Jamie and Ilva found the most stunning location for our Tuscan adventure.
The Antica Tenuta Le Casacce is an agriturismo owned by Roman chef Enrico Casini, situated near Seggiano in the glorious landscape of the Val d’Orcia, whose timeless hills and valleys are deservedly a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enrico used to run six restaurants in Rome before settling down in his beloved Tuscany and his amazing four course meals every evening were a true highlight of our stay (we also did a cooking class with him – recipes appearing on the blog shortly, yay!).
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Linda Bass of Tuscan Muse offers a selection of creative workshops in conjunction with Enrico based at Le Casacce. Retired trial lawyer Linda is warmth and generosity personified – nothing was too much trouble – and a fabulous writer, artist and photographer in her own right. Her workshops include not only first class instruction but also a number of day trips to the small hill top villages which dot the surrounding hillsides.
However, with accommodation and surroundings like this, it was nearly impossible to drag ourselves away. Come and visit this little corner of paradise. Oh and meet Socrates, the resident manic depressive donkey and star of Le Casacce.
Not a bad view from the pool.
Not a bad view from the terrace.
Here’s Jamie coaching Deepa from One Small Pot.
And here are Linda and some of the ladies working hard.
The old stone buildings were charming inside too.
Here’s the ghost of a photo studio at night.
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The Minx would have loved the wooden cats hanging out outside.
Here’s Chef Enrico presenting his incredible food.
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And here’s Ilva being Ilva.
And a couple more of Socrates gambolling in the sunset. Life is sweet at Le Casacce.
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Tuscany, I can’t recommend Le Casacce highly enough. And Linda’s Tuscan Muse creative workshops are pretty special too, as you’ve probably already worked out.
So much fun reading and remembering through your exquisite photos Paola! Wonderfully done.
It was a pretty stunning place all told wasn’t it…
Paola, thanks for capturing the memories. Your photos are absolutely beautiful! I agree, it was a wonderful place to have a workshop and meet new friends.
Thank you! Just sad I don’t have a better picture of you.
Yes, I can see myself sitting on their outdoor terrace…woofing back that lovely rigatoni dish generously sprinkled with curls of freshly grated cheese.
Incidentally, I was tickled pink, rose and russet that you used the verb “gambolling”. Seriously, what a JOYFUL word. And you slipped it in soooooo nonchalantly. Bravo!
Ha! I use ‘gambol’ a lot. Must be the pretentious Englishness in me:) But I’m going to be using ‘tickled pink, rose and russet’ in future. What a gorgeous turn of phrase!
Grazie, carissima.
Your gorgeous photos make me nostalgic, sulky, warm, inspired and hungry…..not neccessarily in that order. It really was a wonderful experience *sigh*
Yes, it was. Wish I had better than iPhone photos of the food, but they will have to do. I MISS it…
Nostalgic is right. I want to go back. And I am so excited you’ll be posting the recipes I forgot to write down. Now I think our group just needs to plan a vacation there for next year.