Trip Report- Rome and Tuscany with teens
Aug 8th, 2012, 11:20 AM
#21
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Day Ten:
This was one of our favorite days. After enjoying brakfast on our terrace, DH and I decided to hike/walk over to Sant' Anna in Camprena, which is the abbey featured in the movie "The English Patient". We had a view of this from our terrace and really wanted to see it up close. It is now a agritorsmo This was about a 5mile walk from Castelmuzio. We are pretty fit but this is very much a down hill then UP hill walk, then again. But the abbey is beautuful with lovely frescoes in the refectory. When we arrived there was no one in the entry area so we just "wandered around". As we exited a lady told us the premises were only for guests...woops! I think there was a way to request a tour but we chose "self-guided"
That evening was the Pici dinner at Isabella and Carlo's other property, Cretaiole. This is an agritorismo with several apartments. There were guests from many parts of the world, most with children so this was really fun for the boys, since there were several teenagers.
We learned to make "pici" which is a rolled pasta and then all shared in a wonderful dinner featuring the wines of the Moricciani's. This was such a special night. Luciano is Carlo's father, a truly gracious, kind gentleman. At one point I looked over and he was surounded by the teenagers having a wonderful time. Most of the kids spoke little Italian and he spoke little English, but with DS2 spanish they were all able to communicate.
This is a night none of us will forget!!
Day 11:
This morning the boys are choosing to stay home while we head to Montalcino to visit a wine tasting room Isabella has recommended.
DH has a fine time and we select several wines to have shipped home(free shipping), including some beautiful Brunellos and Super Tuscans(Note: we have received the wines and all except one bottle are in fine shape, the one which leaked will be replaced later this fall when temperatures drop a bit). We select a really nice bottle for each of the boys to be given to them on their wedding day.
We have a quiet lunch in a fabulous little restaurant, just the two of us. I find some fine leather purses for myself and DH's assistant.
When we return the boys have eaten lunch at the restaurant in Castelmuzio and are stretched out in the living room reading...a lovely sight.
That afternoon we head back to Cretaiole for an olive oil tasting with Carlo who is one of 12 master tasters for the province of Siena, he's quit an expert. This is really fun and educational, I'll never shop for olive oil the same way again. Many of the olive trees on their property are 400 years old and still producing.
We had tried to get a reservation at Latte Luna in Pienza but couldn't so we go back to Buca di Enea. Antonio really fusses over us and we have another fabulous meal, DS2 declares the lasagna"best ever".
Now back home to pack, so so sad to leave.
Day Twelve:
Sadly we pack up and say our good byes to Isabella and Carlo, DS1 tells them this would be the perfect place for a honeymoon one day. It's declared the "best vacation ever"!
We drive back to Montalcino for the boys to see the fort there, it's a true walled city, very medieval. Then we drive back to Pienza where we had not spent any time. We look around the Duomo and wander the streets for a bit, then lunch, one last gelato, and back in the car for the trip to Rome. Pienza appears to be an easy town to get around, several restaurants and shopping and would make a good base for someone wanting to stay in a town.
We are all pretty melancholy, we hate to go back to the "real world'.
We are staying at the Hilton Garden Inn by the Fiumicino airport. We are using points, but it feels so sterile after our lovely villa.
No problems with the rental car return to Hertz.
The next morning we catch our flight back to Atlanta. There were no seats available in "comfort Class". Regular coach feels more cramped and honestly the flight attendants seemed completely annoyed and frazzled, a hard way to end such a lovely trip.
We had such an unforgettable trip....now to plan the next one!!!
Hopefully this report will be helpful to those with teenagers planning trips.
Our boys truly soaked in the culture, never complained and seemed to enjoy everything we did and saw. While the museums, churches, and antiquities are fascinating, they seemed to enjoy people the most, whether in the Piazzas of Rome , waiters in restaurants or new facebook friends from Australia.
Thanks to everyone for all your help!
This was one of our favorite days. After enjoying brakfast on our terrace, DH and I decided to hike/walk over to Sant' Anna in Camprena, which is the abbey featured in the movie "The English Patient". We had a view of this from our terrace and really wanted to see it up close. It is now a agritorsmo This was about a 5mile walk from Castelmuzio. We are pretty fit but this is very much a down hill then UP hill walk, then again. But the abbey is beautuful with lovely frescoes in the refectory. When we arrived there was no one in the entry area so we just "wandered around". As we exited a lady told us the premises were only for guests...woops! I think there was a way to request a tour but we chose "self-guided"
That evening was the Pici dinner at Isabella and Carlo's other property, Cretaiole. This is an agritorismo with several apartments. There were guests from many parts of the world, most with children so this was really fun for the boys, since there were several teenagers.
We learned to make "pici" which is a rolled pasta and then all shared in a wonderful dinner featuring the wines of the Moricciani's. This was such a special night. Luciano is Carlo's father, a truly gracious, kind gentleman. At one point I looked over and he was surounded by the teenagers having a wonderful time. Most of the kids spoke little Italian and he spoke little English, but with DS2 spanish they were all able to communicate.
This is a night none of us will forget!!
Day 11:
This morning the boys are choosing to stay home while we head to Montalcino to visit a wine tasting room Isabella has recommended.
DH has a fine time and we select several wines to have shipped home(free shipping), including some beautiful Brunellos and Super Tuscans(Note: we have received the wines and all except one bottle are in fine shape, the one which leaked will be replaced later this fall when temperatures drop a bit). We select a really nice bottle for each of the boys to be given to them on their wedding day.
We have a quiet lunch in a fabulous little restaurant, just the two of us. I find some fine leather purses for myself and DH's assistant.
When we return the boys have eaten lunch at the restaurant in Castelmuzio and are stretched out in the living room reading...a lovely sight.
That afternoon we head back to Cretaiole for an olive oil tasting with Carlo who is one of 12 master tasters for the province of Siena, he's quit an expert. This is really fun and educational, I'll never shop for olive oil the same way again. Many of the olive trees on their property are 400 years old and still producing.
We had tried to get a reservation at Latte Luna in Pienza but couldn't so we go back to Buca di Enea. Antonio really fusses over us and we have another fabulous meal, DS2 declares the lasagna"best ever".
Now back home to pack, so so sad to leave.
Day Twelve:
Sadly we pack up and say our good byes to Isabella and Carlo, DS1 tells them this would be the perfect place for a honeymoon one day. It's declared the "best vacation ever"!
We drive back to Montalcino for the boys to see the fort there, it's a true walled city, very medieval. Then we drive back to Pienza where we had not spent any time. We look around the Duomo and wander the streets for a bit, then lunch, one last gelato, and back in the car for the trip to Rome. Pienza appears to be an easy town to get around, several restaurants and shopping and would make a good base for someone wanting to stay in a town.
We are all pretty melancholy, we hate to go back to the "real world'.
We are staying at the Hilton Garden Inn by the Fiumicino airport. We are using points, but it feels so sterile after our lovely villa.
No problems with the rental car return to Hertz.
The next morning we catch our flight back to Atlanta. There were no seats available in "comfort Class". Regular coach feels more cramped and honestly the flight attendants seemed completely annoyed and frazzled, a hard way to end such a lovely trip.
We had such an unforgettable trip....now to plan the next one!!!
Hopefully this report will be helpful to those with teenagers planning trips.
Our boys truly soaked in the culture, never complained and seemed to enjoy everything we did and saw. While the museums, churches, and antiquities are fascinating, they seemed to enjoy people the most, whether in the Piazzas of Rome , waiters in restaurants or new facebook friends from Australia.
Thanks to everyone for all your help!
Aug 8th, 2012, 01:32 PM
#24
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socaltraveler-Thank you for the kind words, it was so special in every way.
Bob- Isabella is truly a jewel. She is the most "guest" focused person I have ever met and all her properties are so well-thought out. She anticipates your needs before you do. She is as lovely as Tuscany.
Thanks for all your helpful info., I read several of your trip reports and posts.
We are plotting a trip back next year-fingers crossed!
Bob- Isabella is truly a jewel. She is the most "guest" focused person I have ever met and all her properties are so well-thought out. She anticipates your needs before you do. She is as lovely as Tuscany.
Thanks for all your helpful info., I read several of your trip reports and posts.
We are plotting a trip back next year-fingers crossed!
Aug 8th, 2012, 01:57 PM
#25
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Great report, wonderful experience. "We slept in and enjoyed breakfast on the terrace." Yeah. And wasn't that a fantastic way to start those days...especially when there is a view that goes on forever?
Aug 8th, 2012, 04:54 PM
#26
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True, uh oh, it was mesmerizing. I think I could have sat there all day.
I did want to post the website for Casa Moricciani . www.casamoricciani.com
There are photos on the website; while lovely, they hardly do justice to the amazing views but you get a taste of the beauty.
I did want to post the website for Casa Moricciani . www.casamoricciani.com
There are photos on the website; while lovely, they hardly do justice to the amazing views but you get a taste of the beauty.
