Last night Husband and I booked our mini break in Tuscany. I did the research for it weeks and weeks ago but didn't book anything because one of the hotels (the really, really lovely one!) had good last minute deals. I thought I'd sit tight and wait for a last minute deal... BAD PLAN! In the end it was Husband who insisted it was time to book. Me? I was happy still waiting. This is soooooooooo unlike me, I usually like everything booked and confirmed months ahead. Sometimes I wonder if I have been taken over by an evil twin?
So last night, after dinner I showed Husband my selected accomodation and we decided on dates and got booking... Two nights in Siena in my 3 star hotel, recommended by CN Traveller and Trip Advisor was no problem. We got a room although it was €100 more expensive a night than my research suggested. Whoops! And only 3 star? Hmmm.
After our two nights of culture we wanted three nights of R & R and I found a lovely hotel in the middle of the Chianti region - lovely deco, gorgeous gardens, big pool, excellent restaurant and affordable - just! Well unfortunately the hotel was fully booked on one of our chosen nights and even if we switched dates with Siena it still meant changing rooms in the middle of our stay. Errrr, no thanks. Fortunately we have found another similar hotel courtesy of the Mr & Mrs Smith hotel guide. In fact this one is even more exclusive as it only has ten rooms and is a little more modern in its design. It's got everything we wanted although it's on a smaller scale but it is also a smaller price!! (Thanks to their great last minute deals!!)
So we are now all booked up for Italy. How exciting!!!
Now, onto houses. Yes, today I drove all by myself to see a couple of houses. The drive there was fine and dare I say there was a little enjoyment involved! There were a lot of lorries but generally they behaved themselves and I was mostly familiar with the route being driven - phew! When I arrived at the agency the agent gave me a blank stare and confessed that he thought we were meeting tomorrow!! Fortunately I was able to see the two houses I really wanted to see.
House 1: Ticks all the boxes BUT is a complete renovation project. The house was built in 1981 and I'm guessing the dark green kitchen and peach bathroom suites are from back then too! Also, the lay out of the house is a little strange. It could be split into two apartments and so we have to think about how we'd use the extra living room and kitchen when transforming to one big house.
House 2: Was HUGE and so crowded with furniture (an elderly couple own it) that it was difficult to see the potential although I'm sure it could be completely transformed with the right amounts of time, effort and money. Thing is, do we have those? And are we willing to make the commitment?
The other two houses I was suppose to see had to be forgotten which I didn't mind because they were fillers rather than possibilities. However the agent did take me to one just to get a feel for the location. HORRID! It was all up hill and with a tiny, bumpy road leading you there that had no barriers. Can you imagine doing me doing that drive in Winter, with rain or ice on the roads? I don't think so. Also, it had a big empty plot opposite it which the agent said could one day house 3-5 houses. So if the drive wasn't reason enough the thought of being next to endless building works struck the house off the list forever!!
And that's all for now folks. I'm off for a siesta... all that driving has me EXHAUSTED!!
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