Tales from Tuscany: When in La Pievuccia ... drink a lot of wine.

La Pievuccia. How do I even begin describing the beauty of that place? I don't because it's impossible, but I am going to try to give it a shot. La Pievuccia is a vineyard resort right outside of Castiglion Fiorentino and is better than any google image or postcard you have ever seen. Not to mention, the hospitality of the family who owns it is just as appreciated. The minute we got there, bachelor jokes started like rapid fire. Can you blame us? 23 girls and 1 boy walking around a Tuscan vineyard as the sun is setting over the surrounding hills ... don't worry, we all got a rose. We explored around the rest of the night and met a very violent hissing goose, chickens, dogs, and four cats which we learned to love for the rest of our stay.

There were little casitas for all of us to stay in and they were all so homey. True to Italian culture, we received three course meals every night - four the last. The food was by far the best we have had yet. Although, on our last full day we only had a two course lunch and by then I had learned to try to ration for the following courses. Needless to say, I regretted not finishing our first course when they brought out the dessert. We all laughed at how back home this would be normal but we had gotten so used to three courses that we were so surprised at just two! Each night, they gave us two bottles of their own wine and a bottle of their olive oil - both to die for. The staff, as well as the family who lives there, really made us feel like part of their family. I am so excited to go back in May for our last weekend in Italy.

During the two days we were there, we went over all of our lesson plans, had them organized, and presented them to the head English teacher and she loved all of them! We figured out all of our teaching schedules and begin teaching Monday -- I can't believe it!