“Where the fuck is our train Jack?”
Were the first words out of my dear mothers mouth the second we bought our train tickets from Roma to Florence last Tuesday, the 29th. Under panic, the girls rushed and shouted, looking where to go, while I casually walked down to platform 2, to our train.
A well-needed rest on the train was more than the doctor ordered, made like a night hawk, but during the day. Alive, alert, awake and enthusiastic, I charged the two troops down to our hotel, Hotel Gioia In central town were we got settled in for some delightful Florence food. Sue’s friends Debbi and Nick mentioned a few cute little ‘off the beaten track’ Tuscan restaurants hidden away in the backstreets of Florence, so we headed out with high ambitions for our recommended dining experience… To say the least it was quite the experience. I can now say they treat locals like kings there, and tourist like shit, to the side to wait anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half for a table. Luckily, the food lived up to its expectations.
Me, Ani and Sue all resting the legs after a long days shopping
Up nice and early, noon saw me finally leave our hotel to explore the numerous shoe, bag and jewellery stores Florence has to offer. After a solid window shopping session, we thought we might as well try to go and see at least a couple of monuments and sculptures, seeing as Florence was home to Michelangelo’s ‘David”, as well as some gorgeous river architecture and buildings. We went and checked out the Ponte Vecchio bridge, which had this cool statue to which couples had locked locks onto with their names written on the locks, apparently it was a symbol of ever lasting love. So we crossed over the other side of the river, where some of the lower priced fashion shops were. Ani found a really nice pair of new boots for 19 Euro, and I found these sweet riding pants, but didn’t buy them as they were over 100 Euro and couldn’t justify spending that on a pair of pants. Dinner tonight was at the sidekick restaurant to one of Italy’s best and most famous restaurants ‘Cibreo’, located in a small Piazza. By sidekick, I mean, the same food, 1/8th of the price and smaller portions. Menu was very simple, hand written, low cost and very high entertainment from the waiters, especially Guillomme, he was fantastic! The food was super cheap, and it was more than well worth the price we paid. Menu prices are simple, 6 Euro entrees, 14 Euro mains and 8 Euro per litre of house wine and 6 euro desserts. Since we were a late seating, Guillomme brought us out a free Main and a free desert, as he had no interest in wasting the ingredients, everything is made fresh, daily. An enjoyable, very tiring day all in all, full of laughs, sore legs and beautiful Florence Icons... Tomorrow we hit the road!
Checkkkkk it out!
Is that Charles Boyle?
50 Euro fine for attaching locks to the statue fence! I counted about 300 locks!
The wicked horse riding pants i found and so wanted to buy, Boom!
AN early rising, we hit the walking road to AVIS at 10am, scoring a new sedan Lanicer with a bunch of leg room and comfortable seats… Driving manual for the first time on the wrong side of the road was quite the experience, seeing as Florence has some pretty complex roads. Lucky out little Tomtom knew where to go, otherwise, we would have been, to say the least, screwed!
A gorgeous little cat that we found on our way through the beginning of Tuscany, just outside of Florence. It didn't want us to leave, so it climbed on the hood and started meowing! Cute!
So we started on our way south to San Gimignano, to visit what we were told was the best Gelati in Tuscany, if not the world. This Gelateria was voted world champions in 06/07 and is still part of the world Italian team. I must say, it was quite possibly the best Ice cream I have ever tasted, and for the people who know me, I really, really love ice cream… This was accompanied by a huge slice of pizza from a local place in the main square. All of these amazing little towns seem to be situated on the very tip top of hills and never in the valleys. I’m not too sure whether it is because of the Vineyards, natural irrigation runs down hill, or an ancient excuse to be closer to the Gods, either or, it is an amazing sight that I’ll be sure to have to come over and photograph properly. The ancient cities upon these glorious hills, depict almost a time warp effect as you approach them from the bottom of the mountain, feeling as though you’ll have to chuck on the ring armour and mount a horse to be granted entry.
Our next stop was of course, a well-known little town on Siena, where we would spend this lovely Thursday night and experience yet again, some lovely Tuscan food. This restaurant was on the side of an incredibly steep street, the stools had to have leveler blocks underneath them, just to sit straight! The pasta, the salad, the bread and the wine was nonetheless amazingly tasty, and the surrounding steep streets and lively noises coming from the student run population were entertaining. A quick sleep and an early wake up for breakfast was the best thing I’ve ever done, we got back on the road around 1pm, after Siena didn’t have much offer us.
Onto Montepulciano, through windy, long and stretchy roads the scenery was yet again, mind blowing! Montepulciano is a quaint little town, with not much to see. I bought a new knife, that was about the highlight of the visit there. Montalcino on the other hand, was amazing! A vintage wine country town, we were so lucky to score a sweet little apartment on the main road that runs through the village. Set on the very tip top of a hill, west of Montepulciano and south west of Siena, the views, the food and especially the wine is what this little wondrous town is known best for. 80 Euro found us a bed and breakfast, with 3 beds, our own bathroom and self serve food in the communal kitchen! Should have just stayed here the whole time, thought mum haha! The elder lady who ran the B&B also owned a vineyard just outside of Montalcino, so we had a tasting of her red, have to say it was truly the nicest red wine I have ever tasted. These people really live the life I have always dreamt of!
Dario the butcher is famous for his Opera singing on Sundays, wine tasting and luches from noon till 3 and freshly cut Tuscan meats. We unfortunately heard so much about Dario, but never quite had the privilege of meting him in person. Although Montalcino was small, and there wasn’t quite as much as we had hoped for to do, just outside of the centre, there are large vineyards that offer tours, free wine tasting and cheap, straight from the maker bottles.
Ani, trying to brighten the days day
After a drunken night out on the small town, we stopped for coffee then hit the hay. We explored the lower part of the town until Noon, and then hit the road for the last time. Straight back to Roma, with a few stops along the way by the ocean road to grab a bite to eat, and to check out the views huge ocean liners sitting in port at the moment, very cool!
All in all, the Wilson’s Tuscany shamble was Epic. To say the least, we experienced some funny, weird, exciting and abnormal things and behaviours from all. A different side to Italy was seen by all was seen, and I cannot wait till I have the opportunity to return, with a nice camera and some more time. If anyone would like to know where to eat, what to see, or where to stay in Florence, Montalcino, Siena or Rome, don’t hesitate to ask!
Big love, Jack and the gang
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