Before I visited Tuscany I didn't know what the hype was about. Now, I know.

I think it might be the way the hills recede into the distance, ever lighter in shades of purple... or maybe it's the way the morning light slips lazily into the day and overlays the afternoon with such sweetness... maybe it's the taste of mulberries picked gently from the tree... or the sound of the breeze in the tall cypress trees that line the long avenues toward the strong, yellow stone villas.

I would like to know more about the architecture of the villas in Tuscany -- the evolution of the style, and when they became what we know and fall in love with today. When I finish my research I wll be back with more information. And if you have suggestions of what to read, or have information about these wonderful buildings, please let me know!

Until then, dreams of those long avenues and the sound of the breeze will fill my nights...

Teresa

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I spent just every summer in Toscana, by Pistoia, in the bucolic rolling hills, among olive trees and sheep herds and tractors and cheese making, hiding and playing with my cousins in this huge and stinking wine crags (botti) iin which we could fit a small table and a couple child size chairs and a big pillow and play house.... I didn't know how good i had it ... my dreams would take me so much further than the campagna of Pistoia...

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"Start by doing what is necessary, then do what is possible, and, suddenly, you are doing the impossible"

I thought I'd share a few of my favorite books on Tuscan/Italian design. Everytime I open one my heart soars....

Tuscany Interiors by Paolo Rinaldi

La Dolce Vita by Catherine Fairweather

Restoring A Home in Italy by Minchilli

Get a glass of chianti & enjoy!

Carolyn
essenceofitaly.net

Spent over a month in Umbria il cuore verde d'Italia last summer and traveled in Tuscany come ho fatto molto anni fa.
Umbria seems like a wilder and even more interesting version of Tuscany.

Cosa pensate di questo? What do you think of that? Saw a book that said something like "Umbria the little sister of Tuscany."
After all Tuscany and Umbria are right next to each other.

Mi piace anche dove c'e meno gente o meno turisti.

In Italy Online - UmbriaWhen we think of Umbria we think of the Italian word ombra. Shadow. One of Italy's smallest regions, Umbria lies in the shadow of its more illustrious ...
initaly.com/regions/umbria/umbria.htm - 10k - Cached - Similar pages


Now, I must admit Florence is one of the most beautiful cities che ho visto in la mia vita. And I'm not even talking about the art that's there.

No Villa - cheaper maybe, but not better

Marky, Have you been to Perugia, Assisi, Spoleto, Spello, Gubbio,
Orvieto, Terni, Todi, Lago Trasimeno or anywhere else in Umbria?

Hi Villa - been to Perugia - I liked it. Trouble is it's a four hour drive each way from here, so it doesn't make for a relaxing day. Still exploring the local area - probably go to Volterra next.

Marky, Have you seen the Italian TV program Don Matteo?
It was filmed mostly in Gubbio and other parts of Umbria.

YouTube - Don Matteo 6x01 - Bentornato Don Matteo - 1/6
http://video.google.it/videosearch?q=don+matteo+6&am... 4.
10 min -








YouTube - Don Matteo 6x01 - Bentornato Don Matteo - 5/6
Sites linking to this video (5). Clicks. URL. 3. http://www ...
10 min -

DON'T MATTEO ?!!!! Trash by trash... I hope one day you will know the good products of Italy.

Max, This is my list of movies in Italian I'm getting.
Can you tell me which ones are good and what order I should
put them in for delivery? Grazie.

1. The Best of Youth: Disc 1 Average rating: 4.3Rate 5 starsRate 4 starsRate 3 starsRate 2 starsRate 1 star Shipping Wednesday

DVD Queue (30)
See Queue tipsList Order Movie Title Instant Star Rating Genre Expected Availability Remove
The Best of Youth: Disc 2 Foreign Now
Good Morning, Night Average rating: 3.2Rate 5 starsRate 4 starsRate 3 starsRate 2 starsRate 1 star Foreign Now
The Last Kiss Average rating: 3.4Rate 5 starsRate 4 starsRate 3 starsRate 2 starsRate 1 star Foreign Now
I'm Not Scared Average rating: 3.6Rate 5 starsRate 4 starsRate 3 starsRate 2 starsRate 1 star Foreign Now
Uno Bianca Average rating: 3.4Rate 5 starsRate 4 starsRate 3 starsRate 2 starsRate 1 star Foreign Now
Seven Beauties Average rating: 3.5Rate 5 starsRate 4 starsRate 3 starsRate 2 starsRate 1 star Foreign Now
The Way We Laughed Average rating: 2.9Rate 5 starsRate 4 starsRate 3 starsRate 2 starsRate 1 star Foreign Now
Incantato Average rating: 3.0Rate 5 starsRate 4 starsRate 3 starsRate 2 starsRate 1 star Foreign Now
Lamerica Average rating: 3.4Rate 5 starsRate 4 starsRate 3 starsRate 2 starsRate 1 star Foreign Now
Cheeky! Average rating: 3.2Rate 5 starsRate 4 starsRate 3 starsRate 2 starsRate 1 star Foreign Now
Frivolous Lola Average rating: 2.9Rate 5 starsRate 4 starsRate 3 starsRate 2 starsRate 1 star Foreign Now
The Embalmer Average rating: 2.6Rate 5 starsRate 4 starsRate 3 starsRate 2 starsRate 1 star Foreign Now
Farinelli Average rating: 3.4Rate 5 starsRate 4 starsRate 3 starsRate 2 starsRate 1 star Foreign Now
Primo Amore Average rating: 2.6Rate 5 starsRate 4 starsRate 3 starsRate 2 starsRate 1 star Foreign Now
Without Conscience Average rating: 2.9Rate 5 starsRate 4 starsRate 3 starsRate 2 starsRate 1 star Foreign Now
Family Flaw Average rating: 3.4Rate 5 starsRate 4 starsRate 3 starsRate 2 starsRate 1 star Foreign Now
The Star Maker Average rating: 3.3Rate 5 starsRate 4 starsRate 3 starsRate 2 starsRate 1 star Foreign Now
Saint John Bosco: Mission to Love Average rating: 3.8Rate 5 starsRate 4 starsRate 3 starsRate 2 starsRate 1 star Faith & Spirituality Now
Tickets Average rating: 3.2Rate 5 starsRate 4 starsRate 3 starsRate 2 starsRate 1 star Foreign Now
My Mother's Smile Average rating: 2.9Rate 5 starsRate 4 starsRate 3 starsRate 2 starsRate 1 star Foreign Now
The Nymph Average rating: 2.9Rate 5 starsRate 4 starsRate 3 starsRate 2 starsRate 1 star Foreign Now
Children of Hannibal Average rating: 2.6Rate 5 starsRate 4 starsRate 3 starsRate 2 starsRate 1 star Foreign Now
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Bad Inclination Average rating: 2.1Rate 5 starsRate 4 starsRate 3 starsRate 2 starsRate 1 star Foreign Now
Saint Anthony Average rating: 3.6Rate 5 starsRate 4 starsRate 3 starsRate 2 starsRate 1 star Foreign Now
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