Living in Villa Donati
The villa has 6 bedrooms and has been upgraded to five bathrooms. It has a modern kitchen and a big dining room with a lovely back yard with grape arbors with a western view looking west over the rolling hills and rows of cypress trees.
I settled in, grabbed my camera and took a easy walk down the long rows of cypress tree. It was quiet and lovely.
This week I am a resident of Italy. For the next 7 days and 6 nights I have a real address living in the Villa Donati on the Montestgiliano estate in Central Tuscany.
Before arriving in the Villa I spent another morning in the historic inner wall area of Siena examining its beautiful Duomo and enjoying a "Gelato for breakfast" day.
It rained a bit
I then went to a huge local supermarket. I can't tell you how wonderful it was to peer into coolers filled with dozens of brands of fresh prosciutto. Then I moved on into the produce aisle and cried at the sight of piles of fresh soft fragrant peaches and nectarines. Nearby there were mountains of plump grapes with seeds. I came to realize that nobody touches produce until they carefully put on gloves. Then there was the cheese (tubs and tubs of fresh mozzarella) and the seafood......
It rained a bit
I then went to a huge local supermarket. I can't tell you how wonderful it was to peer into coolers filled with dozens of brands of fresh prosciutto. Then I moved on into the produce aisle and cried at the sight of piles of fresh soft fragrant peaches and nectarines. Nearby there were mountains of plump grapes with seeds. I came to realize that nobody touches produce until they carefully put on gloves. Then there was the cheese (tubs and tubs of fresh mozzarella) and the seafood......
I would have been quite happy to spend a couple of very happy hours in that supermarket....
But we had friends to meet and traveled the 12 km from Siena to the Montestigliano estate. This is a working farm in a region that grows sunflowers, olives, corn and grains. On the estate they bottle their own olive oil.
Sitting on the top of the hill was the oldest of the houses; Villa Donati. Built in the 1700's this home dates back to the days of George Washington and Benjamin Franklin.
Villa Donati
The villa has 6 bedrooms and has been upgraded to five bathrooms. It has a modern kitchen and a big dining room with a lovely back yard with grape arbors with a western view looking west over the rolling hills and rows of cypress trees.
Tuscan Hill Country Views From The Estate
Huge Grapes on Arbors
Just Out the Back Door
There are two lovely swimming pools and the doors and windows of the villa have been left wide open all day to harvest the fresh air after a rain this morning.
One of Two Swimming Pools At Montestigliano
I settled in, grabbed my camera and took a easy walk down the long rows of cypress tree. It was quiet and lovely.
The Trademark Italian Cypress Trees
Seemingly Define Every Ancient and Current Roadway
I'm never going to want to leave.....
Roadboy's Travels © 2011
This is such great writing I love to read your writing ... and GREAT pictures ... thanks for all the work ... and help on the trip .. you have been a great addition to our group!!!
ReplyDelete"Beachdaddy" passed your blog spot on...loved it, hate you all from envy though! So breathtaking - the pictures and the descriptions.
ReplyDeleteTrapped in the USA!
Thanks for the love and the envy. I"ve got to tell you both are well deserved!
ReplyDelete