After three magical
and
very busy days in
Paris..
I was really ready to put my feet up,
sit at the kitchen table...
and
write thoughts and glue
images
into my journal...
 |
| The front porch of our cottage, looking down the driveway at Il Colle, Agriturismo |
We stayed at a beautiful
which is an
Italian farm
that welcomes guests
When I return to Italy
I feel as though I am home..
it is really inexplicable..
it is just a part of my DNA..
fortunately the weather was blustery and rainy
so I did not mind
catching up in my journal and drinking some great
Chianti..
The view from our back porch..
above
and below
on the grounds of the farm..
the iconic Italian Cypress trees..
Our host, Giovanni
was very kind, welcoming
and
so charming..
He and his family bought the farm a several years ago
and have turned a crumbling farm
into a beautiful and productive
wine and olive oil farm
and resort..
 |
| The farm before renovation, courtesy of Il Colle, Agriturismo in Greve, Chianti |
 |
| A view of the vineyard... at Il Colle, Agriturismo |
Our cottage, before renovation and after..
The whole family work the property...
seven days a week..
His Grandfather still drives the tractor
at 92..
 |
| The Pool at Il Colle, Agriturismo, sits hilltop and has a spectacular view.. |
the dedication and love of the land and this life
is so intoxicating ...
that people always want to
buy the property..
Love is palpable..
We ate nightly at a little
restaurant in the town..
and tried new foods
which was wonderful..
Giovanni is planning to build a restaurant on his property
so that guests will not have to leave the mountain..
that would be favolo!
and then it was on to
Florence..
Firenze...
 |
| At the corner of each street is a shrine or a painting.. art is everywhere in Italy.. |
My very favorite city..
a city I live ..
in my dreams..
 |
| The Arno River, Florence Italy from the Ponte Vecchio Bridge.. |
I will have part two of my
Italian adventure..
very soon..
but next week I will have my
November Art Journal
pages to share with you..
and then we will continue with the
Travelogue..
for those of you who adore
traveling
as I do..
Ciao, Ciao!!
