I hate to do it, but a major backyard rehab in Italy and a new roof in France are a couple of the reasons we will be raising our rental rates for 2019. BUT, if[…]

When I was in Duras in September I bought way too much stuff to fit in my small carryon bag. I can’t leave France without multiple jars of mustard, salt and definitely cosmetics. I didn’t[…]

I’ve just returned from a peaceful and pleasantly stress-free week at the Clocktower Cottage in Duras. My goals were simple: to spend a week wandering the village lanes, eating simple dinners curated from outdoor market[…]

It’s been a long time since we’ve been to Castiglione d’Orcia. Family health issues have prevented us from travelling in 2018, but the travel drought will soon be over and my wanderlust will soon be[…]

Here is this summer’s schedule for the night markets each Thursday evening in Duras. There are several summer weeks still available including the week of Aug 11-18, which would allow you to experience the Monday[…]

This photo epitomizes the friendly, happy spirit that drew us to Castiglione d’Orcia. Here, our current renters have met the locals at Le Rocche. Not only were they invited to sit and hang out with[…]

Over the past several years, we’ve cultivated a list of special places and special activities that we can offer to our guests to enhance their enjoyment of our regions in Tuscany and Aquitaine. For instance,[…]

Duras is a small village with a big chateau. On holidays and summer nights it’s lit up with a spectacular sound and light show that lasts close to 15 minutes. Really quite amazing and you’ll[…]

Those three words always give me a little thrill and a lot of relief because they mean that 1) our guests have arrived, 2) they are happy and 3) the wifi is working. I always[…]

Of the many pleasures to be found in Duras are the marche du nocturnes, or night markets. Each summer Thursday the village sets up for a night of eating good food, drinking good wine, and[…]