Italy - To The Villa ~

We started the morning by packing our bags & enjoying a wonderful breakfast brunch at the Hotel Pesaro.  Wonderful food, super service & the boost we needed for our travel day.  Next - our first experience with the trains!  Trains seem to be the mainstay of public transportation for the country.  Offering the convenience of schedules to all the major cities, tourists attractions & even smaller towns. It was a little hike to the station pulling our bags.  Of course there's the steps going up the bridges, down the bridges & up to the main floor of the station.  :-)

Venice Train Station~

We purchased our tickets from the machine & remembered to validate them.  It was just a matter of reading the arrivals board & going to the right bin.  The train lines were simply called the red & the blue.  Once the train came in, we started walking up the side until we found a car with room.  The idea for me, was to find seats facing the direction the train would be traveling!

The blue train~

The trains were for the most part, clean.  On some we enjoyed the observation cars, where we admired views of the passing countryside.  Even though it was another very warm, muggy day, the train was air conditioned, with comfortable seats.  Even so, I have to mention the little fan that Courtney brought!  It charged from a USB port & we used it during almost every train ride & flight we were on!

Vineyards~ 

The ride to our destination of Vigliana Sull' Arno Rignano  was just over three-hours.  When we pulled into the Rignano station, I was pleased to see restrooms.  Upon entering, I was less than pleased with the pit toilet - a hole in the floor, but it did have a very strong flush.  Yes, the stories are true regarding European restrooms.

Restrooms at the Rignano Train Station~

Courtney's group of friends had started arriving on Sunday & the group leader was kind enough to pick us up. The station was just a couple miles from the Villa. Dinner was to be at 7:30 p.m. & I would be meeting the rest of the group then.

Post Card of the Villa~

We were shown to our room, up a concrete staircase of 12 stairs, three more on a landing, then a turn & up another 15 steps to the door!  At least my knees would get a workout during our stay. :-)  Certainly not as palatial as our rooms in Venice had been & of course no AC.  We were thrilled to find a fan at the side of the far bed & put it to use.  Being on the second floor, our room was warm.  

Our Room~

We'd be sharing a bathroom with at least  6 other guests, so I expected that to be a challenge.  I didn't expect to be dripped on from the water closet high on the wall, my first visit.

View of the pool from the door of the Villa~

The views from the Villa were so typical of what Tuscany advertising promotes.  The pool was beautiful & inviting - even though I was unable to use it - due to my still healing incision. 

Front of the Villa~

The Villa itself was impressive in size & the interior floor plan consisted of many different levels, some separated by only one step between rooms.  I took a walk-a-bout, ready for some fresh air after the long train ride.

The only touch of color was provided by planters of scented germaniums!

Such a beautiful landscape, everywhere you looked was another photo opportunity.  The bugs though, were out in force.  I'd not thought to spray down, but did from this day forward.  Beautiful in it's day, time had taken a toll on the railings & gardens.

Beautiful railings/fences - now starting to lean~

There was a note posted asking that we not lean on the railings & I could see why.   I had hoped to see rows of Cypress, but there were a few magnificent older trees.  The garden areas, seemed to be at the end of their season.

On an outbuilding~

A tour of the Villa was scheduled for the end of the week, it would have been nice to have had it earlier.  We ended up missing it entirely, since we left early.  It was easy to admire the stunning architecture, iron hardware, massive doors & shutters.

Back interior porch~

The washing machine was in a small room off this porch.  The décor was beautifully old world, but the swallows had taken advantage & built several nests on the ceiling, leaving their marks.

Copper downspouts to a trough system~

I'm not sure how this worked, collecting rain water off the roof - but a very useful design - I'm sure.   

Stunning landscapes!

The late afternoon light was stunning, warm & golden.  This would be the perfect place for the Artist Escape.  Most of our congenial group was from the Duvall, WA area, but one gentleman had traveled from England with his daughter.

Looking up at Villa~

A local woman & wonderful chef - Stephania - had been contracted for the week.  She would appear the afternoon, loaded with shopping bags of food, pots & pans.  Her meals were just outstanding. Several courses, each beautifully presented.  The dining room & table were large enough that we could enjoy dining together.  Such a fun & diverse group!