I'm Headed to Italy!
by Stephanie Busby - Travel Planner - Europe, Central America, Caribbean; River Cruises; Group Trips
With help from - Wingman TB - My Travel Buddy Todd Ball - And Life Partner - Photographer
It doesn't matter... that we've been to Italy two times already. I'd go again. And again! Above is my "before Covid, 2019 happy traveler face" in front of Ponte Vecchio in Florence Italy - had we know what was coming, we might still be there!!
But this trip to Italy will be a very different trip!
When two very special people decide they want to spend the rest of their lives together, it needs to be recognized!
??SO WHY NOT IN ITALY??
Upon request of my daughter Claire, and my future son-law Gabe, 40 friends and family will gather in Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy for a week long celebration to toast their new chapter of an unforgettable adventure together!
Gabe and Claire, Certaldo, Italy 2022
LIVE VICARIOUSLY THROUGH ME!
One week in Montepulciano will give me the perfect opportunity to step out from the brochure experience and explore as many aspects of Italian life any of my clients might ask for! You're welcome for taking one for the team!
Tuscany has so much to do - here are a few day trips we hope to take, with the drive time from Montepulciano!
Bagno Vignoni - 35 minutes
This town's main piazza is built right on top of where the Romans were living the good life soaking in the hot springs back in the day back in the 9th century. It is filled with hot springs water - but only for viewing!
Cortona, 45 Minutes
Cortona wins the true Tuscan “hillside town” award. It's steep, narrow mediaeval streets, remains of the Etruscan city walls and dominating Medicean fortress walls are enticing enough for me!
Montepulciano, 0 Miles!
Like most of Europe the history of this hilltop town holds legends of families, religions, wars, and cultures that reigned and declined, leaving us with car-free streets with shops and restaurants stretching for 1.5 kilometers. What's not to love about a city with historic wine cellars that are actually ancient Etruscan tunnels dug deep beneath the Renaissance palazzi, where enormous oak barrels age the local wine in the cool and dark.
Book Review
A Thousand Days in Tuscany
Marlena de Blase
I almost gave a few things away, in how I was going to start this review. I didn't realize this was the second book from a series of 3! But... this is a great book on it's own, and gives you an insiders view of the people, the food and the way of life in Tuscany. De Blasi is an eccentric type of gal and I got a kick out of her approach on life and appreciate that she shared her experience as an American that moved to Italy to LIVE. If you don't like the reading, you can enjoy a few of her recipes, some with ingredients you won't be able to find, but we enjoyed the focaccia bread! And if you don't enjoy the recipes, well, here's a video you can watch:
Where are we staying, you ask?
Stuart Apartments, Montepulciano
We have rented 3 apartments in Montepulciano one for us, one for my sister and one for my parents! We are so excited to share this very special time with Claire and Gabe and thankful they are giving us another chance to sip a true cappuccino, work for our gelato up and down the streets and well, I'm sure have some mighty fine wine!
Stephanie is the owner of Two Herons Travel, who practices what she preaches! 52 years of travelling has inspired her to share her passion for travel by creating itineraries for like minded travelers. Retired from teaching art and Spanish, this career continuously led her to a new venture as a travel advisor. She feels lucky to have Todd along for the ride, always willing to go anywhere and always supportive of this venture! Focusing on Europe and Central America, Stephanie plans vacations for solo travelers, couples and groups. Not limited to just these destinations, Stephanie is continuously learning about new places, travel trends and dreaming of where the next adventure will take her!
