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/

It's not like me

Seldom do I want to go back to places I have been,

no matter how interesting or how beautiful. 

It's because I always want to know what is just around the corner. 

But there is a very special place, hidden in a valley, in the Tuscan countryside, that keeps calling us from year to year.  

It's Relais Sant Elena in Bibbona, Italy. 

Only a few miles south of Livorno and only a few minutes from the Tyrrhinian Sea. 

This beautiful and bountiful breakfast is served every single morning.

Not just one table but several, laden with delicacies.

Everything is super fresh and wholesome.  

I called.  Our suite is available.  

See you there.

Until then, wishing you a great weekend,

Gina

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/

Chateaus and Villas II

Driving in Italy and France

Part II

adapted from Villa Toscana website

La Locanda di Villa Toscana is located in the small town of Bibbona, Tuscany, Italy, just south of Livorno.  

The Villa is located in the middle of town.  A note was attached to the front door when we arrived. We were to call the number listed on the note.  The only problem; we didn't have a telephone.  Our rental car had a phone but we didn't know how to use it.  

I found a group of young workers taking a lunch break, who were only too happy to dial the number for me.  

The housekeeper arrived a few minutes later.  

We didn't see anyone until the next morning when a beautiful breakfast was waiting for us.  

The big surprise was the upper part of Bibbona.  An Etruscian Stronghold.  

We almost missed it.  

These two charming ladies meet every evening, and have done so for the past 30 years, and sit on this very bench.  

We had been occupying the same bench earlier.  I noticed that several people were dropped off near a very steep street.  They would walk up and disappear.

I had to see what was up there.  Gene wanted to stay put. 

Not only did I discover a beautiful Etruscan village but also a fine looking restaurant, which turned out to be well known in the area.   

Restaurant Osteria De Messeri

When I came back with the exciting news, the ladies and Gene were having a spirited conversation.  He had given up his seat on the bench. 

 By now Gene knew all about the restaurant and the rest of their story.  How, I don't know.  They didn't speak English and Gene doesn't speak Italian.   They all had big smiles on their faces. 

There is another Bibbona about a 15 minute drive to the west and by the sea.  

Marina Bibbona looks promising, We will save it for next time. 

This Bibbona also deserves another visit.

 While in the area, Relais-Sant-Elena is nearby. 

If you want to spend a few days relaxing and enjoying the peaceful country side, then this is the place.

Next stop Montelupo Fiorentino and Villa Vannucci.

Have a great remainder of the week my dear 

Blogging Friends.

Gina

http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com.au/