“We just returned from a family vacation in Italy’s Tuscan countryside. We had a lengthy conference call with Nancy, our Destination Host, and Danielle, our Member Travel Advisor, a couple weeks before the trip, which was very helpful, though aside from our tour guide Samuele and the Ufizzi and Accademia reservations, it seemed Nancy could make anything happen on a half-day’s notice. And she was cheerfully able to change several plans at the last-minute. All in all, this was probably our best Quintess trip ever. Nancy was terrific, and we just loved Chianti, which was new to Terre and me.

The Terra Toscana property near the town of Radda is amazing. Just outside the car gate is a small path that runs along the outside of the fence around the property. If you take that path past the pool and the pens on your left, it becomes an overgrown two-wheel-track road that winds down through the forest. Eventually you cross a small brook and enter a meadow and then a couple dirt roads great for exploring. We re-traced our steps to get back to the house as we never really knew exactly where we were. I suggest you wear running shoes and high socks and long pants as you have to bushwhack a little as you go through the forest—perhaps insect repellant too. It was a fun adventure. And we really enjoyed the meal Katya cooked for us at the house. She grilled filets on the fireplace in the kitchen. We lit every candle we could find for the dining room table. Radda has a cute tiny food market, right at the little crossroads area across from the park, with anything you would want for treats at the home. We kept going back to Colle Bereto, the small enoteca/bar across the corner from the market and the park, for light lunches and wine or beer outside. You can buy wine there for the home as well.

We drove to Florence two days, as Terre and I love it, and Scott and Kelly had never been there. Our highlight was Samuele Socci, who Terre and I met there last summer and agreed was the best guide we had ever had anywhere. This time he was with the four of us one day from noon until 8:00 p.m. and every minute was fascinating; he custom-designs your tour depending on your interests.” Members Gregg and Terre Marshall, Niwot CO