Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Hotel Review: Fattoria Tregole, Castellina in Chianti

For those in search of the quintessential Tuscan holiday base, look now farther.  Fattoria Tregole is about as good as it gets.


The main house was originally owned by a nobile family of the Chianti region that dates back to the 17th century.  The owners have lovingly (and pain staking I imagine!) restored several abandoned stone buildings creating a charming and comfortable accommodations among the vineyards, olive of trees and panoramic vistas people dream of when they think of Tuscany. There are several "relax" areas or little pine tree covered courtyards where you can soak in the vistas, read a book or even a bottle of the fattoria's delicious Chianti.  The infinity pool is spectacular and a welcome retreat from the Tuscan heat during the warm months.  


Not to be missed homemade meals by Edith the owner are served a couple of nights a week. My last dinner there consisted of fresh funghi tart, penne with melazane, funghi and zucchini, followed by paper thin slices of pork with gravy sauce and a sublime tiramisu with chocolate shavings on top.  Fantastica!


Fattoria Tregole has 5 bed & breakfast rooms that range between 130-180 Euros per night with yummy breakfast as well as 2 fully-equipped apartments ranging 200-360 Euros which also include breakfast.  The prices here are reasonable and you will certainly be getting excellent quality for the quantity.

Located just 4km south of the walled hilltown of Castellina in Chianti, the fattoria is perfectly located for exploring the Chianto Classico region as well as Siena, San Gimignano and more.


Saturday, September 27, 2008

Greetings from a Soggy South!


Our week of work and pleasure has been plagued by unseasonal rains and cool weather.  Not exactly what we were expecting in Positano and for sure not in Taormina.  Still, we're having fun work wise and in our "down time".  

One thing that has not been affected by the bad weather is the GREAT food here in Sicily.  I wish I could take a Sicilian pasticceria home with me!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

My First Guest Blogger...

I am just going to re-direct you all to my girlfriend's blog up in Piemonte.  Today's post is so well written and thought provoking, I can't help but share it:


Grazie Di...

Saturday, September 13, 2008

MIA once again...

I keep disappearing. I have so many ideas, thoughts and ideas to share, but work and everyday life has become quite overwhelming. Complaining will do nothing to change it, so best not to go too far down that road.

Summer has come and gone. (It even rained today, hard, for the first time in 3 months.) The onslaught of fall clients is in full swing. Between now and the end of October, my blogs will be few and far between. But I will be back, promise...

Saying goodbye to Palmaria Island until next summer...

Monday, September 01, 2008

Is It Lovely???

My friend, Paula, gave me this wonderful piece of art made in her village of Monterosso.  I had been looking for something very "sea-like" to hang on our wall (in the ever evolving "best dump in Liguria" as we like to call it) and she knew just the thing!  

Paula's husband, Angelo, is a 10th generation anchovy fisherman who worked often with my husband's grandfather and great seafood merchant, the original Luigi Guerrera.  All of lives seems to revolve around the sea.  Her present was perfect in ever way!

Grazie my friend...

P.S. If you like what you see, you can visit FABBRICA D'ARTE MONTEROSSO in Monterosso.  Maybe they can make something special for you.