In the small village of Paterno, we meet Cristina, Luca and Babo Antonio. Cristina has prepared a feast for us: antipasti consisting of three kinds of tapenade, two kinds of Polenta, beans with homemade cinghiale sausages, mixed vegetables and a sunny desert. When we arrive at Anna’s Bed and Breakfast, Casa Thiele we are amazed […]
goodbyes
The End of the Dinner Party or: My Wonderful Italian Life
As my time in Tuscany draws to a close, I no longer have a long to-do or to-see list. I’m spending these last weeks in the countryside with friends. And as it often happens, when I cease to plan, organise or control, magic takes over and things fall into their rightful places. Yesterday afternoon […]
Our last great adventure
Wine tasting and tour of Villa Medicea di Lilliano and our farewell dinner My friend Eric recently became the manager of the Villa Medicea di Lilliano near Grassina. We were excited to see how he has transformed this century-old estate, making it a world-class venue for weddings, corporate retreats or simply for those who […]
Born again Tourist
Here’s a story I wrote in the ’90’s, after I moved from the city ( San Francisco) to the country (Orinda) How my life has changed! Now I’m divorced and prefer living in the country but I live in a different big city in a different country (Canada) most of the time. But more […]
Highlights of our adventure Fall 2014
Tuesday, Oct 28 Day 1 We are picked up at Florence airport, mid afternoon by Giovanni, our handsome Italian driver. Soup and snacks were waiting for us at Il Colle Unpack, relax! Sleep……… Wednesday, Oct 29 Day 2 Visited Nora’s Cashmere Goat Farm. We got a little bit lost and Myrna got a little bit […]