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Report 919: A Tuscan Christmas

By SeaJay from Virginia, Winter 2004

Trip Description: Stay in a castle, stay with locals, stay in a Roman B&B and get an Italian emersion

Destinations: Countries - Italy; Regions/Cities - Rome, Tuscany

Categories: Hotels/B&Bs; Foodie Trip; Sightseeing; Wine Trip; Independent Travel; 2 People; 3-4 people

Page 1 of 16: Prologue

I’m not exactly sure what called us to this adventure. Certainly not the brutal exchange rate for the Euro (€). The smart play was to stay in the U.S. We were trying to ensure CJ achieved US Airways highest performance level but could have done that on any flight to the west coast. Ironically, he actually achieved it in November on a business trip to San Diego. Somewhere in the decision process we were morbidly struck by the fact that you never know how long you have and that a missed opportunity may be lost forever. We wanted a new adventure so that ruled out most of the western U.S. as well as a return to New England, New York or Brittany. Eventually we narrowed the selections to Amsterdam, Madrid or Tuscany. On a lark, we sent an email to the Luke’s asking them if they were free to join us over the holidays. Given the number of times we’ve previously popped in on them in the middle of their European holidays, it really didn’t come as a surprise to find out that they already had plans to be in Tuscany. Their response, after they stopped laughing, began “Why are we not surprised that you can track us down wherever we go? We are going to Italy on Dec. 27 for a week! …Perhaps we will be spending another New Years Eve together once again.” The selection was now obvious. As we pass through Florence, South Carolina on the way back from our Thanksgiving at Hilton Head, we photograph the road sign and send it to Tom and Kathy. Thinking of you and the holidays in Italy.