I’m under three weeks and counting down before I leave for Italy.  I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am to go back – well, actually I can tell you and probably will!  Many times!

Among the other travels planned, I’ll be spending two weeks in Tuscany, staying in an agriturismo – an apartment located in a farmhouse that’s on a working olive orchard and small vineyard.

One of the many things that I like about Tuscany is the slower pace of things.  For me, touring there consists largely of visiting the various hill towns, sitting in cafes drinking coffee or wine, and lots of wonderful and reasonably priced food.  We’ll be visiting the towns of Montalcino and Montepulciano, Siena and San Quirico, Pisa and Pienza, and some towns that we didn’t have the opportunity to visit on the last trip.

I love this area, because it’s a slower pace than the busy cities of Rome or Milan, and there are plenty of towns where sheep out number people.  Driving along the winding back roads, it’s not uncommon to be brought to a stop by herds of sheep crossing the road.  No point in getting antsy or frustrated, this is farm country at its heart, you just need to sit and relax – or get out of the car and take some photos.

Sheep have the right of way!

NOTE:  Some of my other favorite travel bloggers share their favorite travel photos on Photo Friday.  Take a look, there are lots of great stories and adventures to tempt you into a life full of rich travel experiences.

Photo credit:  personal collection

I’m trying out some new photo editing techniques and programs, and thought I’d share this photo collage, made easy with online photo editing program picnik.

While I am certainly NOT a photo expert, I like the way this collage option allows me to aggregate my pictures and share them with others – like in this group of photos from time spent in Tuscany this spring.  I love it when I can share photos with friends – without boring them to tears with my vacation stories. 

This picknik collage provides a number of different options.  Check it out and see if you find a use for it yourself.

Photos:  All ©2008, Mary Jo Manzanares

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You had to know that it was just a matter of time before a matchbook for Italy appeared!  But I forgot (or lost) so many of the ones that I picked up.  Fortunately, my friend Anita picked up some, and this one came from a restaurant that both of us enjoyed on our respective visits to Tuscany.

Ristorante il Cantuccio is located at Via delle Cantine 1, in Montepulciano. 

The restaurant is divided by a brick arch fireplace, and offers a typical Tuscan menu.  Order a liter of wine while perusing your choices.  You can’t go wrong with the bruschetta (thick pieces of toasted bread loaded with seasoned tomatoes and arugula) and pasta (try the tagliatelle or the pici).  Be sure to save room for dessert!

Photo credit: personal collection

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After a few days in Rome, I’m off to Tuscany where I’ll be staying at a farmhouse located on a vineyard and olive orchard.  A little agri-tourism, and a relaxing environment, that will serve as a perfect spot for day trips into the charming little towns in the area.

Maybe I’ll fall in love with the countryside like Diane Lane did in Under the Tuscan Sun.

Picture me sitting at a local cafe, enjoying some wonderful food and sipping a hearty red wine!

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