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Saturday, October 28, 2017

Should one try to relive a perfect experience?



Would we be disappointed?  


It's been a year and it was Spring then. 
Now it is Fall. 


Would it be as perfect?




Yes, Relais Sant Elena, Bibbona, Tuscany, Italy is perfect.



After hugs all around, Moira, the owner, told us that our favorite suite was available after all. 
  



We visited last when Spring had not yet arrived.




Every single morning a sumptuous, delectable, abundant and beautiful breakfast awaited us.  




Nothing is missing.  From Blintzes to cheese cake, from poached eggs to exotic fruits, from fine cheeses to champagne...
it was all there. 

Be sure to be back for dinner.  So delicious and so wholesome.  




Nothing has changed. It is all so perfect.  Same familiar faces and same open smiles. 



You wonder why we would  want to be away from this gracious place.  But explore we did. 



Splendid medieval villages whose origins date back to before the year 1000




To name only a few. All within a very short distance. 

Casale Maritimo, Bolgheri, Bibbona, Suvereto,  
Castagneto Carducci.



Rich in history and art.



If you come from the sea you will soon come on to the famous avenue of cypress trees planted in the 1800s .  It is a breath taking experience, venerable trees stretching for 5 km and culminating at the city gate of Bolgheri.



Bolgheri



Guiseppe Moscato, Italy

And only 15 minutes west of Bibbona is the Sea, the Tyrennian Sea, 

where you will also find a fishing shack, 
 a one michelin star restaurant "La Pineta".   





And after you have spent the day climbing ancient walls, 
Relais Sant Elena is a welcome oasis. 



Maybe a dip in the pool will refresh your senses. 




The staff even remembered, without being reminded, that we like a little snack in the afternoon. 

I love these arugula and prosciutto tea sandwiches. 




You can see this image in the swimming pool (above) photograph.  I don't think that there is a guest of Sant Elena who has not climbed this little hill.  



And looked down on this lovely scene without thinking that this must be the finest spot on earth.  

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and maybe a trip to this fabulous part of the world is in store for you. 

Gina 

https://normandylife.blogspot.com/
http://betweennapsontheporch.net/

18 comments:

  1. Loved your description of this last experience in Tuscany! Absolutely perfect....as you so artfully express!

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    1. Hi Diane,

      One of these days I hope that you can take a week out of your busy schedule and visit this absolutely special place. You and Sam will be so pleased to have taken a few days to relax.

      Thank you for visiting my blog.
      Than

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  2. Fabulous scenes there. Looks most relaxing .

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    1. Hello Ali, Nice of you to stop by and leave a comment. Sant Elena is the perfect place if you need to recharge.

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  3. Dear Gina,
    Spring or fall this seems like a wonderful place to visit. It looks very tranquil, has gorgeous interiors and
    a mouth watering breakfast buffet. What a lovely place you have found from which to discover the surrounding
    towns and take in the essence of the landscape.
    Have a sunny Sunday, Sieglinde

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    1. Dear Sieglinde, We have not found another such beautiful place in our travels to many countries. Preparing this post and looking at the photographs made me want to fight the inconvenience of air travel and plan another trip. We were so busy relaxing that we forgot to visit the ocean. And for this landlubber that is inexcusable.

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  4. Dear Gina - when you find a special place that you love as you have done, then why not return again and again. From your lovely photos it is easy to see why you do.
    We have one or two places that we return to over the years - they now feel almost like home from home.
    Do you think that you will be able to manage another trip?

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    1. Dear Rosemary,
      I know what you mean when you say that a favorite place can feel almost like home. Isn't it lucky that we have found such places.
      Will we make another trip. The airlines have promised to streamline the check-in and security process. if that comes about we will definitely (God willing) see that beautiful part of Italy again.

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  5. Oh, I do hope so! What an absolutely stunning place to stay, your post has reminded me how much we love Tuscany. I must plan a trip to Relais Sant Elena immediately.
    Thank you for sharing this marvellous place with us on Mosaic Monday.

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  6. Hello Maggie, I am ready to go back today. I know that once you have been you will go back again and again. I am already jealous...all you have to do is get in the car and go. I have to put up with that long flight over the ocean.

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  7. Dear Gina, what a beautiful place you've shown us today. I would love to visit Sant Elena one day. Such a luxurious location to rest and explore. Everything looks perfect. It's too bad that Europe is such a long way away from the West Coast.

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    1. Dear Lorrie, So true, Sant Elena is a long way away for us on this side of the pond. It's almost worth it to put up with all of the inconveniences just to get there. I know that it was not the last time for us.
      Thank you for your visit. It is so appreciated.

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  8. Gina - I have made a note of the name and location - this is just the type of place we like to stay - wonderful in its own right and also close to charming history. We visit my in-laws in England regularly - it would be easy to jump to Italy from there! Thanks so much for sharing this treasure with us.

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    1. Hello Angie, Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. You are right in that once you fly to England, taking a little sojourn south would be a great idea. Florence or Pisa are the closest airports. Including a trip over the Alps, if you have time, makes the vacation really special.

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  9. Replies
    1. Hello Regine, Thank you. Wishing you a great weekend.

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  10. I already know in my heart, I shall never make it to Tuscany, however of all of the places in the world that has always been at the top of my wish list...where you have been, is right there. These images are so beautiful and truly you always capture the very essence of the moment. I love this set so much and it warmed my heart.

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    1. Dear Mary, I don't want you to say that. The magic trick is that you get yourself an updated passport. Once you have one you will be on your way to Europe as if by magic. It has happened to my friends.
      I can just imagine what you will do with your fantastic gift for photography. .

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