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Source: Dave Hagen
29 Nov 05
The Elmquists (Norma & Tom) and the Hagens (Patty & Dave) had such a wonderful adventure while renting a Chateau in Provence in 2003 that they decided to increase their bond and try a similar experience in Tuscany. If one can have a memorable experience in France, surely one can create lifetimes of memories in Italy!!
This expectation turned out to be an understatement. Italy is a fabulous location for the vacation of a lifetime, and we were able to create one of our own!! We managed around the weather, which was only partially cooperative, and explored in depth the food, folk and frivolity of "La Toscana"!!
Our villa is called "L'Aurora di Montagna" or Sunrise of the Mountain. It is an integral part of an ancient roman hill town that has been continually inhabitated for 2 millenia. The Romans built a road up to this hilltop of about 5km in length and a vertical rise of about 600 meters. We walked this road (down only) and it is extremely well engineered for a constant slope to avoid losing the loads should the oxen slip re-adjusting their gait. The Roman name still is used today. They called it "Sommocolonia" or the Head of the Army Column. It is now a sleepy village of 45 homes overlooking the city of Barga north of Lucca. We loved our time there!!
We Climbed to Sommocolonia Overlooking Barga
We had our own Villa & Lovely Patio
We Traveled to Siena & Firenze
But Returned via our Bridge To our Refuge
We Visited the Bewicks & the Chianti "Bee House"
We Bought Cortona Art & Re-lived the Rieu' Concert
We Shopped Barga & Met the Friendly Locals
Restaurants were Super But we Preferred our Pergola!
We Sampled Local Fruit Exceeding Our Expectations!
We Got A Personal Welcome & A Farewell From the Sea!!