Enjoy the read
Trip Start
Apr 02, 2011
1
70
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Trip End
Jun 30, 2011
What I did
The villa - the landscape - the people .......... 6 days
Buonconvento, Tuscany, Italy
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Suzanne discovered this morning that she had left her camera at the restaurant - bit of a problem we were leaving for Floreance this morning at 9.00am - so at 6.30am we walked down to the restaurant hoping they would be open for breakfast not so - but left a note instead. The lady from the hotel kindly phoned the restaurant and luckily the manager had found the camera and the cleaner answered the phone - Suzanne went and collect the camera and was very grateful to the lady and cleaner!
On the train to Frienze - arriving about 11.30 ish off to pick up the cars for our drive to our villa in Tuscany. First stop - coffee shop OMG so many pastries, cakes, pizzas and sandwiches. Now to tackle Europcar, 1 car and 1 one 9 seater bus ...... after about 30 minutes and arranging luggage and the tomtom we set off. In Frienze non residents have a certain amount of time to leave the city by a certain route and visa versa coming back into the city. Our destination had been programmed by the girl in the office. We set off, and you guessed it the tomtom lost reception but we could only keep going straight with the second car following us. we were on a bit of a time frame as the owners of the villa had a christening to go to and were expecting us between 2 & 3pm - should be plenty of time as the journey should I repeat should take only 1.5hrs. So taking in the beauty of the country side, time was ticking by and we arrive at the destination via the tomtom mmmmmmmm - not the right place! Following instructions from the booking we set off not too far off the mark mmmm wrong again so we stopped and asked for directions at a local bar mmmmmm so we rang the owners - who don't speak much English laughing at our interpreteur's attempt to communicate with them - Enzo did a great job brushing up on his italian. We finally arrive at Buonconvento - over a very thin bridge and up the hill to Villa San Catorina (our hosts came and met us to make sure we got there) by this time it was later than 3.00pm. The Villa is amazing and has these specatular views, red geramiums and begonias in terracotta pots and a huge swimming pool, bbq, massive undercover alfresco (we called the carport) big kitchen, open fire in the lounge room (which we didn't need) inside dining area for 12 people. There were five double bedrooms inside the villa all with their own bathrooms and one room with a fold out double bed downstairs and outside closer to the pool area another double room with bathroom. Once the rooms etc were sorted next job - supermarket - food for dinner, wine and beer. Bit of a problem not cold wine or beer and you cannot by ice! The poor freezer worked overtime. After a meal, wine and lots of laughs it was off to bed.
12/06/2011
Sleep in - the rooms were so dark with the wooden shutters closed!
It was about 10.30 when Andy and I set off to walk into Buonconvento - we entered into the partially walled town walking down cobbled streets that only few cars used. The washing hanging from the 2nd floor balconies. I had been to the supermarket the day before and couldn't believe that this part of town was so hidden away. We came to a street that housed restaurants and shops. We sent a message back to the villa to let them know there were coffee shops open - some had already left!
We had coffee and wandered the streets before heading back to the villa to soak up the ambience of the countryside that surrounds us whilst sitting by the pool. If you have seen the paintings, postcards of all these paddock with different shades of yellow and green then that is exactly what it looks like. Wheat crops, black beans, lucerne, cammomile and hay. The farmers are preparing for harvesting the wheat.
This afternoon is the first time I have been able to open my book and commence reading the 'Patagonian Express' after a dip in the pool - just a tad too cool for me and a bit of a snooze. It was time to shower for dinner. A few headed into town to pick up further supplies. Suzanne and I lit the BBQ (wood fired) so that the fire could burn down to coals for our italian sausages. The rest of us prepared pre dinner nibbles and salad etc. Each night we ate at the beautifully set dinner table and we rotated seats to allow everyone to see the view.
Another evening of laughs with good friends.
13/06/2011
Last night I left the shutters on my window that overlooks the pool open to allow some light into the room. At 5.00am the sun was coming up, the birds were chirping and the sky was streaked with pink - but I was too lazy to get up and take photo's - note to self .......... tomorrow morning
Today we are off to San Gimignano. OK the tomtom set - off we go... we also had another 2 spots to visit - but again we got lost and it took longer than expected to get to San Jimmyarno (our pronunciation) This is a walled city named after the Bishop of Modena (you may recognise this as a label for Balsamic Vinegar) sometime in the 6th century - we agreed on a meeting place in a couple of hours. Everyone set off in different directions - our first stop was the toilets but too many people so we decided on coffee and a bathroom stop there, but before that we tried to enter the Town Hall but it was closed - we tried getting in the exit (that's why). From here wandered up to the Catherdral but chose not to go in and walked along paths that were lined with old olive trees to a lookout on the wall passing budding / hopeful artists displaying their wares as well as painting. Following our map we headed towards the Fonte d'Ovile but the path was really steep and too far away to get back and see other things - back to the square. This time we entered the town hall and decided to climb the tower to check out the 360 degree views. before climbing lots of steps we visited the museum containing statues and painting of the city. The steps went up and up before a really steep ladder and ducking under a massive big bell to see a magnificant view over the town and countryside - there are more grape vines here that in Buonconvento. After leaving the town hall we wandered along streets on the otherside of the city past the Museum of Torture (didn't have enough time to check this out) in the gothic part of town and back to the square wandering down to our meeting spot for a quick bit before moving onto our next town.
Next stop Montriggioni another walled city that you can walk parts of the wall on a boardwalk. Again stunning views from the boardwalk, old buildings and shops. Population of this little place is 41 people. We stopped for a Lemoni Gelati - so refreshing with a chocolate coated cone! A couple of us tasted wine - the whites weren't too good. Back to the villa. On the way we stopped and purchased our train tickets to spend tomorrow in Frienze. The weather has been perfect, some had a swim before preparing dinner and drinks.
We laughed about our tomtom not giving us the right directions - and we named her 'Maria' and talked about the old footy times - with Enzo giving us a detailed description of a game or two, since he didn't play with the Tigers - another great night.
14/06/2011
I didn't wake up in time for the sunrise this morning but still an early start as we were to be on the 8.19am to Frienze from Buonconvento. Tomorrow
Ready for a big day to cram in as much as possible. We arrived in Frienze at 10.00 and all agreed to catch the 5.10 back to Buonconvento and met back at the station at 4.50pm.
First off we went to the information office to checked out tours etc. we decided on buying a head set with two ear plugs and walk on our own guided tour. Armed with the map of the city off we went.
First place we stopped was Piazza Santa Maria Novella and had a coffee and set up the walking tour technology! Then we checked out the church and realised that the walking tour didn't start here so we headed off to Piazza del Duomo, the Santa Maria del Fiore catherdral building began in 1296 and was finished in 1436 - 142 years later and several different builders/architects later. We chose not to enter the catherdral but rather line up and climb the 480 steps to the top of Brunelleschi's dome and see a 360degree view of Florence. The climb was steady but going round in circles made you feel dizzy and people with big feet would struggle coming down the steps! Whilst climbing we got to see the murals on the inside of the dome up closed than if you had entered the catherdral. The artwork was amazing and a little scary some of the characters. We reached the top - what a view - now down the steps on the other side - by the end of today we will have done the 1000 steps............ Next back to the square and listened to our walking guide tell us about the Merchant buildings, Giotto's Bell tower and the Baptistery dedicated to John the Baptist with these amazing doors that tell stories about the bible - the baptistery dates back to the 6-7 century. There were other interesting buildings/history in this square.
Moving right along - we head for Piazza santissima Annunziata but we got lost - so we had lunch at the Cardillac Cafe (very italian - not) we thumbed through our booklet as time was now getting away on us and decided to see David - so we got directions from the guy at the cafe. We found David but he was the painting not the statue inside the art museum. So we decided to grab a cab to see the statue and then get dropped off at the old bridge Ponte Vecchio and walk back. So we had photo's with David who is located looking over the city of Florence in a very expensive area with beautiful manicured gardens downs to the river. We walked over the bridge listening to the commentary telling us about the original wooden bridge being destroyed by fire, rebuilt, destroyed, rebuilt and destroyed a third time by a flood. It was rebuilt in 1345 as it is today. From here we walked into a street where all the gold merchants are.
Time was getting away so we follwed our map and ended up in the Piazza Santa Croce with all these amazing statues etc - we didn't really have time to stop except for some photo's. Down a few more streets and into another Piazza where they were setting up for a grand fashion show! Here was a old fashioned merry-go-round.
We reached the railway station along with the others - boarded the train for the journey back to our villa - away from the hussle and bussle of the big smoke! From the track we could see our villa perched up and the hill and we all waved to Julie and Enzo who chose to stay home and chill.
Back at the villa - Julie had dinner all organised - beautiful pasta. Another evening of swapping stories on what we had seen during the day with lots of laughter and a few drinks.
15/05/2011
I got up and welcomed the day with photo's of the sunrise - truly beautiful
Today we are off to Siena, another old city that is walled. "Maria" found her way very easily today! We parked the car outside the walls and headed up the hill until we found the entrance. First stop was the Information Centre where we enquired about a walking tour - there was one leaving at 11.00am for the i office. So this allowed us to time to go to the local market that is only on Wednesday's until 1.30pm. WOW what bargains - the new colour range for next summer is Denim blue, emerald green and orange. You can buy shoes, jeans, tops and handbags in these colours and lots of other goodies! We browsed through the market and were very good not to buy anything. Back down to the square for a quick coffee before the tour.
Our tour guide in Roberta - a locally born Sienan. Siena is famous for the Palio horse race that is conducted annually around the square. The paved roadway is covered with local soil that is very similar to sand, they cram up to 40,000 people into the centre of the square and if you have a lazy 12,000 euro you can pay to be on one of the palace balconies around the square. There is only one rule in the race that the jockey's cannot pull or interfere with the reins of another horse! The jockeys they say are quite 'corrupt'........... There is a lot of history around this race so you need to google the info. It is all about the horse and the horse can win without a jockey - bit different to our rules. we spent a bit of time talking about the history of the race before heading into the gallery and going underground now to the original level of the town. The church where the horses are blessed before the race - the jockeys are blessed out side in another chapel. Then up and out of the square we wandered along the streets with Roberta showing us different aspects of the town. We looked inside buildings with their windows open marvelling at the ornatelly painted ceilings - not good for the neck. At the Basillica Santa Maria we had an extensive tour, with an explaination about the beautiful mosaic marble floor to the statues of John the Baptist and into the Chappella of Maria where tucked away behind the entrance was Mary Magdalene with bare breasts. There is another church here where the head and finger of Saint Caterina are - but we ran out of time to get there. We stopped off at a shop (very briefly) that had photographs of the horse race. Down a street where you could see the pipes of the toilets at each level of these really old buildings, past a blacksmith shop here the tour ended. we had a bite to eat and headed down a path towards the back gate of the city where prisoners where hung for their crimes and into some farm land at the back of the University. Here they were growing all sorts of produce and goats (billy goat gruff, with his big horns and beard) were penned. We also passed the local primary school. We got back to the car just in time as our time has expired on the parking ticket. Here they don't fine you but tow your car away!
We messaged ahead to see if any supplies were needed. Julie, Enzo and Ian needed collecting in Buonconvento at 3.30 - everything closes in this town from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. We picked up some supplied and arrived back at the villa. Tonight our Italian hosts are cooking us an authentic italian meal. We all sit and talk about our day over a vino or two before being served a glass of Chianti and antipasta, then appetizer was a bowl of spagetti (by this time I was full) then main course was a turkey rolled with pork, roasted zucchini and potatoes. Desert was a tart with cream and something else........ Oh so full but the flavours were amazing. There was enough left over for tomorrow nights dinner.
16/06/2011
This morning we are headed for Pisa and Lucca. There is only us, Megan and Nick. The others are heading to Siena. Our wonderful friend 'Maria' has directed us on a scenic drive to Pisa with a little hiccup in one town where drove around the block twice - she was confused!
We follow the signs to Pisa and along with 'Maria' we park the car in the vicinity of the tower. We get out walk to the end of the street and OMG there it is the ' Leaning Tower of Pisa' yep...... we took the photo's pushing it back up and walked around the square - again the queues were so long - marvelling at the history and the amazing buildings that surround it.
Now to Lucca - this town you can walk around the top of the city wall. at one stage there was a mote all the way around it. The Guard houses are still there - with some TLC and restoration these could be a great tourist attraction. It was time for some lunch - the good old Lonely Planet Guide gave another great recommendation. Then it was off to explore ...... but lots were closed for siesta time - a little bit of shopping and we headed back to the villa to enjoy our last evening in Tuscany.
First job back at the villa was set 'Maria' straight on the address of where we were to drop the cars back in the morning. Job done - we think! The leftovers were fantastic, the others full of chat about their day in Siena. They got to the church of St Caterina aand saw the head and finger but didn't go to the Basilica. Our evening was again spent with lots of laughter, great company and a few drinks.
