1. Travel

Other Glimpses of Tuscany

Leaving Florence, our next destination was Castello Vicchiomaggio. Castello Vicchiomaggio is a mountaintop estate near Greve and well-known for its chianti. The estate also serves as a restaurant and inn. We spent the afternoon there making pasta and then partaking of a wonderful five course dinner including appetlizers. It was mid-week and most of us were ready for fewer crowds and cities. Castello Vicchiomaggio was the right call at the right time.

Upon leaving the mountaintop winery, it was on to the friendly Tuscan town of Poggibonsi near Siena where we spent the night at the mountaintop Villa of San Lucchese. The villa was a wonderful, rambling, vintage inn with high ceilings, and a restaurant with a patio overlooking the valley. Everyone enjoyed the friendly, engaging staff there. It was a quiet evening for most, and a bit of a respite from another busy day. Yet, next morning we were up bright and early and off again before 9 a.m.

Soon we arrived at the medieval perched Village of San Gimignano, a UNESCO World Heritage site. San Gimignano gained its status because of more than a dozen, ancient residential towers. It is in fact known as the "City of fine towers." Our visit there lasted through late morning. You will note that some of the best gelatio in Italy can be found at San Gimignano. It was well worth the side trip, and since it was mid-week, it was also market day. Lots of interesting stalls scattered about. Sadly, our guide gathered us up and we were soon headed south to the region of Umbria and Assisi, birthplace of Saint Francis.

As we traveled further south the sun kept growing brighter and warmer. We were now enjoying nearly perfect summery weather at the end of October. Life was good!
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Overlooking the vinyards.
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Overlooking the vinyards.

vicchiomaggiio

  • Corner of the upper terrace at Castello Vicchiomaggio.
  • Overlooking the vinyards.
  • The valley below Castello Vicchiomaggio.
  • Interesting staircase to the upper level.
  • Atrium of Castello Vicchiomaggio.
  • The inn.
  • Aging chianti in the downstairs winery.
  • Gardens and storage facilities.
  • Garden wall on the terrace.
  • Chapel adjacent to Castello Vicchiomaggio.
  • Chapel inside the inn.
  • Pasta party. Everyone loved the activity. That stuff was pretty gooey at the start...
  • Lina making spinach pasta while guide Irena looks on, waiting for the right photo op.
  • Mindy intently arranging her bowties.
  • Angular upper garden.
  • Principal vinyards.
  • A broader view of the upper valley.
  • About to leave for Poggibonsi.
  • This little guy refused to move over for the huge motorcoach. Bravo!
  • Entrance to the Villa of San Lucchese with an ancient church before the gate.
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