“The first condition of understanding a foreign country is to smell it.”~Rudyard Kipling

Italy feels like an assault on the senses, a really amazing one.  Yesterday there was thunder and lightning and rain which seemed to heighten the smells (good and bad) and the colors.  The sky was ever-changing and we were blessed with the sun later in the day. The villa is beautiful.

After an endless buffet breakfast we loaded our group into vans and headed to Montipuciano.  Even in the rain in the back seat of a car the scenery was as if someone painted a picture. We arrived at the home of Vino Noblile of Montipulciano, one of the most famous wine destinations in Tuscany. (Knowing our friends, being at a winery is not a shocker).  After an informational tour of the wine cellar we had a wine tasting.

If tasting fine wines wasn’t enough to make the day wonderful, we headed out to Podre ill Casale.  It is a farm and vineyard that is known for its commitment to food, cheese,  and authentic organic farming.  First we feasted on a delicious organic, calorie free lunch,  with wine of course, and then off to the farm to see some of the animals and the beautiful landscape.

“We live in a world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure.  There is no end to the adventures that we can have if we only seek them with our eyes open.” ~Jawaharial Nehru

We returned to the farmhouse and were treated to a romantic dinner where not only the food, but the table settings were amazing.  We ended the day tired but wonderfully content,  looking forward to tomorrows adventure.

“You can’t stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.”~ A. A. Milne