The Cappella della Madonna di Vitaleta on the road from Pienza to San Quirico d'Orcia

In 2001 I came to live in Italy. I had some fun, wrote a journal and this is the blog of my story...

"Tuscany is a state of grace. The countryside is so lovingly designed that the eye sweeps the mountains and valleys without stumbling over a single stone. The lilt of the rolling green hills, the upsurging cypresses, the terraces sculptured by generations that have handled the rocks with skillful tenderness, the fields geometrically juxtaposed as though drawn by a draughtsman for beauty as well as productivity; the battlements of castles on the hills, their tall towers standing grey-blue and golden tan among the forest of trees, the air of such clarity that every sod of earth stands out in such dazzling detail. The fields ripening with barley and oats, beans and beets. The grape-heavy vines espaliered between the horizontal branches of silver-green olive trees, composing orchards of webbed design, rich in intimation of wine, olive oil and lacy-leaf poetry. Tuscany untied the knots in a man's intestines, wiped out the ills of the world. Italy is the garden of Europe, Tuscany is the garden of Italy, Florence is the flower of Tuscany." Irving Stone from my favourite book " The Agony and the Ecstacy" A fictional biography of Michelangelo



75. Castagneto Carducci and Baratti



After yesterday’s festivities we have some time to explore the local area. First stop is just down the road at Castagneto Carducci, a small, well-know town of about 9,000 residents. Originally called just ‘Castagneto’ it was re-named Castagneto Carducci in 1907 in honour of Italian National Poet Laureate, Giosue Carducci who came to live here in his youth.





There is a bust of him outside the town hall at the top of the main pedestrian road. I can certainly see where he got his inspiration from, it’s a gorgeous hill-top town with views down to the Tyrrhenian sea. There are lots of interesting artsy, crafty type shops displaying some very individual pieces.











Unfortunately yesterday’s blistering heat has failed to reappear, so I only have a brief dip in the sea at Marina di Castagneto. No matter as there is plenty more to do in this area.







We drive on to Baratti, where there is a picturesque harbour and settle ourselves down in this great, fish restaurant. We have our first taste of ‘Cacciucco’, a kind of thick fish soup, which seems to have every kind of fish thrown in and is about ten times as tasty as any Bouillabase I’ve ever had! The French may think they have the best cuisine in the world, but I beg to differ...










After this hearty lunch we have a very pleasant stroll along the beach and fresh pine woods, before heading back to Florence

(Original journal entry 2/5/2003)
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