Tuscany, here I come

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July 11th, 2010

A quick Cash Advance Loan and I’ll be there again

Summer’s here and it’s the season to go painting in Tuscany as I have these past few years. The problem this year is a distinct lack on money. I will apply for Cash Advance Loan and hope it goes through quickly so I can start with all the arrangements.

The group

We are a group of about 40; 10 painters, 10 collagers, 10 photographers and 10 cooks.

Each workshop is led by a qualified professional in the field. Participants’ ages range from mid-twenties to over-eighties. The cooking group is well organized by an Italian chef from New York who arrives with menus and recipes. The other 3 groups are less formal and each participant tends to do his or her own thing.

The winery

The workshops take place in Villa Dievole, about 10 miles from Siena. Today Dievole is a well-known winery producing about 10 different types of Chianti. Back in the 16th century the villa was a holiday destination to the aristocracy of Florence. Much of the ancient grandeur remains and it was easy to imagine the noble guests arriving in their carriages amid the clatter of horse-shoes and the attention of liveried footmen.

Painting

We usually arrive in the last week of October, missing the last of the grape harvest but in time to see the fat olives straining to be picked and converted into oil. For the painters and photographers the changing colors on the vines from green to yellow to red is an inspiration.

Tuscany is great

In between painting sessions for me and cooking sessions for my wife, we walk among the grapevines and olive trees; we sniff at the roses planted at the head of each row of vines to warn the vintners of any coming blight. We tramp the sand roads to the nearby village of Vagliagli and sip coffee in the square with the locals. We make one trip to Siena and one trip to Florence, a 2 hour bus ride.

Evenings

Last year we gathered in the bistro of the Villa at 6 pm every evening where we were treated to an hour of opera appreciation by a husband and wife team of opera professionals. They dealt with the Italian operas, showing video excerpts of some of the great operas.

Dinner

From the bistro we drifted towards the Scudderia, once the stables and today a graciously refurbished dining room. The table seated all 40 of us. The menu was announced and began arriving from the gourmet kitchen across the courtyard. Every meal was a culinary experience. I used most of this and next year’s cholesterol allowance on the desserts. And the wine flowed. A different taste with every dinner. Is it true that red wine contains a cholesterol antidote?

Holiday

All in all, this is an unequaled holiday spent in a Garden of Eden with thoughtful hosts and fine friends. Now about that Cash Advance Loan – is there any progress?

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Tuscany, here I come

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