WELCOME TO GRUPPO TUSCANY 2023

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Hi Everyone and welcome to “The Bronze Medal Plates: Tuscany Edition!”

I have set up this website to communicate with you about the trip, to help organize our adventure, and to serve as online "scrapbook" to share our experiences together, and so we have something to look back on in the future. It is my plan to provide a blog with some photos, videos and planning ideas at least once per month until we leave on our vacation together.

INSPIRATION

When I look back on my life I realize that the most cherished moments are from my shared experiences with friends and family. It can be as simple as going to a trendy local coffee shop for the first time, strolling down a vibrant street where your senses are overloaded with the sights, sounds and even smells of a new city, or breaking bread against the backdrop of the surroundings that we are discovering together for the first time. And it occurred to me that all of these memories have several elements in common: food, beverage, a unique environment, an element of adventure, and the company of good friends!

So with that introduction I present to you The Bronze Medal Plates: Tuscany Edition!

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ABOUT THE TRIP

We have invited our closest friends to join us on our adventure to Tuscany, Italy in May of 2023, where we will be staying at a boutique hotel called La Moscadella, located on the edge of the Village of Castelmuzio.

La Moscadella is a former 16th Century Monastery that has been converted to a small boutique hotel with restaurant overlooking the Tuscan country side. This will be our home base from Saturday May 13, 2023 to Friday May 19, 2023.

We will be treated to a "rich daily breakfast" each morning in the garden or the veranda, depending on the weather, and then we can go about our daily activities. One of the advantages of staying at La Moscadella is that it is part of the "Isabella Experience," named after Isabella who, along with her husband Carlo, own this and several other properties.

LA MOSCADELLA

I have been looking for a more immersive experience while travelling to Italy, and the Isabella Experience really captures my interest and imagination in this regard. In fact, I just love their description of the Isabella Experience on their website:

"We don’t just rent rooms—we usher you into the sweet life. For more than 30 years we, the Moricciani family, have specialized in helping curious travelers connect to the soul of Tuscany in Val d’Orcia. Our guests enjoy special invitations to unforgettable moments at remarkable locations throughout this gorgeous valley where we have made our life for generations. When you stay with us, the simple pleasures of the Tuscan lifestyle are yours—memorable meals, iconic scenery, thoughtful touches, and the luxury of unhurried time. As you peruse our website, you’ll start to see why our guests return again and again, and often describe The Isabella Experience as “magical”.

In order to make the "Tuscan Magic" happen, we will be working with the concierge team at the Isabella Experience to help us organize unforgettable activities throughout the week including:

• guided tours of cities and museums;

• culinary experiences;

• wine tastings;

• a spa day with hot pools and massages;

• horseback riding

• cooking classes (including gluten free pasta making)

• hot air ballooning

• olive oil tasting

• live music

• photo safari

VAL D'ORICIA

The Val d'Orcia is the valley that surrounds the Orcia river that runs through southern Tuscany, and was designated a Unesco World Heritage Sites in 2004. The spectacular rolling hills of the Val d'Orcia offer a great variety of trails, connecting famous medieval villages such as Pienza, Montalcino, Monticchiello, and Montepulciano.

Check out the video below entitled Val D'orcia, which should pique your interest about this wonderful part of Italy.

CONFIRMING YOUR ROOM

Amazingly, many of you have already confirmed your attendance and that is just so exciting to both Lori and me. You should have already received an email from Doriana, who is in charge of booking your room at La Moscadella. Please respond to her ASAP, if you haven't already done so, to ensure that your room is secured. You will have to provide a 25% deposit at this time, however it is fully refundable up to a year in advance of the trip.

CIAO FOR NOW

Thanks again for taking the time to consider joining us on this trip. We understand that not all of you will be able to make it for a variety of reasons and circumstances. If we are able to pull this one off, then hopefully you will be able to join us on the next one, where ever that may be!

In the meantime, please reach out to me through my email bradlor@shaw.ca if you have any questions. I will try to figure out how the comment section of this website works so that it can be more interactive in the future.

Ciao! for now!