A pair of independent travelers with an inspired itinerary decided to satisfy two proverbial “bucket list” adventures… driving a vintage Italian car through Tuscany and returning to one of our favorite hotels and its exquisite restaurant. When you have the ability to create your own itinerary the planning process can become a creative adventure.
The Inspired Itinerary – Destination: Hotel La Chiusa in Montefollonico
La Chiusa hotel and restaurant (www.ristorantelachiusa.it) located in Montefollonico, Tuscany is in the hills southeast of Siena. It is an old farmhouse converted into 15 unique rooms with the fantastic bonus of operating one of the best restaurants in Italy. The owners, Dania Masotti and Umberto Lucherini, are two of the most gracious as well as delightful personalities that you would come across, and Dania is an excellent chef, too. She also offers cooking classes and has written a cookbook based on her culinary skills and knowledge.
On our first visit to Italy over 20 years ago, we stayed at this hotel, which was and still is recommended by “Karen Brown Travel Adventures”. Our room and the view was perfect and it had a large soaking tub which is an unusual feature. The people, the atmosphere, the room, the views, and especially the dining experience have made an indelible impression on us for all these years.
The second visit to La Chiusa was not a planned return, and only happened because when we arrived at our hotel, Residenza d’Arte in Torrita di Siena during riposo (nap time), we found that everything was closed for the afternoon. We were famished after a long drive, so we set out in search of the suggested alternatives and somehow our “travel angels” led us this way and that until we literally stumbled upon the familiar La Chiusa farmhouse.
We approached the gentlemen sitting at a table doing paperwork and told him “we stayed here eight years ago. Is it possible to get some bread, cheese and maybe a glass of wine at this time of the day?“
Umberto looked up, smiled and said “I remember you!” We were skeptical, to say the least, but it turned out he has an uncanny memory and was not kidding. “Please sit at the table under the chestnut tree and we will bring you something to eat”. He selected a white wine and the feast began.
The view from under the chestnut tree
Umberto’s spontaneous lunch begins with an excellent wine:
Then...
We finally raised up our hands and said ”basta” (enough) we cannot eat any more…
The experience was magical, the food was “simple” and spectacular. The way we were treated was the epitome of Italian warmth. They endeared themselves to us. We vowed to return again one day, and added it to our bucket list.
The Inspired Itinerary – Returning to Tuscany with Two Bucket-List Items in Our Sights
Establishing a Base Camp in Spoleto
Two of the leading benefits of using a vacation rental versus a hotel are the cost savings and the more spacious accommodations. With the per-night unit cost being more reasonable you can take an overnight trip to another village by simply packing a small bag, leaving the bulk of your luggage in a locked up apartment and off you go! We opted to go back to La Chiusa.
Bucket List Item # 1 – Renting a Vintage Car for Touring Tuscany, Italy
We perused the Internet and determined that zephyrus-classic-car-rental.com had the best selections, reasonable prices and were the most responsive to our numerous questions. We selected their Duetto Osso di Seppia, a 1966 Alfa Romeo (no… not the one from The Graduate fame - that one was already booked). The company also offers travel tours and other organized events, but being the independent type, we opted for a solo rental plan.
Booking the car was a bit of a challenge and a leap of faith too. We had to prepay the rental fee with a credit card (which added some level of security) and kept an open line of communications with the Zephyrus Team. They were very responsive, but you never know until you actually get there and see the car. “Meet us in the town of Chiusi Chianciano Terme at the railroad station and look for a red Alfa”… another leap of faith. Will they be there?
The car
We got off the autostrada in Chiusi and began checking our GPS and road signage for the railroad markers but no need as Matteo anticipated our possible confusion and met us on the off ramp. We followed him to the parking lot where we would drop our Hertz rental. We signed some paperwork and he gave us a few mechanical instructions and “Oh, yes, your GPS will work… the cigarette lighter is right there”. And off he went with a cheery "ciao!"
And there we sat, in this old car whose exterior was certainly cherry, but whose interior left much to be desired… we are talking original 1966. OK, so we familiarized ourselves with the clutch, brakes, mirrors, and we are ready to head into the Tuscan countryside… plugged in the GPS - but, sorry, the cigarette lighter doesn’t work. Oh well, we have a map and we kind of know where we are going.
Driving a classic Italian automobile has its moments, to say the least. The gears grind, the clutch is hydraulic and very stiff, fumes from the stinky exhaust waft through the car and you start to think… what on earth are we doing?
The Why – Driving a Classic Automobile in Tuscany
Rumbling down century-old country roads and viewing the Tuscan hillside in a red 1966 Alfa is simply so much fun that all car enthusiast should experience it for themselves. This Alfa had a 1570-cc variation of the Alfa Romeo twin-cam, four-cylinder engine, coupled with dual Weber two-barrel side-draft carburetors which, all said and done, produced 109 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm, packaged in a 2,183-pound body. When you added the five-speed manual transmission, disc brakes and an independent front suspension, you had a classic design and a pretty nice ride. It attracted people so much so that they waved and greeted us, and other cars gave us the right of way… apparently Italians still love this car.
The Views from a 1966 Alfa
Getting lost in a foreign country, with only a map and a smile adds a little excitement to your day. As a possible solution we fired up the iPhone and Google Maps to find our way to La Chiusa - and found out the stark reality that cell coverage is spotty… no joy and no lasting signal. Back to asking the locals for directions, using the car as a conversation magnet.
The “driver” specifically asked the “navigator” not to go into a large city and to avoid traffic at all costs. So naturally we wound up in Montepulciano at the busiest traffic junction and at the most hectic time of the day! Driving a vintage automobile in the countryside is a heck of a lot more fun than sitting in traffic with an uphill slop and the reflection of the front end of a tour bus poised right on your bumper in the rearview mirror and added an interesting twist to the day…va bene (so be it)!
Bucket List Item # 2 – Returning to La Chiusa in Style
We have all heard the expression “the third time’s the charm” and so it was at La Chiusa.
We made it to La Chiusa in the late afternoon, parked the Alfa, and found a glass of wine to celebrate the end of this part of the adventure. Then we enjoyed a spacious room, with a fabulous view and a soaking tub, followed by a gourmet Tuscan meal prepared by Dania and hosted by Umberto.
Our gracious hosts helped us celebrate our wedding anniversary by making a special cake for dessert. Along with fine after-diner drinks and singing Italian songs late into the evening… we really had a unique celebration.
Owners Dania Masotti and Umberto Lucherini represent the essence of Italian warmth and hospitality
After all, what is the hurry… be inspired.
© Inspired Travel Itineraries with Bob and Janice Kollar
Photos © Bob and Janice Kollar
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