We (turning 40) are leaving in three weeks for a two week vacation in Tuscany. What are some of your most memorable experiences ?

We stayed just outside Montalcino and went into the village several mornings. We stumbled onto a small cafe on the main street with an outdoor seating area, red awning, small indoor cafe/restaurant and fabulous wine tasting room in the back. The owner's father was one of the original vitners of brunello. He was a delightful old man who spoke zero english - somehow, with our limited italian and a lot of gestures, we ended up buying and shipping some incredible wines home! It was an awesome experience and one we'd love to do again!

It was in the year I had just read War in Val d'Orcia by Iris Origo that we decided to visit La Foce for a garden tour. La Foce is the home and large estate that she and her family owned and wrote about in dairy form during WWII, the book I had just finished.

We drove from the villa we had rented near Volterra and after getting lost a few times and asking directions more than a few times we found the estate. The tours were given only on certain days at strict times and since we were lucky that day we arrived exactly on the time the tour was to start.

It was so overwhelming to visit and to see the beautiful grounds that stretched as far as the hills in the distance, the hills dotted with the original homes that could be rented.

I had a new camera and took so many beautiful photographs of the gardens, fountains and distant views. We spoke to one of her daughters and to the others in our tour group who visit every year. It really was a highlight of all my times in Tuscany.

My first visit to Sant'Antimo monestery is now a memory etched in my heart and mind forever. It is set in serene, beautiful countryside - a lovely structure but the time we spent inside was sublime. We had timed it so we could be present to hear the chants of the French monks. Very surreal and moving. I returned last year with my husband. There was only a handfull of people there at the same time and it now is one of his most memorable moments. I highly suggest you make a stop at this lovely place.

Thanks so much for the replies. Sant'Antimo is on our list. Anyone have recommendations for concerts in the area around Siena ?

Most memorable experience was going horsebackriding with a combined wine tour/dinner at the end.

We were picked up in Florence by the train station, drove to San Gim for some gelato, then an 1 1/2 hour horseback ride through the Tuscan countryside on a gorgeous day, then off to Montepulciano for dinner and a wine tasting. It was amazing...fun...relaxing..and romantic.

We had a fabulous dinner in Tuscany, when we stopped en route to Florence in a town whose name I no longer recall.

Great Italian cooking, with pasta and a delicious meat course -- I don't remember what meat but it was so tasty. Of course, they have wonderful red wines, such as Chianti Classico. And we had a yummy dessert called tiramisu.

Tuscany is totally the best.

Thanks for the opportunity to share.

Hello Caroltis I will be visiting Sant' Antimo in September can you tell me at what time should I be there for the chanting.

thanks

When I read the heading 'Your favorite Tuscany experiences', La Foce immediately popped into my mind. I've had many, many lovely times in Tuscany, but a morning at La Foce in a drizzling rain sticks in my mind. Here's a favorite photo: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p27867430.html If you look at it, you will see what I mean. It's just an exquisitely beautiful place. Like SeaUrchin, I read several of Iris Origo's books, which made the visit richer in many ways. And here are several more images, from when I returned with a group of gardeners: http://gardentouring.fotopic.net/c763200.html

Camelbak, do you have a website lead for your tour. Thanks, sounded wonderful

Hi

We took a nice walking tour of Siena. But the whole Tuscany trip was great and it was amazing to sip Brunello wine from a restaurant in Montalcino. Maybe you can find some useful information in my Tuscany trip report http://gardkarlsen.com/tuscany_italy_travelogue.htm

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

julia1, your photographs are beautiful. Is Vicchiomaggio a garden or grounds too? It looks wonderful too.

Hi spinesrgn!

I once asked the question "why do people go to Tuscany?" and got some wonderful, emotive replies.
I don't know how to post the link, but if you click on my name you you'll find post, and why so many people have fond memories of Tuscany.

Sant'Antimo has a great website which posts the scheduled chantings.

www.antimo.it/

We took a day and drove the whole Chianti loop which was so gorgeous I can still see it in my mind. We had a beautiful lunch overlooking the valley at Badia Coltibeuana (sp) which I totally recommend!

Staying at Locanda di San Francesco in Montepulciano.

Thanks, SeaUrchin. Vicchiomaggio is a winery/vineyard very near Greve, where we did a wine tasting/cooking class/lunch. It has a beautiful garden and is surrounded by vines and beautiful Tuscan countryside.

bookmarking

we just came back from 25th wedding trip to Tuscany --- some faves:
riding bikes in Lucca
buying stuff in San Gim (esp. herbal/orange/lemon soaps. much cheaper than Florence)
walking in the "typical product" stores that sell local foodstuffs all over the area (great one on a corner in Sienna)
filling my water bottle like the locals at the town fountain
You will have fun!

Lunch at Ristoro di Lamole http://www.lamole.info

Nones at Sant'Antimo http://www.montalcino.net/sant_antimo.htm

Views from the terrace of the Porcelain Museum of the Boboli Gardens on a sunny day.