L'italia e fantastica!

Can I tell you what an amazingly wonderful time I had? Well, not today (I have to return to the studio grind and work on the next book cover that is due next week) - but I *will* post a smattering of photos and enthuse a bit over the most fabulous trip I've ever taken.


Everything was fascinating to look at - from the fields of bright red poppies or rows of grape vines or rounds of olive trees contrasted by spires of cypress, or just rolling fields and winding roads.


This was the incredible view outside of our balconied window in Siena (you can just see the Duomo bell tower up on the right) where we were awakened by a chorus of church bells in the morning.


But as much as the country and the cityscapes were beautiful, probably my favorite thing was the proliferation of tiny, medieval towns that studded the hill tops in Eastern Tuscany where we stayed for the bulk of the time. All stone streets, archways and towers...


...and ornamentation of every sort! Ceramic tiles, or pots of geraniums outside a perfectly picturesque door. Frescoes and carvings in every church (and we poked into every church we could find!) Patterned stone and brick in the walls or the streets - everything!


And beyond the man-made ornament was the naturalistic - fantastical cords of ancient ivy that encased the crumbling hill-top castle we climbed to view. Wildflowers and flowering trees on every side - next to tiny, and beautifully orderly vegetable gardens tucked into the most unexpected spaces. Foothills and mountains rolling away as far as eye could see....


And the art! Beyond the chapel frescoes (which were astonishingly beautiful) there were paintings and sculpture and buildings and statuary and niches and fountains and porticoes - more than one could possibly absorb in so short a time!


Even the tiny, renovated mulino that we stayed in with my sister and her family in between our excursions was beautiful - and my artist relations are adding to the environs as this example of slate 'fairy houses' and free-standing stone bridge built by my brother-in-law right above the rocky stream attest to! (Check out their blog for a few more adventures and photos of our stay).


But I must say that the thing that made it all the most wonderful was the inclusion of my 'fairy nieces'. To experience the wonder of tadpoles, castles and daily gelato runs through their eyes made it all the more magical.

I've decided that *that* is the most wonderful way to travel! Stay with someone who knows the environs (and is preferably on vacation as well!) so that you can experience the place at a much more local and intimate level. It couldn't have been better! Although I have decided that my limit is about 10 days. But I'm already anxious to plan my *next* excursion! Maybe the UK this time? (I know British Air is running some pretty impressive specials right now, especially for the end of Sept-October. Anyone interested in an American houseguest for a few days in the fall? :-) I'm itching for more!!)

I must get back to real life and my work schedule - but I will try to post more specifics and a few more of the many hundreds of pictures I took over the next several days.

I hope you have all fared well in the last couple of weeks, and I look forward to reading about your adventures as well. Here's to la dolce vita!