Just back from Tuscany

ckissick · 08-01-2008, 12:15 PM

I just got back from vacation and thought I'd share some pics. I went to Milan, Venice, Tuscany, and Rome for 16 days with the wife and kids. We spent a week in a 200-year-old villa about 15 miles south of Florence. Anyone else here ever do this? I highly recommend it. Driving in Italy was a blast.

Here's the villa:

And a view from the villa:

imcarthur · imcarthur's Garage

More pictures please.

I love Italy. We did Rome, Amalfi Coast & Umbria by car in 2002. We didn't rent a villa because it is never a deal with only 2 people & I never seem to want to stay in one place for more than 4 days. I am in the midst of planning a trip to Sicily for next May with 4 days in Rome.

Ian

Moses · 08-01-2008, 12:49 PM

Tuscany... looks EXACTLY like Danville, CA.

Moses · 08-01-2008, 12:50 PM

More Danville...

imcarthur · imcarthur's Garage

Yes, it's similar. But still not the same . . . and the driving is a lot more fun.

Ian

Moses · 08-01-2008, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imcarthur

Yes, it's similar. But still not the same . . . and the driving is a lot more fun.

Ian

I just meant the landscapes are pretty much identical. Tuscany has a whole lot that Danville is missing; less crowded, better food, nicer people, better architecture, more history... I could go on. I LOVE Tuscany.

creaturecat · 08-01-2008, 01:33 PM

Tuscany....

imcarthur · imcarthur's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moses

I just meant the landscapes are pretty much identical. Tuscany has a whole lot that Danville is missing; less crowded, better food, nicer people, better architecture, more history... I could go on. I LOVE Tuscany.

I'll agree with that. Although then there is Southern Spain . . .

Ian

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I thought the maestro said Tuscany was all full

.

I've driven to Udine from Klagenfurt, Austria. Gorgeous drive, but those Italian cops sure lover speeders with non-Italian plates.

creaturecat · 08-01-2008, 01:42 PM

Tuscany is surprisingly inexpensive. Fantastic food, fantastic wine, all local. They would be ashamed to feed give you something that was imported. Avoided tripe sandwiches, however.

126coupe · 126coupe's Garage

I have never been, the wife was there a couple of months ago.
We are going for 2 weeks in Nov. Fly to Milan, drive to Tuscany.
Some friends own a B and B, bought a farm house 25 years ago, restored it, added on ect. She has Olive Orchards so we will help press the Olive into Oil.
We are going "Truffle " hunting w the dogs.
Renting a car so I am looking forward to driving.
Doing Lake Como too I hear its beautiful.

ckissick · 08-01-2008, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minkoff

I have never been, the wife was there a couple of months ago.
We are going for 2 weeks in Nov. Fly to Milan, drive to Tuscany.
Some friends own a B and B, bought a farm house 25 years ago, restored it, added on ect. She has Olive Orchards so we will help press the Olive into Oil.
We are going "Truffle " hunting w the dogs.
Renting a car so I am looking forward to driving.
Doing Lake Como too I hear its beautiful.

When in Milan, you will undoubtedly see the Duomo. Definitely pay the money to take the elevator up to the roof. It's a highlight. A very beautiful and completely tourist-free town on Lake Como is Torno. If you vist Torno, walk the narrow alleys and keep going up the mountainside. It's stunning.

Dottore · 08-01-2008, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moses

More Danville...

I must say that looks seriously nice!

Dottore · 08-01-2008, 09:22 PM

I really, really like Italy, but the ethnocentricity of the food gets old very quickly.

Try finding something other than an Italian restaurant in Italy. When you spend three weeks there you could kill for a salad bar or a bowl of Pho.

Imagine eating three meals a day in an Italian restaurant. Feck me! I put on almost 8 pounds in three weeks in Umbria, and that was with a run each morning.

creaturecat · 08-01-2008, 10:28 PM

"Try finding something other than an Italian restaurant in Italy".......
Humour, correct ?

Eric Coffey · 08-01-2008, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moses

Tuscany... looks EXACTLY like Danville, CA.

Funny, I was going to say Santa Ynez...

LakeCleElum · 08-02-2008, 07:18 AM

Thax for the great photos....Brings back memories. Agreed, driving in Italy is a hoot!!!! I about got hit by an ambulance going to a call. Further up the road, I found where he was in a hurry to get to: Another ambulance had been involved in a serious 2 car crash....They are all crazy!

Venetian · 12-23-2008, 05:29 PM

Thinking of doing this trip( ie Tuscany and area) in either the spring or fall. Can a person "wing it" for accomadations or is it best to have all laid out prior to departure?

efhughes3 · efhughes3's Garage

I think you could wing it off season. We just did Positano (Amalfi Coast) the last week of October, and the tourist count is way down this year. This is the Villa we rented....built in the 1700's. We did Tuscany as well a couple of years ago, I love Italy!

Jim Bremner · 12-23-2008, 06:42 PM

when Obama totaly ruins America, I might look at moving to Italy!

Ok, well my dream vacation would be to tour Italy, France and spain via Motorcycle staying in bed and breakfast inns with cooking classes!

I have been to Milano, san Remo & the local towns. Yes I would have loved to eat something oter than Italion 3 meals aday!

The High was smoked rabit (or cat )

the LOW was Tuna spaghetti.