Finally...our 19 day glorious October 2007 (very long detailed) trip report to Italy!
May 20th, 2011, 11:56 AM
#361
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I have just finished reading your blog and I can't wait to go to Italy. You did a fabulous job and I can see and smell and feel everything you wrote. I am planning a trip in May of next year 2012 and I do believe that I will follow your trip with some additions. my friend followed your trip almost to a t, and she said you were right on target. Thanks for all of the pics and web sights. ciao
May 5th, 2012, 07:55 PM
#366
Griffy: This is a terrific trip report - but it is also awfully old. See the gold star at the top of the page? That is how you can save a thread to your favorites/bookmarks. (Or you can use the envelope to e-mail it to yourself)
Apr 24th, 2013, 05:21 PM
#369
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Hi...it's Adventureseeker. I'm back! Signed into boards needing an Italia "fix". Gotta dust off my notes to finish the last three days. Although this trip was over 5 years ago, the memories are still fresh in mind, senses, heart and soul!
And...not sure if I had mentioned it previously, but DH and I made another trip back to Italia in October '09 (a year later than this trip) with our 8 yr old son in tow. That is also a trip report that needs to be told...sigh!
XO
A/S
And...not sure if I had mentioned it previously, but DH and I made another trip back to Italia in October '09 (a year later than this trip) with our 8 yr old son in tow. That is also a trip report that needs to be told...sigh!
XO
A/S
Apr 25th, 2013, 12:14 AM
#373
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Just found your fabulous report. In Rome now for 8 days then Venice for 4 days and Florence for 6 days.
Your report brings back many memories of previous trips I hve made, also giving me ideas of new things to see.
Glad you werre able to return with your son.
Your report brings back many memories of previous trips I hve made, also giving me ideas of new things to see.
Glad you werre able to return with your son.
Apr 25th, 2013, 12:47 AM
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tdk320n...Grazie!
Ahhh...your itinerary is right up our alley. Perfect amount of days in each destination allowing enough time to savor. We haven't made it to Rome (yet), but can't imagine enjoying "her" for anything less than a week. I think we owe "her' that!
Ahhh...your itinerary is right up our alley. Perfect amount of days in each destination allowing enough time to savor. We haven't made it to Rome (yet), but can't imagine enjoying "her" for anything less than a week. I think we owe "her' that!
Apr 25th, 2013, 04:05 AM
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Adventureseeker
I cutting and pasting the last entry to make it easier for me to read - hope you don't mind...
TUSCANY-Day 6
Part 17 (October 25, 2007)
Day 16
A FANTASTIC MEAL AT LEGENDARY LATTE DI LUNA
We trek back to Latte di Luna (LDL) surrounded by lovely old stone buildings, arches and alleyways. DH takes notice how quiet and tranquil it is. We both comment how desolate the town is…making note that once again…it is siesta time. Luckily for us, when we made the first round to LDL, it was not only inviting with its simple menu proudly displayed on an easel, lush potted plants and charming courtyard (likely set with tables, umbrellas and happy diners during warmer days!),it was…OPEN!
Not wasting a second, we didn’t bother to stop and check out the outside menu but instead head straight for the door. Once inside this charming trattoria, we were immediately greeted with warmth and the smells of delicious rustic cuisine. It was a heady scent that I will never forget…a combination of burning wood, herbs and slow-cooking meat. Heavenly! DH looks at me and I know EXACTLY what he is thinking...THIS was the place. I respond to his expression by exclaiming, “Mama's cooking”! The place was small, packed to the gills (with both locals and tourists) and lively. Befitting ambiance for a charming day in a Tuscan village! It was a bit cramped as we stood waiting for a table. We were rewarded shortly with a quaint table for two in the back. Our server quickly handed us menus which after a glance…we knew we were in for an authentic Tuscan feast.
We started with a yummy yet simple salad of greens dressed in local olive oil and vinegar. Next up was a platter of tasty bruschetta and a serving of local pecorino that melted in our mouths. Our server was warm and gracious. We asked for a local wine recommendation stating that we both really enjoyed the Rosso di Montalcino. He picked out a very reasonable yet delicious bottle for us. I ordered the suckling roast pig which was their specialty and boy oh boy…it didn’t disappoint. The meat was tender and tasty with a smoky slightly crispy skin. It tasted exactly like the scent we were greeted with upon entering: wood, herbs, meat. Fabulous! DH ordered a pasta dish of some sort which he was equally thrilled with. I don’t recall nor did I make mention in my notes of what kind of dish it was…I suppose I was too busy being seduced by my meal! This was a meal worth savoring and that we did! We had a great conversation with our server about California once he asked us where we were from. We also engaged in a lengthy conversation with an older couple from the East Coast who were seated at the next table. They travel to Tuscany annually renting the same villa on a nearby farm, staying there for at least a month. They were dining with the Italian couple who own the farm with whom they have been friends with for many years. This was their final dinner of the trip and they bring the owners to dine at Latte di Luna (every time) just before they go back to reality (aka home). The American gentleman went as far as jotting down the owner’s name and website of the farm on a slip of paper for us to possibly stay at in the future. “You’ll be back”, he said confidently. Never a doubt, I thought. Sadly, the paper was nowhere to be found when we got back to the cottage. I just love stories like these with other travelers or better yet, with the locals...renewing the reason why I love to travel and immerse myself in different cultures.
LIFE IN ITALIA…LIVING “LA DOLCE VITA”!
Stuffed and happy, it was time for us to leave this wonderful dining experience...chalking it up as our most authentic Tuscan meal (thus far). Bidding adieu to our new friends, we headed on our way. The village of Pienza was starting to come alive, albeit barely. I captured the majority of what I refer to as my “la dolce vita” (life is sweet) photos from this town such as older Italian ladies folding sheets, sweeping and tending to their homes. My favorite was of the backside of a younger generation lady accompanying what appeared to be her elderly mama on a walk down a cobblestone path. We popped into a few shops, but mainly just enjoyed exploring this village and taking in the stunning views from this hilltop town perched high above the rolling hillside. Bellissimo!
It was a long, full day and seemingly equal l-o-n-g drive back to our cottage. We opened a bottle of vino and put together an easy snack of cheeses, bread and fruit. DH was too tired to attempt to tackle the daunting task of making a fire, so we just sat quietly listening to music while reading. After having poured only two glasses of vino, the bottle was re-corked (surprisingly for us!) and we happily turned in early…in the dreamy bed...in the sweet stone cottage…in the lovely sleepy village of Sogna…in the gorgeous land called Tuscany. ZZZzzz
Next...On the road (again) to Montepulciano!
BTW - Still loving the TR and I admire your perseverance (5 years, could be a record...)
I cutting and pasting the last entry to make it easier for me to read - hope you don't mind...
TUSCANY-Day 6
Part 17 (October 25, 2007)
Day 16
A FANTASTIC MEAL AT LEGENDARY LATTE DI LUNA
We trek back to Latte di Luna (LDL) surrounded by lovely old stone buildings, arches and alleyways. DH takes notice how quiet and tranquil it is. We both comment how desolate the town is…making note that once again…it is siesta time. Luckily for us, when we made the first round to LDL, it was not only inviting with its simple menu proudly displayed on an easel, lush potted plants and charming courtyard (likely set with tables, umbrellas and happy diners during warmer days!),it was…OPEN!
Not wasting a second, we didn’t bother to stop and check out the outside menu but instead head straight for the door. Once inside this charming trattoria, we were immediately greeted with warmth and the smells of delicious rustic cuisine. It was a heady scent that I will never forget…a combination of burning wood, herbs and slow-cooking meat. Heavenly! DH looks at me and I know EXACTLY what he is thinking...THIS was the place. I respond to his expression by exclaiming, “Mama's cooking”! The place was small, packed to the gills (with both locals and tourists) and lively. Befitting ambiance for a charming day in a Tuscan village! It was a bit cramped as we stood waiting for a table. We were rewarded shortly with a quaint table for two in the back. Our server quickly handed us menus which after a glance…we knew we were in for an authentic Tuscan feast.
We started with a yummy yet simple salad of greens dressed in local olive oil and vinegar. Next up was a platter of tasty bruschetta and a serving of local pecorino that melted in our mouths. Our server was warm and gracious. We asked for a local wine recommendation stating that we both really enjoyed the Rosso di Montalcino. He picked out a very reasonable yet delicious bottle for us. I ordered the suckling roast pig which was their specialty and boy oh boy…it didn’t disappoint. The meat was tender and tasty with a smoky slightly crispy skin. It tasted exactly like the scent we were greeted with upon entering: wood, herbs, meat. Fabulous! DH ordered a pasta dish of some sort which he was equally thrilled with. I don’t recall nor did I make mention in my notes of what kind of dish it was…I suppose I was too busy being seduced by my meal! This was a meal worth savoring and that we did! We had a great conversation with our server about California once he asked us where we were from. We also engaged in a lengthy conversation with an older couple from the East Coast who were seated at the next table. They travel to Tuscany annually renting the same villa on a nearby farm, staying there for at least a month. They were dining with the Italian couple who own the farm with whom they have been friends with for many years. This was their final dinner of the trip and they bring the owners to dine at Latte di Luna (every time) just before they go back to reality (aka home). The American gentleman went as far as jotting down the owner’s name and website of the farm on a slip of paper for us to possibly stay at in the future. “You’ll be back”, he said confidently. Never a doubt, I thought. Sadly, the paper was nowhere to be found when we got back to the cottage. I just love stories like these with other travelers or better yet, with the locals...renewing the reason why I love to travel and immerse myself in different cultures.
LIFE IN ITALIA…LIVING “LA DOLCE VITA”!
Stuffed and happy, it was time for us to leave this wonderful dining experience...chalking it up as our most authentic Tuscan meal (thus far). Bidding adieu to our new friends, we headed on our way. The village of Pienza was starting to come alive, albeit barely. I captured the majority of what I refer to as my “la dolce vita” (life is sweet) photos from this town such as older Italian ladies folding sheets, sweeping and tending to their homes. My favorite was of the backside of a younger generation lady accompanying what appeared to be her elderly mama on a walk down a cobblestone path. We popped into a few shops, but mainly just enjoyed exploring this village and taking in the stunning views from this hilltop town perched high above the rolling hillside. Bellissimo!
It was a long, full day and seemingly equal l-o-n-g drive back to our cottage. We opened a bottle of vino and put together an easy snack of cheeses, bread and fruit. DH was too tired to attempt to tackle the daunting task of making a fire, so we just sat quietly listening to music while reading. After having poured only two glasses of vino, the bottle was re-corked (surprisingly for us!) and we happily turned in early…in the dreamy bed...in the sweet stone cottage…in the lovely sleepy village of Sogna…in the gorgeous land called Tuscany. ZZZzzz
Next...On the road (again) to Montepulciano!
BTW - Still loving the TR and I admire your perseverance (5 years, could be a record...)
