Toscano
Ah, Tuscany, every tourists dream? Well, yeah, it is really pretty.
For one of the days we were in Firenze, we hired a driver to take us out into the countryside. The driver was named Alessandro Bravi, and Bravi was BRAVISSIMO. He knew what he was doing, he gave us information, found a wonderful place to eat, and a wonderful place to buy wine.
Indeed, our first stop was at a small production cantina which sold only their own chianti's and other wines, and only sold them direct from the cantina. Each of us ended up ordering a case or so of the delicious red wines that they make in the region. The cases shipped to the US are going under the name of ceramics, as wine can not be sent like that.
With a pleasant buzz on, Sandro took us to the town of San Gimignano. It is known as the New York City of Tuscany, we were told, because of what looks like a bunch of skyscrapers. Actually, they are medieval towers that were built to keep the wealthy safe from attackers. It was a real tourist town done right, with limited traffic, shops galore, and enough space for everyone. I particularly liked the side streets, where one could wander and wonder at the peace that must be the town when the tourists are not about. I also could not help but laugh at the locals, sitting in folding chairs under an archway in one of the main squares. One was even busy having lunch as they watched the tourists.
From there, we went to the tiny medieval village of Montegeggironi. What a beautiful small town. There were a few shops. The town was completely surrounded by the old defensive walls, that seemed to keep both invaders of a different era as well as too many modern day tourist invaders out. At first, one wondered what they had to protect. With Sandro's help, we discovered what it was. Trattoria Pozzo de Montegeggironi. Now I am not a fan of the food of northern Italy. But this place was great. The best meal the whole trip. Oh my oh my oh my.
Finally, we left for Siena, nearly falling asleep in the van with our fullness. Siena was as beautiful as ever, with its wonderful expansive town square, and its startlingly green and white Chiesa Madre. Que Bellissima! A wonderful excursion. Bravo Bravi, Bravissimo!!
For one of the days we were in Firenze, we hired a driver to take us out into the countryside. The driver was named Alessandro Bravi, and Bravi was BRAVISSIMO. He knew what he was doing, he gave us information, found a wonderful place to eat, and a wonderful place to buy wine.
Indeed, our first stop was at a small production cantina which sold only their own chianti's and other wines, and only sold them direct from the cantina. Each of us ended up ordering a case or so of the delicious red wines that they make in the region. The cases shipped to the US are going under the name of ceramics, as wine can not be sent like that.
With a pleasant buzz on, Sandro took us to the town of San Gimignano. It is known as the New York City of Tuscany, we were told, because of what looks like a bunch of skyscrapers. Actually, they are medieval towers that were built to keep the wealthy safe from attackers. It was a real tourist town done right, with limited traffic, shops galore, and enough space for everyone. I particularly liked the side streets, where one could wander and wonder at the peace that must be the town when the tourists are not about. I also could not help but laugh at the locals, sitting in folding chairs under an archway in one of the main squares. One was even busy having lunch as they watched the tourists.
From there, we went to the tiny medieval village of Montegeggironi. What a beautiful small town. There were a few shops. The town was completely surrounded by the old defensive walls, that seemed to keep both invaders of a different era as well as too many modern day tourist invaders out. At first, one wondered what they had to protect. With Sandro's help, we discovered what it was. Trattoria Pozzo de Montegeggironi. Now I am not a fan of the food of northern Italy. But this place was great. The best meal the whole trip. Oh my oh my oh my.
Finally, we left for Siena, nearly falling asleep in the van with our fullness. Siena was as beautiful as ever, with its wonderful expansive town square, and its startlingly green and white Chiesa Madre. Que Bellissima! A wonderful excursion. Bravo Bravi, Bravissimo!!
posted by Steve at 2:14 PM
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