19/06/2025
So, we've been at it again. Tuscany! By now a life-long affair of mine. I once laughed at those always going to the same places they had already been. But as I have gotten older, I have come to understand, that you need to re-visit, sometimes many times, to get behind the initial tourist-euforia, before you can experience some more local folklore.
This time we had more time to just "hang around" and watch. To sit at the local gelateria and look at people coming in for ice. Sitting at a local café enjoying a LemonSoda, the best lemonade available to the world - yet almost only available in Italy. They do keep the best stuff for themselves. Or a Tassoni - a lemonade with a light Cedar-flavour. Believe me, it's worth traveling for!
And going back to an independent hotel, in a centuries old renaissance villa, where I first sat foot about 30 years ago. In another life. But it's all still there. Now it's owned and managed by the son of the original owners, and it is kept in tip-top shape throughout.
When just hanging out during those lazy afternoons, all you could hear was the splashing from kids playing in the pool, and some lawn-mower. And a dog barking in the distance.
The Tuscans do follow everything going on in the world. But it's as if they make an effort of not letting the world stage dominate their own everyday life. Here life goes on as it has done for centuries. And just that is exactly what makes Tuscany so soothing and relaxing for me. Alex made a comment about this during our last visit. She said it has a much more soulful and healing effect than anywhere else. And that is true. I can't put my finger on it, but maybe it's the history of the buildings, the old terracotta pots with their lemon- and olive trees... Or the huge Hydrangeas near the ancient walls? I don't know. But it all works.
I have enjoyed many espressis and cappuccinis (you only enjoy a cappuccino, well, anything with milk in it, BEFORE 10 in the morning. Otherwise you are frowned upon!) - but I must say that I am truly glad to be back home with my own coffee-machine and mill. Here I get my coffee just the way I like it. Coffee in Tuscany is drinkable though.
And sure, there were a few hick-ups. Some bars and restaurants not exactly excelling in friendliness and customer service. But we live in Bavaria, so we can handle a bit of that!
When we get back some other time (and we will!) Tuscany will be there, just like we left it, not even caring that we have been away. I guess they have the same saying as we do here in Bavaria: "There is a life outside, but it makes very little sense!"
Here's to Tuscany! To Lucca, Pisa, Volterra, San Gimignano, Santa Maria del Giudice and many more villages, piazzi, duomi, gelateria etc.
