Those pics are so nice...it makes one want to jump on the train and go there immediately. I am enjoying these Tuscany fotos quite alot.
Love the sunset. May I ask-Whats that in the field? My first guess would be some kind of grape vines, though its hard to tell.
Such beautiful scenery. The shot of the lake is very relaxing to look at and dream about. Petunia, yes those are grape vines. That area produces some very fine wines.
Yes, they are grapevines. The villa we stayed in was on an olive producing estate that was surrounded by vineyards. The area is known for its wines. We went to two wine festivals- the biggest ones for the year. If you plan on visiting the area and you enjoy wine, you have to plan your trip for September. It is well worth it. Greve-in-Chianti has theirs on the second weekend of September. (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). It is the larger of the two wine festivals. You pay 10 euro and receive a souvenier wine glass (very pretty) and a cloth carrier for the glass that can hang from your neck. You also receive a little notebook with info about each wine and the vineyards. It also has room to make notes on your tastings and contact info for all the producers. You also receive a punch card. It allows you to taste from 8 different stands. There are many vineyards so you can go back each day and taste new ones. We wound up buying from many of them. Unfortunately, we had to drink them during vacation or send them back to the US as Kuwait is a "dry" country. There are trattorias, little shops, etc all around the square so you can stop and eat. (Or stop and people watch.) There is live music and it is a wonderful festival. Well worth planning your trip around. The second one is on the third weekend in September (Thursday- Sunday) and is in Panzano. The wineglass, cloth carrier and paperwork is a little more expensive- I can't remember if it was 15 or 20 euro. Panzano's festival is a little smaller. Still enjoyable. We learned a lot more about wines and met new friends. I highly reccomend this area for a vacation, especially Greve. (Both Greve and Panzano are part of the Chianti region.) Most vineyards have specific times for visiting, tasting, etc. I could spend weeks doing that. Same goes for the olive producers. I am a super huge fan of olive oil and this region has the absolute best. (In my humble opinion.) Our trips to Italy are stock up trips for me- I bring back as much olive oil, cheeses and meats as possible. If wine was allowed, that would be coming back with me as well. I always have to remember to allow for being abused by the airport with their overweight luggage fines.
Lovely photos! The area looks very scenic and serene. *note to self* Leave children at home if visiting Tuscany vineyards, because I'll probably be tipsy most of the time!
There are several vineyards in Texas that make really good wine, I have been thinking we need to take vacation next year and tour the state sampling them all. Closest I will ever come to a wine tour in Tuscany.
Really picturesque scenery! I really enjoyed the pictures. I can almost smell the grapes growing on those vines! I have always wanted to try my hand at growing grapes but have not gotten brave enough to do so.
beautiful pics!! I would love to visit Tuscany. But if i did i would have to find someone to go with me, my husband is not a wine drinker. Altho the meat and cheeses might intrest him. I do have to say that America and Australia is giving Italy and France a run for their money so to speak. I have had some superb wines from both places that i have passed up the wines from Italy and France. But still Tuscany would be worth it just for the atmosphere of all that old culture there.
