Food and Wine Tuscany Tour

On the Saturday we went on what was described as a Tuscany Food and Wine tour. It was more a tour of places associated with food and wine for the most part. The first stop was a vineyard and winery where we did a wine tasting so at least it started well. The winery was called Abbadia Ardenga, near Montepulciano. The views were lovely and we got a brief talk outside with an introductory glass of wine before moving inside for a view of the cellars and a full tasing. 

View from the winery.

It was only about 10.30am so a little early for wine, but hey, we were on holiday so why not? And the wine was so good. 

The winery's best wine.

They mostly make Brunello di Montepulciano (made with Sangiovese gross grapes). It can only be made in this area and is very nice. It has to be aged for 5 years before it can be sold.

We got a tasting of 3 different wines. I even got Caroline drinking and enjoying red wine! We also got some fresh bread and homemade olive oil. 

After the tasting we went to Montalcino. We had a wonder around and look at the views as the town is set on a hill. There wasn't much to see and most of the shops were shut for lunch.

Streets of Montalcino

View out.

Community garden

From there we went to Pienza. We were supposed to have another wine tasting with some cheese, but it was inside a shop which was too small for our group and so more than a little chaotic. So we grabbed the wine and then left the group to go and get some lunch. We found a lovely little restaurant and I tried polenta with a wild boar sauce which was amazing.

The last stop was Montepulciano, the hilltop town the wine is named after. We got dropped off at the bottom of the hill and walked up. And up and up and up. On the way up there was a statue of a horse I really wish I had stopped to take a photo off (I didn't want to loose the group and it was too dark on the way down). This horse was anatomically correct (and oddly detailed) and look very happy with himself. 

We headed up, looking for the central square where there was a Christmas market. Which of course was at the very top of the hill. The very long hill.

But we did make it and the markets were very colourful. 

It was dark when we walked down and enjoyed the lights. I am looking forward to Christmas now.

The tour was ok though not what we expected. And though the guide was good, she was more there to get us from one place to the next. And you better not be late for the bus. On the first stop a couple were about 5 minutes late, and the bus was starting to leave without them. Oddly enough after that, everyone was early for the bus!

First day in Florence

Last week Caroline and I flew to Florence for a long weekend. After getting to our hotel, we spent the first night wondering around and doing a Tuscany wine tasting. It was a great way to start a holiday.

On our first full day there, we tried to find the train station which as where we needed to go for our tours in the next few days. And completely missed it - it is literally a 5 mins walk from our hotel. But we ended up near the river so made the most of it.

The Arno River, running through Florence

We walked along the river to the Ponte Vecchio. The buildings literally hang over the sides. It's the oldest bridge in Florence (the rest were destroyed during WWII and rebuilt since) and use to house butchers and tanners until one of the royalty decided it smelt too much and kicked them out. It's now home to some very expensive jewellery shops. 

Ponte Vecchio

Along the bridge

One the Ponte Vecchio

Expensive.

We decided to find the Hop-on Hop-off bus but had just missed it (and it was once an hour of course) so wondered around. It was pretty cold throughout our stay but for the most part it was sunny.

Ponte Vecchio from the other side.

And again

Near the Uffuzi.

We briefly considered going to one of the big museums or galleries but you can be queueing for hours and we didn't want to spend hours just waiting. Plus if you want to see the David, there are copies everywhere. So we got a photo of one of the copies and got our culture by looking at the buildings and learning about the history.

Copy of the David.

A strangely sad lion.

We managed to get the bus but ended u just staying on all the way around, to see Florence. (None of my photos really turned out.) We got to see the city but the bus tour was pretty disappointing. Usually they are really good but the explanations had little or no match to what we were seeing.

We got off near the street markets and the Mercato Centrale, a huge food market which I think it my favourite place in Florence. Downstairs is a giant food market selling everything from fish and meat to tourist gifts.

Pasta!

Lemoncello (in some interesting bottles)

But upstairs is the best food court ever! There are loads of places to get really fresh amazing food. And while Caroline was waiting in line and I got a table, a lovely man came to the table and asked if we wanted wine. He then delivered some very nice glasses of wine to our table. In a food court! All food courts should be like this! 

Waiting for food.

We had a wondered through the street markets and got some bits but we got sick of the vendors trying to get up to buy things. It gets annoying after a very short amount of time. So we headed back to the hotel for a chill out before dinner, walking past the Duomo on the way. 

We apparently got confused with how the Italians eat dinner. We though it was like the Spanish way, where the eat late. But apparently not. They eat a lot earlier. We went for some drinks before dinner and lots track of time. 

Spitz!

We need up having to search for somewhere which was still open and had to rush dinner. Oops. (But the drinks and dinner were very nice.)

Quick trip home

Last weekend I took a day off and took a trip home. On the Thursday I went home via Adriennes and got cuddles from the baby, who is the cutest thing I have seen in a long time. Such a sweetie pie! And got to download my brain to Adrienne which was a relief. 

On the Friday I went for lunch with dad and then a walk along the the railway walk and chat. But I didn't take any photos.

The main reason for going home (other than just because) as to cook super, 4 course meal on the Saturday (with wine pairings of course). The idea was to have a dinner party for my Aunt and Uncle (who ask my parents about this on a regular basis) but they were on holiday. Again. So my mom and dad, sister and brother-in-law got to enjoy it all to themselves instead. 

The meal went well (I love Mary Berry recipes) and Kerry and Craig brought some fireworks for after. They were a mix bag, I have to admit. Maybe I just just easier to impress as a kid, but the standard does seem to have dropped. And they was no Katherine Wheels, my favourite (obviously). 

But they did have sparklers.

Someone dropped it!

All gone.

About as high as it got.

I stayed back to start with because, you know, explosives! But it became apparent they they really weren't all that dangerous so I got some closer photos.

Finally some colour

Final one was a good one.

But we did have enough sparklers for one last one. Who doesn't enjoy a sparkler?