Cozy Holiday Rentals

This week I’m off to Duras to spend a final week at the Clocktower Cottage in 2017. I will prepare the cottage for the cold months to come and feel a slight sadness that my[…]

Hard to imagine that in the tiny borgo of Rocca d’Orcia, which is just a short walk from Casa Castigliana, there is a Michelin-starred restaurant. But, how great is that?? Osteria Perilla is a modern[…]

We call ourselves Cozy Holiday Rentals because the word cozy evokes a feeling that we can all understand in our own way. Whether the feeling is of warmth, intimacy or a place that says “home,”[…]

I experienced a first today. My renters were scheduled to arrive at Casa Castigliana by 5 p.m. and when I didn’t hear from them I figured no news is good news. Fast forward to three[…]

When we bought our house in Castiglione d’Orcia we never imagined that we’d be so welcomed and befriended by the neighbors. Where we used to travel to Italy to see incredible views and drink good[…]

This year, for the first time, we offered a painting scholarship to an artist who wanted to experience the beauty of our region of Tuscany. For two weeks Providence RI based Lelia Byron painted and[…]

Above, the western view from the upper terrace. Renovations will soon begin in the garden at Casa Castigliana. I spoke with our “muratore” Stefano, who did the beautiful work inside the house last year, and[…]

  Although I’m not there at the moment, I am delighted to hear from neighbors and on facebook that there are a few new businesses in the village. Joe and I have been saying for[…]

Each time I visit France I have a list of must-buy items, which, while they may be available in the States, are much more expensive there. Take Caudalie moisturizers for example, here I pay 19[…]

When I come to the Clocktower Cottage I am always tweaking. Trying to amp up the cute and cozy, while preserving the ancient and enduring. Today I hit the shops in Bergerac (Casa, Gifi and[…]