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Our Visit to the Chianti Region of Tuscany, Italy October 2014

By Jeff Dowler, CRS

Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty of California, Inc. CA DRE #01490977

October 29, 2014 08:04 AM

Our Visit to the Chianti Region of Tuscany, Italy

in October 2014

My wife, Kay, and I recently returned from a fabulous trip to Tuscany. So recent that we are still reeling from the effects of jetlag and a 9-hour time difference!

Montagnana in Tuscany Italy

Tuscany was wonderful in so many ways. For those who have been you know what I mean.

Hard to say what the highlights were, there were so many but the following stand out:

Greve in Chianti

Panzano

Lunch in Lucarda

FLORENCE!!! All of it, especially the Uffizi Gallery

San Donato

Castello di Gabbiano - love their Chianti

Watching sunsets every day, one day in particular was incredible

Dinner at Podere Torricella

Lunch at Antica Trattoria in Colle di Val D'Elsa

A villa in Montagnana in Tuscany Italy

The Italians do wine and pasta (and gelato) so well, among many other things, and we had plenty of experience. It was a time to explore the many towns and villages, see beautiful art and architecture, delight in the countryside filled with vineyards and olive groves, and take plenty of time to simply sit, relax and enjoy. And I even unplugged for the most part (my article about coverage for vacation, written just before leaving, was purposeful, and I followed my own advice!!)

Tuscany Italy

Enjoy the tour below (about 2 and 1/2 minutes)

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Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Dan - Tuscany, and Italy in general, is well worth the visit

Pat - well the wines are different than here in CA, which is nice. WE really had some woderful food. And I can speak enough Italian to at least not feel like an idiot

Tammie - I really wanted to try to unplug, which I find very hard to do and usually don't.

Jeff

Oct 29, 2014 11:42 PM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Janis Borgueta

Newburgh, NY

Retired RE Salesperson

Jeff, We were in Rome, Sienna, Florence and Sorrento this summer for two weeks. LOVE Italy and all the great food, wine, and history. I prefer the smaller towns and can't wait to head out on our next adventure. Southern France and the fields of lavender. Glad you enjoyed. I am still looking to put together my photos. Good for you to get it done right away!

Oct 29, 2014 11:52 PM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Captain Wayne - Rowlett Real Estate School

Rowlett Real Estate School - Panama City, FL

Rowlett Real Estate School / Owner and Instructor

Hi Jeff, I enjoyed your blog. Congratulations on your feature!

Oct 29, 2014 11:55 PM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Joe - it truly is wonderful! And you simply cannot see it all. I haven't been to the South yet, but Rome, Venice, Tuscany/Florence, Verona, Bologna, Bergamot, Milan and Portofino are the highlights of my past trips. It was nice to be in one general area for 10 days this time.

Cheryl - I could have gone on and on about the art (have over 200 slides of that alone). I use Animoto for my slide shows (the paying version but free is good too). Easy to use and great for community slide shows, tourist stuff, etc.

Jeff

Oct 30, 2014 12:06 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Richie Alan Naggar

people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA

agent & author

Very nicely done...This should be on Italy's own promotion site...Thank You

Oct 30, 2014 12:16 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD
Richie Alan Naggar

Riverside, CA

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Laura - you will love it there. Well worth the trip and so much beauty everywhere you go

Kat - you need to go!! You won't regret it

Richard - my last trip was over 10 years ago so it was wonderful to return. You need to, too!

Jeff

Oct 30, 2014 01:40 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Sharon Paxson

Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA

Newport Beach Real Estate

Hi Jeff - your trip to Tuscany sounds and looks incredible. I would love to visit there, and have not been yet, but definitely plan to go!! So glad you had a wonderful time!

Oct 30, 2014 02:16 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Kevin Mackessy

Blue Olive Properties, LLC - Highlands Ranch, CO

Dedicated. Qualified. Local.

Great photos. This is one of the locations in my sights for a vacation in the next few years. Just went to Napa Valley this summer, looking forward to overseas wineries.

Oct 30, 2014 02:24 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Kevin - it's so true. Lifestyles around the workd are so different and it's fun to try to live as others do...although a bit challenging to get used to how things are done sometimes

Adrian - it was truly wonderful in some many ways, and nice to relax. Don't think I ever got over the jet lag going over though

Jill - indeed. Ready to go again next year!

Janis - sounds like a wonderful time for you, too. We did not get as far as Sienna. Next time. Still working on the photos, I have almost 1000! Have not been to Southern France (Provence??) but have heard wonderful things about it

Jeff

Oct 30, 2014 02:34 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman

Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI

(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

BEAUTIFUL Jeff! Sometimes, the jet lag doesn't matter to experience what you did in Italy!

Oct 30, 2014 03:15 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

William Johnson

Retired - La Jolla, CA

Retired

Hi Jeff, Wecome Home. Having not been to this region before, it looks to be a photographers dream. I must go there one day and take lots of photos. Thanks for sharing your wonderful photos and trip. It is now on my bucket list.

Oct 30, 2014 11:31 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT

Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Jeff, you had a wonderful vacation and the photos are a testament. Thanks for sharing

Oct 30, 2014 12:12 PM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Thanks, Captain Wayne!

Richie - what a nice compliment. I can easily "sell" taking a trip to Tuscany, or Italy in general

Thanks, Sharon. You really should take a trip. It is wonderful in many ways. The Italian lifestyle is a nice one to embrace for a week or two

Kevin - well Tuscany will remind you of Napa, but better! Definitely put it on your list

Jeff

Oct 31, 2014 08:41 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Thanks, William - being the photographer you are you WOULD have a blast. Absolutely breathtaking

Ed - it was a tremendous trip. I think I am finally back on West Coast time, just in time for DST to end, and a business trip to NOLA next week

Jeff

Nov 01, 2014 12:50 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Patricia Kennedy

RLAH@properties - Washington, DC

Home in the Capital

Hey, Jeff! You'll find this post included in today's Last Week's Favorites.

Nov 01, 2014 10:49 PM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®

RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI

Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

I have been to italy, but not that area...thanks for sharing I hope you have a pleasant Sunday!

Nov 01, 2014 11:40 PM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI

HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA

Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Jeff: Glad you were able to take a litle respite and enjoy Tuscany. Loved your video; very well presented. Thanks!

Nov 02, 2014 01:20 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Ron and Alexandra Seigel

Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA

Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Jeff,

I love the Chianti region, we were just reminiscing our time in Chianti, with a very good bottle of that wine. Welcome back. A

Nov 02, 2014 01:36 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for sharing your vacation and your photographs. My wife would love to take this trip.

Nov 02, 2014 07:22 AM

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I took the extra moments to 'like' the comments on your blog to offer some support and a few points for those bloggers. I hope that other bloggers will also ‘like’ the comments as they visit blogs.

Nov 02, 2014 07:22 AM