Under The Tuscan Sun

Montepulciano

Our first stop on our new adventure is the small medieval village of Montepulciano.
This beautiful ancient city has narrow cobblestone roads lined with homes and shops. It has magic entrances that appear, that are doorways to someone’s home.
When the GPS directed me to drive through this archway filled with people, it was to my disbelief that I was able to drive through, let alone fit! Then sending me down small narrow streets that were covered with people. But, that was the only way to get to Palazzo Carletti. Where we will be staying for the next two nights.
Palazzo Carletti is a hidden gem. It is a 18th century noble palace. Only having 5 guest rooms, it feels like it is your very own.
There are beautiful frescos on the ceilings and walls that are just stunning. Each room having its very own special charm. And there was also Enrico, who was our host and went above and beyond his call of duty. Priceless!

I have to tell you that this city is not for the weak hearted! It is quite the task to navigate up and down these narrow cobblestone streets. It ends up being a cardio shopping workout.
The vineyards also have shops and some have cellars that go many stories down.
I want to share with you a little video of what it looks like walking through this town. This is a place you can eat and drink all you want and still lose weight!

Entangled through these streets are some of the most beautiful doorways and facades. You can appreciate it in the evening when the town winds down and people disappear.

All the Senses of Tuscany

There’s something to be said about staying “Under the Tuscan Sun”. This breathtaking  tranquil scenery goes on further than the eye can see. Shades of green carpeting across the countryside with uniform cypress and olive trees lined up like soldiers as if they were standing over a sacred ground.
This late September has been delightful weather. We are staying at Villa Poggino an amazing estate sitting in a hilltop overlooking the valley of Montepulciano. This is where you can soak up the serenity of Tuscany…….Under the Tuscan Sun…..
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Yesterday we had a private wine tasting tour. It was fantastic! Our driver Marco who is also a Sommelier, took us to some of the most intimate wineries in the area. Learning their secrets of what makes their wine better than the others. Tasting wine, enjoying bites as we sit in the privacy of the owners homes.  Meanwhile in between wineries, Marco would tell us of the uniqueness of the buildings in the area that we were driving through.
The winemakers take such care that the grapes are hand harvest and each cluster is put on the conveyor carefully as it is cleaned by the machine. They have a tremendous amount of passion for what they do.
I could show you 100 or more pictures of this beautiful place. But, l would just repeat myself.
Just a few pictures to show you how beautiful it is.

You know my motto, “to travelers to inspire and to be inspired”. Well, tonight I was truly inspired by an amazing chef named Paolo Coluccio.
We were introduced by our wine guide Marco.
When I came to Tuscany I wanted to be able to prepare wild boar. It is a staple on menus here in Tuscany. I searched for a cooking school to help me with that and it wasn’t possible. Well Marco made it possible by introducing us to Paolo.
We spent the evening with him in his own kitchen and had “hands on” with everything we prepared for dinner. What an amazing experience! He has been an executive chef for many years at a well known resort here in Tuscany and now owns his own business.
Check it out!

www.gustoevoluto.com
Paolo Coluccio Personal Chef YouTube

Me & Paolo:

 

Today we went truffle hunting. What an experience! Our guides Francesco Acerbi and his son Cosimo.
Years ago they used pigs to search out truffle, but now they use dogs. They sniff out where the truffles are under the ground. Here in Italy, they are located beneath oak and cypress trees. There are two different kinds and many varieties. Black being the most common and white being very expensive, and it has a short session to harvest.
You follow the dogs as they trek through the woods and fields to search out these unique fungi.
Just a video to show you what happens.

Francesco & Cosimo:

“A Women’s Touch” Winery

So we went on another wine tasting adventure. As you know you could do that everyday here in Tuscany. But, during this tasting we discovered a winery named Villa S. Anna in Montepulciano. A winery that has some fantastic wine and has a woman’s touch. It is owned and operated all by woman. All but the actual harvesting of the grapes during the session. This winery has been owned by the same family for 200 years!
These old cellars have some very different characteristics. One of the cellars actually has a slimy film on the walls that pulls the color of the grapes from the gasses during the fermentation period. It is quite a beautiful place!

Off to our newest destination Saturnia. We really should have been driving an all terrain vehicle for this treck across the mountains. I thought Montepulciano was an eye opener but this was crazy! We drove on long stretches of gravel roads and what was paved was collapsed off the sides and sunken craters in the middle. Never again in my life did I think the GPS considered this a road. But at the end of our 2 hour journey, she said, “you have reached your destinations”. The Saturnia Spa & Golf Resort.

I have to say what an experience it has been to visit this amazing place. I have been to many spas, but none come close to this place. Everyone is supplied with fresh white bathrobes and slippers daily. That is basically your attire for the day. You can go to breakfast and lunch, and even the bar in your robe. Around the pool, you wear your robe, as you stroll about from place to place. It is, “what you do”. Nobody is pretentious about anything. Walking about in your bathrobe with mud on your face is a normal thing to see. Nobody cares how they look, they are just enjoying there time at the spa.
Then, there is the thermal pool. The walls of the hotel are built around this deep sulfur spring. As everyone is wading in it with there noodles, waiting for a transformation of body and soul, like in the movie Cocoon. I have to say I haven’t received any super powers, but it does take you to a level of relaxation that you can’t believe, and makes your skin so soft.
Please go to their website and scroll down to their video of the pool. I could not do it’s justice. It’s worth a peek!
termedisaturnia.it    (Check this web address)

This is a beautiful sulfur waterfall that is open to the public. People come from all over the world to sit in the cascading water and soak up the sun. It is all free! Just remember to bring your water shoes. It can get very slippery and hard on your feet.

Positano And Amalfi Coast

I have to admit that this town doesn’t fit the criteria of “Off the Beaten Trail”. We have been here before, but we decided to experience it differently this time. The few nights we stayed at Covo dei Saracenii, that is located at the bottom of the town at the beach. Just to enjoy the beautiful view, gorgeous weather, and to soak up the sun.