We are departing Siena now and heading for Tuscany! We are staying in an apartment on the grounds of Casa Sola,Nother agriturismo from Karen Brown) located in the Chianti Region near San Donato.

We arrived at the villa and met the charming owners. We once again are their only guests and the first of the season. The apartment are across and down the roads up a lovely driveway though olive and wine orchards. It is set up high,very private, with lovely views. Our apartment is in the front (more of a little cottage) and was surprisingly spacious and comfortable. A big shiny kitchen with dishwasher etc. It had a huge living room withe brick and beam vaulted ceilings. There was a huge bedroom with large glass door leading to a private patio. There was also another private covered patio with picnic table and chairs. Things are color coded here.

Our apartment is red and our shrubs bloom red flowers. The bedspread and dressy table skirt are red and white also. This place is right up John's alley and he LOVES it. He is walking around like he is king of the manor.

Casa Sola makes their own wine and olive oil (that is distributed in NY and NJ) and is quite good.

We asked the owners for restaurant recommendations. They do not serve meals here however the place sounded so cool we decided we could forego the meals. They gave us a couple of names and their favorite pizza restaurant. As you know we were quite tired so opted to go out for pizza. They said we would find it in the old town of San Donato a Pozzio. We had a hard time finding it and finally asked someone on the street who directed us. We went in and it was like a soda shop with pinball etc. This couldn't be right we said. It looked like a teen center. So we asked and were sent upstairs. Upstairs looked like the old church hall. Big with a stage up front. There were many tables set around with numbers on them and white paper tablecloths. We thought it might be some sort of big family party. However they ushered us in and seated us--preeenting us with a very limited menu.

Time for a paragraph I guess??? Everyone around us was getting pizza so we did too along with water and vino del casa. We really couldn't figure this place out. Zero atmosphere, clearly everyone knew everyone else. We were "the foreigners!"

Our pizza was thin crust, crisp and so delicious with the freshest of vegetables. We devoured it and ordered another which went down almost as fast.

In course of our meal I mentioned we were staying at the Casa Sola. Our waiter's wife just happens to be the secretary there. He said "You must come to dinner here tomorrow night as my wife is the cook(Small World) and she is doing fish" (This was thru an interpreter and my limited understanding.) We said we would be back. We had to take our number to the cash register and were we in shock when the total bill came to 10 Euros!!(For two pizza and wine , water) Now we KNOW we are returning tomorrow night!! They also refused to accept any sort of a tip!

We couldn't figure this place out. The answer to this puzzle will come soon.

We slept in on our first of three gloriouos nights on our vineyard until 8 am which is unheard of with us. We elevated my feet last night as they are swelled. A combination of too much walking and more salt than my norm. I should have gone into training for this trip?? My hair has been a headache and real problem so I have resorted to my hat wardrobe folks! Basically I am starting to fall apart here??

We hadn't stopped last night for juice or milk so we set out on an empty stomach to tour Chianti area. We found a pasticceria in Greve and had capaccino and brioche. John(apple of course) and all for less than $4E.
You couldn't buy a capaccino at home for this in some places. We are finding food bargains here left and right.

I must say the capaccino tasted so good with all the sugar I put in it!! (I don't use sugar very much at home but here it is giving me a litttle pick me up to start my days!! ) I am so-o stiff and hobbling around. Going downstairs is the hardest. Sort of a reverse osmosis of the calves!!Once I exercise a bit they seem to loosen up.

So today we drove for hours all through the Chianti area, Greve, Castelllini, Radda etc. We stopped at a couple of farm markets on Sunday which were fun. The back roads offer dream views and sights. We went off the beaten track a bit looking for Volpaia (which we never found) but stopped at a wine shop in teeny weeny Bada all Passignano. We tried just one glass to share of Tenuta, a Chianti Classico for 5E.and chatted with some Americans from Chicago who happened upon the place and were tasting. Most of the tasting places we passed were closed on Sunday.

By the time we found an osteria that was open on Sunday we were into Siesta time of 2 or 2:30. We ended up in a bar in Castellini and ordered "Italian Fast Food" Sandwiches and calzones they stuck in a George Foreman like grill. Not very good but cheap and filling. We also had some Chianti here.

The place was filled with men just sitting watching soccer. This experience felt like we were doing what many do in Chianti area on a Sunday afternoon.

We also stopped for a couple of gelatos before leaving town for 5E. I got John a jumbo waffle cone as he has been good today about his stomach. (Don't let my husband et overly hungry or watch out!!)

Back to Casa Sola to pretty up for our "Fish Fry"??? More about that on the next report as we continue on in Tuscany. Helen

Good story-telling, Helen -- I look forward to your next adventure! If you just reply to this one with Number Four, they won't get out of sequence in the thread.

I love this!! More more~

Thanks guys for the sounds of enjoyment. Nice to hear positive feedback. I think this chick is done for today with reports but expect Number Four tomorrow. Helen

Great report...I want to go to that place for pizza! I'll have to look for the 2nd report.

Keep it coming, Helen. Enjoying every word!

FYI Reports Four and Five are now in the can! H