Arriving at Borgo di Vagli

The drive from Camucia to Borgo di Vagli is a beautiful experience I have yet to tire of.  The road winds up the hill and passes below Cortona; then stretches through the Tuscan countryside passing through farmers fields and small villages until it reaches the base of some more serious mountains.  Your ears pop as the road climbs and winds with gorgeous vistas at each turn.  Then the road heads down the far side of the mountain, and suddenly the ruins of an ancient castle appears.  This is Castel Pierla built in the twelth century and birthplace of a pope.  Just past the Castel a rustic sign directs us to Borgo di Vagli; but here the road is dirt, one lane and precipitous, not to mention tortuous.  Finally a tiny cluster of stone buildings appear high on the side of a moutain across a valley.  This is Borgo di Vagli, our home for the next few days.

We are greeted warmly, like old friends, by Stefania and staff.  After check in and unpacking, we settle in to our Tuscan home and finally relax.  It's been a long day.  We are ready to cook our first real Tuscan dinner.  Since lunch today was a full, three course meal, we made a salad with the fresh produce from the COOP accompanied by a loaf of rustic Tuscan bread.