It’s been a long time coming, and now the upper-level garden at Casa Castigliana is finally finished. Over the past several months a team of masons remade a long retaining wall at the back of[…]

We have just returned from 16 days of delightful moments at both of our homes in Italy and France. We were truly living and loving the village life.  Since making our guests happy and keeping[…]

There are still several fall weeks available to rent at the Clocktower Cottage in Duras. The month of September is full of activities and fabulous weather too. Watch the winemakers creat their magic potions at[…]

In the coming months, I am fortunate to have two different groups of guests who have booked a full month at the Clocktower Cottage in Duras. I’ve never even been able to do that. It’s[…]

When we were in Castiglione d’Orcia in July, our neighbors Lido and Tosca came over several times to bring us plums from their backyard tree. After eating about 30 of them fresh, I realized I[…]

I usually don’t participate in Black Friday, but this year I still have a few spring weeks left at Casa Castigliana so I’m offering a discount if you book a week or two between now[…]

I’m not exactly sure what Saint Martin is famous for, but I can tell you that he is quite famous in France and his feast day–November 11–is a great time to be there. I will[…]

Rainy days always bring out my wistful side. Today I am thinking about rainy weather in places I have visited in the past. Joe always says that one of his favorite days ever in Italy[…]

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[…]