In the Scent of Heirloom Roses

Last September I had the good fortune to be celebrating a significant birthday with three girl friends who were also celebrating such birthdays. While in Florence where we started our grand adventure, during an attempt to meander around Florence on a beautiful sunny day with the goal of getting some exercise and reaching the Boboli Gardens all before lunch, we headed out from our Hotel Bretagna located right on the Arno River with a view of all of the bridges especially breath taking at sunset (ask for a river view room up on the higher floors where window sills are wide enough to sit in and have a glass of wine while your friends are getting ready to go out for the evening), my friends and I stumbled upon the Belvedere Fort. It had just reopened that summer. Not only did this fort provide a beautiful view of the Boboli Gardens below, but of all of Florence and the distant hills and countryside. Art exhibits were featured inside and out and there was this amazing scent of heirloom roses in the air all around us, notwithstanding the fact that there were no rose plants in sight.

After viewing the exhibits, taking our pictures, and having some cold drinks to refresh ourselves(amazingly we all agreed that it was too early for wine at 11am although later in the week that rule was broken a couple of times at brunch at our villa Casa al Bosco in Abbadia di Montepulciano), while lounging in the comfortable outdoor seating area with an interesting shiny gold colored sculpture of a naked man hanging from an old iron bell to observe and discuss, we finally discovered the source of this heavenly scent. The small non touristy gift store with windows adorned with real lace of course, selling only items made in Italy, sold perfume made in Florence. Each day the rose scented room spray made in accordance with ancient formulas handed down by monks and nuns was used to scent the gift store and hallways leading to it. A little goes a long way as I discovered when something is so well made. I could not resist buying a bottle to bring home and help me remember my wonderful time in Tuscany. My secret Tuscany anytime I want to get that feeling back of being up at that fort overlooking Florence on a beautiful summer day with the best of friends and the whole trip to look forward to.

Diane G