Don’t choose a room with a view

SAN GIMIGNANO FROM A COMFY CHAIR

Choose a room with a view. Choose a booking site with lots of annoying popups. Choose a hotel in the center of a corny-looking picturesque Italian town. Choose an overpriced and under-furnished room with a tiny window looking down at an obscure square you’ve never heard about. Choose a continental breakfast featuring yesterday’s leftovers, lukewarm filtered coffee, and a soft, plastic-wrapped croissants. Choose a pair of matching nights chocolates and a welcome bouquet. Choose a room with a view.

I chose not to choose a room with a view.
I chose something else.

Summer afternoon in Tuscany

I took this photo one lazy, warm summer afternoon. For me, this is one of those rare pictures that captures the genuine spirit of tranquility and well-being of that place.

I frequent Italy whenever I can. The scenery, the food, the people, the markets, the wine, the art, the wonderful, twisty driving roads – come’on, what is there no to like about Italy?
True, the August congestion could be a drag, and the often unbearable midday heat is hard to endure. Perhaps finding a parking spot in the impossible maze of Italian towns could be a less traumatic endeavor, not to mention the endless lines for an overtly-hyped attraction. While at it, some ill-kept “boutique” hotels could benefit from a more stringent inspection by the local board of tourism. Mineral waters could cost and arm instead of an arm & a leg. The lack of air-conditioning. The inflexible lunch times (good luck finding lunch after 14:00). The overall chaos.

Actually, when you reflect on it, there’s an awful lot of things not to love about Italy in August. Unless of course, you’re doing it the right way.

What is the “right way”?

We chose a villa.

Now wait! Before you even think of saying “this is way out of my budget”, think again.

How much would you pay to witness a marvelous view of the rolling hills and vineyards of Tuscany at dust from the serenity and confinement of a comfy chair?

How much would you be willing to pay to drive five minutes every morning to the local market and bakery, buy the freshest local produce, and return to make your own marvelous Italian dining experience?

How much would you be willing to pay to have lavish quarters in a renovated renaissance-era house?

How much would you pay to wait out the hottest time of the day (which could easy be more than 35 degrees) half sunk in a cool eco-pool sipping cold Lambrusco – before commencing a leisurely late afternoon excursion?

No matter what number you had in mind, the real figures may surprise you.

What did we choose?

We chose a small 132th-century palace-turned-villa for our family summer retreat. Perched on a hill opposite of San Gimignano, the place is run by the owners – an Italian lineage going back few centuries. Having been inside that famous village, I can tell you the view of it from above surpasses the visit itself. We traded the miserabilism of tackling congestion and heat with three raucous kids, for freshly prepared pasta. The terror of tourist traps for the relaxation of an eco pool. The claustrophobic confinements of a tiny “room with a view” for the space and tranquility of a Tuscany Villa with a view like no other and a ten-minute late afternoon ride to the very (empty) center of San Gimignano.

You should too.