Florence to Vitiana

It was a very short taxi ride from our hotel to the Florence airport. We found the Hertz car rental office, where we picked up our car and met the driver who would led us in his van (admitting that he had never been there before) to our "villa" in Vitiana.  Our female "designated driver", putting the "pedal to the metal", was soon driving with the confidence of an Italian male! It took us about 2 hours to drive from Florence to Vitiana.

What do you think of when you hear the word villa? Do you picture a large and luxurious country residence in continental Europe? A villa was originally an ancient Roman upper class country house. After the fall of the Roman Republic, villas became small farming compounds. Often there would be farm and residential buildings arranged around a courtyard. There are still expensive, luxurious villas one can rent, but our travel agent knew exactly what we wanted for our month's vacation and she found it! A unique find in Tuscany and a fascinating story about the owner Julie Hampton, who lives in Phoenix, Arizona.

Our "villa", Casa di Julie, was a rustic 3BR / 2 BA medieval home in the small, hill top village of Vitiana. It is located in the heart of Northern Tuscany and is the perfect retreat from hectic city life. It really is impossible to find on a map, but you can locate the closest village Tereglio. Vitiana is about 4.3 miles northwest of Bagni di Lucca, which is north of Lucca and west of Florence. It is a delightful working village with vineyards and organic farming. Surrounded by chestnut forests and breathtaking scenery (views of the Alps and small villages nestled in the hillsides), you immediately feel transported to a secret paradise, of peace and tranquility. Believe it or not, a bakery van visits each morning, and you are within walking distance of fresh farm produce, meats, cheeses, and wine.

Casa di Julie was our home base from which we would take one or two day trips to nearby towns and then return to "do nothing and rest afterwards". It was best described as,"It just doesn't get any better than this!" "Non c'e' di meglio!"

Welcome to number 8, Casa di Julie, our "villa" from June 21, 2010 to July 12, 2010. With great excitement we entered the front door and checked out each room and the view from every window.

Frescos on the walls, pot belly stove, and a table for 18, create the living room/dining area with old world charm.

Under the Tuscan sun or in cool afternoon clouds and showers, we enjoyed whatever nature provided in Vitiana!

Second floor sun room with sitting area and spectacular views from the windows of the Italian Alps, chestnut forests, and villages all nestled in the hillsides.

Summer Solstice, June 21, 2010