pinkbirdflies

Drove a short distance from Montepulciano to the town of Chianciano Terme. Explored the small but fascinating historical centre and checked out the “spas” which are private and offerring an array of treatments utilising the mineral waters of the region. We all had pizza for lunch…my first real pizza in Italy and it was truly delicious. We ended up having a little ‘aperitivo party’ in the apartment with Ruth, Anne and Jen (Australian girls) who were in my Il Sasso language school class, Carol my Canadian neighbour who is studying advanced Italian and Clare, an American student studying advanced Italian as well. Spritz all round, antipasta and then dinner at La Acquacheta where the Florentine steaks are legendary…giant T-bones, char-grilled rare and cut into large chunks. We shared 2 kilograms of this Italian bred beef!

Drove with Caroline and Norbert to the edge of the Chianti region to the medieval castle/fortress of Monteriggioni home to a Garrison of soldiers as well as families. We drove to Siena and explored the central historical area including the Piazza del Campo an imposing sloping scallop shaped brick paved area surrounded by buildings.This is the site of the daring ‘il Palio’ horse race where they gallop around the edge of the campo. The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta was an architectural highlight and we finished the day with Aperol spritz overlooking the Campo while Norbert went to climb a tower! Dinner at home with Antipasta on the terrace followed by Caroline’s fresh tuscan asparagus pasta, after exploring the incredible cellars of a winery Cantina Del Redi built into the cliff of Montepulciano where I bough the luscious Vinsanto di Montepulciano, a truly lovely dessert wine.

Drove across the fertile and productive valley ‘Valdichiana’ to Cortona built half way up a hillside for a wonderful morning of exploring. Continued back across the valley and wound our way up to a small village called Montefollonico. We had a sumptuous lunch at La Chiusa created by head chef and owner Dania…Zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta cheese, Tuscan crepes with porcini mushrooms, boneless rabbit with black truffle and had to have a dessert of Pistachio icecream with coffee mousse! Had a walk around this gorgeous tiny town and even happened upon a funeral and the church bell tolling. Drove home and sat around relaxing and very full !!

Drove through the gorgeous rolling hills, vines, olives and fields of wild poppies dotted with Tuscan Villas with Caroline and Norbert in their little Fiat Punto to Pienza. It was really a pretty town and we were lucky to come across teams of men Pecorino Cheese Bowling in the Piazza Pio. We strolled the streets and came across the filming of “VIP Bus” which is going to be a German reality show with a funky transvestite. Lunch at Ristorante Il Chiostro in the garden with a panoramic views across the valley. Continued on to San Quirico d’ Orcia where a Medieval Archery festival was being held and the competitors took it very seriously and dressed authentically,which did look fantastic. We prepared dinner from local produce including wild boar salami, fresh buffalo mozzarella caprese salad, italian sausage and bresaola, pear baked with pecorino, artichokes and aubergine and semi dried tomatoes with Vino di Montepulciano of course. Perfecto!

Gorgeous Tuscan sunshiny day so walked up to Piazza Grande…un cafe Macchiato and Aperol…superb lunch at Ristorante Le Loggia Del Vignola of Ricoota and Spinach Gnocchi with Summer Truffle. We were shown the biggest truffle the owner had seen! Finished the meal with a very beautiful glass of Vino Santo, a dessert wine of the region. We shopped at the local supermercato “Conan” and made our way back up the hill with a coffee stop at Cafe Poliziano which has a stunning view over the surrounding countryside. Dinner was delicious at Osteria Gattavecchi where we toured the cellars dug into the mountainside and dined in the former Monastery’s refectory. The bruschetta selection was delicious followed by roast pork in chestnut sauce paired with a Gattavecchi Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano reserva 2004.

Joined an Urban Adventures tour to get an overview of Marrakech before taking it on on my own! Starting at Jemaa El Fna we visited the Koutoubia Mosque which I have since heard calling all Muslims to prayer at various times of the day. We walked through the old Medina and through the Jewish quarter to the Saadian tombs and Badii Palace. We took in a modern photographic exhibition on the people of Marrakech and finished passing through the markets and souks. Much more touristy than Fes and there are a lot of tourists recognisable. Marrakech is Morocco’s largest city and I have noticed the interpretation of Islam in varying degrees in regards to the womens’ style of dressing. Morocco is a moderate Islamic country where the majority are Sunni Muslim. Women wear the headscarf mainly although a few don’t and the other few still cover up with a face scarf style. The girls wear modern clothes although covered  bodies and headscarves.