Tuscany
Two hour train ride from Venice to Florence. A one hour car ride from Florence to Tuscany.
Most of the trip was through a tunnel. Had a fellow next to Hunter who took selfies, in all kinds of positions, the entire trip. He also had his friends take pictures of him. So annoying.
Two hour train ride from Venice to Florence. A one hour car ride from Florence to Tuscany.
Most of the trip was through a tunnel. Had a fellow next to Hunter who took selfies, in all kinds of positions, the entire trip. He also had his friends take pictures of him. So annoying.
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| Very Beautiful. I understand the allure. |
We stayed at Borgo San Felice. They had just opened for the season the week before. They hosted the Maserati Club. Then we came and everything slowed down. Maybe three or four other couples. They were gearing up to host the Canadians and their Olympic staff/athletes (some fund raiser) for two weeks. Beautiful place.
They make their own wine. Our delivery arrived Wednesday. Yay!
Visited a winery in Montepulciano. Their wine hasn't been delivered yet.
Visited a working farm. They make their own charcuterie, cheese, wine, everything.
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| Didn't realize my sleeves showed so bad. |
The farm is owned by a Swedish fellow who purchased the property twenty five years ago.
He had a pet sheep. It ran up to us, just like a puppy would, baahed, romped, nuzzled, ate grass, stayed with us. If I only could figure out how to take videos with my phone. You guys would have loved it. So cute!
Cheese!
Hunter and I did a cooking class at Osteria di Passignano. Just us and the chef.
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Pecorino Flan on Balsamic Reduction
"Pappa al Pomodoro" Ravioli and Basil Pesto
Roast Cornish Hen with Thyme, Lemon, and Sable Potatoes
Molten Chocolate Cake and Orange Sauce
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We then toured the old monastery that they store wine in.
Ciao Tuscany. Time for the Big F...
(and a celebrity spotting)
Hunter and I did a cooking class at Osteria di Passignano. Just us and the chef.
***
Pecorino Flan on Balsamic Reduction
"Pappa al Pomodoro" Ravioli and Basil Pesto
Roast Cornish Hen with Thyme, Lemon, and Sable Potatoes
Molten Chocolate Cake and Orange Sauce
***
We then toured the old monastery that they store wine in.
Then we ate at the restaurant, with all kinds of wine pairings, the meal we made. Well....
The chefs prepared for us. Terrific! Oooh, and I have more wine coming!!!!
Visited Sienna
They run the Palio de Sienna twice a year.
Below is the Piazza del Campo. They ride bareback, three times around. Whichever horse, rider does NOT have to be on it, finishes first wins.
Ciao Tuscany. Time for the Big F...
(and a celebrity spotting)
Glorious! I cannot wait to go to Italy! It and San Francisco are next on the list after Paris and Bruges I think! What a time you had! Florence is my dream. Hope the F is Florence!
ReplyDeleteAfter all my wine buying I may need to wait to visit San Francisco and Napa Valley a bit later...I need my wallet to recooperate.
DeleteOh, loving you It. photos. Looks like you and H had a lovely glass of wine, and I did not notice your sleeves! That seems like a fancy place you stayed-- very nice! We rented a stone barn, restored with antiques, for less than 100. a night, 2 floors, great kitchen and fireplace AND the owner tuned out to be a high end shoe designer!
ReplyDeleteI don't know why it is so easy to have wine with lunch in Italy; I would sleep the afternoon away if I did that here! So lovely...
I had wine with lunch, wine with aperitifs, wine with dinner...it was so good and no hangovers, maybe once. The Euro was almost 1:1 with the dollar. Bad for them, good for us.
DeleteOne of the most beautiful places on earth. Your pictures are gorgeous. The palio is really intense, I've never seen such a frenzied crowd. Would avoid that time of the year, actually, very crowded and the lovely Piazza del Campo is all boarded up.
ReplyDeleteOur guide thought the Palio was the second coming. He was quite fervent about it. I quite like the lack of people.
DeleteThe scenery is gorgeous but it is really the cheese vaults and caves that get me. Accompaniments for all that wine. Enjoy the rest of your arrivals. "Next letter please..."
ReplyDeleteYou should have seen Mr. H with the olives. They were like crack for him.
DeleteSo lovely and intoxicating - I'll be daydreaming about Italy all day. Thanks for taking the time to share your adventures with us!
ReplyDeleteI shall be getting a shipment of wine today. I'll be reliving my adventures a bit tonight!
DeleteDreamy... I love Siena. Usually have to be dragged away, cussin and muttering. And congratulations on hitting the exchange rate just right.
ReplyDeleteI just can't get over the age of everything. Seeing entire towns that were built hundreds and hundreds of years ago...quite impressive.
DeleteI am so happy you had fun and I can't wait for the F word post. Is this your first Italian trip?
ReplyDeleteMy first place i visited in Italy was also central Italy funny enough but now my fave bit is the South and I think your next trip has to be there bc it's like a totally different country.
This was actually our first trip to Europe. I would still like to visit Rome, Lake Como, Amalfie Coast, Naples, Milan...yeah, just a few.
DeleteNot sure how your blog fell off my Dashboard and now emailed into my Promotions gmail folder. Lots of catching up to do and assumed you were on Bebeian sabbatical.
ReplyDeleteKnew this Italy trip was coming and can't wait to see these pics on laptop rather than phone.
It fell off mine too!!And I'm pissed. WTF happened??
DeleteYou both look amazing and so happy and relaxed (don't you just hate it when you see your holiday snaps and you have a clothing annoyance - actually if you hadn't pointed it out I would not have noticed...)
ReplyDeleteNapa thinks its the Tuscany of CA, but really its the buildings in Italy that really makes it inimitable
An amazing looking trip. I missed the whole damn thing. You'll just have to do it all over again. And we will join you. xxx
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