Saturday, November 9, 2013

Day 12 - Tuscan Countryside and Florence at Night


Today we went out to the Tuscan countryside with Lisie and Fabrizio. By the time we had finished breakfast and showered it was beginning to rain and as we began our drive into the country the drizzle turned to a downpour. But, luck would have it that it stopped raining just as we arrived at our first stop: the beautiful Tuscan hill town of San Gimignano. As we walked around this amazing town the weather continued to improve and the sun even came out. We had beautiful views of the Tuscan countryside and stopped at a wine bar to taste several different types of Vernacchia, a style of wine particular to the San Gimignano area.


Epic clouds over San Gimignano


Towers of San Gimignano


A burst of sun in a Tuscan garden


Buildings catching the sun in San Gimignano

Next we hopped back in the car and headed to lunch at a restaurant owned by an old friend of Lisie. Unfortunately, her restaurant is closed for lunch on Saturdays but she was there and recommended another place in the town of Certaldo (pronounced chair-TALL-doe) called La Saletta. The food was absolutely amazing and our waiter was the owner of the restaurant and he told us that all of the dishes are old family recipes. We had a variety of rabbit, wild boar, and steak; and each was incredibly delicious in its own particular way. After the meal we headed back into Florence and Lisie had to work for a bit so we walked into the old part of the city. We walked across the Ponte Vecchio, past lots of street vendors and fashion shops, past the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Uffizzi and then returned to Lisie and Fabrizzio’s for another wonderful dinner cooked by Fabrizzio. Off to bed now so we can explore more tomorrow, goodnight!


Cypress trees and vineyards in the Tuscan countryside


Florence's Ponte Vecchio over the Arno river lit up at night


Night view of Palazzo Vecchio, Florence

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