Of course you don't expect from me to rate that part of Italy, its reputation has spread that much, that there is absolutely no use from my part to start talking about rolling hills, cypress trees, chiantis, vino nobile, brunellos etc....(You can find them in all travel guides).
We usually visit the area, twice a year.End of May and mid October. It is to my understanding the sure way to avoid the masses, and keep the budget at a reasonable level.
Also you probably meet mild temperatures and last you meet the best service, as the managers try to do their best, at the beginning and the end of the season.
......This time we made a five days escape accompanied by our best friends, Costas and Fani. Number one danger in a trip abroad, to my knowledge (and experience), with other people, and the co-existence, (even close friends) can easily turn into a nightmare ! In addition, they say that...."discussing" a matter with ten Greeks, you get..eleven opinions !
Fortunately, that wasn't the case, and everything developed as I wished, (and expected).
Leaving Da Vinci airport, rather quickly,compared to other times long debates with the Rent a car companies, we found ourselves in A1, heading with a short deviation of ten minutes, to Umbria's small town of Orvieto, which was proven totally worthy, as we admired and pictured its Duomo, among the greatest Romanesque-Gothic Italy's cathedrals.Minutes later, we took advantage of the Belvedere, offering sweaping views ,as Orvieto is perched on a 300 ms plateau, over a vineyard-spotted plain..
Soon after, in the car again, we started making cycles around my favourite part of Tuscany : The Val d'Orcia. It includes tiny Pienza, S.Quirico d'Orcia, Castiglione d'Orcia and finally legendary Montalcino, where my friend...scored again, during his wine tastings , ending by enriching his well respected wine cellar, by some dozens of fine Brunellos ! Bingo....We congratulated him and started our ascent towards magical Siena, where we spent the last two hours of day 1. Although I have visited the town quite a lot of times, I founded it even more beautiful.
It was time to check in the hotel I had booked for two nights, just 20 minutes to the north of Florence, always on A1, exit Barberino di Mugello. The name is Hotel VILLA LE MASCHERE. First time
and I was curious to see if my choice was right. And indeed I was pleasantly surprised by practically everything. The highlight though, was its fantastic breakfast room and the spa. Not to forget the
great gardens over Bilancino lake. A great value for money.....
Day two, started somehow later than normally and you can easily understand why.... We finally rushed out of the beds and thanks to the kindness of the young stuff of the breakfast place who extended the timetable exclusively for us, and all that with a great smile, we managed finally to start the engine of our car, around noon time.
The ....original plan was to head directly to Florence. Driving south and just to the outskirts of Florence, Costas and I received an order by our wives, to bypass Florence, and as they explained to us, they had secretly plotted a visit to the MALL, a paradise for shopping, as they insisted. Half an hour later, after a very nice drive we reached the famous brands outlet Mall. Two hours later...(women take very seriously this matter), full of bags and I must admit we came face to ...face with some real bargains, we were parking our car on a quiet neighborhood of Florence, just off its Arno river.
We spent there a full four hours, profiting of the wonderful weather and all the beauties this great town has to offer.
Coming to dinner, we chose to have it in one the best FOUR SEASONS HOTELS, worldwide.
Driving back to villa le Maschere, I noticed that everybody was exhausted but also satisfied.
Day three, started earlier, as my plans included one of the prettier towns of Tuscany, Lucca. And then Pisa and its leaning impressive tower and baptistry. And after Viarregio, and finally Santa Marguerita and magical Portofino, where after strolling and having apperitivos in one of the many bars along the left part of the port, we couldn't leave it without a fast visit to legendary HOTEL SPLENDIDO,where we had coffees and unforgettable sandwiches !
You see, we had to be in Milan (one and a half hrs via A7), before 22.00 hrs, to be on time for our meeting with other friends for dinner at CANTINA DELLA VETRA, an unpretentious restaurant, west of Duomo, which I strongly recommend, and I will visit every time I'm in town....
We spent in the capital of Lumbardy, two more nights and made the most of it.
A really sucessful escape, had come to its end !
Some useful piece of advise, concerning your stay in different parts of Tuscany : HOTEL CASTELLO DI VELONA (when in Montalcino area), VILLA MANGIACANE (20 minutes south of Florence),
RELAIS LA SUVERA (perfect for visiting Siena, S.Gimignnano, Volterra), CASTELLO DEL NERO & BORGO S. FELICE, (both for the chianti region), and finally L'ANDANA and IL PELLICANO (to explore the south-west part). Coming to food, don't miss : CAINO and ARNOLFO....
My recommendations, concerning dining in Florence, should be followed at the column: WHEN IN.........
