<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9180092.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-7849" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9180092-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>I signed up for the Tuscan Coast Cycling Tour, but after slamming my head into the pavement on Day 356, I pondered my post-crash options. Should I suck it up and get back on the bike, or take it easy and sit the day out in the van with Fabio 1?

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I decided to follow that old "listen to your body" adage.  With my head feeling like it was still being squeezed by a giant clamp, I felt as though resting was the prudent thing to do.

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Don't feel too sorry for me.   How often does a single woman get the chance to lock herself up in a van with a hot-blooded Italian male who showers her with compliments by the minute?  (Not to mention that somehow, compliments always sound better with an accent, do they not?)  Carpe Diem, Sisters!

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And guess what?  Tuscany is just as beautiful from a van window.

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[caption id="attachment_7850" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="We followed the same road as the cyclists."]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9180090.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-7850" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9180090-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]

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Fabio 1 was an excellent host.  He was on a mission to make my van day special.  We made a few extra cappuccino stops in the morning, and we pulled over for G.O.D (Gelato of the Day) in the afternoon.

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As honorary tour guide sidekick, I even helped set out the snacks for the cyclists.

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[caption id="attachment_7852" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Snack prep is a tough job, but somebody has to do it!"]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9180091.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-7852 " title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9180091-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]

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Since it was a transfer day to a different agriturismo, I was the first tour member to see what turned out to be my personal favorite lodging of the tour:  <strong><a href="http://www.montebelli.com/" target="_blank">Montebelli.</a></strong>

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Remember how Scarlett talked about <strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tara_Plantation" target="_blank">Tara</a></strong>?  That's how I now talk about Montebelli.  The grounds are peacefully spectacular.

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[caption id="attachment_7854" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Montebelli: The Italian Tara"]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9180093.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-7854" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9180093-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]

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I had a suite -- yes, a SUITE! -- with a view.

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<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9180101.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-7855" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9180101-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9180102.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-7856" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9180102-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>

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Even more charming:  I was greeted with a handwritten note!  (Louise is my middle name.  Bleck.  I planned on changing it to "Louisette" on one of my "blog days", but I never found the time.  I was also worried about hurting my parents feelings.)

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<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9180104.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-7859" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9180104-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>

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In the bathroom, I discovered My New Favorite Bath Products which I am currently addicted to and don't know how I'm going to live without them once I finish milking every last drop.  :-(

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[caption id="attachment_7860" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Bath Paradise Found"]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9180110.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-7860" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9180110-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]

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At yet <em>another</em> wine tasting that evening, I was introduced to My New Favorite Wine which I loved a little too much on Night 358 and therefore made for a rather loooonnnnngggg bus trip to Roma on Day 359.  (To be continued.)

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<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9180115.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-7863" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/P9180115-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>

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As for Day and Night 357 . . . Bliss.

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**********

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Care to see more photos of the Montebelli grounds?  You can view their photo gallery <strong><a href="http://www.montebelli.com/gallery.html" target="_blank">here</a></strong>.