Day 2 in Toscana

Rolled out of bed belatedly in true May 1st style and stopped at the first coffee shop to be served by a stunning smileless bella. The coffee was good but the croissants looked burnt. We got to the Piazza del Campo a little before 11. Magnificient. Seeing is truly beleiving why this city is called Medeival (the narrow cobblestone streets was the other clue). The layout of the Campo is unlike any I have ever seen and to know that it was done several centuries tinglesof genius. Just seeing the Campo was worth the 7 hour drive. Did the obligatory stroll through the museum. I presume the museum also doubles as a civil marriage hall as we were able to see a wedding being conducted too. Instead of 'Here comes the bride' tune, a large Italian tenor made voluble operatic sounds to welcome the bride in. My friendly wine sommelier had recommended visiting the Italian Enoteca in Siena so we decided to have lunch there. Even though I wanted to have some Tuscan white wine, the waiter insisted on opening a bottle of wine from the North. Good decision not to resist as the fermented juice was impecable and especially so when sipped on the ancient medici fort under cover of the inveigling tuscan rays.They also served the best pasta we had the whole trip. The place was quite empty for lunch though. Fed and burped, we headed to see the real deal that we came for - the Chianti Classico vineyards. To understand the term 'rolling hills', a short drive through the Chianti Classico route will suffice. There lots of uphill climbs and equally steep downward slopes. In support of the Green world , I religiously drove in neutral where ever I could (cheap thrills to beat the OPEC cartel was also an important factor). We were able to hit many of the importants spots along the route. We were also able to go to Castello Di Brolio, checked out the castle, listened to our guide and admired its trees. They have hollow tree (from Japan I think) which is nice but is said to be dying, you can peer through its trunk and see the sky above. Settled for dinner at Castello Fonterutoli Osteria. Day 3 and Day 4 were similar gastronomical experiences so less said the better else the president of my Blog club will get upset. We were able to visit hilltowns of Montalcino and Montepulciano both of which were very special and well worth more time than what we had. I have a new definition for the word 'Posh'. We were driving through the Montalcino hills when I chanced upon sign board showing signs to Biondi Santi vineyards. Being one of the few wines Montalcino wines that I know, I broke several traffic rules (like the italians know the meaning of traffic rules) and swung the car towards entrance of the estate. The driveway into the estate were lined with these tall Cedar trees for about 300m. Through this green growth you can see a large mansion covered in Ivy up ahead. The house itself is surrounded by a large garden and lawns. Parked at the side is the family fleet of Mercedes and Jaguars. As we stepped out of the care we were greeted a very large white dog which seemed to have just finiseda dip in the lake on the property. Money could'nt buy this. Worth mentioning that we got stuck for 4 hours in traffic and had to crash the night at a hotel. Also worth mentioning is that my bloggin is slow and news stale as since this trip I have already been to Dxb, CAI and FCM. Room for improvement as my teacher would say.

Tuscany

I never wanted to leave but alas a rent bill, life's other aspirations and rental car forced us to end our 4 day tryst with Toscana. But we will be back. If you are an alcoholic and foodie like me then prepare to get seduced by her rolling hills and succulent Zuccinis when in Tuscany. With our wagons hitched we headed straight for the Italian town of Montova (with help the of a GPS of course). Got stopped on the way by an Italian policeman who asked me if I was an American and I said no 'Indian', then he waved us through. Strange, since when did being Indian allow you to get Green channel treatment. Inspite of the initial huffing and puffing at home to decide which roach motel to stay in, the place was comfortable and clean. Had to play to the gallery and agreed to go into the Montova since its designated as a 'cute town'. Like most of Italy, the place was a walk-in Musuem. Old castle with an impressive moat and a large cathedral in the background built on a lake. The Piazza itself was medeival and the town looked like it was bustling with tourists. We walked around the lake and observed a fishing competition in progress, saw some very strange fishing rods. We had lunch at Cantina Cannosa where we served by a waitress who was endowed with a gravity defying upper body. The food was excellent and Piazza ambience was very relaxing. We sat out in the sun, I had water with gas and the wife water without. Lots of pictures and many exchanges of adoration later we left in sizzling afternoon sun for Toscana. Stopped outside town to take more panoramic pictures. First stop was Greve in Chianti, part of the Chianti Classico route. Small but famous for its wine, we had salami and wine in the town square. Priya was eyeing the table across whose occupant were gorging on sheep cheese cheese on honey and figs. Yum. My first binge wine buying also started in an Enoteca in the Piazza which also claims to have the oldest Chianti Classico bottle. You can clearly see sediment at the bottom of the bottle, could not make sure how much wine was still left in the bottle. After a quick run to the butcher shop, we headed towards Siena to make sure we did not lose the room. Next time a guide book says cozy and romantic then it means cramped, old furniture and a crazy receptionist. Actually not so bad, we were hardly in the room anyway. A friend of mine suggested Osteria Le Logge so rushed over and managed to sit down for dinner at 10:00pm. A fine bottle of Fonteruttoli and 2 courses of meals were hauled our tired bodies back to the hotel. Day 2.....