Monday, October 3, 2016

Northwood's Tuscan Villa

The villa and Olive grove.
 Less than two kilometres from Bossoncina is Montepulciano, a charming Renaissance borgo, one of the many which enliven the province of Siena, standing on the crest of a hill between the flourishing Valdichiana and the unique Val d'Orcia, with its art masterpieces and its internationally famous culinary excellences. This farmhouse, clad in stone and dating back to the 19th century, has been given new life as an elegant Tuscan country villa, and is distinguished by the quality of the renovation work in which the style of the past, characterized by the high quality of the renovation work in which the style of the past, seen in the authentic materials of the local artisan tradition, blends with details of modern and functional design, creating an elegant casual atmosphere. Indoors, fine antique furniture characterizes the spacious bedrooms, each with private bathroom; the common areas, the fully-equipped kitchen and the living area are connected in an open-plan area that opens directly onto the garden. Outdoors, the view is magnificent; the garden and the pool look out over the lovely scenery of the vibrant Valdichiana, with all the changing colours from sunrise to sunset, a view that ensures total relaxation. The location is ideal for exploring an area rich in cultural routes, from the surrounding villages like Pienza, Montalcino and Cortona to the famous towns of Umbria (Assisi, Orvieto and Perugia) and northern Lazio. Finally, not to be missed is a visit to the extraordinary spa resorts close by (Montepulciano, San Casciano dei Bagni, Bagno Vignoni and Chianciano), to soak in the healing and rejuvenating waters.

Private pool and loungers.


Meals alfresco

Open style kitchen and dining room.

One of the bedrooms.
                                                                                                                                                          Satellite TV, WiFi, Internet,  Air Conditioning,  Fenced-in Private Pool, kettle, baby cot, washing machine, barbecue, dishwasher, American coffee machine, high chair, hair dryer in every bathroom DVD/CD player, microwave,moka coffee machine, iron and ironing board,mosquito screens at the windows in the bedrooms.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Sarajevo

One of the oldest Muslim villages in Bosnia

Local market


Tiny face is a gypsy child begging on bridge

Local Mosque


Evidence remains of the agony of the 4 years they were under seige.

Corner where the assassin of the Archduke Ferdinand stood thus starting WW1. 

Bridge where the carriage was.

Famous tunnel that brought supplies into Sarajevo for 4 years. 

One of the original tunnel builders. 

We were hosted by these two ladies in their home.  An apartment built under Communism on the Soviet model.  About 500 square feet and it houses three generations, grandparents, parents and two children.  2 bedrooms and 1 bath.  They consider themselves lucky.















Dubrovnik

The night we arrived it hailed a lot.  Very unusual.




One of the Best octopus dishes I have ever eaten.  So tender.


A few blocks from our hotel is this wonderful promenade where we had a few snacks and a glass of wine and watched the world go by.



The ancient walls

Last time we were here two weeks after 911 and most of buildings where still under repair.  Now it is crowded.











Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Mt. Etna and Catania

My Donkey was mommy to this little love.  He was 5 days old and loved his first ride on the slopes of Mt. Etna.






I was proud I didn't need the ladder and I could still walk.