Since we cannot travel now, we want to share with you the trip we had planned for this spring. We will return to Paciano as soon as we can, but in the meantime we invite you to travel along with us on a virtual tour. Meet some extraordinary people and experience the magic. Let us…

Our trip to Paciano starts with a flight from Newark (EWR) to Rome Fumicino (FCO – aka Leonardo DaVinci Airport, but nobody calls it that). Newspaper delivery has been suspended, banks and credit card companies have been notified, wireless phone plan modified, neighbors have agreed to check the house and water the plants. Music playlists…

We arrive at FCO at 7:45am. We are eager to get to Paciano, but patience is key… getting our bags, clearing customs, and picking up a rental car will take a couple of hours. We’ll need cash (Euros) for the tolls on the autostrada, so before leaving the airport we stop at an ATM… this…

On this first morning in our place we always sleep in. Over a cup of coffee we start to realize that slow is OK. We can feel the rhythm. It’s about appreciating the time, the place and the people. After breakfast we head to the local “Co-op” store in Castiglione del Lago for provisions. Then…

Wednesday is Market Day in Castiglione del Lago. This beautiful ancient fortress-city is perched on a peninsula in the southwest corner of the lake. Like most open-air markets in Italy, you can buy food, clothing, flowers, wine, household goods, you name it. On the way home, we stop at Il Mercatino Usato to browse the…

Enjoying a cup of coffee and a beautiful morning view of the valley from our kitchen window. Today is the day our friends – Mary & Ben Wright, Cheryl & Roy Donkin – arrive from Roma… we are so excited! They are training from Termini station to the beautiful fortress town of Orvieto. Roughly a…

Today we are looking forward to spending the day in the beautiful Tuscan town of Montepulciano! This small medieval town sits high on a ridge overlooking the Val di Chiana and is filled with some impressive Renaissance architecture. And then there is the wine! The six of us all enjoy wine and this town represents…

If it’s Saturday, it’s Market Day!! After a coffee and light breakfast the six of us set out for Citta della Pieve, This quaint little hilltop town is about 15 minutes from Paciano. It is the birthplaces of the famous painter Perugino and some of his works can be seen in the main cathedral and…

It’s another beautiful day in Paciano! The church bells remind us that it’s almost time for Mass. The church sits just outside the lower gait and is always welcoming to visitors. It’s a challenge to not be distracted by the thought of the fresh baked delights that await us at Lo Scoiattolo. Lia and her…

We’ve been busy the last few days, and have a big day tomorrow, so we’re going to stay close to home today. Relax in the garden, take a walk around Paciano, catch the sunset. Maybe we’ll take the ten-minute drive to Madrevite Vineyards. Then again, if Roy or Cheryl or Ben or Mary decide they…