Oops - late entry. Dead laptop battery. And yes, there are Apple Stores in Tuscany!
Back to Day 5. I'm beginning to think I am breaking records for hours spent driving around Tuscany and Umbria. I'm actually beginning to 'autopilot' my way around Poggibonsi. That's got me a little worried.
I have three scheduled stops in Chianti today, and promised a client that I would look at properties near Radda in Chianti. So after my ritual cappuccino and cornetto on the patio, off I go.
Taking an accidental wrong turn means that I show up in Radda first. I can't resist a stop at the home of a wonderful ceramic artist, Angela. First referred to me years ago by Gina, my adoptive grandmother at the small espresso/bar/deli/grocery in nearby Volpaia, Angela paints all of her pottery freehand, and fires it in a kiln in her own home. You can watch the work in progress. Relatively undiscovered by tourists when I first raided her stock, I now notice a swimming pool, some new designs, and pleasantly, the same attractive prices. We talk about the tourist trade, and her new baby. I make a small (ha ha) purchase and head to the local agency. We discuss several houses and I drive over to one of them (see above). Radda and Volpaia are more wooded than other parts of Tuscany, very lush and green.
I stop in Volpaia to say hello to Nonna Gina, but alas, she is napping. A quick lunch at her daughter Carla's restaurant, La Bottega*, and drive to the next town.
At this agency, everyone is welcoming and interested, but I confirm once again my belief that foreign owners are going to be most interested in what Carrara is doing. Italian owners tend to want to deal with other Italians, with Italian contracts, and Italian law, something that most American buyers will not feel comfortable doing. But getting the word out never hurts, and they refer me to a German-owned agency in the same town.
It has finally occurred to other residents at the hotel that I am foolish enough to be working while here....they are amazed. They also want a report at the end of every day. Many of these families return to Italy every year, but are tired of the hotel scene. Parents are a little tired of constantly having to ask their kids not to yell or splash in the pool. Couples are tired of listening to kids running in the room over their heads. In short, everyone would appreciate some privacy! So we compare notes, oohs and aah's over the houses and towns that I have checked out, over a glass of Cinzano or the local house wine. It's good to have the positive feedback and several guests have asked to be on our mailing list.
* La Bottega di Carla Barucci is in a shady terrace overlooking the valley between Volpaia, a small hamlet dedicated to producing a popular Chianti, and Radda. The food, including Torta della Gina (see above, half-eaten), is like eating dinner at an Italian home. Hearty. Down to earth. From the garden and local farms. It is always a delight.
About Carrara, LLC
Carrara partners with owners of luxury vacation homes in Italy, managing the conversion and marketing of these beautiful homes to fractional, shared ownership vacation properties. We also represent buyers seeking the lifestyle of a European home and the convenience of a professionally managed, shared investment.
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