We were on the road again early Thursday morning, this time shifting our base from Italy’s south lands to a hill town in Tuscany called Montepulciano.  We had crisp temperatures, but sunshine and blue skies for the drive, and as we entered the beautiful Tuscan landscape north of Rome, we were once again enchanted. The rolling geometry of vineyards and fields freshly sprouting with winter wheat; just enough fall color to thrill these two former Michiganders (bright gold poplar, orange and even some burgundy grape leaves).  Of course, also the many castles and hill towns crowning the topography, lit by afternoon sunshine. This is a special place indeed.

Our first apartment here is part of a property called Montorio. The building is said to have been constructed in the 1300’s as a convent, but  it was completely renovated and broken into apartments in the 1990’s. Our unit has beautiful views of the hills, and is only a short (but steep!) walk up to the town of Montepulciano. The kitchen is tiny (a bit of floor 2.5 x 4.5 with counter, mini stove and sink in a u-shape plus a mini fridge on one end). I had specifically asked for the apartment with the fireplace, and we do have one, but the fact that it wasn’t functional was not mentioned ahead of time! Still, all else is lovely and the heaters are awesome. We have an appointment to look at one other apartment on Saturday—this one up in the town, just to make sure we know our options.

We gathered groceries and a few supplies this morning, first at the market in a nearby town called Pienza, and then at our local supermarket. In the afternoon we attempted the hike into town and found it, um, aerobic, but fun. That said, we were pleased to learn that city parking is now free, being off season, so we do have the option of driving up that hill. Town was surprisingly quiet…tourist season is definitely over and many of the hotels and restaurants were closed, but the one we found was warm and buzzing with conversation.

Lunch menu for Laura: Tuscan Bean Soup… in Tuscany!

It took 6 hours of cruising down the autostrad on a glorious sunny day to go from Matera to Montepluciano in the Tuscany. This will be “home” for the next 4 weeks.

This is the second time I have posted this church. It is 350 yards from our apartment and at a slightly lower elevation. Both are just outside the town of Montepulciano.

We arrived at the apartment with a couple of hours of daylight left. Just enough time to unload the car, snap a few photos, and watch the sun set. Tuscany is  welcoming us very nicely.

The fall colors will never rival a northern Michigan or New England forest but for those of us who have lived in Houston for over 30 years they are a wonderful treat.

Not too shabby!!

Here it is. Visual proof that we do not drink the entire bottle of wine all the time. We actually took some home after lunch.

The grapes are long gone and in the barrels by now most likely. But the rows of vines are putting on a gorgeous display.

It is the height of the olive harvest right now in Italy. Millions of square feet of netting is laid on the ground beneath the trees across the country and the branches are shook by various mechanical means. The fallen olives are then gathered up.

This is the walkway which leads from the apartment up into town.

They don’t call them hill towns for nothing. Our apartment is located in the last building at the right edge. The pictured church is in the center.

The country side is now planted in winter wheat which has germinated covering the ground in a soft green carpet.

In the country side between Montepulciano and Pienza.