Our week in Tuscany has come to an end, and it was sad to say goodbye to Rosalinda and Stefano. We could have stayed much longer in this beautiful place, and have
really appreciated the hospitality of Rosalinda's family.
Highlights for us were seeing the many hill top towns, tasting Tuscan produce, relaxing under the Tuscan sun (and fog) and relaxing with each other.
Our favourite towns were San Gimignano and Siena.
San Gimignano was one of the first towns we visited and was just spectacular being a hill town and also having the many towers. I could really feel how the town would have been back hundreds of yeas ago, it hasn't lost any of its charm to us tourists. We sat in the central Piazza, having Antipasto and bruschetta while watching the many people drinking and eating, we could feel the Italian culture. The views from this town were also spectacular, with many views from many places.
Siena was also another gem, and while much larger than the other towns it proved to also hold its charm even though many tourists were pounding the streets, this may be due to us visiting on a Sunday but it was lovely. We walked the back streets of the town to the Duomo and it was just a postcard after postcard around every corner. We decided to have lunch on the Piazza Del Campo the main piazza where a horse race is held twice a year. The time we spent here was just so relaxing, Katie loved watching the people and I enjoyed watching the ladies.
In each town Rosalinda would provide us with a map and route through the town and then would advise us of the highlights of what to see. With Rosalinda we were always dropped at the top of the town and walked downhill to where she would pick us up.
The accommodation at La Maeste was like having our own Tuscan Apartment. We had a kitchen, lounge room and bedroom with ensuite. Every morning we had a breakfast of cereal, toast with jam, fried egg on toast, tea, coffee (espresso) and fresh fruit.
During the seven days we had four dinners with the family all with three courses, cooked in house by Lilla, Rosalinda's mother. Eating in an Italian family home is special and we were so privileged to be able to. On our first night, which was also Katie's birthday we were joined by Rosalinda's family who were staying for the night as they were attending a wedding in the area. With 16 people in the room for dinner it was great, there was just four Australians, it made for a great time, discussing differences in culture, food and everything else. Katie was just over the moon when she was able to celebrate her 30th birthday, and receiving the super size cake was just great.
The other meals with the family were quite varied and we could tell they were cooked in a home kitchen, some meals included turkey, mushroom risotto, rabbit and pork.
We could not recommend this place any higher, and we can only hope it won't be too long before we can stay again, but this time longer.
really appreciated the hospitality of Rosalinda's family.
Highlights for us were seeing the many hill top towns, tasting Tuscan produce, relaxing under the Tuscan sun (and fog) and relaxing with each other.
Our favourite towns were San Gimignano and Siena.
San Gimignano was one of the first towns we visited and was just spectacular being a hill town and also having the many towers. I could really feel how the town would have been back hundreds of yeas ago, it hasn't lost any of its charm to us tourists. We sat in the central Piazza, having Antipasto and bruschetta while watching the many people drinking and eating, we could feel the Italian culture. The views from this town were also spectacular, with many views from many places.
Siena was also another gem, and while much larger than the other towns it proved to also hold its charm even though many tourists were pounding the streets, this may be due to us visiting on a Sunday but it was lovely. We walked the back streets of the town to the Duomo and it was just a postcard after postcard around every corner. We decided to have lunch on the Piazza Del Campo the main piazza where a horse race is held twice a year. The time we spent here was just so relaxing, Katie loved watching the people and I enjoyed watching the ladies.
In each town Rosalinda would provide us with a map and route through the town and then would advise us of the highlights of what to see. With Rosalinda we were always dropped at the top of the town and walked downhill to where she would pick us up.
The accommodation at La Maeste was like having our own Tuscan Apartment. We had a kitchen, lounge room and bedroom with ensuite. Every morning we had a breakfast of cereal, toast with jam, fried egg on toast, tea, coffee (espresso) and fresh fruit.
During the seven days we had four dinners with the family all with three courses, cooked in house by Lilla, Rosalinda's mother. Eating in an Italian family home is special and we were so privileged to be able to. On our first night, which was also Katie's birthday we were joined by Rosalinda's family who were staying for the night as they were attending a wedding in the area. With 16 people in the room for dinner it was great, there was just four Australians, it made for a great time, discussing differences in culture, food and everything else. Katie was just over the moon when she was able to celebrate her 30th birthday, and receiving the super size cake was just great.
The other meals with the family were quite varied and we could tell they were cooked in a home kitchen, some meals included turkey, mushroom risotto, rabbit and pork.
We could not recommend this place any higher, and we can only hope it won't be too long before we can stay again, but this time longer.
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