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| Sunset in Lecchi - the view from Casa di Lyndall |
Having only recently visited Tuscany at the end of January, it was truly with a keen sense of anticipation that I returned just before Easter - this time with Kevin in tow. I couldn't wait to get back.
See my earlier post on Florence for the first 24 hours of this particular Italian jaunt. Florence is a place that quite rightly earns a separate blog entry.
But then we were collected from Florence's railway station by our friend Lyndall, with whom you will be familiar from my January post. At long last, Casa di Lyndall is all hers! It's been a tense couple of years with several trips back and forth between Australia and Italy, but the wait has been worth it - she now has a gorgeous house in Lecchi.
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| Casa di Lyndall - deck and entry (Photo: Lyndall Heddle) |
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| Rustic and comfortable - living area of Casa di Lyndall (Photo: Lyndall Heddle) |
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| Fancy this view whilst doing the washing up? Kitchen window - Casa di Lyndall (Photo: Lyndall Heddle) |
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| One of the elegant bedrooms of Casa di Lyndall (Photo: Lyndall Heddle) |
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| A gorgeous antique in the main bedroom at Casa di Lyndall (Photo: Lyndall Heddle) |
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| Landscaping to be finished by the end of April, but looking good - what views! |
Kevin and I spent three nights as honoured first official guests in the house. It's perched on a hill at the edge of the village of Lecchi-in-Chianti which is a seriously cute little place, with only about 30 houses, two churches, a general store/cafe and a small restaurant that trades in the Spring/Summer seasons.
Periodically throughout the day the tolling of church bells wafts across the village, but other than the sound of the occasional car it's a blissfully peaceful location.
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| The hustle and bustle of Lecchi's main street |
Lyndall has made connections all over Tuscany and particularly in her local area. Everywhere we went we were welcomed with a jaunty 'Ciao Lyndall!' and knew we'd be invited to partake of coffee, wine or something even stronger. I call this 'The Lyndall Factor'.
One morning the three of us were frantically busy with preparations for a housewarming lunch that Lyndall was hosting for about 20 people, and Kevin was dispatched down to the local store/café for salad and potatoes.
Some considerable time later he returned, having been shanghaied into an espresso or two, and then a couple of shots of grappa, by a retired English judge who now spends part of the year in Lecchi. We'd met him and his wife a couple of nights before in the local restaurant, Lyndall having made their acquaintance a couple of days before. A night of frivolity and dancing to Earth Wind and Fire ensued back at Casa di Lyndall (our group having collected a German couple from the restaurant as well - more new friends!), so naturally Michael was happy to bump into Kevin.
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| Hostess with the mostest - Lyndall preparing for the onslaught of guests to the Casa di Lyndall housewarming |
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| Radda's main square |
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| Kevin checking out the cycling gear in Radda |
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| What boutique is complete without a scooter? |
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| The views from Radda |
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| Sunset over Radda |
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| Castello di Brolio, only a short drive from Lecchi. It was here in 1872 that Baron Bettino Ricasoli first developed the formula for Chianti wine - 70% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo and 15% Malvasia bianca |
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| Bar Ucci, in the lovely mediaeval fortified village of Volpaia |
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| The cosy, family feel of Bar Ucci |
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| Laughs with the owner of Bar Ucci, Paola - a real character! |
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| Four kinds of pecorino from nearby Siena with accompanying local marmalades, and that fabulous bruschetta! |
And of course it was Kevin's first opportunity to see Siena. It would be an understatement to say he was not disappointed. We visited Lyndall's favourite bars and restaurants, and I marvelled afresh at the art and architecture of this gorgeous city.
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| Siena Cathedral in all its gothic, marble glory |
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| View over Tuscany from the roof of Siena Cathedral - Kevin did the 'Porta del Cielo' tour (Gate of Heaven) (Photo: Kevin Joy) |
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| A different perspective of Siena - tiled rooftops viewed from the top of Siena Cathedral(Photo: Kevin Joy) |
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| This is what it's like when you dine out with Lyndall - all the staff know her and are happy to join in the fun. One of our waiters muscling in on a selfie! (at La Taverna di San Giuseppe, Siena) |
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| 'Blue Steel' - Kevin and yours truly enjoying a late night pot of tea at The Tea Room, run by Lyndall's friend, Ilario. This teapot was specially made for Lyndall, and is proudly on display |
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| Group hug with Ilario, owner of Siena's wonderful The Tea Room Not just tea - great cocktails too |
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| Kevin and Lyndall outside the Fontebranda, Siena - one of the many mediaeval fountains throughout the city |
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| Fontebranda interior |
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| Siena town hall in the glorious Piazza del Campo |
The countryside surrounding Lecchi is superb, dotted with castles, vineyards and villages. Tall rows of cypresses provide a symmetry that leads the eye up rocky hills and down into green valleys.
And then there are all the incredible fortress cities, like Monteriggioni which we visited en route back to Florence for our flight home.
Dating from the early 13th century, it has beautiful piazzas now full of restaurants and bars, but was once a front line for the Sienese in their wars against Florence.
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| The mediaeval walled city of Monteriggioni |
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| Such is Lyndall's social presence in the Chianti region that she ran into two friends in the space of five minutes... and we were once again dragged into a bottega to sample a grappa or two. The Lyndall Factor! |
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| A family takes a break in gorgeous Monteriggioni |
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| One of the gateways of the castle walls |
Our short break of only four nights in Tuscany felt much longer and left us vowing to return.
The people in this part of Italy really are very warm and friendly, and it was such a privilege to meet so many of them.
We wined, we dined, we danced (well, I did; Kevin was more restrained). We made friends and came to an understanding of why this region has worked its magic on many before us.
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| Maree, Lyndall & Kevin enjoying a superb dinner at La Taverna di San Giuseppe |
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| Get down! Party time at Casa di Lyndall |
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| Lyndall and yours truly hamming it up in Lecchi |
The good news is that Casa di Lyndall will be available for rent from mid May 2016 so perhaps it's time to consider that trip to Italy you've been putting off. Lecchi is a fantastic location with Siena, Florence, Bologna and Pisa all within an easy drive.
Lyndall's offering a special discounted rate as an opening special and I urge you to contact her via email at smiley2@grapevine.com.au (website under construction - link coming soon).
Go ahead - live out your Tuscan fantasy at this gorgeous house!
Until next time,
- Maree xo
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