There’s a saying that life has a way of surprising us when we least expect it. Our journey from the sun-soaked shores of Lake Travis in Texas to the rolling hills of Tuscany is proof of just that—a whirlwind of dreams, spontaneity, and the unmistakable pull of Italy’s timeless beauty. This is the story of how we traded a dream of recreating Italy in Texas for something far better: the real thing.
The Texas Dream
or years, we dreamed of building a home on a piece of land near Spicewood, Texas. If you’ve ever been out that way, you know how serene it is—clear blue skies stretching over the lake, oaks and junipers dotting the rugged hillsides, and just enough distance from the city to make you feel like you’ve found a hidden paradise.
We owned a piece of property overlooking Lake Travis, and in our minds, we could already see what it would become: a warm, terracotta-colored villa perched atop the hill, with stone arches and rustic wooden shutters opening onto views of the water below.
We even had architectural plans drawn up—a detailed design inspired by Italian villas we had admired on previous vacations. The vision was there, and it was beautiful. We were excited about bringing a slice of Italy to Texas, blending the Hill Country charm with Mediterranean elegance.
A Whim That Changed Everything
Then came a vacation to Italy—a trip meant to recharge, relax, and soak in the Italian lifestyle we had fallen in love with over the years. Tuscany, with its golden fields, cypress-lined roads, and medieval hilltop towns, was a place we thought we knew well. After all, we’d been here before, admiring the landscape and indulging in endless plates of pasta and glasses of Chianti.
But this time was different. On a whim, fueled by nothing more than curiosity and the spirit of adventure, we decided to look at a few homes for sale. We didn’t have any real intention of buying—we thought it might be fun to see what was out there, maybe get a sense of what owning a home in Tuscany would actually mean. It felt like harmless daydreaming.
The Moment We Knew
“Sometimes, life leads you where you never planned to go, and that’s where the magic happens.”
That harmless daydreaming didn’t last long. By the time we stepped into the first property, something shifted. Standing on a terrace overlooking an olive grove, with the late afternoon sun casting a golden glow over the landscape, we realized something profound: why build an Italian villa in Texas when we could own the real thing right here in Italy?
The idea that had once seemed distant and impossible suddenly felt not only achievable but entirely right. It wasn’t just about the beauty of Tuscany—it was about the way it made us feel. Life seemed simpler here, slower in the best way possible. There was a rhythm to daily life in Tuscany that resonated with us deeply. From morning espresso at the local bar to evenings spent sipping wine under the stars, it was the kind of life we had been longing for without fully realizing it.
Making the Leap
“The rugged spirit of Texas taught us how to dream big, but Tuscany showed us how to slow down and savor every moment.”
Of course, deciding to buy a home in a foreign country is no small thing. There were logistical hurdles to think about, financial realities to face, and an entire life back in Texas that we’d built over the years. But as we walked through that home and the surrounding countryside, we kept coming back to one thought: We can do this.
It wasn’t something we had planned, and it certainly wasn’t something we’d anticipated when we boarded the plane to Italy. Yet, there we were, standing in Tuscany, imagining a new life—one filled with olive trees, Italian markets, and lazy afternoons spent watching the sun dip below the hills. The idea was no longer a distant dream; it was something we could grasp, something we could build, something that felt… inevitable.
Trading One Dream for Another
In the end, we chose to trade one dream for another. We tabled the property in Spicewood and put the plans for a Texas villa aside. Instead, we began the process of purchasing a farmhouse in Tuscany—a home that didn’t need to be designed to resemble an Italian villa because it already was one.
Now, as we sit on our terrace, sipping wine and gazing out at the olive trees that gave this blog/column its name, we often think back to that first day we looked at homes in Italy.
We didn’t set out to change our lives, but sometimes the best adventures are the ones that find you when you aren’t looking for them.
If you’ve ever dreamed of making a leap like this, take it from us: it’s possible. Life Between the Olive Trees is waiting. All it takes is a little curiosity, a dash of spontaneity, and the willingness to trade one dream for another when the right moment comes along.
And for us, that moment was Tuscany.
“Under the shade of ancient olive trees, we found a new rhythm—a harmony between the big dreams of our past and the quiet joys of our present.”