I have been in Tuscany many times, but in this case I had the intention to know some locations that a lot of people suggested me: Chianti and Val d’Orcia.
About landscapes I always know what I’d seen, but the surprise was the welcome, the different kinds of entertainments and the delicacy of food, above all if you love gastronomy.
My trip starts from the province of Arezzo, a lovely city where I was been to visit the house of Petrarca (the poet who wrote the Canzoniere); I arrived in Loro Ciuffenna by car, driving along the highway A1 Florence-Rome, here there is the relais that I reserved.
I’ve been there for 3 days, I chose an hotel with a prestigious tradition of hospitality, now changed in a Tuscany boutique hotel. Villa Belpoggio is strategical for who wants to travel around the region, renting a car or by train, because the renowned Chianti area is very big and is useful to have a landmark.
I was astonished by the old granary of the Villa, where are the jugs for grain, because now is a meeting room! Is the typical Italian wits, to give new shape to old venues.
For dinner I chose a restaurant in Cortona, La Bucaccia, because I want to taste the typical dishes.
The chef Agostina prepared ravioli with chestnuts, a deliciousness that I’ve never tried before.
Wines are one of the best products of this land and I wanted to try the most rare.
So I decided to go to Montepulciano, near Siena, where there is the wine cellar Fattoria del Cerro, the most great company that does Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Here, suggested by the owners, I could appreciate differences between red wines, learning to taste the so-called nectar of Bacchus.
I stayed in that area for a weekend and I have been at Hotelito Lupaia. Is located in Torrita di Siena, a good place to admire Val d’Orcia and to reach Siena, San Gimignano and others Medieval towns.
It is a luxury agritourism, because has the features of a venue plunged in the greenery with the elegance of an hotel.
At Lupaia i slept in the blu suite, charming and comfortable, it seemed to me a fairy tale house!
Talking with the owners, that in past worked in fashion, I had the confirmation of the peculiarity of this part of Tuscany. The best relaxing moments I spent it at the swimming pool, in the garden with a breathtaking view above the hills.
After visited all these enchanting places it was hard to come back home, but I keep the desire to return as soon as possible. Now I understand who moves here from abroad!
Image by Trent Strohm
