Arriving at Montestigliano

From Lake Como we headed south for a week in Tuscany. We rented a 3-bedroom apartment that is part of a villa and working farm.  They used to produce grapes for wine, but now they just harvest olives and run the villa as guest apartments of various sizes. We had heard about this place from someone we met in France last spring. She and her husband are avid travelers and they had stayed here a half of a dozen times. It did not fail to live up to what we had been told!

This building had 2 apartments in it. One was ours.

A little outside sitting area across from our place. The surrounding hills and valleys were stunning.

Main Villa at the top of the drive from our place.

Days before our arrival, Francesco had emailed me and said there was going to be a dinner in honor of the owners granddaughter who was turning 18. Guests were invited as well as family and friends of Georgia, the 18 year old. Since it was the night we arrived we thought it was probably a good call not knowing where we were even going to be in the area.

The party was held in a huge barn type building where in a month all the olives will be laid out on straw mats to dry after harvest. The room itself was awesome – all stone with huge beams and a very high ceiling. The place was set up with long tables for guests and then another set for family and friends. It was a great way to meet the other people staying there as well. 

Megan and Janice

Maureen, Bob, Georgia and the cookie

 The party was just perfect – food, drink, singing, dancing and a relaxed atmosphere. When we knew we were coming to a birthday party Bob suggested we get a “German gift” for her. What do you bring an 18 year old from Germany? Well… we had just been to Oktoberfest so they sell these large gingerbread cookies on a string that girls wear around their necks. We looked for one that said Happy Birthday and couldn’t find one so we got one that said Oktoberfest.  It was in my purse, and after sizing up the situation it was going to stay in my purse. Megan would not hear of that and as we told the other guests about the cookie it became a game. Who could get a picture with Georgia and the cookie had to be in the picture too (without her really knowing it). We had some very good laughs with this and eventually she was told the story and happily put the cookie around her neck! 

Even the limbo

Italians singing karaoke. They were having a blast and many of the songs were oldies from America.

The whole night was a great way to begin our week in Tuscany!

The meal ended with limencello.