August 1, 2024
This was our first time to Tuscany and it certainly held up to it’s reputation. The food, the vineyards, the rolling hills, the stone villages, the Cypress trees, the winding paths….. and did I mention the food? It was GOOD.
If I had to pick one word for Tuscany, it would be CHARMING. Around every corner was another beautiful view and unique landmark.
We toured centuries old wineries. What is it about those large oak barrels? They speak to artisans of another age and it draws such respect.
We did an ATV tour around the Tuscan countryside for three hours. It was such a great way to see the area. We had lunch at a local pig farmer’s property and he gave us a tour of his little shop. THIS is where charcuterie begins.
We took two cooking classes. We made different kinds of pasta and meat. The two experiences were really different and we loved that. One was a group class, the other was private. Both incredible.
The sunsets were some of my favorite moments. We made sure to plan our dinners so we were either dining outside during sunset or we were done by the best part of the evening. Sitting outside with a glass of good Brunello watching the sun set over the Italian vineyards is WHERE IT’S AT!
The stone cities on a hill are just magical. It gave me a whole new reference point to see a visual of how those places protected themselves from enemies. The village in the background is Montepulciano (possibly one of my favorite words in Italian).
One of our cooking classes was at a chateau that was gifted to family friends of the Medici’s in the 1500s. The man giving us the tour was the 22nd generation to run the property. The depth of history in Italy runs so deep. These are the same stones his great (x 22) grandfathers walked, and now he is doing the same.
If you are on the fence about whether or not to visit Tuscany, let me persuade you to GO! So many put Florence on their list, but never venture into the true countryside of Tuscany. They are missing out! This was our favorite part.
You can PIN IT FOR LATER!
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