Dream a little.. if money wasn't a concern, how would you do Tuscany?
Mar 24th, 2012, 07:10 PM
#21
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 14,748
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nobody wants to go to Villa San Michele with me? OK, then.
http://www.villasanmichele.com/web/o...an_michele.jsp
I'll tell you guys about it when I get back.
http://www.villasanmichele.com/web/o...an_michele.jsp
I'll tell you guys about it when I get back.
Mar 24th, 2012, 10:04 PM
#24
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In September, I, along with 11 friends, rented a villa in Tuscany (right outside of Citta Della Pieve) for three weeks. Price, which included a housekeeper whose home was next to the villa, ended up being approx. $250US per person, per week. The villa was in the hills, with an amazing view, and had two floors with 6 bedrooms, 4 baths, two full kitchens, and two full living areas. It also came with a swimming pool, covered patio, and yes - even a BBQ grill, LOL!
Six months later, all 12 of us are in unanimous agreement that that trip was the best, most magical time we ever had. The sunrises and sunsets had to be seen to be believed - they were that stunning. Our habit was to have our breakfast out on the patio while watching the sun rise, then figuring out what we would do for the rest of the day. Sometimes, we took our rented vehicles and toured the various cities and towns. Other days, we lazed by the pool. There were times when we went on long walks and hikes. We visited the cafes and shops, chatted with the local residents, and practiced our Italian. We would also sit back sometimes, and watch them as they went about their day. We bought food at the local markets and dinners were usually cooked at the villa and enjoyed outside. We toured wineries, and purchased cases of wine to have with our meals. When we chose to eat our meals at restaurants, we found local places with wonderful ambience (sp) and killer views (there was a place in Civita Di Bagnoregio that was fabulous). Our housekeeper, Sophia, was amazing, and everything was always spotless and clean.
We did everything we wanted to do in those three weeks, and it never broke the bank. If money were no object, I know for a fact that we would do the same exact vacation all over again with no changes.
Six months later, all 12 of us are in unanimous agreement that that trip was the best, most magical time we ever had. The sunrises and sunsets had to be seen to be believed - they were that stunning. Our habit was to have our breakfast out on the patio while watching the sun rise, then figuring out what we would do for the rest of the day. Sometimes, we took our rented vehicles and toured the various cities and towns. Other days, we lazed by the pool. There were times when we went on long walks and hikes. We visited the cafes and shops, chatted with the local residents, and practiced our Italian. We would also sit back sometimes, and watch them as they went about their day. We bought food at the local markets and dinners were usually cooked at the villa and enjoyed outside. We toured wineries, and purchased cases of wine to have with our meals. When we chose to eat our meals at restaurants, we found local places with wonderful ambience (sp) and killer views (there was a place in Civita Di Bagnoregio that was fabulous). Our housekeeper, Sophia, was amazing, and everything was always spotless and clean.
We did everything we wanted to do in those three weeks, and it never broke the bank. If money were no object, I know for a fact that we would do the same exact vacation all over again with no changes.
Mar 25th, 2012, 05:37 AM
#25
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 29,617
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
lmont, yes, yes he does. Younger though and needs some training....
Thanks, roamer, and I'd take a month. Sounds lovely.
tuscanlifeedit, OMG! So beautiful. The price tag on the "last minute" deals puts that place right in the "dream" trip category though.
mscleo, your trip sounds pretty close to what I'd love to do. How did you get 11 other people to get along?! Sophia is Paolo's Aunt.
So Imont, do you have some towns in mind? What do you and DH enjoy doing together on your trips?
In general, we loved having 3-4 base towns and making day trips.
One of our favorite times was spent in Spoleto (Umbria). In 2004, we found a non-stop plane from DC to Milan so we made a circle from there: bussed directly to Turin for 2 nights; then trained to Spoleto for 5 (we daytripped to Assisi, Orvieto and Spello); then to Bologna for 4 nights (trained to Ravenna); and ended up in Bellagio and then back to Milan.
In Spoleto, we stayed in Hotel Clitunno (http://www.hotelclitunno.com/index.html ). It was family-owned and we enjoyed the people there immensely. The father and 2 sons ran it then and Marco kept the restaurant and breakfast room going. The local football team lived in the hotel and a food group met there once a month. One of the sons had done an exchange cooking tour in Chicago and was the chef. They kindly invited us to join the food group and it was an incredible wine and cheese tasting meal and fun time. We ended up eating there most nights as the food was astounding.
Thanks, roamer, and I'd take a month. Sounds lovely.
tuscanlifeedit, OMG! So beautiful. The price tag on the "last minute" deals puts that place right in the "dream" trip category though.
mscleo, your trip sounds pretty close to what I'd love to do. How did you get 11 other people to get along?! Sophia is Paolo's Aunt.
So Imont, do you have some towns in mind? What do you and DH enjoy doing together on your trips?
In general, we loved having 3-4 base towns and making day trips.
One of our favorite times was spent in Spoleto (Umbria). In 2004, we found a non-stop plane from DC to Milan so we made a circle from there: bussed directly to Turin for 2 nights; then trained to Spoleto for 5 (we daytripped to Assisi, Orvieto and Spello); then to Bologna for 4 nights (trained to Ravenna); and ended up in Bellagio and then back to Milan.
In Spoleto, we stayed in Hotel Clitunno (http://www.hotelclitunno.com/index.html ). It was family-owned and we enjoyed the people there immensely. The father and 2 sons ran it then and Marco kept the restaurant and breakfast room going. The local football team lived in the hotel and a food group met there once a month. One of the sons had done an exchange cooking tour in Chicago and was the chef. They kindly invited us to join the food group and it was an incredible wine and cheese tasting meal and fun time. We ended up eating there most nights as the food was astounding.
Mar 25th, 2012, 06:14 AM
#26
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 29,617
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ps-we never drove. And Spoleto is very hilly but has great bus/train service and kind taxi drivers. I was at the very beginnings of breathing problems so the uphills required many stops if we were walking.
Mar 25th, 2012, 08:18 AM
#27
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,657
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mscleo...sounds terrific! Not sure there are 10 other folk DH and I would want to spend 3 weeks with, though....but could maybe do a slightly smaller group, because it is fun to share experiences with others at then end of the day. Having great views is what is all about.
Mar 25th, 2012, 12:15 PM
#28
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"mscleo, your trip sounds pretty close to what I'd love to do. How did you get 11 other people to get along?!"
"Mscleo...sounds terrific! Not sure there are 10 other folk DH and I would want to spend 3 weeks with, though...."
****
TDudette and uhoh_busted, the the fact that we all get along is an amazing story in and of itself. Long story short, four years ago we all met for the first time in Egypt while doing a tour. There were 5 Australians, 3 from England, 3 from Canada, and me, the US citizen. We bonded instantly, and by the time the tour ended, we were inseparable.
From that time on, we said we wanted to travel together again. And so, we began to plan, and last year, everyone flew to Italy from their respective countries and we had the best time. We had no issues whatsoever - none.
Now, we're planning our next adventure for 2013, and in the meantime, I'll be seeing my British friends when I go to England in a couple of weeks. Can't wait!
"Mscleo...sounds terrific! Not sure there are 10 other folk DH and I would want to spend 3 weeks with, though...."
****
TDudette and uhoh_busted, the the fact that we all get along is an amazing story in and of itself. Long story short, four years ago we all met for the first time in Egypt while doing a tour. There were 5 Australians, 3 from England, 3 from Canada, and me, the US citizen. We bonded instantly, and by the time the tour ended, we were inseparable.
From that time on, we said we wanted to travel together again. And so, we began to plan, and last year, everyone flew to Italy from their respective countries and we had the best time. We had no issues whatsoever - none.
Now, we're planning our next adventure for 2013, and in the meantime, I'll be seeing my British friends when I go to England in a couple of weeks. Can't wait!
Mar 25th, 2012, 12:23 PM
#29
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 29,617
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Fabulous, Mscleo! DH and I had a similar experience in a B&B (although we never saw our group again). Within moments of introducing ourselves, we were chattering like old friends.
The owner walked through and said "I can see you aren't going to get along at all." LOL
The owner walked through and said "I can see you aren't going to get along at all." LOL
Mar 25th, 2012, 11:59 PM
#30
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,860
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
After reading all the replies, I will definitely plan a trip to Tuscany trip this year. Would November be a good time to go.
I would love to stay at Villa San Michele but I am afraid my husband would divorce me. Wow, just Wow!
I would love to stay at Villa San Michele but I am afraid my husband would divorce me. Wow, just Wow!
