Last year Joe Palisi had a fantastic 2-week stay at Agriturismo Cretaiole near Pienza, Tuscany. (You can see Joe's photos and links for his slide show and the agriturismo in our Pienza Gallery and Val d'Orcia Photos). Joe shared his experiences and Carole Brown read about them here. She just returned from a 2-week stay in the village vacation apartment owned by the same family.
Carole shares her vacation experiences:
We stayed 2 weeks in the 9th century medieval village of Castelmuzio and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a good location for all the surrounding hill towns. We ate delicious black truffles in San Giovanni d’ Asso twice and saw part of the medieval festival in Montepulciano. Isabella and family have their family farm just a few blocks from Pienza. The 5th and 6th of September was the annual Pecorino Cheese Festival in Pienza. Their 11 year old son was participating in the cheese roll competition the Saturday we were there. It was wonderful to see so many young girls and boys representing the different contrade and taking the competition so serious, yet having fun. The men competed the next day, but we didn’t go back. Isabella gave her guests a wonderful lesson in making homemade pici which we later ate as our dinner. She and her husband, Carlo also gave us a taste testing in discerning olive oil. One evening we enjoyed a full Tuscan meal prepared by a woman who makes homemade whole wheat cannelloni, (they even grow the wheat) and cinghiale, wild boar which her husband hunts! Everything in the meal was from the woman’s garden. I can’t say enough about how welcome and comfortable Isabella makes her guests feel. She is very passionate about the Val d’Orcia where they live and taught us so much about it. We are spending a month there next year and are very anxious to return and become a part of the village again.
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Ciao Carole: Glad you enjoyed your stay. You seem to have captured the essence of Cretaiole. I must admit I am jealous of your being there during the Pecorino Festival. If there is anything I regret it is not bringing a big chunk home with me. The fall and spring are both beautiful in Italy. Consider the spring next time; during the Flower Festival. You will not be disappointed. Joe Palisi
Hi Carole! Was thrilled to meet you and Marston during our stay at Cretaiole. We fortunately bought a wheel of Pecorino from the Moricciani’s which Laura vacuum-packed for us. We’re selflishly eating small slices to make it last. We’re hoping to go back in May to see the poppies blooming. Enjoy your next stay next year too!
Carolyn & Bob