Prato

Rather than plunge into the daunting traffic of Florence, we stayed outside the city in a village called Prato. In fact we stayed in the countryside beyond Prato, in a the Villa Rucellai, surrounded by olive and grape orchards. Once again, travelling off season, only one other couple was staying at the villa during our visit.

The Villa Rucellai has been in the family since the 18th century. The family lives in the wing on the left. Our room is the one just to the right of entrance, hidden by the trees on the right. This picture of the pond is missing the geese and the famous "attack duck" who chased Lynn away when we first arrived at the villa.

The city of Prato lies in the distance. We're looking over the valley from one of the balconies of the villa.

Here's the orchard, and a tennis court associated with a nearby suburban town.

This formal garden is maintained behind the villa.

Lynn is planning her strategies in the morning sun on the patio.

While Lynn works diligently over her maps and guidebooks, I do the real work of a vacation. Read a novel, play a little guitar, snooze in the sun.

The villa is a piece of history, and surrounded by beauty.

Here's the view out our window. The courtyard includes a pool as well as the duck pond. Sad to say, I think we're packing the car to leave.

The whole stay here we felt surrounded by history.

The fortress of Prato lies in the center of town. Nearby we found the famous pasticcieri where Biscotti of Prato originated.