MAPPING TUSCANY

For reasons to me unknown (or at least too complicated to be explained), fate has me walking Massa Marittima's picture perfect town center every year once during winter. And each time I can't but stop and marvel at the timeless beauty of Massa Marittima's monuments against the backdrop of a crisp blue winter sky.  No need for a Fellini film, if you can spend a morning people-watching on the  tourist free main square  in front of the gorgeous cathedral (building it in an oblique angle towards the rest of the piazza was a true act of genius!). This February morning serendipity even went so far as having me run into Donna, the blogger behind Maremma Guide , who writes one of the most informative and useful websites for people exploring this part of Tuscany.  The archaeological museum and a slice of the cathedral

Just when you counted out that you'll have to get through another three cold months, you are surprised by the incredible blue of a Tuscan winter sky. And you think of your friends in Zurich, buried under months of fog. And then the friends in Britain. Buried under months of rain. And you remember the reason why you moved to Tuscany. Even in the winter. In fact above all in the winter! It's only a madly hot and crowded  Italian August , that will make one reconsider some major life choices.