A sampling of many of the captivating sights from Italy I was fortunate enough to experience with my wife Ruth.
Click around and you’ll see parts of Rome, Tuscany, Siena, San Gimignano, Florence, the Chianti region of Tuscany, Venice waterways, Lucca and more.
A view of Italy – la bella Italia

We spent a good chunk of our time in a quaint villa (La Tinaia) on the most beautiful piece of olive grove property in Tuscany: Podere Patrignone.
As soon as we arrived on the property we were welcomed by Simon Zimbler, Verity Jones and their dogs Charlie and Lola.
It took us no time at all to feel comfortable and at peace as we were surrounded by the bouquet of fresh rosemary.
The pathways along the property are lined with hedgerow after hedgerow of beautiful and fragrant mature rosemary.
Our heat provided by trimmings from the olive trees on the property. Quite possibly, from these same branches hung the olives harvested for the stellar extra virgin olive oil we consumed in our villa.
When we return, this is where I wish to stay and spend all of my time in Tuscany….

Toscana is by far my favorite region. So many talented hardworking winemakers and miles of endless country roads surrounded by sprawling vineyards, curvy narrow roads and rolling hills.

A visit to Fattoria la Ripa, Castellina in Chianti is where we met Sandro Caramelli. Sandro and his pups spent a great deal of time with us. Offering his best Chianti Classico, aceto balsamico, extra virgin olive oil and Grappa from the grapes grown on the property.
While snacking on some bread and discussing the history of the estate we learned the La Ripa Estate was once home to La Mona Lisa (the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci) around year 1400. We left feeling welcomed, humbled and with what I consider the best Chianti Classico Riserva in all of Italy.

It was all about living simply, we loved it.
Food, drink and getting lost the hills of the Italian countryside in a tiny underpowered fiat 500.
– Shot with Canon 7D and Ruth’s Canon T2i

Take your time and enjoy our perspective – A View of Italy:

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