Every vacation should begin here.

Relais Sant Elena

Just looking at my pictures makes me want to jump on a plane and head for Bibbona in Tuscany.

You may think that you have seen this collage from previous visits. 
But no, 
That is what is so special about Relais Sant Elena.
You can count on it being as good and as special as it was before. 

Beautifully located in a lovely little valley.

And where a most decadent chocolate cake was especially baked for Mr G's birthday. 
It needed no decorations, no candles, no flowers. 
It was beyond sensational. 

Speaking of Mr G. We were celebrating his 84th birthday.  
It was the blintzes he talked about while at home.  

Umbrella trees.  It's actually a Pine Tree.  I know that I'm in Italy when I see these beautiful trees growing in rows. 

And when you need a change of scenery, there is always the ocean, 
only fifteen minutes down the road. 

Some beaches are quiet, some are lively.  
You choose.

Your'e in Etruscan territory.  
So many interesting villages, churches and fortresses to visit.

All the while you have a quiet, peaceful and charming home to come back to. 

Even the Sant Elena sheep herd themselves.  They are free to roam and will choose their morning and evening pastures as if herded.  

You can set your watch by their movements. 

Auf Wiedersehen.

Gina

https://normandylife.blogspot.com/

https://betweennapsontheporch.net/

Italy the beautiful - Part I

Have you flown into Firenze?

The airport is new and small. Easy to get around. 

Picking up a rental car is not so easy, nor is landing on a short runway.  

Just before landing the stewardess will tell you about the short runway. 

She will also tell you that the captain sometimes, in the last minute, decides not to land the plane. 

But he will try again and (maybe) again.  

Once the decision has been made to land you better hold on.

And when it's time to leave for home the plane may not fly until the fog clears. 

And you will miss your overseas flight home.  

So simple yet so beautiful.  

For all those reason you might want to know about 
Podere Gattabigia, Lustra a Signa, Firenze, Italy. 

It is only 30 minutes from the airport.
The perfect first night stopover. 
You can get a good nights sleep and tackle the driving and new rental car the very next day.   

The Podere is owned by young interior designer.  
The gardens are beautiful and so is the bountiful breakfast. 
Many people stay here for several days.  

We had a date a little further south.  

2 hours later we reached our home for the next week, outside of
Bibbona, Tuscany, Italy.

Blue arrows point to Marina di Bibbona and inland to the 
 Relais Sant'Elena.

 The stunning Relais Sant'Elena. 
Located in a very quiet valley, surrounded by undulating hills,  offering total relaxation. 
http://www.tenutagardini.it/ 

We stayed for a week.

Spring vines and flowers were just beginning to bloom.

Soft woolly blankets ready for cool evenings.

One of the many patios outside of our room. 

And always authentic.

Breakfasts are legendary. Truly unlike anything we have experienced on any of our many trips to Europe. 

  Interiors are stunning.

We loved our suite 






Appointed with fabrics that I love. 

It is peaceful and if you are hankering for the Sea it is only a 15 minute drive to Marina di Bibbona. 

Sant' Elena is perfectly situated for exploring ancient Etruscan villages.  Suvereto is one of the most charming.  But there are many, many more within an hours drive.

 When you have seen one too many medieval villages, 
you can come home to one of the 15 luxuriously appointed rooms
filled with antiques and furniture covered in rare fabrics. 

And  have I told you about the staff of Relais Sant'Elena?  
They are the Best, the very, very Best.  

An outstanding 4 star Country Inn.

Already thinking about booking for Fall.  

Have a great weekend dear friends. 

Gina

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/refurbishing-kdat-wood-porch-floor/