drying out for sachets when they close the property for the winter... A heavenly smell that keeps the bugs out, and something that will continue to remind us of this special place.
Alice and Antonio prepping the last few ingredients before serving.
The finished calzones that were delicious!
The soup to heal us on the way home!
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Antonio reminding us that we are leaving at 4:00 am, promptly.....more or less.
This concludes the shots from our trip and I would like to use this space to start by thanking our host, Elena, our guides Vincenzo and Antonio, and our planners, Mary Kay, Vincenzo and Joann. I would also like to point out that everyone in their own way touched the hearts of the people around them and for this being our first attempt at a trip of this size, it could NOT have gone better. People were cooperative and engaged from the beginning and behaving like close friends by the second day. There was a great appreciation for the land and the people and certainly the flavors of Tuscany. As we capture some of the lessons learned and begin discussions on when it makes sense to plan the next trip, I can assure you that there is a big fear that we will never be able to match how well the first trip came out. Everyone that came on this trip is to be thanked in helping to make this an unforgetable experience. Grazie molto for a wonderful time!!!
Elena gets into the act!
Antonio has a few fresh dough balls rising for calzones.
Mimi penetrates the defenses and makes it indoors again on our last day.
A fun shot of the cut lavender drying out for sachets when they close the property for the winter... A heavenly smell that keeps the bugs out, and something that will continue to remind us of this special place.
Alice and Antonio prepping the last few ingredients before serving.
The finished calzones that were delicious!
The soup to heal us on the way home!
.
Antonio reminding us that we are leaving at 4:00 am, promptly.....more or less.
This concludes the shots from our trip and I would like to use this space to start by thanking our host, Elena, our guides Vincenzo and Antonio, and our planners, Mary Kay, Vincenzo and Joann. I would also like to point out that everyone in their own way touched the hearts of the people around them and for this being our first attempt at a trip of this size, it could NOT have gone better. People were cooperative and engaged from the beginning and behaving like close friends by the second day. There was a great appreciation for the land and the people and certainly the flavors of Tuscany. As we capture some of the lessons learned and begin discussions on when it makes sense to plan the next trip, I can assure you that there is a big fear that we will never be able to match how well the first trip came out. Everyone that came on this trip is to be thanked in helping to make this an unforgetable experience. Grazie molto for a wonderful time!!!
