There is no way to escape a certain melancholy about leaving Villa dei Pini. The best we could all do was to talk about a strategy for return!!! Breakfast was a little fragmented as people were all scheduled a bit differently.......with several cabs and drivers arriving around 10:00 to shuttle people off to train stations and airports. We had a series of 'Ciaos' and arrividercis' and multiple Italian hugs......and by 10:30 we were on the road as well.
Our destination today was a boutique hotel called Il Bottaccio in the area near Carrara......i.e marble country! We were also intending to spend some time in the artistic/craft center of Pietrasanta, where Michaelangelo actually visited several times to chose his marble. In the course of trying to work out the logistics of driving and eating, we had connected with the hotel and ultimately ended up checking in early. They had our room ready by 12:00 and actually upgraded us to a Junior Suite. They also offered lunch at the hotel rather than our searching around Pietrasanta. The hotel ended up being more interesting than we expected. Our lunch on the terrace was perfect and we took a quick vote and opted to skip Pietrasanta and hang out here for the afternoon. It was a lovely day, but the temperature was getting close to 80 degrees and the air-conditioned room was a great escape.
Late in the afternoon we took a walk around the property. The gardens and art installations were fascinating........and we may be the only people here. It is a Relais et Chateaux property with only 8 guest rooms. I guess it is good to travel mid-week!
DAY NUMBER 18 ON OUR TRIP WITH SUNSHINE TO GREET US!
(a small note that the forecast for England the rest of the week is torrential rain!!!)
