Visiting Italy proved to be a strange and amazing adventure, thanks to our three-night stay at a 700-year-old castle in the hills of Tuscany.

After dropping off extra luggage at the St. Regis Hotel in Rome, my husband and I rented a car and headed north with another couple. We had been advised not to drive in Italy, but we thought it would be convenient. 

Still, driving in Italy is taking your life in your hands. Italians drive a minimum 50 m.p.h. and love to tailgate, and the traffic signs are ridiculous. We later came to find out that Italians consider traffic laws as merely suggestions.

Arriving at the castle after sunset was very daunting. After navigating the last of the roundabouts (traffic circles) three times, around and around, we finally found the right turn to the castle.

Minutes later, we were greeted by the owner, a young man named Emmanuelle. All my trepidations melted away. The view was magnificent, overlooking a Tuscan valley. After a wonderful Italian dinner cooked by Emmanuelle's wife, we were shown to our mini-suite.

Emmanuelle told us that there was a slight bee problem in our fireplace that the local fire department would take care of the next day. A bit freaked, I had to kill about eight bees the size of hummingbirds that night. Finally, I popped a sleeping pill and retired.

The next morning, I awoke to the sound of bees attacking the cardboard covering the fireplace opening. We left to visit spectacular Florence, and when we returned, our room reeked of insecticide. Emmanuelle assured us that he had aired out our room, but we couldn't breathe in there. To sleep, we opened all the screen-less windows. Being on the first floor, we hoped no critters would enter. Another sleeping pill came in handy.

After a wonderful breakfast the next morning, we headed off to gorgeous Siena. When we returned to our suite, I spotted a scorpion. Funny, though I never had seen a scorpion before, I identified it immediately and killed it with my shoe. Emmanuelle was nonchalant again, saying scorpions won't kill - they only make you sick. Not surprisingly, it was another sleeping-pill night.

With all these mishaps, the stay was still wonderful. Sitting on the veranda each night, drinking wine and talking to the other international guests, was enjoyable.

That said, we couldn't wait to get to the St. Regis - even though we had to drive.