I met Nadine in Guatemala, of all places. She had done a house trade vacation with my friend the music teacher, finding each other over the Internet. We hit it off as friends immediately. Originally from Belgium, she managed a hotel in Tuscany, northern Italy. In 2007, when I had left Guatemala and was living and teaching in Prague, I booked a few nights at her lovely hotel.
The villa, Hotel Sant Uberto, is nestled in those lush green hills between charming Tuscan villages, just outside of Roccastrada. Unable to get a direct flight to anywhere closer, I flew into Rome, rented a car and drove north. Nadine came running out to the car as I got out, kisses on both cheeks, and showed me around the handful of lovingly restored old buildings, pool not yet ready for summer, three healthy horses grazing who cautiously kept their distance.
The hotel had been packed last weekend for May Day, but empty this weekend except for her parents who were here visiting with another Belgian couple. It was a good call to travel that weekend—it was only a holiday in the Czech Republic, the end of World War II in that country. Nadine gave me a choice of the single I had requested or a larger room with a king size bed and a lovely view of countryside. Not a hard decision! She took my dinner order, scheduled me for a massage, and laid out a plan for three day-trips to hit the essential sights saying “You really need three weeks, but these are the most important.”
Saturday morning it was pouring rain. No sign of Tuscan sun. After breakfast, I grabbed my maps and sloshed back to the restaurant to review my itinerary with Nadine. On the way, the thunder cracked so loud that I shrieked. I had a hooded raincoat and many layers underneath in case it warmed up and dried out. “You are dressed like an onion,” she laughed, using a local expression to describe my layers. She marked two more places to include in my already full day. “Try to do it all,” she added with a determined look, no doubt intended to inspire me.
And I did. From 9am to 7pm, I scurried along the serpentine mountain roads from one ancient site to the next, hungrily tasting each delicacy, each one beautiful and fascinating in its own way. I didn’t have time to explore each town in depth, but just enough time to feel the romance, mystery, and history it offered. Church bells marked my arrival at many of the towns, I seemed to hit the hour often; it helped to welcome me and pace my journey. (Going back through these photos years later, I see that I have viewed Tuscany through a vertical lens.)
Montalcino castle on the hill
the narrow stone city streets of Buonconvento…
…and Pienza
More to come…
Tuscany: Day1, Day1 Part 2, Day2, Day2 Siena, Day3
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Ruth Rosenfeld 
Tuscany is gorgeous and your photos highlight it❤️
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Ah, you should know! Thanks for your kind comment, Luisa!
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You’re more than welcome ,dear Ruth 🙏
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Very atmospheric images…. they have the rain that we have been waiting for weeks here in Belgium 🙂
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Thank you! I didn’t let the rain stop me from going around to see these sites. We’ve been having rain more often now in the Colorado mountains, unusual.
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These photos bring out the legendary “old world charm” we imagine.
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Thanks. It’s lovely walking those streets.
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What a lovely view from your room! Great work on having such a long day in the rain to see everything!
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It was a good quiet weekend to explore those towns, so much to see.
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Take me there now!
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Wish I could, and I would go with you!
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Good timing to visit Tuscany during a quieter weekend. While the weather on your first day wasn’t ideal, it looks like you had the narrow cobblestone streets all to yourself. Lovely shots of the quiet town.
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I just had to accept the rain and do it anyway! It was an ideal time in terms of avoiding crowds. Thanks
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What a lovely place to stay! And your photos are a great reminder of all that I love about Italy 😀
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Glad to spark some memories. So many charming little towns.
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The first photo (Pienza) brings back a flood of memories from Rome, where I spent my junior year in college. The old city streets were just like that – narrow, sneaking between three or four-story buildings, with pops of color here and there and hints of businesses or residences. You can easily get lost in the maze of these streets, but just as easily find your way back out once you reach the next piazza.
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That must have been a wonderful time for you! These narrow streets are part of the landscape in so many Italian towns and cities. And yes, sometimes it’s easy to get lost, but that’s part of the fun of exploring them.
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I love the color of the sandstone buildings. Even in the rain they glow. I would be dressed like an onion, too!
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The rain does bring out the subtle colors.
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Tuscany has such a wonderful feel to it, and great food and terrific wine to add to that. Loved being there and long to be back. These words and pictures tell me that it’s been too long. Several years ago I hiked through the Tuscan hills from Siena to Florence – a magical experience.
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Oooh, that would be magical!
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Your photos are lovely. They must make you want to return. They certainly make me want to return.
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Yes it does. A beautiful place to wander. Thank you.
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What a great tour through Tuscan villages. They looks lovely in your pictures despite the weather. I love the dressed like an onion expression! Maggie
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Although the light is different, the rain brought out the colors of some of the rock and tile.
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Adding Tuscany to my holiday destinations list as we speak! Stunning😍
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It is stunning, at every turn. Thanks so much for your visit and comment, Antonia!
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Sounds like a wonderful trip!
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That it was… more to come!
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Oh wow your photos are beautiful – and that view from your room, incredible 🙂
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Thank you, Hannah! There’s a picturesque scene around every corner.
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Vertical or not, your photos really capture the feeling of Tuscany. Beautiful.
Alison
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Thanks so much, Alison.
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Gosh, Tuscany is the dream! To wander aimlessly through the narrow cobblestone streets to frolicking in the lush, green countryside, this region of Italy is nothing short of romantic! Glad you had a wonderful time traveling there!
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Thanks, Rebecca. One of the most beautiful, romantic places to wander.
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