Tuscan Coast Getaway

We’ve spent six months a year in Umbria for the past four years now, and the first couple of years we worked hard and rarely traveled outside of Umbria as there always seemed to be something that needed to be done. Between keeping up the landscaping on our fairly large property, taking care of our farmhouse guests, and the usual daily chores, we always felt guilty taking a break.

I’ve since learned however that although we love living here in Umbria, we need to get away once in a while and enjoy this amazing country we live in. Otherwise known as “stopping to smell the roses”! This year we managed to visit Venice twice, fit in a short trip to Gaeta, and just returned from a quick getaway to the Tuscan Maremma area especially the coast.

Living in central Italy, there are many places that are just a few hours drive from our place which makes it easy to sneak away for two or three days when we have a break between guests. We decided to head over to Porto Santo Stefano along the Tuscan coast recently as it is an area of Tuscany we really haven’t explored much and we do love our seafood!

Days before we headed out, we realized that the rain we had been praying for throughout the summer was scheduled to arrive during our trip and although we briefly hesitated and reconsidered going away at all, we decided in the end that a break would be good for us both and that rain or no rain, we would enjoy our trip.

We did indeed have some rather impressive rain showers during our trip, but we ate some wonderful seafood meals and thoroughly enjoyed exploring an area of Italy that was relatively new to us.


Pitigliano


Pitigliano – A Tuscan Tufa Town


Porto Ercole


Orbetello


Orbetello


Porto Santo Stefano


Porto Santo Stefano


Porto Santo Stefano


Porto Santo Stefano


Porto Santo Stefano


Porto Santo Stefano


Porto Santo Stefano


View From Our Hotel Room In Porto Santo Stefano

Deborah Mele
September 2012

6 Comments

  1. Hi Deborah,
    Thanks for sharing these lovely photos, which make me long for my second home (in my soul). I was last in Italy last September and visited family in Tuscany and Naples, as my Mom was born in Montemarano. You are so lucky to live there half of the year.
    Best, Anna Maria, New Jersey
    p.s. also thank you for all the wonderful recipes!

  2. Thanks so much, Deborah, for the lovely photos. We Love to see and hear about your travels there *almost* as much as we enjoy your fine recipes!

  3. Deborah,
    Thank you for the beautiful photos! It’s time for my husband and I to get back to Italy. Thank you for all your wonderful, delicious recipes, I have made many throughout the summer. Enjoy your l’autunno!
    Ciao
    Heidi (chatham, ontario)

  4. “Thank You” Deborah, I haven’t a clue How, you did it, all I know for certain, you really did. I really loved seeing your pictures, so much so, they made me home sick, sitting here having these big tears running down my face. How, I wish I was there. Although, my family is from Italy, I haven’t been able to go. I guess my heart was touched by your story you saying how much you enjoy living there now. God Bless, The next time you go to Venice, you may have a one second flash of the lady who sent this note, if dumb luck you do, maybe just smile and let Venice know that in my Heart, I am there, ! Thank You, So,Very Much !!

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