A Hike Along The Merse

If These Rocks Could Talk

It is very easy to spend all of ones time in Tuscany visiting the many historic hilltowns, enjoying fine food, terrific winery's, or shopping for local handicrafts.

We took one day to just explore "nowhere". This meant walking along the road just below Villa Donati; the one that leads to the little village of Brenna.

On this route it is a pretty safe bet we would not see other tourists. But how lovely is that!

First we came to one of the various watermill's along the River Merse. It was used until the 1950's to make cotton fabrics. While its wheels no longer spin, the water running to where the millrace used to be is still there and it filled with big rainbow trout.

One of the Mills Near Brenna Along the Merse

We then walked along the river itself. This led to a little bridge. We veered off and walked along the river. We found lots of local families having fun in the river. There were swift spring fed streams feeding the river at various points. Some places the river was pretty deep and the trees had rope swings attached.

Cascades of Cool Water From a Mountain Spring 

Feed the Merse at A Swimming Hole

We enjoyed the geology in and out of the river. In the river we turned rocks over to see what the fish were dining on. Along the trail we enjoyed the granite and sparkling quartz.

 

Wild Figs Growing Out of A Rock Wall

From here we climbed up an old trail that was pretty overgrown and required a little bushwhacking. Everywhere all I could think of was how I wish I could flash back and see this river a hundred years ago, two hundred years ago, etc. There is no question this river valley has been witness to history dating back from the Etruscan's to the GI's in WWII.

 

One of the Endless Little Shrines 

Found Seemingly Everywhere In Tuscany

For now, however, it is peaceful, filled with families, and loaded with big, healthy, trout.

It was now time to make our way back to the villa admiring the rich farmlands along the way. Walking we came across various shrines and hills bright red with iron. We could also hear the wild boars' rooting around in the fields.

Rich Fields Along the RIver

It is not often I get to explore without agenda. This trip I had an amazing guide!

Roadboy's Travels © 2011

Montestigliano

Living in Villa Donati

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...... 

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