Christmas in Tuscany
After month of hemming and hawing about what to do for the holidays, we decided to stay in Europe and endeavor a roadtrip-style Christmas adventure to close out 2021. Much to my delight, we stumbled upon a Tuscan castello on airbnb that seemed perfect for spending a few celebratory days.
Smack dab between Florence and Siena and just outside the small town of San Donato in Poggio, Castello di Valle was everything we’d hoped it would be. Our friends and their sweet pup joined us for just under a week at the castle, and we spent our time meandering the olive grove grounds, going for walks in the fog, eating delicious food and lounging by the fireside.
On Christmas day proper, we enjoyed a leisurely morning of stockings and presents by the fire (thank you to everyone who sent gifts across the ocean for us, they were tremendously appreciated!!), made and ate blintzes per Shona’s family’s tradition, and took the dogs for a lengthy walk. As the morning turned to afternoon, we refilled firewood for the fireplace and tucked in for an evening of cooking — a delicious french onion pork stew — and fireside chats. All the while the dogs took advantage of the massive castle loft for endless playtime.
We couldn’t have asked for a more lovely way to spend our first few days of the holiday break than with these friends in such a fantastic little getaway. While in Tuscany, we also took a day trip to Florence (and yes, we brought the dogs!) and had one of the most amazing meat-focused meals of our lives in a small town nearby our castle. We kept just busy enough to keep the homesickness at bay, and yet allowed ourselves plenty of time to relax and enjoy time and conversation all together.
On our way out of San Donato in Poggio, the four of us (and our two four-legged friends) drove north of Florence for one last celebratory meal together. A real treat ahead of going our separate ways. Freddy, Obi and I headed north, towards the town of Moncelise in the Venetian countryside to our next stop on the trip.
Love from Leysin,
sbmc
