After leaving our home in Ravello, we took another harrowing ride to Salerno - only about a 40 minute drive, but very narrow and windy roads (many times just one lane it seemed). But again, let the professionals handle the driving on the Amalfi Coast!
Safely to Salerno, we picked up our rental car, and headed off to Tuscany. The first 5 minutes of the drive are always the most difficult, as we are in the city and jockeying for position on roads we have no idea about. But, just take a deep breath and take your time. Traffic was slow anyway, so no real issues. Once we made it to the highway, it was smooth sailing from there.
We had one night to kill before going to Cretaiole for our one week farm stay, so we decided to spend it in Monticchiello, a very small town, maybe just 20 minutes or so from Pienza. We had been here once before, for Thanksgiving dinner in 2015 when we last visited the farm for olive harvest, truffle hunting, and much more, and we had loved it. The views from here toward Pienza are incredible, and the people are just wonderful. Our host, Francesco, was excellent and made a wonderful breakfast. La Casa Di Adelina was a great B&B - room was great, and I would definitely recommend it.
Saturday we were on our way to Cretaiole, but first needed to make a stop at the outlet stores to get a few warmer clothes - we had not planned for it to be so cool in May! Saw the cutest food truck of all time - these would be great in downtown areas (I am thinking of my next career).
Anyway, on to Pienza and Cretaiole. Our room was of course (Isabella is famous for this) full to the brim with everything you would need in kitchen, bed and bath. And since it was so chilly, we were able to use the fireplace every night we were there. This is an “agriturismo” and there are many in the Tuscany region. Cretaiole is always #1 with us (and with Rick Steves and many others).They have done everything right, with many options for guests such as day trips, hikes, wine tasting, and the famous “Pici Class” with Isa (more in the next post on that).
On previous visits, we have had the opportunity to participate in the grape harvest and the olive harvest (different times of year), and we are very comfortable driving in this region. A great place to call home for the next week.
Monday was “Farm Day”, where we all go ad visit Luciano’s farm with the animals and see where and how he makes wine, and meats. Then we all sit down together for a light lunch (and by that I mean, two hours later of meats, cheese, and vino, we all went back to Cretaiole for a nap!)
The views from the farm are incredible, and Pienza is centrally located, so it is just a 15-30 minute drive to maybe 5 or 6 of the different hill towns and villages in the Val d’Orcia.
Evening comes (10:00PM) and “knock, knock”, it’s Luciano of course. We head to the gathering room to share stories (mostly Luciano’s), and drink his Vin Santo and Grappa. With his iPad, and our iPhones, we are able to use Goggle Translate allowing us to speak in English (or Italian) and the app speaks in the other language - it is awesome to help communicate, but really all that is needed it a drink together. Tonight we have a treat as new friends have brought some Vodka from Poland to share. And of course, new friends means a new dance partner for Luciano...thanks Marta!
More to follow on our hikes through the area and the rest of our time at Cretaiole. Needless to say (since this is our fourth time here), we love this area and especially this place.
There are additional pictures for you (if you like) in the album titled “Tuscany”